In the last decades of the twentieth century the spawn of cold war paranoia took root in fundamentalist attitudes in both the Pentagon and Tehran, resulting in ill thought through attempts to ‘rule the world' - witness 9/11, where outside America the vast majority of people intuitively feel that at least to an extent it was an inside job.  Whether this was an excuse for the Bush jihad or not, the cost of the resultant resource wars in terms of money and especially in terms of the middle ground Republican vote was and continues to be catastrophic.  Much of what was left of the old Republican party have tried to purge and purify their ideology (Tea Party), resulting in a plethora of sanitized candidates, none of whom have a spark of individuality, all who seem to think that the only way forward is by walking on their opponents in a pseudo sophisticated way that overlays a desperation bordering on obsession.  And at the end of the day the winner has to go up against Obama, an absolute no brainer I'm afraid.  This is written as the news comes in that one bland man has beaten another bland man in Iowa, the size as England, by eight votes.  In that context, and because a few of you have asked, - Mitt Romney (12.3.47, 09.51, Detroit).  My initial impression is that he's not a nasty man, but with the Sun conjunct Ceres, both squaring Uranus, he's constantly influenced by issues concerning nurturing and homeland.  This is exacerbated by Venus on the MC opposite Pluto at the base of his chart, suggesting a very powerful influence from his mother, and a continuing influence from powerful women in his life.  And that Moon Jupiter conjunction in his Scorpio 6^th house desperately wants to serve, to be of use, but also tends to promise more then can be delivered.  This year, there are two big influences.  Neptune is squaring his early Gemini Ascendant, creating seeds of discord and confusion between him and others at the one to one level, making him appear slightly foggy.  And Uranus is sextiling his Midheaven and Venus, suggesting that his charm and superficial common touch will go down well with people.  There's already enough Pisces energy in his chart, he doesn't have to pretend (like the others, except Ron Paul) to be pious.  But - as November looms, so Saturn squares itself, his Midheaven and his Venus.  He probably will win the candidacy, although his generational past may reveal some skeletons.  But will he beat Obama?  At the moment - you kidding me?