Posted on 06/08/2005 5:00:47 PM PDT by Remember_Salamis
Im tired of this MSM talk of McCain, Frist, Guiliani, Romney, and Pataki for the 2008 nomination. Out of those, onyl Frist has a chance at winning the primaries. So let's take a look at some real candidates.
Republicans with a shot in 2008:
Sen. Allen - the front-runner Sen. Brownback - Probably running for VP Sen. Thune - His name has been thrown around as a serious "sleeper" candidate in 2008 Gov. Pawlenty - Popular Conservative Gov. could give the GOP the great lakes states Gov. Sanford Gov. Bush (won't run) Gov. Owens (if marraige is fixed) Newt Gingrich
Newt is a Washington-loving joke, who was willing to stand next to Hillary in order to get good press.
I like Allen in 2008.
Good hair is ESSENTIAL to a good Presidency!
examples follow:
Ronald Reagan - killed Communism and expanded the economy, planting the seeds for unprecedented growth in the '90's - kept all his hair until he died
J.F.K. - the last of the good Democrats, would have changed the world forever - GREAT HAIR
George Washington - the founder of our country - balding, but was able to save his grace with the "Skullet"
on the flip side:
Gerald Ford - remembered only for falling down - bald as an egg
Richard Nixon - impeached and resigned in disgrace - racing stripe
Bill Clinton - need I say more? - HAIR HELMET
I almost voted for Sharpton because he had the best hair out of all the candidates, Republican or Democrat.
(KIDDING)
If I remember right (now I'm getting on in years and you know what that does to the old gray matter) but There was a lot of talk about GW a couple of years before he ran. Clinton's arrival on the scene was what turned me from an agnostic to a conservative. I think you are right about Clinton though.
I have another great idea. I supported Forbes in 2000 and Gramm in 06 and Dole in 1988. I know how to pick them. I can support McCain and that will take care of him.
Well, the people I know in Virigina were happy with his "skills" and if this is true:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1271918/posts
Perhaps we can have a "two-fer?"
But where in a different office just before running for POTUS
Wrong JFK
Of course it would be a boon if he had an executive position on his resume but I don't think it is necessary. He's one hell of an electable candidate. I can't see "the troops"--the grassrooters, not unlike myself, going b*lls to the wall for a lot of the politicians who keep getting mentioned. The party can get behind a pro-lifer and I think it comes down to that. I don't believe that the gay marriage debate brought the grassrooters out in the last election--I think it had to do with the judiciary being up for grabs (congrats to Judge Brown, btw). It's a few years off, anyhow--the next 12-18 months should be interesting. It's fun to watch who's getting into position.
I think he'd shake things up alot. National security is at the forefront and securing our borders is increasingly being seen as essential to that. The Al Qaeda cell in Cali that just got busted came across our southern border.
Plus, ALOT of Republicans are furious at Bush for refusing to take a stand on the issue of illegal immigration. They aren't necessarily racists either. Just ask any Arizona rancher who's had his livestock stolen or had to clean up human feces on his property lately.
Frankly, I think Romney, Guiliani, and McCain have decent shots at it. Thing is, if there are enough candidates in the early going 30-35% can make someone the front-runner. In the case of Kerry for the dems, it sewed up the nomination for him pretty early. Considering New Hampshire is the first primary and Romney is from next door, he has an excellent shot.... also a conservative who manages to get elected governor of one of the bluest of blue states.
I'd say these are three of the five most likely GOP nominees, along with George Allen and Condi Rice.... There is a very, very long way to go, however.
Check again, again.
Republicans
Sen. John McCain
The nation's most renowned POW, he remains an eminent figure five years after falling to Bush in the 2000 presidential primary.
Strengths: Leads the GOP's moderate wing. Ability to pick off independent voters. Heroic backstory and reputation for straight talk.
Weaknesses: Abhorred by social conservatives, a significant portion of the party's base. He'll be 72 by Election Day. Maverick reputation makes him appear disloyal to Bush.
Sen. George Allen
The Virginia lawmaker offers Washington experience and an executive background, having served as governor of a significant Southern state. His late father, George, was head coach of the Washington Redskins and the old Los Angeles Rams.
