Posted on 10/15/2005 6:03:01 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
A TOBACCO chewing, horse-riding, cowboy boot wearing politician called George could be the Republican partys choice for president in 2008. With George W Bush in political freefall, speculation is intensifying about his successor. The rising star among conservatives is George Allen, senator for Virginia and former governor of the state.
The son of a famous American football coach, Allen is a minor figure compared with prominent rivals such as Senator John McCain and Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, but he is more politically mainstream and potentially acceptable to Republican stalwarts.
Bruce Allen, general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro-football team, has no doubt that his elder brother can go all the way to the White House. He has always been a leader, he said. I would never underestimate what he is able to do. Hes very real and thats what makes him special.
Those close to Allens unofficial campaign place his chances of winning his partys nomination at 60-40. Although no senator has won the presidency since John F Kennedy, Allen has hands-on experience as a governor and a folksy, populist touch.
No matter how smart his suit and tie, he is never separated from his lucky cowboy boots. Nor will he ever give up his chewing tobacco and spittoon, according to an insider, although he is said to be a Virginia gentleman rather than a Texas swaggerer like Bush.
Sean Hannity, an influential right-wing radio and television host, has been boosting Allens prospects by comparing him with Ronald Reagan, a friend of Allens father, and declaring him capable of winning every state in the South against Hillary Clinton, the Democrat favourite.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
"It is not a trait that endears Allen to neoconservatives, who regard him as intellectually vapid and ideologically bland."
I've been hearing conservatives I know push Allen for awhile. I'd like to hear more of his ideas. I'm skeptical so far.
His father, also George Allen, was, I think, coach of the Washington Redskins. He wears cowboy boots, is not a Dallas Cowboy.
"I agree with what Rush said about him the other day."
What?
"I live in VA I'm sith you brother, George as a good man but he ain't the man if you know what I mean."
Please expand. What people in the home state think is important.
"That doesn't mean we can't do better."
I doubt we can find an electable Republican with a perfect conservative voting record.
"Mike Pence"
Who?
"I think that even though there is a "bias" against Senators, the fact that he was a Governor first, should help him."
It's more than that. The bias against Senators is that they don't have major administrative experience (ie, they were not governers). He was, so that is no problem at all. Senate experience is, in fact a big plus, since knowing how the Senate works (like Bush doesn't) is important.
"He's better than McCain or Frist, that's for sure."
Faint praise.
Allen/Rice ... That's my pick right now. We'll see how things progress.
" That said, no one has seen the destruction the Gulf did this summer."
Frankly, I don't like the Katrina crack. Wrong kind of "meanness".
" * Rated 67% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)"
Yes. Now I remember. I looked at the voting record website. His voting record is fantastic. Completely conservative.
He gets every point in that regard.
I would have chosen Allen over Bush 5 years ago! I first say him here in Virginia when he was running for Governor, at a rally....boy, was he impressive. I think he is more impressive now.
Noob enthusiasm or whatever, but you're making your candidate look bad in the process.
Read #137 above -- it ain't just me who sees what you're up to, boys. Google arator+banned+freerepublic for the last guy who couldn't take the same hint.
" Exactly. CHENEY"
Cheney is a great man who served his country his whole life (in politics, not as a soldier).
He is also physically sick and totally worn out.
The fact is, he is no longer well enough to prop Bush up to the degree that he needs propping up. Leave the great man be to enjoy his retirement.
We must find a new champion, though I'll admit we'd be unlikely to find one as good as him.
"In a general election, it is easy to see Rice holding most of the red states.."
I agree with you she shouldn't head the ticket. Do you really think its a good idea for "President" to be the first campaign someone does?
"Any news on the FEC and the Club for Growth?"
What is the connection between these 2?
"No I am not Mike Pence!"
C'mon, Mike! It's you! I can tell!
(Just kidding...)
"You two glom onto these Allen threads every single time, solely for the purpose of humping Pence.
Noob enthusiasm or whatever, but you're making your candidate look bad in the process. "
did you see that i pinged gipper08 here? so what? we both support pence. there is no crime in that-- this is a conservative forum and pence represents true conservatism.
dont get mad because i pointed out that allen supported hate crimes legislation.
i dont recall having participated in that many george allen threads period, but if you want to accuse me of latching on to it "every single time" then you can go ahead and continue to promote this misinformation if you wish. it just makes you look bad
"I loved Allen's style as governor, but I'm not sure it would fly with the élites...it's more NASCAR than Escar(got). ;-) He has a common sense and conservatism that I think would really resonate across the country, but would drive the MSM absolutely bonkers. SNL would have a field day with him creating caricatures....we'd have our work cut out, but I think it would be worth it."
You are completely failing in your attempt to build a case against his candidacy. Everything you say sounds perfect for a Republican presidential candidate.
"Here's a good read for all those who think Allen is the 2nd coming of Reagan."
He's wrong on hate crimes. I'm not sure that's enough to reject him. His voting record is sterling. We all need to get to know this guy a bit more.
We need to hear him explain his hate crimes view. Figure out where he's gone wrong there.
I'm unsure about him.
Plus, he won't have been in the Senate so long that he will have a long history of votes that could be used against him..
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