Posted on 02/27/2006 6:42:53 AM PST by KyleM
Welcome to the latest edition of PoliticalDerby.com's 2008 Power Rankings, the first tracking service of the '08 race for the White House. The rankings are updated as circumstances warrant, generally twice a month. Beginning in January of 2007 the rankings will be updated weekly until the major party conventions in August of 2008. The rankings are compiled by our in-house Jockey using wire reports, campaign staffer scuttlebutt, and confidential tips from you. The rankings may not be reprinted or quoted in any form without attribution to PoliticalDerby.com.
GOP Horses | DEM Horses
Power Ranking The Horse Previous Ranking Momentum The Tip Sheet
1 George Allen 1
With roughly 1,000 days to go before the 2008 election, picking a winner today is like predicting what you'll pick out of your teeth after dinner on May 3, 2021. Regardless, Allen stays at the front of the field on the strength of very positive inside-baseball chatter. Though he doesn't poll as well with the general public as some of the other horses behind him, DC insiders still rate him #1. Of course having your picture on the conservative rag NewsMax with the headline "Star Player for 2008" sure doesn't hurt.
2 John McCain 3 How's this for irony. Now John McCain owes Jack Abramhoff a steak dinner. McCain's rise toward the top is thanks to his popular "reform the system" stump speeches and often biting rhetoric on federal spending. But his roadblock to the White House could still be his rocky relationship with the grassroots and the popular perception that he still seeks revenge for 2000 and the fervent grassroots opposition to his campaign finance reform agenda.
3 Rudy Giuliani 2 Will Rudy's well-deserved 9-11 glow be enough to blind conservatives from the truth that he's essentially a Manhattan liberal on every issue but national security? There's gay rights, abortion, affirmative action, even video rental late fees. The first three might be smoothed over during the primaries, but can a pocketbook issue be so easily dismissed? 4 Mitt Romney 4 Romney has taken his show to the South lately and GOP activists are finding what we've said all along: he's yummier than your grannie's hot apple crisp. He's everything you want in a made-for-tv movie president. He's got the hair, the moxie, the high IQ, the face, the eyes and did we say the hair already? Grrr. But can he win?
5 Mike Huckabee 7 Governor Huckabee has become better at generating press outside his own backyard and it's paying off with national visibility. He still has work to do in Iowa and NH if he wants to be mentioned as a top-tier candidate, but the more the press calls him a serious 2008 hopeful, the more party activists will start to believe it. 6 Bill Frist 8 Frist has stopped the bleeding with a few modest victories. After he leaves the Senate this fall and drops the PR shackles of his leadership post, Frist could move up further just by taking off the horse shoes and swinging more powerfully against democrats. But barring that--and perhaps an introduction to the joys of Red Bull--Frist remains a longshot.
7 Newt Gingrich 10 At this early stage, Newt is easily leading the race for frequent flier miles. He earns rave reviews for his stump speeches and his sweeping government reform proposals are very popular among party faithful. Insiders suggest that win or lose, Newt could play a pivotal role in shaping the debate among the lead horses.
8 Condi Rice 5 Condi's greatest asset may be her role as "reluctant warrior." Despite favorable polling, she continues to tell anyone that will listen she's absolutely, positively, cross-my-heart and hope to die not going to run. If she goes all the way to the "pinky promise," we might actually have to believe her. But for now she's saying what all savvy politicians say two years before an election. "What? Who? Little 'ole me?" 9 Tom Tancredo 9 Reports indicate that the "immigration candidate" is broadening his messaging and working to shake the one-trick pony image. If successful, Tancredo could be the candidate who captures some anti-establishment mojo.
10 Haley Barbour 6 Like Condi, Barbour recently scratched himself for the 2008 race. But his adamant "I'm not running" sound bites and pledged dedication to his homestate's rebuilding effort could win him some chatter as a VP possibility.
Others receiving votes:
Vice President Dick Cheney - clearly he's still shooting for retirement
Mike Pence - a populist movement is underfoot to draft the Indiana congressman, watch for a jump into the top 10
Chuck Hagel - will struggle for ink against fellow Senators Allen and McCain
George Pataki - earns no points with republicans for being from the state that elected HRC
Mark Sanford - says he's out, but success as a tax and spending cutter has people talking
Mike Pence is the guy everyone needs to watch out for and support.He is Ronald Wilson Reagan part II. "lets grow up,conservatives" and get Pence elected in 08.I am sick of compromising.
Tom Coburn -- if not 2008, 2012 perhaps?
Pence is better than Coburn.Which is saying a ton! I would love a Pence\Coburn ticket
ping
Don't let the screen-door whap 'yer a$$ on the way out melon-head!
"Pence is better than Coburn.Which is saying a ton! I would love a Pence\Coburn ticket."
I would throw Allen into the mix. Pick any two for either spot on the ticket.
Pence is right on everything so far.
Most of the others are Rinos and CFR goons.
McMainiac is garbage. Just had to point that out.
If you did deliberately - kudo's; if it was a Freudian slip - wow, ain't it great when our inner-selves takeover!
It will be interesting this November for us Virginians to witness the James Webb/George Allen matchup...the port security issue, thanks to George "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job!" Bush, is going to be a drag on our George and if he goes down look for McCain to be on cruise control (I'm happy).
Whoever, is on the ticket opposite Hillary is who I will be voting for. UNLESS it's McCain Then I will stay home.
no that would be a copy + paste mistake.
9
Tom Tancredo
9
Reports indicate that the "immigration candidate" is broadening his messaging and working to shake the one-trick pony image. If successful, Tancredo could be the candidate who captures some anti-establishment mojo.
10
Haley Barbour
6
Like Condi, Barbour recently scratched himself for the 2008 race. But his adamant "I'm not running" sound bites and pledged dedication to his homestate's rebuilding effort could win him some
Interesting.
I'm not going to vote just to vote. If McLame is the head of the ticket i'll be at home all night.
Forgive my ignorance, but what is the Constitution Party? I've not ever heard of it.
Just heard him speak Sat. night and his speech was on the WOT and the danger of radical Islam and our unwillingness to admit it.
I was pleased that he had spread his message.
All the New York money will be going to Hillary or Rudy or a conservative. Pataki is neither Hillary, Rudy nor conservative.
However, George, best wishes for a speedy recovery.
TS
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