Ranking the GOP contenders (Hunter at bottom)

The whole list:

1.     Rudy Giuliani
Former New York City mayor Last Ranking: 1
Stars are aligning. It's not his nomination to lose, but there's a clear path to win for him. The latest NBC/WSJ poll shows that three out of four GOP voters care more about issues Giuliani can prove he's conservative on (terrorism, taxes and education/health care) than issues he struggles with re: conservatism (moral values and immigration). If the primary becomes a referendum on those two issues, Rudy's in trouble -- but so far, it's not. The electability thing seems to be an added trump card, but how does he make peace with the Christian conservative activist crowd? Does he do a sit-down? Is he making personal phone calls? What's Ted Olson up to behind the scenes?
2. Mitt Romney
Former Massachusetts governor Last Ranking: 3
After languishing a bit for the last month, it seems Romney's camp has a plan for how to tackle Rudy: Ignore Thompson and try to make this a two-person race again. The good news for Romney? The media seems ready to bite.
3.    Fred Thompson
Former Tennessee senator Last Ranking: 2
If anyone is in need of a re-launch, it's Thompson. It seems silly after just a month, but he needs something to go against the media stereotype that's hardening on him. Not sure what we'd suggest (not our job), but we're wondering: Where is this different kind of campaign he promised?
4. John McCain
Arizona senator Last Ranking: 5
His base (the media) seems desperate to deal him back in, but what's going to happen to McCain if he loses in Iowa to Paul and Huckabee? Can he really turn it around again in New Hampshire?
5.      Ron Paul
Texas congressman   Last Ranking: 7
Look who's crashing the party! His $5 million is impressive because no one on the GOP side is raising BIG bucks. And don't write off Paul's supporters as simply angry anti-U.N. black helicopter types. There's been anger from the GOP's less-government libertarian wing for some time, and Paul may be becoming the protest vehicle for those folks. It'll be interesting to see which of the front-runners actually "gets it" and tries to co-opt some of Paul's supporters.
6. Mike Huckabee
Former Arkansas governor Last Ranking: 4
A lot of our colleagues love to talk up Huckabee, and there's no question he's been great at the debates. But can we acknowledge that the reason he isn't getting more traction is that he -- not Thompson -- is the laziest Republican in the field? Had Huckabee done the hard work two years ago of courting donors and then been willing to go a million miles on a plane to talk to folks who could build a campaign (not simply put his face on TV or his words in print), he'd be in the first tier, raising $8 million or $9 million a quarter.
7.     Sam Brownback
Kansas senator Last Ranking: 6
There's no real reason to rank him any more.
8.      Duncan Hunter
California Congressman  Last Ranking: 9
There's no real reason to rank him any more.
9.      Tom Tancredo
Colorado Congressman Last Ranking: 8
There's no real reason to rank him any more.

61 posted on 10/10/2007 7:32:19 AM PDT by George W. Bush (Apres moi, le deluge.)

To: ClearCase_guy

My top 3 choices are Hunter, Thompson and Romney.

I would be happy with any one of them on the ticket or both slots. I think that Hunter-Romney or Hunter-Thompson would be a very good solution. A Romney-Hunter would work for me too. Either way we have some really great candidates. I for one can’t wait until the primaries are over and FREEPERS will get down to the real work of getting a Republican conservative into the White House in 2008. The bickering is a bit old, but from what I understand it was like this in 2003-4 while picking the last President so I guess it is par for the course.

62 posted on 10/10/2007 7:36:15 AM PDT by napscoordinator

63 posted on 10/10/2007 7:37:53 AM PDT by Right_Rev (All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke)

To: GeorgefromGeorgia

You may like Rudy’s 12 commitments, but there is no mention of Second Amendment rights and a commitment to that. And that bothers me. Very much. To the point where I’ll never vote for him

64 posted on 10/10/2007 7:39:09 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)

To: Just A Nobody

THAT was GREAT! Thanks for telling us about the YouTube link!

SEE POST #47

65 posted on 10/10/2007 7:43:32 AM PDT by NordP (If illegal alien = "undocumented immigrant" then drug dealer = "unlicensed pharmacist")

I’m voting for Hunter or I’m voting for nobody. Come what may.

