The Senate Super Bowl of '06: Rudy vs. Hillary

LA Times ^ | 12/21/03 | By John Ellis

[chiller]

The word around New York is that our former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, has decided to challenge Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton when she seeks reelection in 2006 — a matchup we almost saw in 2002 before he withdrew for personal reasons. Giuliani won't confirm or deny it (as recently as Friday he told radio host Don Imus he hadn't made up his mind), but two well-placed GOP insiders say it's "basically a done deal."

This would be the Super Bowl of Senate races and a dramatic "wild card" lead-in to the 2008 presidential election. Only one of the principals could advance to the next level. For Giuliani, challenging Clinton is a necessary step if he hopes to be a national GOP player. He could, if he chose, run for governor in 2006, but that wouldn't do him much good on the national stage. He would still be a pro-gay, pro-choice "Rockefeller Republican."

[Arpege92]

"I really enjoy making unpopular predictions."

Stir up the pot huh...LOL....I've been known to do that as well.

"Rudy won't run probably."

I'm not counting him out....he hates Hillary too!

[Pubbie]

"Out of the spotlight for 2 years?"

She campaigns for 2 years.

She can't afford to lose to Rudy in 2006.

Her only other option is to run in 2004 - but she won't do that (I think...)

[neverdem]

If there is anything left of it

Bush signs the NEW Assault Weapon ban we can kiss the 2nd GOODBYE And if he is far enough ahead in the polls Rove ( MR CFR) will tell him to sign it

Everything that is wrong must be opposed until your last breath, and don't sell yourself short.

[Libloather]

...former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, has decided to challenge Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton...

Put a fork in her - she's toast...

[yooper]

If Rudy "confirms" this, Hillary will be a shoo-in as a presidential candidate next year for fear that she will lose her Senate seat. And that will be a good thing; let her play her cards now so that we can all once again see the communist within....

[Libloather]

Say - how much does your job pay?

[Political Junkie Too]

I agree with you in theory, but I wonder how effective she will be being out of government for two years and out of the White House for eight years when 2008 rolls around. It seems to me that she has to crush Giuliani in 2006 in order to propel her into 2008.

What has Rudy done since leaving office? He might also suffer from four years out of office when 2006 rolls around. At least he has a bank of goodwill to draw upon.

-PJ

[Pubbie]

"I agree with you in theory, but I wonder how effective she will be being out of government for two years and out of the White House for eight years when 2008 rolls around. It seems to me that she has to crush Giuliani in 2006 in order to propel her into 2008."

If she is going for 08 then she has to drop out of the Senate in 2006, and risk running for President without any real power because she must NOT lose to Guiliani.

Really she has no good options.

Asa for Saint Rudy, according to the LA Times, he wants to be VP in 2008:

"If he unseats Hillary Clinton (which will difficult, but certainly not impossible), he would instantly become an acceptable vice presidential nominee choice, particularly if Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (by way of disclosure, he is my first cousin) heads the 2008 GOP ticket."

[Political Junkie Too]

...Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (by way of disclosure, he is my first cousin)...

In your profile, you say that you're a Russian-American. How are you connected?

-PJ

[Pubbie]

NOOOOOOOOO!

I'm NOT related to Jeb Bush!

I'm quoting an excerpt from the LA Times article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-oe-ellis21dec21,1,1151241.story?coll=la-sunday-commentary

[Political Junkie Too]

Oh! Thanks for correcting me. I didn't read the article (not registered). Was it the writer who was disclosing this?

-PJ

[Pubbie]

"Was it the writer who was disclosing this?"

Yes the author says he is related to Jeb Bush.

:)

[jackbill]

From a Marist poll in September, 2003:

In a hypothetical matchup for the U.S. Senate against Clinton in 2006, the poll found 57 percent favoring Giuliani over 40 percent for the incumbent Democrat.

[Political Junkie Too]

Anyway, back to Rudy: I recall what happened to Bob Dole when he resigned from the Senate (and his majority leadership position) to dedicate himself to his presidential bid full-time (not that it would have mattered in the long run). He lost a valuable pulpit from which to be in the news, and to make news like the President.

-PJ

[aculeus]

Point of interest. John Ellis is blogging again.

http://johnellis.blogspot.com/2003_12_07_johnellis_archive.html

[Pubbie]

She's got no good options - Also Gore is going to be making a comeback in 2008, so that further complicates this already messy equation.

Fortunately this only creates problems for Hitlery!

[neverdem]

Any body who can, it's time to re-enlist. Let's go.

[TJFLSTRAT]

With Hillary out of office for two years I find it difficult to believe she can make a substantial run in 08, if Rudy decides he wants her seat, it's his. Hillary must now hope of being a VP pick, or to be nominated at a brokered convention this summer. Rudy holds the key to her political future.

[Political Junkie Too]

Also Gore is going to be making a comeback in 2008...

Based on today's other news, after eight years of Clinton in the White House, I doubt the people will want a doper in the White House again.

-PJ

[Doninnj]

I would love to see RUDY beat the disgraceful Hillary...but you have to remember that it's NEW YORK and the brainless left wing morons rule here.