Posted on 10/30/2004 5:39:06 PM PDT by PolishProud
In the Friday's edition of the Arizona Republic Chip Scutari opines that John McCain is the GOP front runner for 2008. He claims that McCain is the most "influential politician not living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave." He's a national statesman with star power to match Hillary Clinton. He has hosted Saturday Night Live, appeared on Letterman and Leno and is a constant fixture on the Sunday talk shows.
Scutari goes on to write that If Kerry wins, McCain will run in 08. He can garner crossover vote from moderates and independents and will appeal to "pragmatic conservatives."
McCain thinks there should be more women in office and complains that there are no Hispanics in the Senate. Scutari writes that McCain is a regular guy that has a lot of charisma and claims that McCain has mended his fences with the White House as evidences by his recent stay at Bush's Texas ranch, the only second member of congress to get that honor.
My question to Scutari is, what have you been smoking? McCain has so alienated the Republican base that he could not get elected to national dog catcher. If I was Bush I'd use McCain too.
There are a lot voters out there, moderate and independents, that think because McCain is loved by the press, Larry King and late night show hosts that he would make a good president. But without the Republican base McCain doesn't have a chance.
I will never forget McCain's recent appearance with Senators Lugar and Hagel on a Sunday morning talk show in which he criticized President Bush. President Reagan once said "don't speak ill of a fellow Republican." And McCain did so in the middle of Bush's reelection campaign.
This conservative will stay home if its Clinton Vs McCain in 2008.
How about Bill Owens of CO?
The other day, I posted something about the Nevada gov Kenny Guinn being the biggest RINO in the country. McCain totally slipped my mind. He makes Guinn look conservative!
I agree. He will NEVER win in a primary. Pubbies hate him, at least real ones... However, if he switches parties, he may have a chance against Hellary in a Demoncraptic primary. Wouldn't that be a hoot? We can afford to lose him in the senate, now. We will have a 10 senator advantage after this election.
NO way is McCain presidential material. I say we go for Jeb Bush in 08, he has experience as governor of Florida and he is just as straightforward as W...but never McCain, too ??? from war, and wishy washy too.
Rudy is easy! :-) I would imagine that's how the posters would look. Hillary? HELL NO!
Personally, I would like to see Jeb. But the "dynasty" issue will rub huge swaths of the public the wrong way.
I know they're already trashing Condi, but not on a presidential scale--that would be a whole different ballgame.
"Scutari goes on to write that If Kerry wins, McCain will run in 08. He can garner crossover vote from moderates and independents and will appeal to "pragmatic conservatives."
And if he does, he will lose. McCain should have stood up and be counted in this cycle. He shouldn't have provided cover for those bashing tha Swift vets. He shouldn't have always said that John Kerry would be a Heck of a President if elected. In my world, John McCain won't make it out of a GOP Primary because of his lack of loyalty.
That would be funny if Condi were the Republican nominee in 2008--The Libs would be forced to trash an intelligent black woman--LOL
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They already do.
I don't like McCain but I wouldnt stay home if he was the nominee. Especially against the Hildabeast.
I think,objectively, he would have to be considered the front runner at this early date.
No way, McCain has pissed off way too many conservatives. He was a Bush-basher to the point that there was a serious effort to recall him BEFORE 9/11, he's best buddies with the Kennedys, and he's such a slug that a lot of DNC heavies wanted him to be Kerry's running mate. McCain can go pound sand. He'll have a hard time getting re-elected to Congress, forget about being president.
My (very early) bet is that the conservative wing will rally around Governor Bill Owens of Colorado.
McCain will never get the nomination. Period.
How about Morris the cat? I'd vote for him sooner.
The chances that McCain will every be the Republican nominee are zero.
I've heard Owens' name thrown around, but I still don't know much about him.
Maybe some fellow FReeper(s) could fill me in. :-)
Yep, that trial balloon is crashing and burning right out of the gate.
What the hell is with all the McCain bashing?
Is he not anti-abortion?
Is he not pro-military?
Would he not mop the floor with Hitlery or any of the garbage the Democrats could offer?
Exactly on what issues would conservatives be opposed to McCain? CFR? That's it?
This is silly to bash him. I believe Ronald Reagan had the same feeling on this I do - that I'd rather get 80% of what I want and win, than 100% of NOTHING.
No circular firing squads, please. In 2008, we'll be figuring out the one to try to walk in 'Big Texas' boots. We'll have a spirited and honest debate in our primaries (which is what really seperates us from Democrats). But no matter what, we should rally behind the winner. Whether that's Frist, Jeb, McCain, Arnold, Rudy or any of the very many capable Republicans - we back the guy that will keep our terrorists dead and our taxes low, and that is ALWAYS the Republican.
That's what W will do, and that's where I'll be at.
When you think about it, McCain's lack of humility and refusal to support Bush has been very detrimental to the President. Bush had to go along with a lot of lousy legislation because McCain is an egomaniacal RINO in the business of serving the MSM.
Yep, I voted for McCain in the '96 primaries. That's the first and last time I ever voted for that slug. McCain can go get bent.
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