Strengths: Popular with the party's conservative base, plays well with the NASCAR constituency. From the South.
Weaknesses: Nondescript Senate record, foes site instances of insensitivity to blacks.
Sen. Bill Frist
The Senate Republican leader from Tennessee, a successful businessman and physician, has been cultivating religious conservatives.
Strengths: High-profile position, successful business career with ties to a significant constituency within the party.
Weaknesses: Has, at times, seemed to be over his head as GOP leader. Stumbled rounding up support for key votes.
Rudolph Giuliani
The former New York mayor rose to prominence as a result of his handling of the September 11 crisis in his terrorism-scarred city.
Strengths: Tough and cool under pressure. Moderates will be hunting for a candidate in a party dominated by conservatives.
Weaknesses: Too liberal on social issues for a large segment of the party. Personal issues.
Gov. Mitt Romney
The Massachusetts leader originally gained attention for successfully organizing the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. He is the son of former Michigan Gov. George Romney, who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1968.
Strengths: Established he could win in the bluest of blue states. Reputation for taking over troubled businesses and setting them on the right path, a testament to his management skills.
Weaknesses: Not particularly popular back home; could lose if he runs for re-election in 2006.
Others on the list: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour; Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia; Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; New York Gov. George Pataki; Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Democrats
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Looking to return to the residence she occupied for eight years as first lady, the lawmaker from New York is the only woman who appears to be gearing up for the long campaign.
Strengths: Extremely popular with the Democratic rank and file, particularly among women; offers a moderate voting record but popular with liberals.
Weaknesses: Extremely divisive outside the party, raising questions about her ability to attract independent and moderate Republican voters in the general election.
Sen. Evan Bayh
A two-term lawmaker from solidly red Indiana, Bayh also served 10 years as governor even though he has yet to reach his 50th birthday. His father, Birch Bayh, was a three-term Hoosier senator.
Strengths: The darling of moderate-conservative Democrats can reach across party lines and pick up independents.
Weaknesses: Not popular with some Democratic constituencies. Vote to ban late-term abortions placed him at odds with feminist organizations.
John Edwards
The former North Carolina senator ran a surprisingly strong campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and turned out to be the party's choice for vice president.
Strengths: Hails from the right part of the country, nice rags-to-riches story. Photogenic.
Weaknesses: Viewed in some quarters as something of a lightweight. Didn't attract as much support in the South as hoped.
Sen. John Kerry
The Massachusetts lawmaker, the party's 2004 presidential choice, lost by less than three points to an incumbent.
Strengths: Certainly has been around the block and won't have to introduce himself to Democratic primary voters.
Weaknesses: Some Democrats believe he ran a weak campaign in 2004. Can you say "Massachusetts liberal"?
Gov. Mark Warner
Limited to one four-year term as governor of Virginia, Warner has maintained his popularity despite running a solidly Republican state.
Strengths: Probably as close as Democrats come to having a NASCAR-dad candidate, a moderate-conservative who worked well with opposition Republicans.
Weaknesses: Limited experience and no background dealing with international affairs.
Others on the list: Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware; Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen; retired Gen. Wesley Clark of Arkansas; Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin; Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer; Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.
Ahem: you cannot "shake things up alot" when you don't get elected.
And in case you haven't noticed, Bush ain't running in 2008.
The media treats Allen as frontrunner.
Whoever the party leaders decide is who will get it unless one does a Deaniac implosion.
It's Allen's to lose.
I'm not real enthusiastic at this point.
We need a maverick who's not nuts and liberal.
More of the same ol shite is just that.
The Pubs beat the Dems but they are still a long way from conservative these daze.
If Bush is considered an extremist right winger then what's next...lol
Horse*h*t.
Bush 41 - VP
Ford VP
Nixon Out of Office (I'll give you this one)
Johnson VP
Kennedy Yes
Truemen VP
A. Not so fast. You are writing him off far too quickly. It will be a tough race for sure, but he's hardly to be written off yet.
B. Even if he does lose, two words: Richard Nixon.
He will have to have a respectable showing here to survive.
How about Jesse Helms? :-D
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.