Posted on 03/21/2007 8:06:48 AM PDT by NYC Republican
OK, right off the bat, let's get real about Duncan Hunter. Good guy, solid conservative credentials, outstanding Rep for many years, war veteran. All things being equal, he'd be my first choice for President.
All things aren't equal. He doesn't stand a chance, and so many of our friends here at FR live in a bubble, not realizing this, or not accepting reality.
It will take over $200 million, IMHO just to compete. Hunter's never going to raise anywhere near that figure. He announced his candidacy a few months ago, and he can't even register above 1% or 2%, even in GOP polls.
I'm not committed to any other candidate yet, but here are my views, for those willing to "listen".
Giuliani- may have too much baggage and may be too liberal. I honestly feel that the baggage will be more damaging than the liberal tendencies. For each vote he loses on the hard right, he'll gain in the mushy middle. As for baggage, his 3 marriages (one was to a second cousin) could become a big issue, but even bigger could be his prostate cancer, which forced him out of the NY Senate race in '00. He's getting a free-ride from the media right now, but if he became the GOP standard-bearer, he will be shred to pieces... As for the 911 effect, yet another year will pass, and unless we have another attack, most of his "heroics" will fade further. In addition, he's bald, has a distinct NYC accent, a bad over-bite, and a very scorned, nasty ex-wife. None of these things matter much to me, but others, unfortunately, do place aesthetics like looks up there.
McCain- far too many negatives to even consider. Well beyond CFR. He's stabbed conservatives in the back far too often, is too old, and his cancer is also an issue.
Romney- I actually find him the most impressive of the three. Flip-flops too often on major issues, and is a Mormon, so he'll lose a bit there. May seem to slick or polished, and he'll be painted as another Massachusetts liberal (especially if someone like Richardson, or another "moderate" becomes the candidate), but I think he's very articulate, knowledgeable, and has a pretty good mid-right record. Kudos for going up against Kennedy in a losing Senate battle.
Gingrich- also DOA, more than anyone else. He'll need $500 million just to turn the public's negative view to a neutral. Cut and ran when the going got tough, could be a solid adviser, but nowhere on the ticket.
Thompson- I'd love to see him go after it. Solid conservative record on nearly everything (except immigration). He's very articulate, would destroy Hillary in the debates...
One side issue- all of you single-issue voters disgust me, whatever the issue is. On nearly every issue, the GOP platform is better than the Dems. If the Dems re-capture the Oval Office, you are mainly to blame.
Flame away folks...
Vote your guy in the primary, stop the dems in the national election.
Can you name a "single-issue voter" here? If you actually read the posts by the conservatives, you will find several issues:
Abortion
Partial birth abortion
Gun Control
Border Security
Homosexual Agenda
Global Warming
...and more.
BTW, your screen name is a giveaway. You are far from the mainstream Republican Party.
Bingo.
Better to not post and let people think you're stupid than post a moronic vanity and remove all doubt.
Out of curiosity, what is Thompson's stand on the Mexican Invasion? That's pretty much my issue this election!
Vote your guy in the primary, stop the dems in the national election.
You don't understand the whole primary process. Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were unknowns who didn't stand a chance either. If Hunter were to have a respectable showing or win in Iowa or New Hampshire where ideology plays a huge part in grassroots organizing it would open up the floodgates to conservative money and media coverage. He'd then have to do another fair showing really quick to keep it alive.
Sure he's got the odds against him, but it's not as futile or simple as you portray.
If Thompson throws his hat in the ring things will get very interesting very quickly.
THIIIIIISSSSssssss.....
Would be worth the price of admission....
What's what I intend to do.
As you sit and carefully sift through your tea leaves, always remember, someone eventually is going to open the window and let the wind in!
I think its too early myself. But hey, its fun to prognosticate. As political junkies, its just what we do.
Sift away! (I prefer to roll the bones of dead squirrels myself)
From what was written I would guess it is not too good...from a national security perspective.
Thompson- I'd love to see him go after it. Solid conservative record on nearly everything (except immigration).
You're kidding, right? I've been a FReeper for many years, and was active for quite a while. If I had a dime every time someone says "if they're not pro-life, I'll never support them", or "if they're not for border control", or "if they're not for the 2nd amendment". I could go on and on.
Remember that Bill Clinton was a joke in the primaries and no one took him seriously at first.
Hunter may not win but since the primaries are a year away I think I will hold judgment just yet.
Her whole strategy would be to portray herself as the victim of Thompson's (or any other candidate's) vicious attacks.
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