Posted on 01/16/2006 4:38:45 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
President Bush's advisers are resigned to the Democratic capture of the White House in 2008, according to senior Republican sources close to the White House.
GOP sources said White House strategists have attempted to persuade Mr. Bush that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat and her partys current front-runner to be the next presidential nominee, cannot be defeated in 2008. Bush strategists said the president should instead focus on seeking to retain the Republican majority in both houses of Congress in 2006 and 2008.
"There is nobody in the White House that will openly say we lost the presidency in 2008," a senior GOP source said. "But while the Democrats are completely focused on 2008, the White House has been completely aloof."
The strategists have argued that given the forecasts of a downturn in the economy, crises with China and Iran, Mrs. Clinton would be besieged with major problems that would ensure a one-term presidency, the sources said.
The strategists have pointed out that Mr. Bush, given the failing health of Vice President Dick Cheney, does not have a natural successor. Recently, Mr. Cheney, who suffers from heart problems, was rushed to the hospital because he had difficulties in breathing.
The sources said the strategists have assessed that Mrs. Clinton would easily win the Democratic leadership and the subsequent race for president. They said Mr. Bush has pledged to campaign vigorously for any GOP presidential nominee.
Administration sources said Mr. Bush has discussed the prospect of a Clinton presidency. But they asserted that the president has focused on the 2006 elections for Congress and the need to maintain the GOP majority.
"If we lost our majority in Congress, then the president immediately becomes a lame duck," an administration source said. "So, the talk of 2008 is not only premature, it's harmful."
This doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The campaign of the nominee won't be running to lose and it won't be run by the White House. They have a say in this, too.
Dubya has got to give a head start to a viable candidate NOW by replacing VP Cheney with him/her. (NO, NOT Condi)
Oh sheesh, Rudy just took those positions to win in NYC. I really don't think he'd make them the centerpiece of his platform as president. If you think the only way the GOP can lose is by nomination Guiliani, you're delusional. Do not underestimate Hillary. If the GOP's political fortunes haven't bumped up for the better come 08, she will trounce nearly all comers. All she needs to do is take a couple Bush states, and Ohio and New Mexico are very winnable for her esp. with Ohio's GOP being in such a weakened state, and she's in. We cannot assume the GOP has a lock on power in this country. We're in trouble folks! We can only thank god the Democrats haven't gotten their you-know-what together or our party could be sweeped from the Congress this year and out in the cold from the White House in 08.
We have to be pragmatic here folks. Better to take someone who will give you 50% of what you want than someone like Hillary who will give you 100% of what you don't want.
What about Brownback/Coburn?
Perfect time to have a bag of cellulite with experience as a rapist's helper as one's leader, eh wot?
Allen is just your typical corporate "guest worker" conservative with no real committment to social issues. Nothing to write home about.
Another empty suit.
It was reported in the media some months ago that McCain was courting Rove. And with the Bush-McCain agreement a week ago it looks like there could be something going on...a passing of the batton display for the media (since Cheney will not be running)? What are your thoughts about that? Don't want to sound crazy, but could Brownback and McCain be fighting for Rove as we speak?
Psst! Everybody. Give this a REST. I thought about this story for awhile and it now obvious that the White House (Karl Rove) WANTS Hillary to be nominated. This news release is STRICTLY to boost the prospects of Hillary's nomination only. So don't get upset. This is going all according to (Rove's) plan. Wink! Wink!
"The other problem is that Bush has not groomed a successor for 2008. No one in the Party, so far as I can see, has the guts, intelligence, and communication ability to square off against Senator Clinton."
I think Tancredo could give her a run for her money. He has the guts to speak out against illegal immigration, despite the threats against him and the public villification.
"She will do absolutely whatever it takes to win."
Without a doubt. That is why the Republican candidate will have to have nerves of steel and very skilled bodyguards. Not to mention a vigorous campaign team to successfully counter any smearing done by Hillary.
"The other problem is that Bush has not groomed a successor for 2008. No one in the Party, so far as I can see, has the guts, intelligence, and communication ability to square off against Senator Clinton."
