Posted on 02/10/2007 2:16:42 PM PST by EveningStar
Two days ago, in blogging about the abortion records of the serious GOP Presidential prospects (McCain, Giuliani, Romney), I provoked a great deal of anger by writing off the other current contenders (Huckabee, Brownback, Tancredo, Ron Paul, Gilmore, Thompson, Duncan Hunter) as "lesser" candidates who stand no realistic chance of winning primaries or grabbing the nomination. No matter how much you may admire these people, their candidacies are irrelevant more a bid for attention, or a preparation for future races, than a realistic bid for power...
When, in the last 60 years of Presidential politics, did any obscure underdog manage to defy the odds and win the nomination of the Republican Party?...
(Excerpt) Read more at michaelmedved.townhall.com ...
Dittos from me. Good posts from you on this thread.
"Composite Opinion
Giuliani 44.7% 3,247
Romney 28.6% 2,076
Sit it out 21.2% 1,540
McCain 5.4% 395
99.9% 7,258"
That might be the most informative poll I have seen at FR regarding this nomination procedure. Thanks for posting, and reminding me of it.
Here, at the bastion of conservatism on the web, only about 1 in 5 are the pouting, sit it out type.
But the California primary and the rest of Super Tuesday states are about 1 year and 1 month away and after that the nominee will be pretty much chosen.
http://www.gohunter08.com/Home.aspx
http://www.house.gov/hunter/index.shtml
In late September, Hunter was the guest of honor at a black-tie dinner in a hall at Washington's Union Station, where the hawkish defense group the Center for Security Policy presented him with its annual "Keeper of the Flame" award.
Among those lauding him at the Center for Security Policy banquet that evening was Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who said the Pentagon relies on Hunter's "wisdom, his leadership, his experience and his 'get it done' attitude.'
"It is something when he comes into your office like a whirling dervish and starts discussing a subject first at the national level and then down at the microlevel, and then leaves you pieces of metal on your desk that you can hardly lift and has explained exactly where it goes, what it's for, why it should be there and then wants to know why it isn't. And God bless him for it."
Rumsfeld also said the U.S. is more secure because of Hunter.
"He's never let the troops down, and as a result of his leadership and his hard work, our nation is a safer place today," Rumsfeld told the dinner gathering that included Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
How is it Mr Medved that Huckabee, Brownback, Tancredo, Ron Paul, Gilmore, Thompson, Duncan Hunter don't have a chance, but Barak Hussein Obama, and his 20 months experience, does?
You do me an honor, sir. Of course, this may mean you have a sick sense of humor, like mine. I've got to run, see you around.
The only one reminiscent of Dole's run in '96 is McCain. He's an 'it's his time' candidacy. Only thing is Dole actually acted like a Republican in the years up until his run, unlike McLaim. Rudy and Mitt are not anything like the Dole run.
Dean had plenty of money and organization in Iowa. What he also had was a panic attack by Dems that he would not be competitive against Bush, because he was beginning to be viewed as too extreme via some of his antics, and he dropped like an anchor in deep water no longer appended to the ship. Which brings to mind, that the way to make a play to the inside lane is to make the case that you are more electable than the guy currently in it, and then have the polls prove it. Most party primary voters these days on the polarized Fruited Plain think beating the other party is job one. Anyone seemingly not suited to that task is jettisoned.
Thank you very much! And take me with a grain of salt willya? I'm just in a jousting mood today.
I tend to think of them as the "terrel Owens" wing of the republican party.
It rates Kennedy at highest for a liberal/DEM and Inhofe at the highest for a conservative/REP. It surprises me that Hunter and McCain get the exact same rating over their 25+ year careers. And I can't stand McCain!
What am I missing?
It's called MONEY, lots and lots and lots of it.
(George Soros, that man behind the curtain.)
Sit it out 21.2% 1,540
I see the "lose on principle" loonies are making themselves heard.
You're missing that McCain's supposed liberalism mostly comes from his rhetoric, which is critical of some conservative heros. His voting record is pretty good.
And Hunter's conservativism is exaggerated, i.e. he's anti-free-trade.
LOL, good one. "It's all about me, me...meeeeee!!!"
"And yes, I long ago invited each of the minor Republican candidates to come on my show, and Ive promised to give each of them a full hour on the air (having previously welcomed McCain and Romney for fascinating interviews, with Rudy scheduled in a few days). The Huckabees and Brownbacks of this world havent gotten themselves well-enough organized to actually respond to my standing invitation, but when they finally get their acts together and agree to talk with me and with listeners on the air, Im sure theyll provide entertainment and enlightenment."
A serious contender for the Republican nomination, with the capacity for strategic planning, having recruited the talented, experienced staff around him necessary to run a national campaign and become the next President of the U.S.A., would not have missed an opportunity for a full hour of free media exposure; especially if he was lagging far behind in name recognition. This speaks volumes about the viability of the second-tier candidates if one is willing to accept the meaning.
Organization really matters, especially in Iowa, especially with the Dems. Let me tell you a little story: If you remember, right before the nomination, nobody figured on Kerry winning. It was supposed to be Dean and then maybe Gephardt. A week before the caucuses, a couple of very prominent Kerry displays went up in the Iowa State memorial union (student center). It was clear to me that he lined up all of the usual suspects. Union leaders, big money donors, people with experience. Dean didn't have organization, he had staff. A bunch of kids with t-shirts.
Electability is a big issue. I don't think it's the self-fulfilling prophecy that you make it out to be, because there are many issues that go into electability.
Or, in a more concise way, you are a "bot".
I never saw this poll.
Is it real? Did it ever show up on FR?
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