2008 Presidential Candidates Testing Waters

Newsmax ^ | 2/28/05

[areafiftyone]

The 2004 presidential election just ended, and with President Bush re-inaugurated scarcely a month ago, is it possible that contenders are already vying for the 2008 race?

Unfortunately, yes.

The Washington Post reports in Sunday editions that the first official-unofficial "cattle call" campaign event took place this weekend in Washington, D.C., at a meeting of the National Governors Association.

No fewer than 15 of 50 state governors from the two major parties are considering a run at the Oval Office, the paper reported.

Both parties, it seems, "have learned the benefits of nominating a governor" instead of Washington lawmakers, adds the Post, noting Sen. John Kerry's defeat "extended a losing streak for sitting legislators that has been going since John F. Kennedy's 1960 election."

Here's the field of potential candidates the paper vetted:

Republicans

• Arnold Schwarzenegger of California. He has an early, wide lead over potential gubernatorial challengers, but he can't become president unless, or until, lawmakers repeal a constitutional provision which mandates only natural-born citizens can run for the Oval Office.

• George Pataki of New York. He will face a tough prospective opponent in former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has soared high in public opinion polls (and in the GOP) since his PR bonanza in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

• Jeb Bush of Florida. He has said he won't run, but, the Post reported, "many hope he'll break his promise. ..."

• Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. An enigma in his own right, he has managed to become a Republican governor in a staunch Democratic stronghold dominated for decades by the Kennedys.

• Haley Barbour of Mississippi. This former Republican National Committee chairman is likely very familiar with the inner workings of the GOP "machine," which probably gives him an advantage. That may not translate into public support, however.

• Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. More popular and honest than the last Arkansa governor to serve in the White House, Huckabee is also a true blue Reagan conservative.

• Mark Sanford of South Carolina. He may not join the battle if friend Sen. John McCain of Arizona runs, the Post reported.

• Bill Owens of Colorado. He suffered a potential setback this past election when Democrats won key victories in his state.

  Democrats

• Tom Vilsack of Iowa. He is reportedly an early favorite to win one of the nation's first presidential caucuses, which is held in his state, the Post says.

• Phil Bredesen of Tennessee. Unlike former Vice President Al Gore, Bredesen may actually win his state if he runs, says the Post.

• Bill Richardson of New Mexico. An amiable and likable guy, he may not get much traction because of the loss of some nuclear weapons-related data during his tenure at the Energy Department under Clinton.

• Jennifer Granholm of Michigan. Like Schwarzenegger, she's not from here. She's Canadian and until the Constitution is changed, she can't run.

• Janet Napolitano of Arizona. An enigma in her own right, she's a Democratic governor in what is arguably one of the reddest of "red" GOP states. That may be to her disadvantage.

• Rod Blagojevich of Illinois. "His home state may be too blue to matter," says the Post.

[areafiftyone]

YIKES!! Is this all we have???

[jtminton]

Good morning. I hope your weekend was well.

[vmivol00]

what about Condi?

[areafiftyone]

I would support Condi for VP but I don't know about president yet. I might but I would have to know a little more about her standing on certain issues. Probably they didn't put her up because she hasn't expressed interest at all but how can she - she's sooo busy right now doing her job.

[Coldwater Creek]

She's not a Governor, and has never ran for a public office and she is a woman.

On the Democrat side Tenn. Governor Phil Bredesen will not take his state. Tennessee is solidly Republican, even if he was elected Governor. Ask the people of Nashville how they liked being taxed out of this world.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Had a great but busy weekend. How was your weekend?

[Calpernia]

1010 WINS - New York's All News Station | 1010wins.com
Clinton: Wife Would Make "Excellent President"

Feb 27, 2005 8:37 am US/Eastern

Former president Bill Clinton said Sunday his wife, Hillary, would be an excellent choice as the first female leader of the world's most powerful nation.

In an interview with Japan's TV Asahi, Clinton said that he did not know whether his wife had any plans to one day run for the U.S. presidency, which has been held by 43 men but no women.

"I don't know if she'll run or not," he told the network, but added, "She would make an excellent president, and I would always try to help her."

Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she plans to run for re-election as senator of New York state in 2006. Speculation has periodically surfaced, however, that the 57-year-old former first lady may have her sights set for the presidency in 2008.

Results from a U.S. poll released last week showed that six in 10 American voters believe the United States is ready for a female president.

Fifty-three percent thought Hillary Clinton should try for the job, according to the survey by the Siena College Research Institute and sponsored by Hearst Newspapers.

"If she did run and she was able to win, she'd make a very, very good president," Clinton said Sunday.

When asked which of the two was more talented, Clinton was not as direct.

"I was in it more so for a long time I was better. But I think now she's at least as good as I was," he replied.

Clinton was in Japan on a three-day visit to attend an international forum organized by the Asahi newspaper and to promote a Japanese-language edition of his best-selling memoir "My Life."

[jtminton]

Had a sick kid Friday, so I took the day off. Went to the auto show on Saturday to pick out some sweet Presidential rides for us. How do you feel about Chevy pickups?

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm a Ford Pickup man.

[newgeezer]

Oh, boy. I suppose the Condi fawners will have a cow.

[BlackRazor]

On the Democrat side Tenn. Governor Phil Bredesen will not take his state. Tennessee is solidly Republican, even if he was elected Governor. Ask the people of Nashville how they liked being taxed out of this world.

Wasn't it Bredesen's Republican predecessor who raised taxes in Tennessee? Didn't Bredesen make a no new taxes pledge when he ran? From what I've heard, Bredesen is pretty conservative (used to be a Republican, but changed parties for political expediency). If Bredesen got the nomination, I think he would have a great chance at winning his state. The problem is he's way too far right to win the Democratic nomination.

[jtminton]

I'm a Chevy guy, and occasionally a Dodge guy, but I can compromise. How about this Ford pickup:

[TheForceOfOne]

NEWT! NEWT! NEWT!

[sittnick]

YIKES!! Is this all we have???

No, the author is only selecting from sitting governors. Reagan was six years out of office when he was elected. Jimmy Carter was two years out of his only term. Clinton had to "break his promise" to serve his full term (he also had the elections changed to every four years, instead of every two years, so he would still be gov if he lost). So, among sitting governors who ran for president, our only examples are George W. Bus and Bill Clinton. Granted are the most recent, but they are still exceptions.

George Allen (Virginia) may be a Senator, but he also was governor of Virginia. As the son of Hall of Fame Coach George Allen Sr., his name gives him a built-in following. He should be included in any list of potential candidates who have been governor.

[monkapotamus]

I'd support him:

[vmivol00]

Bredesen is actually pretty popular in the state. The last Rep governor almost did in the party in TN. Bredesen is way too conservative to get anywhere in a Dem primary.

[1903A3]

Condi Yes
She's smart/tough /as class
And President Bush is obviously pushing her
If she's god enough for W then she's god enough for me

[areafiftyone]

Nice thought but he won't run.

[deport]

YIKES!! Is this all we have???

---

Well this article is talking about potential candidates coming out of the Governors ranks..... Who else out of the remaining 20 Republican Governors do you see as a candidate?

[areafiftyone]

I don't know right now. I really don't care for anyone that is even thinking of running at this point but its still early yet. I guess I would need to see more of them to see if they have what it takes. Being holed up here in NY State does not help the situation either. I am very open right now to anyone who can beat Hillary!