Who is going to succeed GW?

[ampat]

Right now, there isn't a Republican presidential candidate ready to run in 2008. We don't need anymore "its my turn" Bob Doles. O'Reilly thinks hillary is a shoe in because the Republicans don't have anyone who can beat her. Cheney needs a rest, John McCain was once a contender but he has been wishy washy lately. Anyone have any nominees?

[Political Junkie Too]

I think it should be Condi/Jeb in 2008, not the other way around.

I've heard that Rice is a great analyst but has little executive experience, but she will be the best opposition to Hillary! in that she'll offset Hillary!'s attempt to corner the "woman" vote. Jeb can support her in the executive department, the way that Cheney is a good support for Bush today.

I think we can't underestimate the effect that the women's vote will have if Hillary! runs in 2008. The best way to counter that is to run an African-American woman, so that the GOP can claim both the first African-American president and the first woman president in the same candidate. People will still be satisfied with knowing that a Bush will still be at the top of national leadership instead of a Clinton, and Jeb can have a go at it in 2012 if Condi decides not to run again, or in 2016 otherwise.

-PJ

[Green Knight]

Well, he does have 5 years til 2008.

But electability? Well, he won his re-election in Florida 56% to 43% (First Republican to be re-elected to the governorship, if I remember right). This AFTER Terry McAuliffe made it his mission in life to dethrone Jeb in order to send a message to the President (I.E. "We got your brother in 02, and we're gonna get you in 04"), and so sent Bill McBride wads of cash in order to support his campaign. This AFTER the Democratic establishment made "Revenge for 2000" their clarion call. This after Florida was nearly split down the middle 50-50 between Gore and Bush. After all that, Jeb won by 13 points, absolutely crushing Bill McBride.

Florida is unfortunately not a solidly conservative state, as evinced by the fact that we went for Clinton in 96, and nearly went for Gore in 2000, but this election was ROCK SOLID in favor of Jeb. The only way Jeb could carry that off was by being able to appeal to the independent voters, of which there are a lot of in Florida.

And he did this while being strongly conservative. I haven't kept up on all the issues, especially lately (Yeah, I know. I need to stop slacking off ;) ), but he seems to be even more conservative than GWB. He's also got a solid head on his shoulders, and is pretty damned impressive when he gets going. Bill McBride was positively embarassing when put up against Jeb. It's something when you listen to a man speak clearly and articulate his position, then hear another man sprinkling his response with "uh... uh ... uh" every five seconds.

Well, that's my view of it at this late hour (I REALLY need to get some sleep. Gotta get up around 6 am or so).

[Green Knight]

Pinging Summer!

[Kip Lange]

At the very least, I wouldn't be at all "surrounded", as my grandfather used to say, to see Fred Thompson as a cabinet member.

[Kip Lange]

I think it's mostly due to lack of media exposure in New England (like the media outlets here are going to give Jeb any time). If he's as conservative as I think and you maintain he is...a possibility, although what about the Dems screaming "dynasty" at us? The people also might sicken of the name "Bush", too, however great the president is. What about Rice '08, Jeb *after*...?

[jagrmeister]

Tom Ridge: Effective Governor, Vietnam Veteran, Homeland Security Chief who is responsible for preventing attack since 9/11, House Representative, telegenic/tall/articulate.

[Kip Lange]

Tom Ridge, anecdotal reactions I've heard from people boiled down into one phrase, true or not (most likely not): "Lightweight in over his head."

Given time to mature, electable? Definitely possible. Would need to develop slightly more aggresive rhetoric, methinks.

[Kip Lange]

Do you really think Ridge is very telegenic, as well? He has a bit of that plastic air about him, detached from the press conferences (and not with the affability of a Rumsfeld).

His resume is impeccable, I can't argue there (as far as I know, muckrakers can make up anything).

[Green Knight]

Well, if Hillary runs in 2008, then that "dynasty" line won't exactly work without them looking like complete hypocrites.

As for his lack of exposure on New England outlets, to be fair, who really cares about what the governor of another state is doing? I don't see why outlets in New England or anywhere else would cover Jeb unless he made national news somehow, as the viewers in other stats would, for the most part, not really care about local Florida news. Besides, he'll have the whole nomination process to introduce himself to the American people and talk about his record. Assuming he does run in 2008, he'll get all the exposure he needs from the nomination process. No need to constantly be sticking your head out, now, with 5 years left to go.

As for Condi first? Well, at the end of the day it doesn't really matter to me. Whichever one of them is the nominee is who I'm voting for, though right up til nomination time Jeb will be the one I support. You got a point about people getting tired of the name Bush, but if a Clinton is on the Democratic ticket, then they'll negate each other.

[Dianna]

I've heard that Rice is a great analyst but has little executive experience, but she will be the best opposition to Hillary! in that she'll offset Hillary!'s attempt to corner the "woman" vote. Jeb can support her in the executive department, the way that Cheney is a good support for Bush today.

Condi is great in the Administration BECAUSE she is an academic. I can't think of one paying job she's had outside gov't and academia. Condi is brilliant, driven and an major asset to us, but I'd really like to see someone with more real life experience. I think that is valuable.

[Kip Lange]

Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees -- you're exactly right on the negation factor.

Regarding New England outlets -- nod, not blaming them, just saying I don't get to see a lot of Jeb in general. Not a heck of a lot of him on the cable news outlets, either, if you think about it. However, sometimes no PR is good PR.

[jwh_Denver]

Don't you think that rules Powell out?

For me it does. Powell is a fence sitting guy who needs someone like GW to keep him in line. Powell was against the war and IMO does not show any leadership ability outside of compromising everything away. Take a look at how many times he has stated what he wants and then check how conservative his stances are. Way too big of a gap for me.

[LdSentinal]

• Governor Bill Owens of Colorado.

• Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, if he's re-elected in 06'.

• Senator Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania

• Governor Craig Benson of New Hampshire if he's re-elected in 04' and 06' and if he becomes somewhat more conservative.

• My long-shot pick would be Donald Rumsfeld, but he would be in his late 70's by 08'.

[sushiman]

>Jeb Bush/Condi Rice ticket would be a shoo in.

Yet another Bush for Prez ? Sorry , won't fly , even with me . Two is a company , three is a crowd as they say .

[Blackyce]

Rumsfeld/Rice 2008!!!

[FairOpinion]

"Yet another Bush for Prez ? Sorry , won't fly , even with me ."
---

Why not? Would you exclude a well qualified candidate, just because he happens to be the current President's brother? He would be elected, not a dynasty being passed down, like in N. Korea.

Jeb Bush is governor of Florida, he is not like Jimmy Carter's brother Billy, or Clinton's brother, whatever his name. Jeb Bush achieved success on his own.

So why should he be excluded from running for president? THAT would be unfair.

[Con X-Poser]

It'll be Hillary. The media will see to it. It should be Ron Paul, but the Republicans don't run conservative candidates anymore. They just stay one step to the right of their far-left Democratic opponent. As long as we keep voting for these moderate/liberal Republicans, they will never have to run a real conservative and we will always have to choose between a real Democrat or a Democrat masquerading as a Republican. Lose-lose.

I'd rather vote for Howard Phillips of the Constitution Party and lose, than a moderate/liberal RepubliCON and 'win' (if you call that a win).

[dagnabbit]

Is Jeb also an open-borders advocate like his brother?

[Pippin]

Being in the 70's or 80's didn't stop Reagan! :O)

I would say Donald Rumsfeld too!