The Spectator is right: the Dems are playing for 2008...so who do WE want to run in 2008

Vanity | 1/15/04 | self

[Salgak]

OK, gang.

Barring a catastrophe or another 9/11 attack, it's pretty much a given that President Bush will be re-elected in just under 10 months from today. That's been already listed here on FR today. And Jay Currie has a VERY good point. The Dems KNOW they've already lost this election, and are using it to position for 2008 and, God Help Us, Hillary.

Who do we have / want who is in position to run for the Republican nomination in 2008 ???

Given that President Bush would want to have his successor continue his policies, who you all of you think is a worthy successor to George W. Bush, and our best defense against the Hildebeast ???

[wardaddy]

one could make a case for both, but I meant the former.

[alphadog]

"Rice is a total Trojan Horse.

And Bush pushed her inside the city

[nutmeg]

bookmark bump

[mdw278]

Brief thoughts on Rudy: He cleaned up NYC in many ways and he was spectacular after the 911 attacks, but he's also on the wrong side of abortion, gun control, and gay rights. Whether or not Rudy's victories in NY, NJ, and maybe New England can offset a lack of conservative turnout in other areas, I don't know. When it's all said and done, I'd rather nominate someone who's more conservative. Rudy would be better utilized defeating Hillary in 2006. With a decisive victory by Rudy, her political aspirations would crash and burn. The Dems would have to trot out Gore one more time or a retread from this year's election.

I've heard Condi is pro-choice, pro-AA, and weak on illegal immigration, but I've never heard her elaborate her views in great detail. Besides, if she were to run for public office, I'd guess it'd be statewide in CA. Other than possibly Ridge and Condi, I believe this is the last hurrah for the big-names of Bush's cabinet.

Being from PA I'm a little biased, but I'd like Santorum, who's reliably conservative and wouldn't nominate wishy-washy judges like Souter. Very smart and articulate, and if he can win PA, he can go a long way in the Midwest. Jeb Bush is a great governor, but I'd agree, the Dems and the Press would cry "Monarchy!", and unfortunately, that will stick with the public.

I don't know much about Owens, but I like what he has to say about illegal immigration. A recent divorce on his record though would be detrimental with conservative voters.

[Conservative4Ever]

yep...I'm a believer in this prediction. Can you imagine Hillary running against Condi? Hillary will be having fits!!! I'll bring the popcorn to the show.

Red

[lewislynn]

so who do WE want to run in 2008

Oh Gawd, please not another Bush.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I agree. He's probably the only public figure today capable of beating her. He's much further Left than I would like, but having the Witch in office is just unthinkable.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

He's a great pick, but has no national recognition. He'll need to hit the 'tv circuit or he isn't electable.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

They can't beat Hitlery. They simply can't.

[zbigreddogz]

It's nice to see somebody notices this fact. I'm really tired of people who don't like debating issues as much as slogans.

I've decided never again to debate anyone who won't at the very least be sensible enough to admit it isn't amnesty, even if they oppose it. The debate is just worthless if they don't at least admit this.

[LS]

1) Jeb cannot possibly run in 08. It smacks too much of a "dynasty," and it just won't happen. I don't even see him as VP.

2) I like Rice, but people here need to get over this infatuation with her as a candidate: she has NO electoral experience; NO money; NO machine. If you think those things aren't important, look at how Kerry has come back in Iowa almost entirely on the basis of his machine.

3) Now, if she somehow were to resign her position; run for and win a (say) Senate seat, it would be a remote possibility. But I think my wife is correct when she argues that before we get a woman pres, we will have to first "break the barrier" with a woman Veep---an elected one, not just nominated like Ferraro.

[Abram]

Well, there is a political dynasty if I have ever heard of one. There are more capable people/families that can run for president than Bushes and Doles. The Ds have the Kennedys and we have our dynastys too. Let's shy away from George P. Bush until we have nothing more in the hopper.

I am looking at Senator Talent, soon to be Senator Thune, Senator Lindsay Grahm, and soon to be Senator Martinez, and Senator Gordon Smith. Governors: Bill Owens (although recently separated), Mitt Romney, and the governors of RI and KY.

Condi would be good to attract the moderate, swing voters, new voters, and traditional Democrat voters, but would alienate a number of groups in the base. Also, I am not sure that some Southern states are ready to elect a black, regardless of qualifications and other areas are not willing to vote for a women yet. Times are changing...hey, a major party nominated an orthodox Jew last election and we have elected a Quaker and a Catholic. Times are changing...but I don't think that nationally, the country is ready for that. In my eyes, she would be ideal...but I am a lot more of a moderate than a lot of people on this board.

We have a broad base of qualified candidates in the party. Heck, I would love to see Ron Paul, but those are my liberterian tendencies coming out.

[Abram]

Although illegal, it hasn't stopped them from voting in previous elections.

[Bryan]

2) I like Rice, but people here need to get over this infatuation with her as a candidate: she has NO electoral experience; NO money; NO machine. If you think those things aren't important, look at how Kerry has come back in Iowa almost entirely on the basis of his machine.

3) Now, if she somehow were to resign her position; run for and win a (say) Senate seat, it would be a remote possibility. But I think my wife is correct when she argues that before we get a woman pres, we will have to first "break the barrier" with a woman Veep---an elected one, not just nominated like Ferraro.

Every time that something is done for the first time, there will be someone who says, "We can't do it this way! It's never been done this way before! People will say bad things about us!" Jeb is a smart man -- smarter than Dubya.

I think a Jeb/Condi ticket would work. You're right about Condi's lack of electoral experience but this would put her in the VP spot, not at the top of the ticket. And the coup of being the first to put a black person on a major party ticket, AND putting a woman on the ticket, contrasted with the left's constant allegations of GOP racism and misogyny, will tell the fence-sitters a lot about the GOP and the liars on the left.

[LS]

Look, I base a lot of what "independents" think based on my wife, who is very pro-Bush, but is also "pro-choice." (Let's not get into that now). The point is, even she, who loves Bush and likes Jeb, has said, "I wouldn't want to see Jeb run in 08. It's too much like a king." I think you will find that attitude STRONGLY expressed among many Republicans, let alone "independents" and "moderates."

If the nation were divided 70-30 in favor of conservatives, he could get away with it. But not in a nation that is pretty close to 50/50.

[stand watie]

you are correct about the DIMocRATS gunning for us. BUT they have NOTHING/NOBODY who can win NOW or in 2008.

i suspect that the DIMs will be DOWN for the count by then, and MAY just possibly be a regional/permanent minority party by then. their base is ALREADY in the NE & rust belt. that area is NOT wherer the future lies.<P.free dixie,sw

[Conservative4Ever]

God help us all if Hillary gets the White House. I shudder to think.

Red

[votelife]

I don't think a Bush/Dole ticket is a good idea. It sounds like way too much rehash. I like Bush for VP and ??? for Pres. Actually I'd like Jeb as pres, but I don't know if the USA would. But against Hillary, I'd want Jeb to be the nominee. Maybe go Jeb/Condi.

[hobbes1]

. Rice won't run for Prez in '08 and she shouldn't. Someone who has never been elected to office will not win the Presidency, except under the most unusual conditions

Like running against Hillary!ous.