Posted on 12/01/2006 12:05:51 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
With the recent defeat of Sen. George Allen (R-VA) and the surprising withdrawal of Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) from the presidential race, the right wing of the Republican Party is running out of candidates for president in 2008.
For the centrists within the party, the likely candidacy of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and the possible option of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani offer attractive possibilities, but whom do the conservatives have to put up against them? Surely the GOP is not about to embrace the pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-gun control, pro-affirmative action, pro-immigration Giuliani. (He's fine with us, but not with the party base.) Nor are they likely to find favor with John McCain, co-sponsor -- with Ted Kennedy -- of the immigration amnesty bill, supporter of the rights of detainees to avoid "torture," sponsor -- with Joe Lieberman -- of the anti-global warming initiative, and the original framer of campaign finance reform. Conservatives are also likely to hold his membership in the so-called "gang of fourteen" against him. Back in 2005, he joined six other Republicans and seven Democrats in backing confirmation of moderate judges without a filibuster. Trusting such a person with control over judicial appointments may be a nonstarter on the right. (Again, we're OK with all this, but you don't win in South Carolina with these positions.)
So whom does the right have to put up?
(Excerpt) Read more at vote.com ...
Waterhead is one of the most repulsive Leftists on the boob tube today.
Bill was viewed as a candidate for POTUS long before 1992, because he was a politics prodigy. It was even an election issue the last year he ran for Governor of AR. He was also fortunate to run in a year when other Democrats were scared to run against GHWB.
What right wing?.. Theres a right wing?... Republican or otherwise?..
I've looked.. There is zero right wing ANYWHERE...
How can that be?.. Was the right murdered in 1992/4?.. (all ten of them)
Where is it?..
That's been my favorite ticket as well -- only the other way around.
Tancredo would have a tough time carrying Colorado.
Looking back now, I can see that Bill had the WH in his sights all along. But as a reasonably informed San Franciscan I knew nothing about him. Heck I was even reading the Chronicle in those days and you can't be any more informed than that.
Sam for President.
How about McCain/Rice.
Sorry, I thought the ;) would cover it.
I'd love to see Gingrich in the race. Unfortunatly he's offended the rigid right by not echoing the correct doctrine 100% of the time. He is definitely a free thinker, and a conservative one, but not perfect enough for some here.
Which is why we are in trouble.
I really like Pawlenty as a strategic VP pick. Winning Minnesota would allow the GOP to lose both Ohio and New Mexico, and still win the election.
I like what I hear about Brownback, but I'm not sure what you mean by leader of the party. In the House and Senate, they have their own involuted rules of seniority and popularity. As candidate for president, I don't know.
Once you have a sitting president, he usually becomes the leader of the party, unless he is incompetent or you have some really powerful operator like Mike Mansfield. So that brings us back to questions of who can realistically get elected.
He'd have my wife's vote...
...irregardless of where he stands on the issues.
You have that right. If nothing else, Clinton is experienced with the national spotlight and Obama has an undeniable presence and charisma. Then of course there is Edwards inching towards a decision and he too will be better able to harness his much talked about charisma this go around.
Tommy or Barney?
It's McCain, Romney, or Giuliani. Any combination of the three can beat Clinton/Obama. A Romney/Giuliani or McCain/Giuliani ticket with the promise that as VP, Giuliani will directly oversee Homeland Security would be the best option.
Regardless, social conservatism and NeoCon adventurism have been stopped in their tracks by the 2006 election results. It' s either back to a Goldwater-like focus on libertarian civil rights themes, fiscal conservatism, and national defense, or four more decades in the wilderness.
That must mean you moved... since he usually comes out with every side of every issue during a six month cycle. If you stay put with your opinion, he'll hit it eventually. :)
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