[dufekin]

The only Republicans I see with active presidential ambitions populate the pompous Senate and pontificate primarily for self-gratification. Few if any Senators actually could run the country with even minimal competency. Voters tend to reject legislative personalities for good reason; John F. Kerry's flip-flopping best exemplifies Senatorial decisiveness and leadership. The overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans, moreover, belong to the RINO caucus and concede far too readily to any Democratic spinster. As Bush so often tells us, the President must make tough decisions constantly, not dither endlessly blabbering nonsense until his opponent falls asleep.

[JasonC]

Um, several governors are running. At least one mayor. Senators too, not least McCain. Ambition springs eternal. Nobody cares whether the job is thankless, they don't want it because they want to be thanked. They want power to accomplish their goals and implement their preferred policies.

Whining about being unappreciated would be silly in a leader of the free world who has twice been entrusted with the highest responsibilities by the most powerful nation on earth. It is not much more attractive in supporters of same.