Dick Morris: ‘Minor Leaguers’ May Lead GOP

NewsMax.com ^ | January 16, 2007 | NewsMax.com staff

[seanmerc]

Political analyst Dick Morris used a baseball analogy out of season to summarize what he considers the bleak prospects for Republican victory in the 2008 presidential election.

"I think you’ll see one of the minor leaguers win it [the GOP nomination],” Morris told Fox News Channel.

Morris thinks the leading Republican candidates – Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich – are "too flawed” to win the hearts and votes of conservatives in the early primaries.

"The top four candidates for the Republican nomination can’t win,” Morris said. "Rudy Giuliani, John McCain . . . Romney with all of the flip-flops on abortion and Newt Gingrich, who I don’t think gets into it.”

That leaves a cast of lesser-known Republicans in line for a surprise run toward the nomination.

"I think that the Republican nominee is going to be one of these minor leaguers: [Tom] Tancredo, [Mike] Huckabee, [Sam] Brownback, [Jim] Gilmore from Virginia, Duncan Hunter from California,” Morris said. "It’s like the pitching rotation is all going to be injured at the World Series and the Triple –A pitching staff, one of them is going to pitch the opening game.”

Morris suggests the GOP will face Hillary Clinton in "the big game,” despite all of the buzz surrounding Sen. Barack Obama.

"Obama serves the function of keeping Al Gore out of the race,” Morris said. "He just sucks up too much of the anti-Hillary vote, but he won’t win.”

Morris said Obama’s showing in the primaries may boost Hillary to victory in the general election.

"Hillary will run a vigorous race against Obama, probably a nasty race,” he said. "She defeats him, then reaches out to African-American voters and puts Obama on as vice president.

"I have said from the very beginning, Hillary is the Democratic nominee and she is the next president of the United States.”

[TommyDale]

While I HOPE he is right, he could very well be wrong and we will be stuck with a liberal nominee that will lose to the Democrats in 2008.

[ichabod1]

Bloomberg is weak.

[seanmerc]

I am puzzled by your statement about Obama. How can you say that a guy with two years in the Senate has the experience and qualifications to be president? Outside of Illinois, most people don't know anything about this guy. I suspect that many people INSIDE Illinois don't know anything about him, either.

[TommyDale]

That was a joke, but unfortunately you didn't get it. I refuse to identify every single instance of sarcasm for people who don't get it.

[NeoCaveman]

And despite the lack of pragmatism by some mouth breathing, knuckle-dragging absolutist non-thinkers in the GOP

Feel the love just emanating from the above post.

[WhiteGuy]

It is time to elect ABBC - Anyone But a Bush or Clinton.

Take the pledge - "I promise to never vote for a bush or clinton"

- WhiteGuy

[oldbrowser]

When we were in control of the House, Senate, and Presidency, we became spoiled and started looking at the glass as half empty. "If a candidate does not support my views to the letter, I will not vote". The natural result is that we lost the House and Senate. In 2008 if we keep the same attitude we will lose the Presidency.
When you look at the glass as half full, you say "I will pick the candidate that is closest to my position".

[seanmerc]

You make some good points. However, I wouldn't discount Gilmore's knowledge of the nominating and fundraising processes.

[AmishDude]

There is a high probability that the 2008 election has been prearranged - with the collaboration of all the major players. It's pretty clear that the President is becoming a figurehead in US government, anyway, so perhaps it doesn't matter much.

Yes, it's all a conspiracy.

To be honest, it's a subconspiracy of the larger conspiracy.

Those of us who are running the NAU are setting up this whole thing. Yes, I know you think this means that we will choose someone from the Bush or Clinton families, but we like to keep everybody guessing. A good conspiracy isn't predictable. It's mobile, adaptive.

So, I will reveal here the next president of the united states. Yes, right here on FR, you will hear who we in the smokey backroom (Cuban cigars, BTW) have chosen to be the president in 2008. Are you ready? Sit down, here it is:

Macaulay Culkin

He'll be tanned, rested and ready. Count on it.

[BnBlFlag]

How many of these Candidates from both Parties are members of the Council on Foreign Relations? A bunch of 'em I bet.

[Rutles4Ever]

There's a lot of time left, but a Clinton/Obama ticket would win by a landslide. I say that with the realization that the GOP will lose the socially conservative Catholic democrats who switched parties to vote for Bush on the pro-life issue, if and especially if it's Giuliani or Romney.

Further, Newt is going to be a tough sell because of his three marriages. And McCain has the power to turn off just about anyone.

The problem with Hilary, in the end, is that old "devil you know" thing. The mushy middle will vote like it's "American Idol", and there are no household names on our side. Still, there's time for a darkhorse to emerge - but it needs to be someone with a lot of charisma.

[WhiteGuy]

mine was a joke, but unfortunately you didn't get it.

I guess you only get your own sarcasm..............

[montag813]

In general, I agree with Morris, but he is clearly underestimating the conservative power of Newt and his abilility to sell himself.

Methinks you forgot a "sarcasm" tag.

[AmishDude]

Your political power might be formidable if you can manage to elect someone you like as Senator or Governor first.

[TommyDale]

"Yet you oppose those with a chance to beat her."

This is an old argument. One more time, let me say: I despise Hillary Clinton as much as anyone. However, turning the White House over to another liberal Democrat posing as a Republican would be the same result. Get this through your thick skull: Social Conservatives and Religious Right Christians will NOT vote for Giussolini. And smart voters will reject the mentally unstable McCain.

[seanmerc]

Love AND respect. :-)

[TommyDale]

Then we are even.

[AmishDude]

How many of these Candidates from both Parties are members of the Council on Foreign Relations?

Pikers. They aren't even a good conspiracy. A lousy little public think tank that publishes its membership list. Pathetic.

[Rutles4Ever]

Huh? Obama comes from academia. That alone should disqualify him.

[montag813]

I'm now certain that McCain, Romney, Rudy or Newt will be the GOP nominee and the next President of the United States. Thanks toe-sucker.

Leftie Don Imus this morning (and every morning) said he is voting for John McCain "no matter what, period."