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.
You always have to leave when people are challenging you.
Why do you feel compelled to lie?
Cut EV a break. Lots of unpure Republican voters to be thrown out of the party and only 4 years to get it done.
A lot of us have (see previous posts). He looks good to me. I'm not sure how well he would play nationally. It's a much wider stage those played on by Congressmen or Governors or Senators. He'd need to get name recognition quickly and show a constructive record as a legislator, and demonstrate leadership skills applicable to the national level. Sen. Allen has a conservative record and I am fine with that, like most of us are, but to win the Presidency he has to have broad appeal. That is the unknown at this point.
It's never too early to start the fear mongering.
Don't forget that in the last months Hillary will draw on her Hollywood connections to really do a makeover on herself... we ain't seen nothin yet!
I'd have no problems with Collins being replaced with a more conservative Republican in the Senate. However, I'm worried that if a more conservative Republican beat her in the primary, that person would then get beat in the general by a moderate Democrat. Maine isn't exactly a conservative bedrock state.
Oh, I'm sure MY name is on the top of that list.
But what do you call a person who is a strong opponent of abortion, same-sex marriage and strongly supports such things as prayer in schools and the posting of the 10 Commandents . . . . however, does not mind the federal government spending like crazy and running up the debt and thinks that open borders aren't a bad idea?
Hall of Fame head coach George Allen owns the distinction of never having a losing season in 12 years as a head coach in the NFL. He is credited with turning around the Los Angeles Rams, a perennial loser before he took over in 1966. Later, he performed the same magic on the Washington Redskins, a team that had just one winning season in the 15 years prior to his arrival
He would carry the Nascar crowd...
I realize that -- why I said it would have to be a "moderate" Republican... she may be very, very, sweet, but ... need I say more?
It's not really fear mongering. More of a realistic scenario that I would like to avoid. As I've said on this board, I personally support a pro-life candidate. My first choice is Mitt Romney, my second is George Allen. But, if my fellow Republican primary voters disagree and nominate Rudy Guiliani, I'll definitely be supporting him if the Democrats nominate Hillary!
I wouldn't count Tancredo out.He presents himself well every time he's given a chance and a national campaign would give him a big chance.He also has a way of addressing imigration and border security without comming off as a racist whack job.Four years is a long way away.
Wow! You know what? I had no idea that the two George Allens were even related! Guess that name recognition didn't hit me, and I'm a football fan! LOL
Disordered...
Sure it is, even if you didn't mean it that way.
Every single election, both parties, sooner or later, tell the wavering members of their party that no matter how bad their guy is, the other person is the end of the world as we know it.
my second is George Allen.
I'm sure you would vote for Gracie Allen if she was a Republican. LOL
LOL
By the way the bill not to tax the internet was his bill the President signed.
Senator George Allen works tirelessly to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
Elected to the United States Senate in 2000, Senator Allen has set clear priorities:
Enacting a $1000 per child educational opportunity tax credit which will allow parents to more easily purchase books, computers and other needed school supplies Increasing the number of teachers in our schools Strengthening America's military Reducing the tax burden on families and small businesses
As a member of the influential Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee, as well as the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, Senator Allen has made the creation of quality, good paying jobs in the Commonwealth his focus. Because of the tremendous high-tech presence in Northern Virginia, Senator Allen was appointed in the last Congress to serve as the Chairman of the High Tech Task Force where he looked for ways to address the downturn in the tech economy through sound public policy.
Senator Allen is also working to secure America from foreign threats. Given the global security challenges of the 21st century, Senator Allen brings his knowledge of Virginia’s defense industry and key military assets to bear as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – the Senate committee charged with the consideration of treaties and the declaration of war.
Prior to his election to the Senate, Senator Allen served as the 67th Governor of Virginia from 1994-1998. As Governor, he won wide recognition for educational improvements such as the implementation of rigorous academic standards and teacher accountability. Several other hallmarks of Senator Allen’s tenure as Governor include the overhaul of an outdated juvenile justice system, work-oriented welfare reform and the abolition of parole for felons. Senator Allen is also widely credited with bringing a record $14 billion of private sector investment along with hundreds of thousands of jobs to Virginia through the expansion and relocation of technology and manufacturing companies.
Bringing the same innovative, constructive leadership to Washington, Senator Allen was unanimously elected a member of the Senate Republican Leadership as Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2002.
Senator Allen holds a B.A. in History as well as a law degree from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Fairfax County with their three children: Tyler, Forrest, and Brooke.
Senator George Allen
Professional:
2001 – Present 51st United States Senator from Virginia
1994 – 1998 67th Governor of the Commonwealth
1991 – 1993 U.S. Representative, elected in a special election
1983 – 1991 Virginia House of Delegates
Personal:
Birth date: March 8, 1952
Family: Married, Susan
Three children, Tyler, Forrest and Brooke
Resides: Mt. Vernon, Virginia
Political Hero: Thomas Jefferson
Gracie Allen: Goodnight, Gracie!
Now, anyone that sweet and quick-witted HAD to be a Republican!!! LOL
It's important to keep in mind that the earliest polls in the post-'96 election cycle had Elizabeth Dole, Colin Powell, Jack Kemp and Dan Quayle among the frontrunners for the 2000 nod. Way too early to put much stock in these early indicators.
I completely agree with that. I said so. To nominate a "moderate" such as Guiliani would be a grave mistake.
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