Void in GOP's '08 Lineup May Yet Be Filled(Bob Novak)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | BOB NOVAK

[kellynla]

New York-based political consultant Kieran Mahoney's statewide survey of probable Republican participants in the 2008 Iowa presidential caucuses shows this support for the ''big three'' GOP candidates: John McCain, 20.5 percent; Rudy Giuliani, 16.3 percent; Mitt Romney, 3.5 percent. Astonishingly, they all trail James Gilmore, the former governor of Virginia, with 31 percent.

How could that be? Because it was not a legitimate survey, but a ''push poll.'' That normally is a clandestine effort to rig a poll by telling respondents negative things about various candidates. Mahoney makes no secret that his voter sample was told of liberal deviations by McCain, Giuliani and Romney, and of true-blue conservatism by Gilmore (Mahoney's client).

Mahoney is trying to prove a point widely accepted in Republican ranks. None of the three front-line candidates is a natural fit for the nation's right-of-center party. Without question, there is a conservative void. The question is whether Gilmore or any new candidate can fill it.

The most commonly mentioned void filler is not Gilmore but Newt Gingrich. A straw poll by the right-wing Citizens United organization of its political contributors showed Gingrich leading with 31 percent (followed by Giuliani at 25 percent, Romney at 10 percent and McCain at 8 percent). But based on his record as speaker of the House, Gingrich's conservative record is far from flawless.

Mahoney did not include Gingrich in his Iowa poll of Republicans likely to vote in next year's caucuses. It first showed McCain leading with 33 percent, followed by Giuliani with 31.5 percent and Romney with 8.8 percent (and the unknown Gilmore at 1.3 percent). This is a voter sample that described itself as 70 percent conservative and 68 percent pro-life, and gave an astounding 76 percent favorable rating for President Bush.

[kellynla]

[Popman]

Dick Cheney would be a great POTUS

Unfortunately, this great man has been so demonized by the MSM and moonbat left, I seriously doubt he could win dog catcher, which is too bad because the country needs Dick Cheney like a drowning man needs a life preserver

[peyton randolph]

Fred Thompson is the answer...if he wants it.

[Howlin]

Bump and honk!

[Popman]

Mahoney did not include Gingrich in his Iowa poll of Republicans likely to vote in next year's caucuses.

Smart man. Newt would have walked away with it.

[uptoolate]

Hunter/Thompson or Thompson/Hunter

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Fred still hasn't answered questions about how a good old boy from the Tennessee hill country became a district attorney in NYC.

[Brilliant]

Thompson or Gilmore might be worth thinking about.

[BUSHdude2000]

If every American watched any 10 minutes of this great speech, Newt would win in a landslide.

http://www.newt.org/multimedia/default.asp?mi=394

Also be sure to visit http://www.DraftNewt.org and sign up

[cripplecreek]

Hunter is in good company.

From the desk of Gen. Chuck Yeager:

November 20, 2006

To my Fellow Americans,

Congressman Duncan Hunter is the best candidate for President of the United States of America that I know - he has integrity, tenacity, courage, and diplomacy. He is intelligent and thoughtful, does his research, and acts on it.

I have known Congressman Duncan Hunter for over 35 years. Duncan served his country in the Army and is a Vietnam vet. In Vietnam, he served in one of the most dangerous outfits - the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 75th Army Rangers.

Duncan Hunter is the former and very effective Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and I am proud to be the Honorary Chair of the Congressman Duncan Hunter for President Committee.

Chuck Yeager


http://www.gohunter08.com/index.asp

[Natchez Hawk]

Hunter S. Thompson!

[Rocko]

As a dead Democrat, he's eligible to vote. Why not elected?

[Suzy Quzy]

Amen....Dick Cheney is My pick also.

[JasonC]

What is supposed to be astounding about Bush getting 76% approval among Republican primary voters? He won the presidency twice because tens of millions of people voted for him, didn't he? Somebody has been imbibing a little too much of their own spin.

[jellybean]

Fred Thompson is the answer...if he wants it.

Join the Draft Fred Thompson Bandwagon

▲ Click the box to see where he stands on the issues. ▲

Let me know if you'd like to join the Fred Thompson ping list.

[aimee5291]

'Hunter/Thompson or Thompson/Hunter'


I'd go for either...

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

I like the sound of Hunter Thompson - the "Gonzo Ticket!"

[Howlin]

http://www.moviesounds.com/redoct/outofcontrol.wav

[jellybean]

Thanks! I love his voice!

[KoRn]

Run Fred run!!!!

Have you heard anything else regarding the report from Fox that he was considering entering the primary?