Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

My Presidential Predictions for 2008 (Armstrong Williams)
Human Events Online ^ | 12/27/06 | Armstrong Williams

Posted on 12/28/2006 7:22:02 AM PST by areafiftyone

Every New Year, millions of people around the globe make resolutions to improve themselves. Usually, their extra time at the gym or increased studying doesn’t exactly change the world. But every four years a few people make resolutions that dramatically impact the rest of us. The men and women who decide to run for president of the United States in 2008 will leave an enormous footprint on our country and on each of us whether or not they win control of the White House.

In less than two years, we will elect a new president for our country. But in less than two months a group of folks will begin barnstorming the countryside begging, pleading, and plowing for support. These congressmen, senators, governors, and life-long politicians listed below will use every single day of 2007 to prepare for the election in November 2008.

Potential Democratic Candidates: Retired Gen. Wesley Clark of Arkansas; Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York; Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut; former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina; former Vice President Al Gore; Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois; Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico; Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa

Potential Republican Candidates: Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas; Rep. Duncan Hunter of California; former Gov. Frank Keating of Oklahoma; Sen. John McCain of Arizona; Gov. George Pataki of New York; Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

Of these major-party candidates, one democrat and one republican will survive the 2008 primaries. They will vie for the open Oval Office seat left vacant by the departing two-term president, George W. Bush.

Although my guess is as good as yours at this point in the game, I do have some ideas about who will make it to the primaries, and who will become the standard bearers of their parties. For the Democrats, the top three candidates are Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vice President, Al Gore and Barack Obama. All three have solid name recognition, plenty of money (with the exception of Obama), and enough political experience. Although, they each have their problems (Clinton is a left-leaning woman who stirs up vats of animosity. Obama is a bit too young and inexperienced. Gore is steadily reinventing himself.), these three will be the key democratic candidates in 2008, and in the end, will be a photo finish horse race between Clinton and Gore for the nomination. The Democratic winner: Al Gore.
    
The top three Republican candidates are John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani. These three guys bring some serious star power to the game, and despite some minor flaws (McCain consistently upsets his conservative base. Romney’s faith and immigration problems have stirred up a lot of fervor. Giuliani’s three marriages and other relationship problems have been well chronicled.), each could become our next president. The Republican winner: John McCain.

So, the way I see it, in November 2008, you will have a choice of John McCain or Al Gore as the next U.S. president.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York and 2001 Time “Person of the Year” will energize the Republican base and draw substantial support from independents who respected his handling of the 9/11 attack aftermath and liberal social views. He is a pro-choice Catholic, who supports same-sex civil unions, gun control, and embryonic stem-cell research.

Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, is the latest media created sensation, and made popular beyond his wildest dreams. His central stances and non-polarizing rhetoric make him likable to democrats, independents and conservatives. Time magazine named him one of the “World’s Most Influential People” for his work in America and around the globe. Obama did not have to cast a vote for the Iraq War (he was not yet elected) so the war cannot weigh him down. He opposes gay marriage (but voted against a constitutional ban), is pro-choice, for stem-cell research funding, supportive of affirmative action, and he opposes the death penalty.

Clinton, the former first lady and wife of a former president, has more money and resources than all the Democratic candidates combined. Her name recognition is global and she’s shown her willingness to appeal to conservatives and defend her liberal base as necessary. Though her negatives are in the high 40’s she stands the best chance of any woman in American history of becoming its first female president. With the love affair her liberal base and mainstream media is having with her, this should be an interesting presidential cycle.

Gore is the sleeper in this race. He has been on point with his positions of global warming and gaining many admirers. Many still feel that the 2000 election was taken from him and therefore deserves a credible shot at another chance.  Gore has the money contacts and organizations now in place to make a serious bid for the White House.

The 2008 U.S. presidential election will be influenced by more than these three men and the campaigns they wage. For example, if there is a lack of progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans may be looking for a Democratic president no matter whom it is. If the economy is down and the Democratic-led Congress has yet to have a positive impact, the country may look for Republican leadership in the White House once again. The point is; the political climate in the summer and spring of 2008 might choose our president for us.
 
However, assuming nothing drastic occurs, I will cast my vote for Rudy Giuliani. But I believe the Democratic charge will not let up and Barack Obama will be our 44th president. Regardless of my predictions, the latest polls, or the political climate, just keep your eye on all these people because their 2007 New Year’s resolutions are sure to impact all of our lives.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: duncanhunter; president2008
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220221-240 next last
To: fish hawk

You know, if they both suck, then you could vote for a third-party candidate that more closely matches your values. This "R or D" choice is a false dilemma. Screw them. They both suck. I won't vote for McCain, Giuliani, Huckabee, or other asshole socialists just because they have an "R" next to their name. I won't vote for a socialist, even though sliding into socialist hell is inevitable. I'll vote for someone who understands what this country is supposed to be. Perhaps that will be a Republican. If it isn't, I don't care. The Lizard Queen will be crowned in January 2009 regardless of who I vote for.


