In 2008, the country is going to choose a conservative President or a liberal President. If Rudy is the nominee, it will be Hillary Clinton. If, as I contend, Rudy is not the nominee and Fred Thompson faces Hillary, he will defeat her handily.
Ford was a terrible candidate. He lost because he forgot that the Soviet Union ruled Poland and because he was not a conservative. He inspired no one, most especially the base. And what is his legacy? John Paul Stevens, 30 years of liberal activism on the Supreme Court. Stevens is more liberal than Breyer. No thanks to a moderate.
So Bush 41 lost because the economy turned down? Why do you think the economy turned down? Because of the TAX HIKE. Let me give you a little economics lesson since you are new here. Tax increases cause and deepen recessions. Bush swore up and down that he would never raise taxes (”Read my lips..”) He did, and he was toast.
When the Republicans nominate moderates, they wind up either losing to liberals or governing like liberals. In 1988, the top marginal tax rate was 28%. After 20 years of Bush- Clinton, it is 35%. I rest my case.
This is a conservative country, not a moderate one. What happened with the Immigration bill and with the state constitutional amendments on marriage make that very clear. It is not the country that has become less conservative over the last 20 years, it is the leadership, especially the Republican leadership that has become more “moderate” as you put it, with disastrous results.
No. In 2008 the country is going to choose what they believe is a moderate candidate. The difference is, Rudy will be the only moderate. Hillary is trying to repackage herself as one, just as her husband did in 1992. And as much as I despise the woman, the Clintons are masters at altering perception.
Fred Thompson can not beat Hillary. There simply aren’t enough conservatives to give him the presidency. Look at how many people now identify themselves as Republican as compared to Democrats. Where did Democrats get their gains - from conservatives disgusted with the GOP? No! From moderates.
This is a moderate country. Rudy’s views on abortion are closer in line to the majority’s opinion than Fred Thompson’s are. The biggest issue in 2008 will be an unpopular war in Iraq.
I agree the GOP doesn’t fare well when they run moderate candidates. But this year, they won’t have a choice. The country wants change. If the GOP doesn’t go along with that, they’ll be out in November 2008.