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Guilani is good on defense and leadership as well as other issues like crime, but dead wrong on abortion and gun control, and thus dead wrong on the Constitution. What kind of judges would he appoint? Sorry, because he would be a good candidate, but I would have trouble voting for him.

Rice, if she could get herself elected as governor somewhere first, could be a terrific candidate, but she has the same issues problem as Guilani. Pro-choice (even if "reluctantly") and pro-AA on race, so also weak on the Constitution and unlikely to appoint the right kind of judges.

100 senators think that the Senate is the perfect place to learn to be a president, which to me is the perfect reason to NEVER choose someone from the Senate (or the House, for that matter) who has no other qualifications. Can somebody name a great - or even good - president who was elected there from the Senate?

So I tend to look at governors first, followed by the military. Below that, perhaps a cabinet officer (for experience with large issues and organizations) with legislative or very strong business background. And I want to have some answers about how they view issues, particularly issues with Constitutional implications.

I like Jeb Bush. I understand the dynasty issue, but I think he would be on everybody's short list if his name were Jones instead of Bush. I think he has been right on issues, and a forceful leader unafraid to confront his opponents. I also think that he has learned some lessons from watching his brother operate under frightening circumstances.

I also like Bill Owens and George Allen, about equally, and believe that I could happily vote for either of them. Haley Barbour needs to succeed in Mississippi before he could be ready, but that might be coming.

I think that the Bush-Cheney team has redefined the office of Vice President as a true senior executive instead of a "lady in waiting", and it will never be the same again. The Clinton-Gore version was a limp-wristed shadow of what it has become. But it will require a new kind of VP, with the executive competence of a Dick Cheney to carry the load. I do believe that Rice would be up to the task, but it could also go to an appropriate Congressman or Senator with business experience, like Bill Frist. Such an EXECUTIVE VP could be prepared for the presidency, unlike Al Gore.

I like Jeb Bush. I understand the dynasty issue, but I think he would be on everybody's short list if his name were Jones instead of Bush.

If he were named Jones he would BE my list. No need for anyone else. Jeb is the best governor in America. Look at the Florida GOP under Jeb. Wouldn't you like America to look like that, with conservative supermajorities in both houses? Jeb Jones starts his second term as President, says "hey, you know, we're gonna have to stop this abortion thing", calls a special session, gets a constitutional amendment passed, and ships it off to the states to ratify, just like Terri's Law, but different.

However . . . he's the president's brother and son of the other president. I would vote for him in a heartbeat, but I don't think he'll run.