How so? I've never been a McCain fan, but, in evaluating the possible candidates who could beat Hillary Clinton, McCain is near the top of the list. If Owens of Colorado, or some other leading light is going to give it a go, they've got to start building an organization soon and making some headlines.
Rudy could do it, but he arouses negative far right passions with his abortion and gun stances.
I may be alone in this, but I don't think Condoleeza Rice has the fire in her belly to run for president. She's simply an unknown campaign quantity.
Is FR hiccupping or is it my system? Veeery slow.
During the 2000 debates, I saw McCain twice with the other Reublican candidates. In Columbia and Aiken, SC. In Columbia I sat with our Mayor and state Senator and their impression was the same as mine so I don't think I'm too off base here.
McCain, when the camera was not on him paced liked a caged animal. He looked angry enough to chew glass and a couple of times seemed to "come to" and realize he was on stage and although not on camera, was in full view of hundreds of people.
Around the 2000 election, there was a small one paragraph article in the Washington Post Page Six section, IIRC, that said Washington insiders KNEW that McCain did not have the temperment or stability to be president. There was concern that he was doing so well at one point because of his instability.
I'd hate to see what's at the bottom of your list.
Let me ask you this: Do you honestly think that Bush would leave the GOP high and dry up to and through his second election without some indication as to his successor?
For a guy who seems to have an uncanny knack for anticipating, he would be a joke for not letting the party know that he's got a guy/gal in mind.
For what it's worth I think he'll probably let Cheney retire early and get Condi or Jeb or somebody to take the VP slot. Otherwise he's sold the party out bigtime.
Then again Michael Steele (Lt. Gov. of Maryland) has said he'd serve at the President's request in any capacity. Now that would rock.
I think the most "establishment" choice is going to be George Allen. I'm seeing a lot more of him in the news.
He's my "third" choice as of now(behind Governors Sanford and Pawlenty), but I have no problems with him currently, and give him credit for sticking his neck out on those gun votes.
McCain would get run out extremely quickly in the next primary. Most republicans I know can't stand him, and that's not just the gun owners. They just don't trust him.