Posted on 01/05/2005 11:26:57 AM PST by WoodstockCat
PREMATURE 2008 PUNDITRY [Rich Lowry ] Here is how one GOP insider sees the state of play (in other words, not necessarily my take on things). Rudy Guiliani wasn't fundamentally hurt by the Kerik flap. Its ultimately Kerik's problem, not Giuliani's. The former mayor is loved by GOP crowds and has great all-around political skills. He has something of George W. Bush's ability to connect with individuals in a crowded room. He was a wonderful surrogate for Bush last year. But his problem on gays, guns, and abortion is probably insurmountable. It is likely he can't fix it short of totally revising his positions, and that will be difficult given his tough-guy, straight-shooter image. Bill Frist is in perhaps the strongest position. He will soak up publicity as Senate Majority Leader, leading on issues like judges. He headed the senatorial committee when the GOP took back the Senate. He is close to the White House, has a good relationship with Dick Cheney, and is loyal to Bush. He is pro life and knows how to talk to socially conservative audiences. He will be able to raise a ton of money. Jeb Bush won't run. He is arguably the most talented GOP officeholder in the country. He would probably be the strongest GOP candidate. But he considers the dynastic issue too serious to overcome. Because of his family and faith, he doesn't lust after the job like most politicians. And he is 52 in February, so is young enough to wait, eight years if neccessary (he probably wouldn't take the VP slot if offered). The theory is that he has to skip at least one cycle the way W did to have some distance from his dad and the way Hillary did to have some distance from Bill. George Allen is a politician to watch. He wears cowboy boots, he is tall and handsome, he doesn't take himself too seriously, he's a solid conservative, and he's putting together a tip-notch team. It will be hard for any senator to get traction, however, when the Senate Majority Leader is running. Mitt Romney is going to have a hard time connecting with the social sonservative base of the party given his Mormon faith--just a fact of life. For what it's worth... Posted at 02:08 PM
Actually, no, he doesn't. If he's wise, and if he really wants to run for president, he'll retire from the senate in '06. Running from outside Washington as an ex-governor and ex-senator would make him a formidable candidate.
This article is correct, he is very tall, probably taller than Lurch.
I finally remembered the other name....
Mark Sanford....
He is the governor of South Carolina. Never heard of him before......
Please put me on your Kilgore "ping list" - - and if you start one for George Allen 2008, put me on that one, too!
Thanks much!
Pat
I'm a fairly new Republican.....who is George Allen?
done and done
Former governor, now Senator from Virginia. He's a Jeffersonian conservative.
I wish he were still governor - the idiot we have now can't hold a candle to him
>>>I'm still trying to get used to the sheer SIZE. Remember I came here from a state where I could get anywhere in the state in under 2 hours
You need to see the Western states. In a geographical sense, Virginia is a relatively modest-sized state.
Hopefully, however, Virginia is the home of the next President, George Allen. It has been a long time since the "Cradle of Presidents" has produced one.
Add me to the George Allen ping list too please.
I have been thinking for quite some time that there hasn't been a President from Virginia and that we are overdue for another Virginia President. The buzz is certainly building for him running in '08.
Thank you.
done
...speaking of former governors kicking ass and taking names, what do you think of Doug Wilder's handling of the massive corruption AKA Richmond city politics?!? One thing seems pretty clear at this point, no one is beyond his reach and wrath. Sex, political affiliation, color, no one is safe.
No problem. And welcome back from the "dark side."
Here is some info Sanford. I have worked in DC for the past 4 years, and I think Sanford is without a doubt the best possible choice for 2008.
http://draftsanford.cjb.net/
http://acuf.org/issues/issue15/040703news.asp
http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200406280927.asp
Tucker Carlson on Sanford:
I traveled through South Carolina with Mark Sanford in 2000 when I covered the McCain campaign. (Sanford was a member of Congress at the time, one of the few to endorse McCain.) He struck me then, as he strikes me now, as one of the most impressive people I've met in politics. I have no idea if he could win the nomination, but I think he'd be a terrific president.
I also love this quote from Sanford:
"I think of myself first by my family name, then I am an American, then South Carolinian...about seventh after that I'm a conservative, somewhere after that, I guess I'm a Republican."
I understand what you are saying, I am originally from New York.
I was just referring to having moved to VA after 21 years living in Delaware, and the fact that I am in the far northeastern corner of the state and thus physically seperated from the rest of VA by the Chesapeake Bay.
1994 – 1998: 67th Governor of the Commonwealth
1991 – 1993: U.S. Representative, elected in a special election
1983 – 1991: Virginia House of Delegates
More at the links below:
I was in NYC for the RNC Convention too (elected as a Congressional Delegate from the VA 1st District), and I spent some time with the Iowa Delegation. I met a couple from Iowa last year at the SRLC in Miami, caught up with them again in NY. They said that George Allen was a BIG hit with their group, people felt a genuine connection with him. Most folks commented about the same things that I have always appreciated about George Allen:
*his direct-but-personable style
*straight shooter, won't bury you in double talk
*doesn't back down from his views when challenged
*his blend of school-smarts, street-smarts and commonsense
*extremely hardworking, puts in more hours than most
He is truly his fathers son, and very proud of it, he shares Coach Allen's work ethic and passion for life. Sen Allen ran the NRSC just like Coach Allen ran the Redskins, and it worked! He brings the same fun and energy and sense of team effort to politics that his dad brought to football.
~Sheila
Doug is about the only dem that I have any respect for.
My personal opinion is that he was sickened by the corruption, the almost daily reports of another city council member going to jail, the murder rate escalating, etc. and finally he had to do something. None of the other mayoral candidates would even attempt to get rid of the corruption. I don't know whether he will be successful or not. A number of people are leaving their jobs with the city (a good thing), and Manoli Loupassi as Vice Mayor and Jackie Jackson (I forget what position they voted her into) will help.
The downside is Doug is known for going his own way regardless of the consequences. Sometimes that has created problems.
He kicks a$$, that's for sure. In many ways, he is a breath of fresh air. I wish him much success in cleaning up the cesspool on 10th and Broad St.
I'm all for that ticket, but the problem is Senators have a hard time winning Presidential elections - Kerry, Dole, etc.
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