Posted on 11/08/2006 4:58:08 PM PST by rodomila
George Allen is completely dead politically. He proved what I suspected - that he wasn't smart enough for the national spotlight.
Santorum would have been my first choice but his crushing defeat yesterday rules him out.
McCain is insane and a turncoat on taxes, judges and immigration. Many hard core Republicans, such as myself, would NEVER vote for him.
George W's phony, big government "conservatism" has poisoned the well for Jeb as Bush fatigue is now almost universal.
Hillary MUST BE STOPPED, but if I were a bookmaker I'd have to make her the odds on favorite.
So that leaves four possibilities for the good guys:
Condi Rice is a no go because she isn't sufficiently experienced. Frankly, I don't think she is up to the job and I think she would make Hillary competitive in the South which would be disastrous.
That leaves three sane guys right now with the name ID, credible experience and the brainpower to be Prez:
Newt Gingrich has the conservative bonafides but the media trashed him so badly in 1995 that, like Quayle, he probably can't win. He's also kind of fat and has an annoying, high pitched voice - two things that would hurt him in our superficial media dominated age. Also, the press would have a field day with his personal life.
Rudy has the brains and could be trusted to fight the war on terror. His pro-choice and pro-gay positions are definite downers for me, but would make the northeast competitive for Republicans and really throw a monkey wrench into the Hillary machine. He might be able to finesse these issues with the Republican right if he said social politics should be resolved at the state level and promised to name constructionist judges. He would also have to be solid on taxes, spending, immigration enforcement and economic growth. A little pow wow with Stephen Moore and Pat Toomey at Club for Growth should straighten him out.
The final, and I believe the best choice at the moment is Mitt Romney. I wish he wasn't a Mormon but he has the following going for him. He is running on the right - pro-gun, anti-abortion, pro-marriage etc. He will make us competitive everywhere. He is telegenic and articulate and so smooth on TV. He has been a phenomenally successful businessman. He has impeccable academic credentials. He is also the only Republican option who is still happily married to his first wife. There are those who will claim his record in Massachusetts is too liberal to be the Republican nominee. I would submit to you that politics is the art of the possible, and he did as much as he could do in that bluest of blue states. I for one will be delighted to have a candidate who can explain the issues who doesn't make me cringe during Presidential debates. We haven't had that since Reagan in 1984.
If not Mitt, who? And why? I would love to hear Freeper views if there is any other viable option I haven't considered.
On the most important issues Guiliani is conservative, taxes, war, crime, immigration, terrorism, etc.
He's liberal on social issues, which a POTUS doesn't really have control over, they are state issues and supreme court issues, I'm sure Guiliani, if POTUS would nominate conservative judges/supreme court nominees.
Guiliani is not a RINO.
I would like to find a more pure conservative, please find one, but if came down to Rudy vs. any dem I would gladly vote for him, no way I would punish him for not believing 100% like I do, I can't stand McCain, don't even want to contemplate having to vote for him, now THERE'S a RINO.
So after losing conservatives to Dems that ran as conservatives, people actually think Rudy can win?
Please. If this election taught anyone anything it means you better be an unabashed conservative at every level. You can't appeal to just one plank. The reason Bush got elected is because he appealed to most branches of conservatives and the conservative Dems/Indy's voted for him. The reason the majority was lost is because they didn't live up to promises to every side of the conservative plank.
George W's phony, big government "conservatism" has poisoned the well for Jeb as Bush fatigue is now almost universal.
NEVER Mitt...they'll kill him on the Mormon thing. It won't happen. Right now, I'd put my money on Rudy. In fact, I'm going to Vegas next week, do they take bets on that kind of thing there????
I think the Mormon factor is a big problem for Mitt.
The reality is that Mormonism is not a mainstream denomination. It is regarded as many as a cult. While Romney because of his Father would put Michigan on the table, it is too big a risk.
Too many Americans watch South Park
Dumb Dumb Dumb Dumb Dum
"Joseph Smith lived in a little American town in the early 1800s. [A little American town in the early 1800s. A man rides by in a small carriage pulled by one horse. In the distance, Joseph Smith strolls into town]
Singers: Joseph Smith was called a prophet
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
He started the Mormon religion
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
Blacksmith: There goes that kooky Joseph Smith
Customer: You know, he claims he spoke with God and Jesus.
Woman: Well, how do you know he didn't?
Singers: Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
Joseph Smith was called a prophet-
Butler: Hey, Joseph! I told my wife that you spoke with God and Jesus, and she didn't believe it.
Smith: Well it's true. I did.
Wife: Where?
Smith: I was out in the woods, praying [a shot of him on his knees in the woods] I was asking God if I should be a Protestant, or a Catholic, or what? And suddenly God and Jesus appeared before me. [a bright light appears before him and he shields his eyes from the glare] And they said I should start my own church, because none of the others had it right. [the flashback ends] And that's exactly how it happened.
Butler: You see? You believe it now?
Wife: Well yeah, sure. Why would he make that up?
Singers: Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
Many people believed Joseph
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
And that night he-ee saw an angel
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
Smith: [in bed inside a shack] And please bless Mother and Father, and please keep our bellies full of yum-yums and luscious goodies. [a flash of light and a glowing orb carroms around the room] AAAHH! [the orb turns into an angel] Oh my gosh!
