Posted on 08/21/2006 1:58:57 AM PDT by indemnify
LOS ANGELES -- The latest, hottest, and most unanticipated rumor to emerge from the State Republican Convention at the Century Plaza Hotel here was that former Virginia Gov. and Republican National Chairman Jim Gilmore would enter the 2008 Republican presidential sweepstakes.
Talk of Gilmore-for-President began as the former governor and staunch conservative arrived in Los Angeles to address the state GOP's top officials. In a fighting luncheon speech, Gilmore call for securing the borders and a Republican agenda of "security, safety, and long-term civil values and freedom." Recalling his stint as head of the RNC in the first Bush Administration, Gilmore said he perceived an impression from the public that political parties "raise money, buy media, and that's it." However, he said there was "still room for the parties" to carry out a strong agenda and that a "value program" for the Republican Party still packed a political punch. Gilmore's address drew a prolonged ovation from the GOP leadership.
"I haven't made a decision yet," Gilmore told me after his remarks, adding that he had "several choices" for a political future that included a race for the U.S. Senate in 2010 (when Republican Sen. John Warner is expected to retire) or "a race in '09"(referring to a comeback bid for the governorship he held from 1997-2001, governors of Virginia being limited to one consecutive four-year term). But the Virginian quickly pointed out that "I have a lot of friends across the U.S." who have encouraged him to run for the top job in '08. For now, Gilmore insisted he is focusing on speaking across the country to "provide some leadership for the middle class."
Already, the former governor has some fans among Golden State Republicans. Republican National Committeewoman Barbara Alby told me "He'd better run! He has a great message. And the field for '08 needs a Jim Gilmore, who talks the values we hold dear in the Republican Party and has a walk to back up the talk. He's presidential timber." Alby recalled her service on the RNC while Gilmore was national chairman and said she had "a special fondness" for him. When I asked her colleague, Republican National Committeeman Tim Morgan, whether Gilmore should run or not, he replied without hesitation: "I do."
Gilmore, who currently heads the homeland security section of a major law firm in Washington D.C., also has a political action committee known as ACORN (A Council for Policy Reform) and heads a 501-C-3 known as NCorp. Among others in California reportedly urging a Gilmore bid in '08 is former Commissioner of Baseball and 1984 Olympics czar Peter Ueberroth.
The budding talk of a Gilmore for President movement in '08 comes as his predecessor in the Virginia governorship and fellow Republican George Allen, who has also been mentioned as a presidential candidate in '08, finds himself in a closer-than-ever re-election bid for his U.S. Senate seat.
However, he not very known outside his state.
Well we have a long time to make him known!
Welcome to Free Republic!!!!
Hard to imagine Gilmore could possibly be worse than some of the other possible candidates for the republican nomination: Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain, Condoleeza Rice and Chuck Hagel instantly come to mind.
Very cool - a good governor and a solid conservative. At the very least, I hope he runs when Jawn Wahnah finally shuffles off the Senate floor into retirement.
Thank you very much, my friend!
What about "social" issues? I don't find anything into the page you suggest.
What are his positions on the major issues?
I recall that the Democrat he ran against in '97 tryed to make abortion a major issue of the campaign. The dem opposed parental notification laws and Gilmore came out and supported law that required minors get permission to have an abortion. I also recall he was attacked for being a no-exceptions pro-lifer during one point in the campaign.
Wonderful, thank you! Last but not least: does he want to run for President? Really?
"However, he not very known outside his state"
Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were?
Being know outside your state is not necessarily good.
That usually means that the candidate has to deal with high negatives. This is why there hasn't been a president elected directly from the US Senate since 1962.
No one had ever heard of Howard Dean either before the 2004 election cycle.
I've always thought Gilmore might be a good choice. We need someone other than the current crop of possibilities, none of whom excite me or a lot of other Republicans. I still think Haley Barbour and Tim Pawlenty should run too.
Barbour is my top choice, but I read somewhere that he will not run.
I am convinced by the gushing responses of about 50% of FR (which would be, I think, well to the right of the average GOP primary voter) that Giuliani will be the nominee and that he will win.
I wish we had a viable alternative who was a true conservative, but, so far there is none. You can't beat celebrity with non-celebrity, not in the US, and not even in the GOP primary.
"Barbour is my top choice, but I read somewhere that he will not run."
I suspect Barbour has seen the political bloodletting up close and for too long, and doesn't want to go through it himself. Not his cup of tea.
Gilmore would be a better candidate than George Allen, he has more gravitas.
Male pattern baldness = zero shot. Yes, America is that shallow. ;)
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