Posted on 02/21/2005 11:45:23 AM PST by SmithL
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said today he hasn't ruled out a run for the presidency in 2008 but stressed that he hasn't given the matter much thought.
Frist, who was the keynote speaker at a Leadership Knoxville Alumni Luncheon, said he is concentrating on his role in the Senate and will put off any decisions on future political moves until after he steps down in 2006.
"I'm going to come right back home to Tennessee," the Nashville Republican said.
Frist said he might ponder a presidential bid "if that were an option" after he leaves the Senate but added, "I don't even think about it now."
Frist, a heart surgeon, said he might opt instead to concentrate on missionary work or go back into private practice when he returns home.
"Of course, I might consider public service if I thought I could make a difference," he said.
At the luncheon, Frist took questions from the crowd and voiced his support for tort reform and changing the Social Security system.
Time will tell. We need to discuss that tiny detail that we keep avoiding.
But don't count him out. He's a formidable campaigner...knocked Jim Sasser out in '94 after Sasser had won reelection with 65% six years prior.
I hope Mark Sanford runs.
The knock on having a Senator run for President is that they don't have the CEO mentality to lead a country.
That being said, if there were a decent candidate who came from the Senate, I'd consider voting for him/her.
There are few sitting Senators with the charisma and leadership to blow away voters right now...okay, probably none.
The knock on having a Senator run for President is that they don't have the CEO mentality to lead a country.
That being said, if there were a decent candidate who came from the Senate, I'd consider voting for him/her.
There are few sitting Senators with the charisma and leadership to blow away voters right now...okay, probably none.
Hope he does run. He'd make a good president.
I'd like to see a Frist/Rice ticket.
Well that's admirable. Can he save Bush's judicial nominations - hopfully CPR won't be needed. ;-)
Finally somebody just comes out and says it. Thank you.
Oh. That. You really think people will ask?
I hope not.
Well, here is our plan. We need to seek out an alternate. That way, if it comes up and we just can't avoid it, I can go to a Rove-type position, you can slide up to POTUS, and the VP can go to the alternate. However, I see this as a last resort, but insurance nonetheless. In the meantime, we still press on as if nothing is wrong. If I end up getting bumped, can I still ride motorcycles into the back of the campaign bus?
That's a silly myth perpetuated by the MSM.
Let's see, what Senators have lost since JFK?
George McGovern - A loudmouth, uncharismatic extremist loses to Nixon.
Bob Dole - A boring, uncharismatic old man loses to one of the most charismatic men ever to be in politics, and STILL keeps him below 50% of the vote.
John Kerry - A dower, arrogant, flip-floping, anti-war elitist who runs an incompetent campaign against a sitting war president.
So 3 Senators have lost, all of them very flawed Candidates, all of whom wern't as personable or as likable as their competetors.
I don't really think it has much to do with them being Senators. I guess part of Kerry's flip-floping was made possible by the fact that he had taken so many votes, but at the same time, the fact that he was so well versed in national issues due to 20 years on the national stage was part of his selling points, so it was a mixed bad.
I think a LOT of Senators who were more charismatic could have won. I think Bob Kerrey might have won had he won the nomination in 92. I think "Scoop" Jackson would have won had he won the primary in '76. (yes, I know, both Dems. The point is that they were charismatic and likable).
I honestly think part of it is a self-fufilling prophacy. I think Frist or Allen would make good nominees in '08. I also think that Mel Martinez or John Corynan might be good candidates at some point in the future.
Don't discount them just because they are Senators, especially in a post-9/11 world where knowledge of international issues is of upmost importance.
Good plan
He's running. Not that I want him to, at least till he shows a pair about judges, but I know for a fact he's running. (Grammy son is connected politically)
I vote for this one ;)
Secrecy will be vital concerning the alternate however. I don't want to be seen as just a fake candidate, getting by on my good looks while somebody else waits in the wings to take my place. The alternate should be picked by you, since they will ultimately be your VP if I have to bow out.
Are there any Senators who used to be CEO's?
I vote for this one ;)
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