[fporretto]

For pure ability, my choice would be Donald Rumsfeld.

For charisma and leadership fundamentals, my choice would be Rudolph Giuliani.

For intellectual power, my choice would be Condi Rice.

For affability and voter appeal, my choice would be Colin Powell.

For soundness of vision, my choice would be Thomas Sowell.

All of these candidates share a characteristic: they're not electable. None has been elected to a high enough office to be regarded by the voters as having "paid his dues."

That having been said, the best odds would go to Powell. We've elevated other four-star generals to the White House without first requiring that they serve in lower elective offices. But on policy, he's the weakest of the bunch.

It's time to start grooming a governor or a senator. Frank Keating of Oklahoma is a very good man. Tommy thompson of Wisconsin has some points in his favor, as well. There's also Mitch McConnell and Rick Santorum to consider. One way or another, it's time the GOP got the ball rolling. Perhaps it already has.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[Agamemnon]

We would be kidding ourselves if we choose to ignore the fact that in all likelihood GWB, as any good CEO usually does, already has a succession plan.

A little known fact was how instumental both he and Rove were in Ronald Reagan's successful acsension to the White House.

Bush is a brilliant strategist and will assure the success of his inheritors -- that is, the loyal ones.