I think Tancredo could give her a run for her money. He has the guts to speak out against illegal immigration, despite the threats against him and the public villification.
"She will do absolutely whatever it takes to win."
Without a doubt. That is why the Republican candidate will have to have nerves of steel and very skilled bodyguards. Not to mention a vigorous campaign team to successfully counter any smearing done by Hillary.
"The other problem is that Bush has not groomed a successor for 2008. No one in the Party, so far as I can see, has the guts, intelligence, and communication ability to square off against Senator Clinton."
I think Tancredo could give her a run for her money. He has the guts to speak out against illegal immigration, despite the threats against him and the public villification.
"She will do absolutely whatever it takes to win."
Without a doubt. That is why the Republican candidate will have to have nerves of steel and very skilled bodyguards. Not to mention a vigorous campaign team to successfully counter any smearing done by Hillary.
"Bush has more or less abdicated on any meaningful domestic agenda for the last five months."
I've noticed. Sadly he seems to spend time vacationing or simply spending money. He's become incredibly apathetic, it's sad to see the liberal press seemingly feasting on him.
Allen will eat Hillary's lunch!
Allen was on CNN's Late Edition, their Sunday show with Barbara Boxer as the Democratic counterpoint. I don't remember all the topics discussed, but I do remember that I was appalled at the lies Allen let Boxer get away with. These were basic facts that anyone even remotely informed could have rebutted her on. Instead he just sat there like a deer in the headlights and never responded. I was practically screaming at the TV for him to hit her back and to reply to her lies! But he never did. I would have left her a smoking ruin. Instead Boxer got out all of Democratic propaganda points unchallenged. Allen just seemed totally unable to go off script to challenge her. He just kept to what seemed like a pre-fab set of remarks and was either unable or unwilling to take her on.
Anyone not very well informed had to have been left to assume that because Allen didn't answer he couldn't answer and that Boxer's lies were valid. No wonder the GOP is floundering in the polls. We just can't marshall the facts and truth in our favor to form cogent replies to the deceit of the Democrats.
Hillary will make mince meat out of this guy if he is unable to fight back against lies and dirty tactics. We need some sharper than that if we're going to beat that wretch. Allen was just appallingly feckless and seamed totally unable to deviate from his script. I was deeply dissappointed.
McCain is stepping up his War on Terror foreign policy platform as we speak. McCain is beyond any shadow of a doubt in my mind (sadly, unfortunately and without-reservation, ucomfortably) the front-runner for anyone that is keeping score. Personally, I, my entire extended family and every single soul I know would never, not ever, not in 1,000,000 lifetimes, vote for such a slime ball as John McCain, even if Satan himself were running against him.
I like Brownback. I hate Hillary. I hate McCain. He's nuts.
Furthermore, if Rove were to work with McCain, I would lose any reservations I've ever had about Rove. It's one thing to think you can get 'inside' and steer, it's another thing to think a man like McCain would put his ego aside long after you helped him get elected to think you could have influence in policy.
This article is crap. Nothing more than the wishful thinking of some leftie.
Hitlery will be shredded in presidential debates, when she has to actually answer tough questions with something other than empty platitudes.
First off, Bush will have no coattails - his approval numbers have averaged about 50% for most of his presidency and I doubt that'll change much in the next two years. Bush may even have negative coattails forcing the Republican nominee to both run with and against Bush. That is almost always a recipe for electoral disaster.
Secondly, historically, voters like to switch it up around every 8-12 years. Unless the Rempublican nominee is particularly charming, voters may not see the need to give the Republicans another four years in the White House.
Thirdly, from the electoral college perspective, Hillary can count on all the Kerry states, plus Ohio, New Mexico and Louisiana. The GOP GOTV effort will probably be less successful with a non-incumbent, tipping these close states to Hillary.
Ms Rodham will make good use of the Patriot Act, no doubt.
You're right. A lot of people here are so kneejerk anti-Republican that they welcome GOP losses.
This is a ch__ch. What's missing?
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