Republican presidential nominees 2008

[Reader of news]

I think President Bush will be re-elected next year surely. Nevertheless, there is not any sure candidate for Republican presidential nomination in 2008. I think John McCain, Jeb Bush, Rick Perry, Condoleezza Rice, George Pataki and Bill Frist may be candidates.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I'm going to tell you right now, he's my second cousin.

Is he really your second cousin?

[ought-six]

Ashcroft would never run for president.

[bdeaner]

Ashcroft would never run for president.

I don't think we want a presidential candidate who lost to a dead guy.

[ought-six]

Norm Coleman is a definite possibility.

[ought-six]

Your scenario is provocative, and makes sense. I wonder if it will play out that way? I'd like to see it, though, because the Hildabeast MUST be stopped from EVER being elected president, and Rudy would be the perfect candidate to clean her clock in a head-to-head contest.

[MrConfettiMan]

While I like Jeb Bush, it would be a dumb thing to nominate him.

While I've yet to form an opinion of Jeb Bush politically, I agree with your analysis 100%. It would be suicide to nominate him. One political dynasty in this country (i.e. the Kennedys - ugh) is enough. There's no way the country is going to elect a Bush three consecutive times, IMHO.

[ArneFufkin]

True! My Dad's mothers name was Owens. Her brothers son is Billy.

His aunt Charlotte is one of the most amazing women on Earth. She was perhaps the First woman ever to graduate as a nurse and teach from Harvard.

She tended my father when he was desperately sick as a child. I have one of her paintings to him hanging within view right now. Yessir!

The Owens' are ridiculously handsome and sassy Irish stock! Bill is the most haggard of all of them. Pfffftttt...

We met years ago, he wouldn't know me from Frank Stallone Jr. III

But, he's Presidential material!

[RobFromGa]

1. Rick Santorum
2. Jeb Bush (I don't agree with the dynasty issue)
3. Saxby Chambliss

[bdeaner]

Norm Coleman is a definite possibility.

Coleman was Mayor of Minnesota. Lost to Ventura in Governor's race. What's his record in the Senate?

[new cruelty]

2008 Republican Race posted by draftowens08

New to the community here. Looks like a fun place to talk.

I thought I'd start a discussion of possible GOP candidates to replace (hopefully) W. To start, here is a list off the top of my head:

Chance of running in ()

Dick Cheney (highly unlikely) Colin Powell (highly unlikely) Condi Rice (below average) George Pataki (high) Jeb Bush (high) Bill Owens (high) Rick Santorum (average) Bill Frist (average) Rudy Giuliani (below average) George Allen (average)

My favorties are Bush and Owens. I'd be shocked to see either Cheney or Powell run. Rice, if she didn't run, would be an interesting VP candidate. Imagine how angry the Dems would be that a Republican would be the first black/woman VP. Pataki wouldn't go over well in the south. Bush has all the fundraising power in the world. I don't think he has the skills of his brother though. Owens is by far my favorite. Without a doubt the best governor in the country. Santorum and Frist are probably VP candidates. Giuliani probably isn't qualified IMO but a well known and liked figure. Allen is probably a VP candidate also. Plus I'm not sure congressmen can do well in presidential election anymore.

Thoughts?

[ArneFufkin]

Coleman was Mayor of Minnesota

To be more specific, he was mayor of Minnesota, Iowa.

[TRY ONE]

Sitting here in 2003 is way too early to predict 2008.

Similarity: In fall, 1995 (same time duration as the current forecast for '08) I had a business meeting with then GOVERNOR GW Bush. IT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND AT THE TIME THAT HE WOULD BE A SERIOUS CONTENDER FOR 2000!!!!!!!

[MrConfettiMan]

...it will be a hardcore conservative joining the ticket...it will be Rudy...

The way I see it there's only one problem with your scenario and it may simply be with your choice of using the label "hardcore" to describe Rudy. Based on his stance on abortion, I don't think you can rightly describe Rudy as a "hardcore" conservative. The rest of your post is intriguing, though. :)

[RobFromGa]

I don't see Cheney off the 04 ticket, the election is too important to further complete the War on Terror and Bush is not going to take any chances, IMHO.

And I think a Cheney resignation in mid-term is out of the qusetion if it is done politically, to set up a successor. If it is done for health reasons, that is different.

[TLI]

In other words, this discussion is so speculative as to be a bit premature.

Premature is hardly the word. We had better get current business taken care of FIRST. If certain issues are not chiseled in stone now, this country could be in full blown upheaval before 2008. Long before 2008 !

[bdeaner]

Sounds about right to me. I would add Tom Ridge to your list, as an above average possibility. Cheney and Rudy are unlikely, due to health reasons. The most plausible to me are: Jeb Bush, Bill Owens, and George Pataki. I agree, Condi is potential VP material, but unlikely to be candidate for presidency. I don't think Frist will run, nor Santorum. Powell is out. Allen, not sure.

[freeperfromnj]

Rudy will be a guest on the IMUS in the MORNING program. That's my guy.

I heard the interview on my way in to work. He's definitely at the top of my list as well. He was able to clearly articulate and make the connection between Iraq, Saddam and the War on Terror. If he were elected we'd be assured that President Bush's work would carry on.

[rintense]

Condi or Jeb. McCain is a RINO and I can't see Rudy ever being elected as a Republican president.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Sitting here in 2003 is way too early to predict 2008.

I don't know about that. There's a way to find out who's serious. I live in Iowa. We start making invitations and see who accepts.

[DustyMoment]

Thank you for saying the obvious. I don't think McPain has a snowball's chance in . . . well, he hasn't a got any chance, not after the McCain-Feingold debacle.

I also don't think that Frist has a shot, either. As SML, he has proven himself to be too weak of a leader.

Jeb is a good choice but, as a previous poster has noted, America doesn't like dynasties anfd I don't think he has a realistic shot.

Giuliagni is a strong possibility, moreso, IMO, than Pataki. Rudy has the ability to attract crossover votes that are necessary to win. Coming from NY, look at what a slap in the face it would be to Hillary! if Rudy took it away from her. I LOVE the idea!