66 posted on 10/10/2007 7:49:46 AM PDT by BeckB

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’ll never vote for: The Beast, Obama, McCain, Romney or Guilliani, no matter how amusing it would be to hear Sean Hannity say President “Gee-oo-li-annie” every day for four years. *SNORT*

Which means, I suppose, you'll take draft-dodging girlie men Romney and Edwards, kooky Ron Paul and Gorum look-a-like Dennis Kooksinich, political hacks Biden or Brownback; and dilberts like Dodd and Tancredo? As for me, the only votes I'll cast are for McCain, Hunter, Huckabee and Thompson.

67 posted on 10/10/2007 7:55:07 AM PDT by meandog (I'm one of the FEW and the BRAVE FReepers still supporting John McCain)

To: NordP; bboop

Glad you enjoyed it! This way you don’t have to wade through all the other junk. ;*)

68 posted on 10/10/2007 7:55:23 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (PISSANT for President '08 - NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)

I really like Duncan Hunter. Those who watched — how do you think he did? I did not see the debates.

He did well BUT Duncan Hunter still has no name recognition due to a perfidy amongst the MSM. Anyone who knows his life story and his service to his country would be proud to vote for him. Still, he doesn't seem to have much of a chance--best bet is 2nd place on a ticket.

69 posted on 10/10/2007 8:00:30 AM PDT by meandog (I'm one of the FEW and the BRAVE FReepers still supporting John McCain)

To: M. Dodge Thomas

I think, if Rudy becomes the nominee, that at the convention our other party platforms become dominant. For example, much like the last convention, WOT will take center stage. The economic issues (lower taxes, less spending) will hopefully make a comeback, and I think Rudy leaves the rest to the other speakers.

I really think he will let others lead on the social issues, maybe via a conservative VP, and he will probably speak in generalities on subjects like his judicial nominees.

That may not be enough for many here, but maybe it will pacify some. I, personally, besides health care, think that social issues will not play too much into the general election. It will be national security, and economic future. Two points that Rudy shines over Hillary. If he (or any other candidate) can portray her as an appeaser on WOT he will win.

70 posted on 10/10/2007 8:06:01 AM PDT by codercpc

To: LibLieSlayer

mitt pledging to consult attorneys FIRST before using the Military to defend our security ended his candidacy last night. No rootie or mitt... ever

Yup. Typical from the Romulan. What's up with that? I can just see the real scenario now: MIRVed ICBM warheads coming in from the future Islamic caliphate and Mutt gets on the phone with lawyers to see if it would be okay if one of our future sea-based Aegis baseline BMD warships take it out.

71 posted on 10/10/2007 8:09:00 AM PDT by meandog (I'm one of the FEW and the BRAVE FReepers still supporting John McCain)

To: ClearCase_guy

"Hunter is at the bottom at least in part because the media wants him there"

Well big international interests don't like Hunter either for his position on protecting American jobs from the job-traders. What they did to Perot and Buchanan is happening to Hunter. Media is just the instrument of death.

72 posted on 10/10/2007 8:21:03 AM PDT by ex-snook ("But above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")

To: joe fonebone

Thompson/Hunter would be a great ticket because it would put California into play more than what the Democrats would want. There are a finite number of V.P. possibilities for the GOP that would work well. Two of the more interesting eventual V.P. possibilities for the GOP are Michael Steele or Sarah Palin.

73 posted on 10/10/2007 8:32:13 AM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore

mitt is just an empty 2800.00 liberal suit that looks like a dim... walks like a dim... governs like a dim... and in all but name IS a dim.

LLS

74 posted on 10/10/2007 8:37:53 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)

To: johnthebaptistmoore

hunter is a good candidate, but does not have the name recognition.....8 years as vp, and he will be ready for his 8 years

75 posted on 10/10/2007 8:42:25 AM PDT by joe fonebone (When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout)

Then why is L. Ron still ranked?

76 posted on 10/10/2007 8:42:35 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Steely-Eyed Killer of the Deep)

You mean the VERY SILLY PARTY. I believe that John Cleese even ran for mayor somewhere in California, if anyone knows anything about this.

77 posted on 10/10/2007 8:43:48 AM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore

WTF? Of course not. They’re not even worth mentioning because they’re all socialist nut cases and have an ice cube’s chance.

As for supporting any draft-dodging...I’m retired Army. ‘Nuf said. :)

78 posted on 10/10/2007 8:47:39 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)

You are correct. Their impact on the debate is minimal now and they should drop out.

79 posted on 10/10/2007 8:56:08 AM PDT by KC_Conspirator

I meant until I get to pull the lever on a candidate...November, 2008.

80 posted on 10/10/2007 8:58:12 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)

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