[Josh in PA]

Just win baby.

I'll challenge the assumption that Reagan won and got re-elected because he stood up for conservative values. He got re-elected because his conservative policies began working.

Reagan won in 1980 because Carter was a disgrace.
Reagan won re-election in 1984 because the economy started booming.

Reagan had approval ratings in the 30%-35% range in 1983.


Bush's re-election depends on one thing.. The economy. If the momentum continues until November, it's Bush by 6-8 points. If its stagnant, it's going to be dead-tight.

Simple as that. You also need to maximize your convention boost, and to do that you need star power like Rudy Guiliani, whose voice reaches everybody.

Rove picking NYC was stroke of genius. We're going to see a compare & contrast of moderate heroes like Rudy Guiliani speaking at the convention, while all the left wing kooks are raising hell outside.

The "Coalition of the Wild-Eyed" are walking right into the bear-trap.

[1Old Pro]

You also need to maximize your convention boost, and to do that you need star power like Rudy Guiliani, whose voice reaches everybody.

Rudy's a natural choice and a good one. But Pataki? Why not showcase our younger guys like Santorum et al?

[meadsjn]

Rove picking NYC was stroke of genius.

We're going to see a compare & contrast of moderate heroes like Rudy Guiliani speaking at the convention, while all the left wing kooks are raising hell outside.

The toughest part of history class for young students is remembering all the "moderate heroes" who made such a great impact on the direction of the nation (provided they can even find a footnote of reference).

[L.N. Smithee]

Rove picking NYC was stroke of genius.

Rove thinks he's a genius. I don't. Like Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, Rove uses the rope-a-dope strategy, minus any indication that he will ever hit back eventually.

I'll say it for the umpteenth time -- Rove is luckier than he will ever be good.

Remember Yvette Lozano? Rove recklessly hired a mole at Bush headquarters that sent debate plans to a Gore supporter, who, to his credit, returned the documents unopened.

If not for the butterfly ballot and a perfect storm of circumstances in Florida, Gore might have been President, and Rove would be consulting for some West Texas congressional candidate. Maybe.