Posted on 08/12/2007 3:48:51 PM PDT by hardback
AMES - Rudy Giuliani would be a “total catastrophe.’’
Mitt Romney would be “OK.”
That’s the assessment of the 2008 Republican presidential field by Steve Scheffler, the president of the Iowa Christian Alliance.
Scheffler said his association’s members have not begun to coalesce around any of the candidates seeking the Republican nomination. However, the fact the Giuliani and Arizona Sen. John McCain aren’t in Ames today “is a testimony to the constituency – the largest constituency to participate in the caucuses” – the social conservatives that make up the ICA.
“If they thought they could win the straw poll, they would be here today,’’ he said. In 2004, Scheffler said, 26 percent of those who voted were self-identified evangelical Christians and Catholics. Any Republican who hopes to win the 2008 election needs to carry 75 percent of that bloc, Scheffler argued.
Giuliani has sought to assuage concerns with his pro-choice position by promising tom appoint “strict constructionist” judges. However, the record of the former federal prosecutor and New York mayor on judicial appointments does little to quell the concerns of ICA members, Scheffler said.
Romney, Scheffler said, is starting to “make traction” because he’s talking about the issues important to the alliance – and to most Iowa Republicans.
Although McCain has opposed abortion, he’s on the wrong side of the immigration issue, federal funding for stem cell research, campaign finance reform and was a part of the “Gang of 14” senators who brokered a deal on President Bush’s judicial nominations, Scheffler said.
ICA members also like Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Scheffler said. Brownback, he said, has the organizational strength to do well in the straw poll that continues until 6 p.m. today.
Huckabee is a popular second choice, Scheffler said, but because he didn’t bus supporters to Ames and give away free tickets to the straw poll, it will be hard for him to match Brownback’s numbers.
“For him, it’s a question of whether he can survive today,’’ Scheffler said. “Then, if he can put together an organization, he can get a second breath.’
I’ll take OK.
OK is awesome. There’s a lot of wisdom in OK.
I don’t think I’d be alive today, if not for OK.
I’m serious.
Roe v. Wade was written by a so-called "strict constructionist."
"Catastrophe" doesn't begin to describe this narcissistic power-hungry authoritarian.
one-issue voters don’t count for much in the general, and for good reason. I hope we don’t get stuck with Romney because of some self-righteous, so-called “christians.”
But he is a good speaker, a good American, good husband, father, businessman,and good looking. The only dirt found him comes with “perspective” but facts. I hope I get the chance to vote for him. I don’t believe he is a hilary for a minute.
worse -- you'll get stuck with Hillary
“Too bad he didn’t believe in them until he decided to run for president. Look at his record in Massachusetts, he’s a male Hillary...”
Former pro-life Democrats: Bill Clinton and Al Gore (both also pro-second amendment). Former pro-choice Republican: GHWB until he became Reagan’s (a former Democrat) Veep.
It happens. Politicians change their positions on major issues when moving from state to national campaigns. I think we have to vote for the candidate we believe will most reflect our own views in the office they’re currently seeking. Reality, not a purist’s fantasyland.
The problem with Giuliani is a large chunk of the Republican base will still see him as wrong on abortion, gay rights and immigration. That’s a lot to overlook, probably too much, far more than Romney’s flip-flops to the positions favored by most Republicans.
Rudy is the only GOPer who can beat the beast.
I wonder if Hillary every took a stand on abortion while First Lady of Arkansas? And other controversial issues.
Actually, he’s the only one who can lose. Nominate Giuliani, and you pretty much guarantee a conservative third-party challenger. No other candidate makes that possibility as certain.
I hold the opposite opinion. Rudy is the only GOPer who can lose to the beast.
But he is a good speaker, a good American, good husband, father, businessman,and good looking. The only dirt found him comes with “perspective” but facts. I hope I get the chance to vote for him. I don’t believe he is a hilary for a minute.
I agree. As a Southerner, I can see Southern Republicans backing Romney, but Guiliani is more problematic.
How about a Romney and Rudy ticket?
“How about a Romney and Rudy ticket?”
Two good reasons to lose?
Ron "Studmuffin" Paul:
The ONLY person who can beat the BEAST
Don’t be so certain. Both have appeal in areas that are not normally friendly to Republicans.
“Don’t be so certain. Both have appeal in areas that are not normally friendly to Republicans.”
They are popular in areas full of mostly hard core RATS and there is a reason for that!
Is not the respect of life what gives us our rights? If life has no value, then neither does the constitution because your life is worthless.
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