My guy is Arlen Specter. He is from a Blue state. He is moderate. He knows Scottish Law.
Posted on 12/09/2004 7:42:34 AM PST by crushelits
Watching the Signs
The race for 2008 is already underway on the Republican side, you just have to know what to look for.
NOT SINCE 1952 has a presidential election lacked a sitting president or vice president as a contestant, and Ike was about as close as one could get to non-official incumbent. Before that, it was the 1928 race, and there, too, Herbert Hoover was, like Ike, a figure of towering popularity. In other words, there has never not been a front-runner in at least one party in the modern scrambles for the presidency. Here is a bit of evidence that the race for 2008 also has a leader, one along the lines of Eisenhower and the Great Engineer.
The National Federation of Republican Women is one of those groups about which not much is ever written, but which functions as one of the circulatory systems of American politics. There's a Republican Women's, Federated in practically every county of every size, and their monthly gatherings are full of the stuff of Tocqueville. These are the precincts of the proverbial "blue haired legions," but also younger, more partisan activists as well.
I make a point of speaking to a couple of chapters of the Federation every year, more to listen than to inform. (These ladies have legislative chairman's reports that go on for an hour--and they take notes.) Last Monday, just before heading off on vacation, I went to Temecula, California to speak to more than 200 women from the Riverside County Republican Women, Federated. After a recap and an assessment of Arnold Schwarzenegger's plans for a special election in 2005 to confront gerrymandering,
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY is as "red" as any county in America, and getting redder. Before I spoke, the group had been entertained by the local home-schooling association's girls' choir, and many of the questions I received concerned illegal immigration and Hillary Clinton's ambitions. In other words--this is to use the title of John Podhoretz's invaluable book on places such as Riverside County, Bush Country.
Giuliani swept more than three-quarters of the votes, with the other three choices receiving smatterings of support. Keep in mind that this isn't an exercise in name identification--these women knew each of the candidates--as well as every possible name in the "other" category. This was an informed choice. I stopped what I was doing, repelled the audience, and then conducted a focus group.
Like many other pundits, I have been wondering whether Giuliani can escape the snows of Iowa and New Hampshire in 2008 given that Pat Robertson won the former in 1988 and Pat Buchanan the latter in 1992. Giuliani is too "moderate" to win the GOP nod, right?
Wrong, if these ladies are to be believed. Among the many praises that gushed forth: decisive, experienced, loyal to "W"--an interesting positive, that--funny and, crucially, tough enough to take on the Clintons. There were many praises for Senator Frist, and some for John McCain, but Giuliani has their hearts--already.
We're looking the wrong way. RINO's and Beltway Boys are NOT what we want in 2008. Here's a better list and we better get on this NOW!
For President-
Mark Sanford- libertarianesque fiscally, socially conservative Governor of SC. Unsure of foreign policy and immigration stance
Running mate-
Tom Tancredo-not electable nationally but might make a good VP candidate to balance the ticket-definitely a good guy to protect the borders
That's my $0.02.
I still doubt he runs, but if he does, he will be the automatic front-runner. I'm just hoping that if he is the nominee, everyone comes together after the primary. Even if you are a voter that pro-life issues are your number one concern, you have to agree that having a Republican president, regardless if he is pro-choice, will do more good for your cause than having a Democrat president.
Anyone but McCain.
The only way to keep the press from choosing our 2008 nominee is for one to be pre-ordained by the Republican elite now.
Mark Sanford - Basically unknown nationally and from a state that has 8 electoral votes. Now, I genuinely like the guy and he might be one heck of a V.P. candidate . . . but he's not ready for a presidential race.
I think I'd be committing a mortal sin by voting for Guilliani. There's no way I'd ever do it.
So let's make him known! If we run Giuliani or Frist, we LOSE. Got any other ideas?
It's true Sanford's unknown, but so was Bill Clinton in 1988 (4 yrs. before he ran).
Take a look at this.
Let's be sure to turn the White House back to the Demos by
going too far right.
There is not going to be a truly conservative or truly liberal
president for many years. The important votes are near the center of the two parties. It a fact.
I have absolutely nothing against Mr. Sanford and actually like what I hear about him, but in terms of the political weight a VP candidate could add to the ticket I'd rank Chris Cox (CA) or Norm Coleman (MN) ahead of him.
The only hope the Republicans have in 2008 is McCain. He will bring in many Reagan democrats to offset the Republican who won't support him. I dislike him but will support him. He or Rudy would be better than Hillary. The only hope Rudy has is to change party. Would all you Rudy non supporters like that? Or would you rather see Rudy run as a Republican and beat Hillary? I'm afraid that is going to be the choice. Rudy is going to run, and I suspect so is McCain.
Has RG ever stated he was pro choice with a "but a I think this and that"? If so he might be able to state a position in a way we can swallow it and hold our nose. Especially since we know he will be very very strong in the WOT and hopefully he will take a stance on the southern border.
Maybe they ought to talk Jeb into running in 2008.
My guy is Arlen Specter. He is from a Blue state. He is moderate. He knows Scottish Law.
You would rather see Hillary as President?
The state taxpayers are paying for this "tourism" campaign, but, graciously, George Pataki agreed to appear in every one of the ads for free.
Totally free! That was so utterly selfless of him.
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