Republicans seek the perfect date (read: candidate) for 2016 - U-T San Diego

By NANCY BENAC Associated Press12:21 a.m.Feb. 26, 2015

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2014 file photo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker share a laugh as Walker campaigns at Empire Bucket in Hudson, Wis. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Walker, Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are among at least 10 current and former governors considering a bid.(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014, file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Senators, do they know how to talk. There are at least five current and former senators considering running, and Rubio, Kentucky’s Rand Paul and Texan Ted Cruz are all known for giving a good speech. Rubio has the added benefit of a compelling back-story to share on the stump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014, file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Senators, do they know how to talk. There are at least five current and former senators considering running, and Rubio, Kentucky’s Rand Paul and Texan Ted Cruz are all known for giving a good speech. Rubio has the added benefit of a compelling back-story to share on the stump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - In this July 26, 2014, file photo, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker puts on his helmet before riding his Harley-Davidson during a leg of Ride with Walker in Sheboygan, Wis. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Walker is a Harley-riding preacher’s son who’s been governor since 2011 and cultivated the image of the outside-Washington upstart. (AP Photo/The Sheboygan Press, Gary C. Klein) NO SALESThe Associated Press

FILE - In this July 26, 2014, file photo, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker puts on his helmet before riding his Harley-Davidson during a leg of Ride with Walker in Sheboygan, Wis. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Walker is a Harley-riding preacher’s son who’s been governor since 2011 and cultivated the image of the outside-Washington upstart. (AP Photo/The Sheboygan Press, Gary C. Klein) NO SALES

FILE - In this June 12, 2009, file photo. former President George H. W. Bush, center, is joined by his sons, former President George W. Bush, left, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, as he speaks to reporters after his parachute jump with the Army Golden Knights parachute team to celebrate his 85th birthday in Kennebunkport, Maine. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. This is Bush - the son and brother of former presidents. No one else can claim the same intimacy with the office. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this June 12, 2009, file photo. former President George H. W. Bush, center, is joined by his sons, former President George W. Bush, left, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, as he speaks to reporters after his parachute jump with the Army Golden Knights parachute team to celebrate his 85th birthday in Kennebunkport, Maine. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. This is Bush - the son and brother of former presidents. No one else can claim the same intimacy with the office. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum reacts as he is introduced to speak at the Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. A handful of White House potentials have president campaign experience. Santorum was the last candidate standing in opposition to Mitt Romney for the nomination in 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum reacts as he is introduced to speak at the Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. A handful of White House potentials have president campaign experience. Santorum was the last candidate standing in opposition to Mitt Romney for the nomination in 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

FILE - In this April 23, 2013, file photo, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questions a witness on Capitol Hill in Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights hearing on drone use. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee has fluency with foreign affairs that stands out. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this April 23, 2013, file photo, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questions a witness on Capitol Hill in Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights hearing on drone use. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee has fluency with foreign affairs that stands out. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2015, file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb. Bush speaks to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in Chicago. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Most voters don’t really care about campaign finance, but raking in cash is an essential skill for any successful candidate., and Bush is in a position to do just that. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2015, file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb. Bush speaks to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in Chicago. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Most voters don’t really care about campaign finance, but raking in cash is an essential skill for any successful candidate., and Bush is in a position to do just that. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2015, file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the Heritage Foundation’s Conservative Policy Summit in Washington. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Paul has a reputation for candor that endears him to many but sometimes gets him into trouble. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2015, file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the Heritage Foundation’s Conservative Policy Summit in Washington. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. Paul has a reputation for candor that endears him to many but sometimes gets him into trouble. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2014, file photo Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands by a painting presented to him of his likeness by Erick Erickson after the governor spoke to attendees at the 2014 Red State Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. There’s no People magazine list of the hottest candidates. But you can bet most of these candidates like what they see in the mirror. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2014, file photo Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands by a painting presented to him of his likeness by Erick Erickson after the governor spoke to attendees at the 2014 Red State Gathering in Fort Worth, Texas. Let’s say that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office. There’s no People magazine list of the hottest candidates. But you can bet most of these candidates like what they see in the mirror. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Let's say, for a moment, that America has given you the job of picking the perfect candidate for president. Good luck, Mr. or Ms. Voter, deciding what they've got to have — and what they can do without.

There are all sorts of things to start the list: leadership, vision, charisma, communication skills and foreign policy cred. And more: fundraising prowess, authenticity, empathy, a keen understanding of the presidency and maybe a little familiarity with running for the office.

And even more: good looks are always a plus, even if people don't want to admit it. For many, being an "outsider" is a must at a time when "Washington" is on the outs with a lot of people.

Where do you even start? For Republicans, you can't do much better than this week's Conservative Political Action Conference. There are as many as two dozen GOP hopefuls eyeing the party's nomination in 2016, and many of them will be offering themselves at CPAC as the perfect prom date for conservatives in search of a winning candidate.

Can anyone claim the total package? Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which runs CPAC, sees a strong lineup of potential candidates and says that now, "they're going to preen and strut and we're going to see a president emerge."

But you know how schoolgirls may dream up the perfect boyfriend by imagining a mashup of the jock, the hottie and the smart kid, with a whiff of bad boy for excitement? What if Republicans could do the same to assemble their dream candidate to go up against the Democratic nominee, who most expect will be Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Here's a look at a few qualities they might want to pick from, and some of the candidates with something to offer.

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LEADERSHIP

Pick a governor. Wisconsin's Scott Walker, New Jersey's Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush are among at least 10 current and former governors considering a bid. Says Walker, "Governors are the ones who get things done." One other option: Carly Fiorina, a former tech executive, has the initials "CEO" on her resume.

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COMMUNICATION

Grab a senator. Boy, do they know how to talk. There are at least five current and former senators considering running, and Florida's Marco Rubio, Kentucky's Rand Paul and Texan Ted Cruz are all known for giving a good speech. Rubio has the added benefit of a compelling back story to share on the stump: he's the son of Cuban immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking a better life.

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THE OUTSIDER

Walker is a Harley-riding preacher's son who's been governor since 2011 and cultivated the image of the outside-Washington upstart. He's best known for a taking on public unions, and surviving a 2012 recall election after that brouhaha.

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UNDERSTANDING THE PRESIDENCY

Hands down, this is Bush — he's the son and brother of former presidents. No one else can claim the same intimacy with the office, says Schlapp, who calls Bush a "historical anomaly." But, then again, that whole Bush dynasty thing is a downside to those with bad memories of presidents 41 and 43.