201 posted on 12/28/2006 10:33:16 AM PST by MichiganConservative (Government IS the problem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies]

To: ZULU

You could say that the Media manuvered us into the Spanish American war as much as anything. But perhaps you are correct and McKinley does not reach the level of the others.


202 posted on 12/28/2006 10:34:08 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 199 | View Replies]

To: FreeAtlanta
Who is Duncan Hunter? Is he the guy that went to Iran for the Holocaust convention?

Huh? Click here:

Duncan Hunter on FR
203 posted on 12/28/2006 10:35:36 AM PST by Antoninus ( Rudy McRomney as the GOP nominee = President Hillary. Why else do you think the media loves them?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 194 | View Replies]

To: James Ewell Brown Stuart
I haven't checked him out yet but he is in my shopping cart.
204 posted on 12/28/2006 10:36:04 AM PST by fish hawk (. B O stinks. That would be body odor and Barak Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies]

To: MichiganConservative
Don't despair. There are good candidates out there on the GOP side. Check out Duncan Hunter:

Duncan Hunter on FR
205 posted on 12/28/2006 10:37:04 AM PST by Antoninus ( Rudy McRomney as the GOP nominee = President Hillary. Why else do you think the media loves them?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 201 | View Replies]

To: fish hawk

I think you will find him to your liking!


206 posted on 12/28/2006 10:41:32 AM PST by James Ewell Brown Stuart (Happy 200th Birthday General Robert E. Lee 1/19/2007!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 204 | View Replies]

To: areafiftyone
So, the way I see it, in November 2008, you will have a choice of John McCain or Al Gore as the next U.S. president.

But I believe the Democratic charge will not let up and Barack Obama will be our 44th president.

So, which is it???

207 posted on 12/28/2006 10:48:55 AM PST by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ZULU
Duncan Hunter is the MAN!!!!!!!!!!




If a candidate is a complete unknown at this point it's already over.

Hunter has as much chance as being the next POTUS as Custer's bugler.
208 posted on 12/28/2006 11:06:38 AM PST by Blackirish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 162 | View Replies]

To: Blackirish
If a candidate is a complete unknown at this point it's already over.

IIRC, BJ Klintoon was a complete unknown outside of Arkansas in December, 1990.

209 posted on 12/28/2006 11:12:14 AM PST by bassmaner (Hey commies: I am a white male, and I am guilty of NOTHING! Sell your 'white guilt' elsewhere.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 208 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

kind of funny,
I am currently driving on I 80 in northern,ia. I just passed a truck that read "Hagel for dogcatcher"


210 posted on 12/28/2006 11:14:29 AM PST by cornfedcowboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Buck W.
Did this article really need to be written? It contains not one original thought.

Ditto that. It is not like you would consult this article for wisdom before repairing to Tradesports to trade on a candidate.

211 posted on 12/28/2006 11:14:43 AM PST by Plutarch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: bassmaner
IIRC, BJ Klintoon was a complete unknown outside of Arkansas in December, 1990.



That was before permanent campaigns, 24 hour cable...obsession with celebrity culture....chances for a unknown to go all the way now?

slim and none....and there goes slim.
212 posted on 12/28/2006 11:18:29 AM PST by Blackirish
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 209 | View Replies]

To: Blackirish

See commnet #9

"Dark Horses" can still win races.


213 posted on 12/28/2006 11:36:05 AM PST by ZULU (Non nobis, non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam. God, guts and guns made America great.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 208 | View Replies]

To: DB

Vote or don't vote, either way we are screwed.


214 posted on 12/28/2006 11:38:45 AM PST by Arizona Carolyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: defconw

I hope so, because of all the names mentioned, he or Newt at the only one's not making me sick to my stomach.


215 posted on 12/28/2006 11:41:11 AM PST by Arizona Carolyn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: fish hawk

Let's see who is definitely running first. So far we only have Duncan Hunter saying he is running. No one else on the Republican side has confirmed yet. Give it time. Then you choose the one you think is best when you hear all of them speak.


216 posted on 12/28/2006 11:55:31 AM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers - Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies]

To: Blackirish
Hunter has as much chance as being the next POTUS as Custer's bugler.

LOL!

217 posted on 12/28/2006 11:57:20 AM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers - Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 208 | View Replies]

To: areafiftyone
I know before I say it (he carries too much baggage)but I love Newt. I've recently been reading some of his latest books and he is right on about most things. At least the things I care about, he and I are in agreement. He would be my number one choice but then he may not be a choice in the running at all.
218 posted on 12/28/2006 12:02:38 PM PST by fish hawk (. B O stinks. That would be body odor and Barak Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 216 | View Replies]

To: fish hawk

I doubt he will run. He'll be advising BIG TIME I bet you though and he should. If I were running I would pay Newt to be on my campaign!


219 posted on 12/28/2006 12:38:59 PM PST by areafiftyone (Politicians Are Like Diapers - Both Need To Be Changed Often And For The Same Reason)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: areafiftyone

He leaves off Edwards? Next...


220 posted on 12/28/2006 12:41:17 PM PST by ez ("Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is." - Milton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220221-240 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson