Posted on 05/14/2005 11:12:38 AM PDT by aculeus
WASHINGTON -- Members of the inner circle of high-ranking House Republicans privately agree that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is an absolute lock for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and will not be easy to defeat in the general election.
The same lawmakers believe the Republican race to oppose Clinton is wide open but regard Sen. George Allen of Virginia as having the edge over Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee. The consensus among them is that Allen is a better candidate than Frist and will the advantage over him in GOP primaries. The House members see little or no prospect for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain of Arizona or Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
The Clinton-vs.-Allen forecast by the leading House members duplicates the National Journal's poll of insiders from both parties.
LOTT'S DEAL
Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott's efforts to broker a compromise on judicial confirmations angered Majority Leader Bill Frist, but in fact he never was close to completing a deal with moderate Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson.
Lott was trying to show that every effort had been made to negotiate a settlement before Republicans attempted to use the "nuclear option" (a phrase coined by Lott) to force a majority vote on judicial confirmations. Nelson, who is up for re-election next year in conservative Nebraska, wants to separate himself from other Democrats.
Internal Senate Republican politics are at stake. With Frist not seeking re-election in 2006, Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell is heavily favored to succeed him as majority leader. However, Lott is a long shot to seek and regain his old leadership position.
AMBASSADOR TO EU
Veteran Washington lawyer and Republican activist C. Boyden Gray recently sat down with Howard Kohr, executive director of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), in an effort to counteract Jewish opposition to Gray as U.S. ambassador to the European Union.
Neo-conservatives inside the administration have advised President Bush that Gray would be a poor selection to go to Brussels. According to sources close to the situation, White House national security aide Elliott Abrams has opposed Gray in writing.
Gray was White House counsel in the first George Bush administration and has led citizens' efforts for the confirmation of George W. Bush's judicial nominations.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLITICS
Diminishing Democratic support for efforts to curb unregulated campaign spending by "527" organizations are reflected in the withdrawal by co-sponsors of the bill that would close the loophole in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform act.
Of the eight original Democratic co-sponsors of the loophole closer, four have withdrawn: Reps. Timothy Bishop and Michael McNulty of New York and Reps. Xavier Becerra and Barbara Lee of California. In a House floor statement, Becerra expressed a "growing discomfort" that the bill "may actually limit voices too dramatically without offering other alternatives." Three Republicans are co-sponsors.
Of more than $600 million in 2004 unregulated 527 contributions, a big majority of the money -- roughly two-to-one -- was spent supporting John Kerry and other Democratic candidates and trying to boost Democratic voter turnout.
CORRECTING BILL THOMAS
After the U.S. Capitol was evacuated last Wednesday, a Capitol police officer shouted, "Stay there!" to a portly lawmaker who was prematurely trying to return from a holding area to the abandoned building. It was Rep. Bill Thomas of California, the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
The policeman's admonition caused consternation among lawmakers who witnessed it, because nobody speaks harshly to the hot-tempered, imperious Thomas. In this case, however, Thomas just smiled and followed directions.
Police gave Speaker Dennis Hastert a specially guided path out of the Capitol, but other House members -- including Thomas -- were on their own.
©2005 Creators Syndicate, Inc.
townhall.com
I do not believe this.
The only problem as I see it is that Senators, even if they're former Governors, don't have a history of winning Presidential elections.
The theory of Senators not winning goes both ways, with SENATOR Hillary their choice. If it's Allen vs. Clinton a Senator will win of course!
Living here in Panama, I know nothing about George Allen.
We're presuming of course, that McCain won't decide to become hillary's pet vice-president. Somehow I can see him on a leash, wearing a studded collar and doing tricks for the democrat fundraisers.
Frankly, I don't know one senator that seems worth more than a cup of spit. If someone suggested a Constitutional Amendment doing away with the Senate, I'd support it.
The only pol speaking "truth to power" is Tom Tancredo, who recognizes how dangerous it is to have our borders be so porous.
I think I'll vote in the Dem primary for the first time in my life--against Hill.
"If Hillary makes the GOP turn scared, they are not very proud to run on their record."
I don't think it is that, necessarily...it is that the MSM would never present that record accurately. Their distortion would reach new lows in an effort to elect Cruella DeClinton.
What about Tom Tancredo? The illegal immigration issue, if not outright ignored by the MSM (excepting FOX), is skewed to the left by them. I bet the show of support for Tancredo by the citizenry would stun the MSM in a manner akin to the results of last November. I'd love to see another few nights of stunned liberal 'reporters' faces on TV news as they simply cannot comprehend the results of the polls they worked so hard to rig.
Me, too! In fact, we should go ahead and do it!
How many have tried? How many governors-turned-senators have run, been nominated, and won election?
And when you talk about senators (period) running, why do you think they lose? Is it because they're flip-floppers? Elitist debate-clubbers? Overly willing to compromise their ideals (if any) in the name of pragmatism?Out of touch from only being elected every 6 years?
Do you think the problem is being a Senator, or the CHARACTERISTICS that many -- BUT NOT ALL -- Senators share? Doesn't it make more sense to look at the characteristics rather than the mere presence in the Senate?
Allen ping.
Don't stay home! Show up and write-in George Allen :o)
Really? I know of dozens.
Just because you're ignorant of the many fine conservatives in the Senate doesn't mean that everyone there is like the McCains and Chafees that grace the pages of the NY Times.
Now you do.
Two disadvantages that any Republican male will have to overcome: You won't be able to "attack" Hellery or the media will have a cow (Lazio walking toward her in their debate caused them to go into a frenzy.). The adoring media will never make her answer a question but will badger the Republican endlessly.
Somebody better be working on those points now.
btw, if the GOP chooses a RINO like McNut in 2008, then i/we will start a write-in campaign for George Allen--NO JOKE!
We need to push that reality now so the GOPers across the nation will think twice before pushing a RINO.
I wish someone can post that video during John Boltons Hearing a few weeks ago, were, they said that George Allen gave Babs Boxers a stern look on his face for Boxer just being herself, and just by his look on his face put her back in her place ( just like all the feminist should be put back in their place ).
me, too. that would be great to see :o)
you simply MUST find out more about George Allen. the guy's got what it takes--conservative beliefs, a solid spine, and MUCHO charisma!
George Allen, just by being his charismatic self, would not have to "attack" hillary. and he would secure a strong vote turn-out from the red states ESPECIALLY against hillary.
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