Are we picking Allen because he can wear a cowboy hat (and very well I might add) or because he can beat the pants off of Hillary or McCain? That's what I'm worried about and right now he's being trounced by McCain in the polls 37% McCain to 5% Allen
I won't speak for others - I'm picking him because of his principles. And I think he can beat Hillary.
Edwards had a recognition rating of less than 1 percent two years before he ran - When you keep a low profile three years before the election, it can pay off
The public doesn't yet know Allen. Don't count him out because he isn't yet well-known. McCain's numbers are moot since there is no way in hell he will win the GOP nomination - it would sunder the party in a way that would make the Harriet Miers debacle look like childrens' recess.
This is because everyone has at least heard of McPain, but almost no one has heard of Allen. If he has the "people skills" his boosters say, this kind of poll result will vanish. But it's up to the voters to let us know what his "people skills" actually are.
That's because people don't know who he is - except us news junkies.
And .. just wait until the public gets a real look at McCain in the primaries. Allen will show McCain up for what he really is - a grandstander - and not someone with the character or mental stability to be president.
McCain has gotten tv and press attention for a long time, so people know who he is but perhaps haven't paid much attention to the positions he takes. Allen's just becoming known around the country. I'd think the polls are more about name recognition.
"right now he's being trounced by McCain in the polls 37% McCain to 5% Allen"
The only polls that count are the GOP primary voters and
among that group McCain would do good to get 5%.
Allen is the man!!!!
Not to worry. The polls this early on are simply a reflection of name recognition mixed with pop celebrity.
What you really have to watch is who the money falls behind. Poppy knew how to connect W to the GOP kingmakers. Bush 43 had the nomination in hand almost as soon as he was announced. The only thing left was to actaully "sell" him to the party and then to the rest of the country.
I'm not saying Allen is that guy but if the kingmakers are convinced that he is, the rest will be accomplished in the backrooms and behind closed doors. Do they really want him calling the shots more than McCain or Giuliani? Hard to say since there has always been a Bush or a Dole to put on the ticket since 1976. It isn't exactly an open party at the top - more like a tag team.