re: "Given the state of the economy" ... "republicans have yet to offer a viable choice."
On what basis do you say that? From an economic standpoint, I think the Republicans have "offered" several. Ron Paul's field of expertise is Austrian economics - which is diametrically opposed to the Keynesianism which got us into this mess. Newt is, by anyone's standard, a brilliant thinker. Huntsman governed the state with the best employment in the nation.
Now consider what the Democrats have offered: A man who in herited an economic mess, CONTINUED with the practices, advisors and associations that created the mess, and shows no sign of changing anything. It's SO ironic, given his 2008 campaign theme.

Gold is $1,581/oz today. When it hits $2,000, it will be up 26.5%. Let's see how long that takes. - De 3/11/2013 - ANSWER: 7 Years, 5 Months