AL Hunt: A Look Toward 2008 Evokes Ghosts of Campaigns Past

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday, December 26, 2003 | ALBERT R. HUNT

[presidio9]

There are 24 days until the first votes are cast in the 2004 election, but political insiders already are dreaming about a 2008 Bush-Clinton matchup.

There are two causes for this conjecture. For one, it's just the kind of thing that political junkies do. Also, there's a growing consensus among Republicans, and even many Democrats, that President Bush will be reelected in 2004.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Al Hunt, a name out of the past.

[Prime Choice]

I like Jeb and all, but I don't think he's Presidential material. I'd think that Guiliani would have a better shot in 2008 than Governor Bush of Florida.

As for Frist, I contest the claim that he's "worked diligently to court the party's conservative base." He's been a total Milquetoast and caved like a wuss on the Democratic judicial filibusters. There's no way in Hell I'd ever vote for him.

[presidio9]

Al is secretly rooting for Jeb in the next primary, because he knows they the Bushes will start to seem creepily monarchistic in the eyes of a large precentage of American voters. Personally, I have nothing against Jeb, but I think he would be a tougher sell than First. Rick Santorum is my dog, but I question his electability too.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Mr. Judy Woodruff

You'd think his husband could spring for a comb.

[woofie]

AL dog dont hunt

[antaresequity]

Rudy and Rice

[presidio9]

I am not sure where Condi stands on several issues, but as for Rudy, why would you need a pro-abortion, pro-gay-rights, pro-gun-control NYer, when we already figure to have Hillary Clinton running in '08?

[antaresequity]

I spoke to soon...If indeed he is all that he is unqualified...I agree

[presidio9]

I spoke to soon...If indeed he is all that he is unqualified...I agree

He most certainly is. I have had the opportunity to meet Guiliani many times. I like him. He is a very charismatic person. Nevertheless, I hope he never becomes President. His political destiny lies in driving the stake through Senator Clinton's heart be defeating her re-election bid in '06.

[My2Cents]

When Democrats discuss 2008 there's Hillary Clinton and then there's everyone else.

I'd like someone -- anyone -- to explain to me why Hillary Clinton is qualified to become President. From what I've seen, she isn't qualified to be United States Senator from NY.

[mondonico]

"Republicans are looking toward the fall with guarded optimism."

It better be "guarded." Bush can easily lose this election. We cannot afford to let up.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I like Jeb and all, but I don't think he's Presidential material.

I love W, but I agree with Al Hunt (for once!) that Jeb is the most politically substantive of the first President Bush's sons. If he had won his first race for Governor of Florida, I think there's almost no doubt that he, rather than W, would have been the GOP nominee in 2000.

[muir_redwoods]

Since every brainless democrat (am I being redundant?)who has weighed in insists that W was never elected in 2000 why can't he run for a "second" term in 2008?

[Political Junkie Too]

It's interesting that Hunt didn't speculate on a Condi Rice candidacy. To do so would be to put in print some hypotheticals against Hillary! that I'm sure Hunt didn't want to do.

Therefore, Rice is not a possibility in this article.

-PJ

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Mr. Judy Woodruff

LOL - that's what I always call him. I have a theory: that Al is uxorious - excessively submissive to one's wife - and slavishly toes the liberal line in order to stay in her good graces.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'd like someone -- anyone -- to explain to me why Hillary Clinton is qualified to become President.

I fervently hope that my fellow Republicans don't make the mistake of underestimating Hillary. I saw her on Meet the Press with Russert a few weeks ago. She was incredibly impressive - infinitely more so than any of the current Dem presidential candidates.

By the time she's ready to run in 2008 she will be a towering figure. Anyone who thinks she can be defeated as unqualified is kidding himself. And she will have completed her image makeover into a centrist. Mark my words, beware Hillary.

[kennedy]

His political destiny lies in driving the stake through Senator Clinton's heart by defeating her re-election bid in '06.

Amen.

Guiliani is the only Republican who can beat Hillary in a NY Senate race. If Hillary loses her Senate re-election race, then her political career is effectively over.

[kennedy]

Therefore, Rice is not a possibility in this article.

To be honest, I don't think Rice is a possibility in 2008, unless she holds an elective office first.

If Cheney were to decide to step aside as VP in 2004 and Rice were to run in his place, then she would be the front runner in 2008. Otherwise, I think she is the likely choice for VP in 2008.

Keep in mind, Rice is relatively young (born in 1954). She can easily build her resume and run in 2112 or 2116.

[Azzurri]

I live Jeb but I have a feeling he'd be a velcro candidate who would have difficulty shaking dirt thrown at him. After 8 years of GW, I also think the country would have a huge swing against another Bush...with many swing voters going against Jeb simply for that reason. I'm also a Santorum man, would love to see him in 2008.