Angel: I am Moroni. I am a Native American.
Smith: A... [looks at the camera] Native American? [looks at Moroni] But your skin is white.
Moroni: Yes. Long ago all Native American were white. We all came to America from Jerusalem. And while we were here we were visited by Christ.
Smith: [looks at the camera] Jesus live here in America?
Moroni: Yes. Eventually, my people were all killed by the other tribe of Israel, and as punishment, God turned their skin red. These are the Native Americans you know today. [Smith looks at the camera dumbstruck]
Singers: Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb
Moroni: There is an ancient book buried near here, written on gold plates that account my people's lives. Also buried with the book are two seer stones, the Urim and Thummim, which will allow you to translate the writings. Find it, and fulfill your destiny. [brightens and then vanishes]
Smith: Wooww... [gets up and dressed. He exits his shack]
Singers: Joseph Smith was called a prophet
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb"
I have to agree that unless Abraham Lincoln appears out of the woodwork in the next year or so, the choice is narrowing down to Mitt and Rudy. Both of them are proven, attractive politicians, which we need if we are to win.
I'm not terribly happy with either of them, but I think I could easily back either of them against the Wicked Witch of the West.
I could not vote for McCain, however, under any circumstances.
I think we should look to a hispanic republican. Except the 'rats would rake him or her over the coals, too.
I like both men but I know more about Hunter. On border issues he is a conservative unlike the current occupant of the WH. Spending hawk of the highest order and very extremely strong on the military. I am not too sure of his stance on the social issues but if those are at least to the right of Rudy, I would get out and work for him...rather than just vote and forget about it.
Mitt Romney is OK ... but that's it. I'm also uncomfortable he's a mormon. He's not going to compete effectively at the national level vs. Hitlery.
I always suspected Allen wasn't up to it and BOY ...
IMO Rudy is the man. I don't like his stance on a number of social issues but I've not been happy with many things from Bush either. But, like Lieberman, Rudy is right on the right things (national security). In fact a Rudy / Lieberman ticket would be ideal.
Condi doesn't work for president but would be a great VP candidate.
Governor ranks don't have anybody ready ... Jeb could do Florida senate in 2/4/6 years, depending on cycle. Otherwise, I agree, Bush name is tainted unless a relief option after a 1st term Hillary presidency (God forbid).
I loved John McCain when he first went to the Senate. I've come to despise him so much since, though he's always been a good party guy and "helped" this election - except - and here's the important thing - if he hadn't screwed up so much in the past years there wouldn't have become such problems with things.
I don't think another Southerner would have a chance in '08. Huckabee, Barbourm, way too Southern.
I don't think another Southerner would have a chance in '08. Huckabee, Barbour, way too Southern.
my concern about the mormon aspect is an understanding of the theology - the religion itself bothers me (considering it to - literally - be a cult).
Shouldn't that be "including Republicans"--Republican politicians, specifically? Isn't their biggest problem with him that he takes on their pork-barrel spending? I'm not sure how he'd come off in a national race, but he is reasonably popular in SC, and he'd certainly be a sharp swing away from the high-spending Republicans we've seen recently.
He might have VP potential, although I'd be a little surprised if Giuliani or Romney picked him, since he's better known for his fiscal conservatism than his social values (not that these would be a problem for him if he ran), and they'd need someone to reassure the Religious Right.
Re: Sanford
Yes Sanford is a true conservative, but he is also very likable, and very articulate. When he butts heads it is as in a Mr. Smith goes to Washington type way. He also has demonstrated that he is a man of his word. (Term limits: Kept his promise in the House of Reps).
He's a conservative in the Ronald Reagan way of bringing the middle ground people in. He;s cutting our property taxes in SC.
BTW, just because I doubt Rudy can win I do agree the choices seem to have been narrowed between Rudy/Romney.
I'd prefer better choices, but that's where it is now.
I will say Romney at least had the right take this morning. And Rudy's at least right on terror.
I'm afraid realists like you and me will have to to carry the day to keep Hitlery out of the White House. I am a anti-illegal immigration, pro life, anti-gay agenda, Christian and conservative, but I will support either Romney or Giuliani energetically if that is what it takes to keep that power mad woman out of the Whitehouse. Anyone who thinks that a Southern conservative like Haley Barbor or Mike Huckabee or a midwestern Christian coalition type like Brownback has a snowball's chance in hell of winning a national election is nuts.
Great post....thanks for writing this...I personally enjoy all the vanities on FR....they let me see the pulse of conservatives better than some schmo doing it for a paycheck.
WEll I vote for Rush! He is never going to run for any office because he has too much fun doing what he does now and loves what he does. The next person that I think is strong and forward thinking is Newt but he got trashed in the 90s during the Clinton years for complaining about having to get off by a back door on the airplane..that and the divorces could be fodder for dem gossip to trash the man somemore.
Just as Bush sort of came out of nowhere and won I hope we find a conservative who is as smart as Rush and Newt...looks like Mit and can make the dems look likd fools
I'd like to see Rick Santorum run for gov of PA in 2010, and then run for President in 2012 or 2016...it could happen, and he is only my age. So he's only be around 60 when he runs for president.
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