Posted on 01/05/2005 11:26:57 AM PST by WoodstockCat
PREMATURE 2008 PUNDITRY [Rich Lowry ] Here is how one GOP insider sees the state of play (in other words, not necessarily my take on things). Rudy Guiliani wasn't fundamentally hurt by the Kerik flap. Its ultimately Kerik's problem, not Giuliani's. The former mayor is loved by GOP crowds and has great all-around political skills. He has something of George W. Bush's ability to connect with individuals in a crowded room. He was a wonderful surrogate for Bush last year. But his problem on gays, guns, and abortion is probably insurmountable. It is likely he can't fix it short of totally revising his positions, and that will be difficult given his tough-guy, straight-shooter image. Bill Frist is in perhaps the strongest position. He will soak up publicity as Senate Majority Leader, leading on issues like judges. He headed the senatorial committee when the GOP took back the Senate. He is close to the White House, has a good relationship with Dick Cheney, and is loyal to Bush. He is pro life and knows how to talk to socially conservative audiences. He will be able to raise a ton of money. Jeb Bush won't run. He is arguably the most talented GOP officeholder in the country. He would probably be the strongest GOP candidate. But he considers the dynastic issue too serious to overcome. Because of his family and faith, he doesn't lust after the job like most politicians. And he is 52 in February, so is young enough to wait, eight years if neccessary (he probably wouldn't take the VP slot if offered). The theory is that he has to skip at least one cycle the way W did to have some distance from his dad and the way Hillary did to have some distance from Bill. George Allen is a politician to watch. He wears cowboy boots, he is tall and handsome, he doesn't take himself too seriously, he's a solid conservative, and he's putting together a tip-notch team. It will be hard for any senator to get traction, however, when the Senate Majority Leader is running. Mitt Romney is going to have a hard time connecting with the social sonservative base of the party given his Mormon faith--just a fact of life. For what it's worth... Posted at 02:08 PM
I don't get that.
My problem with Romney isn't that he's a Mormon. It's that he is, as I recall, a liberal.
Dan
Now I have heard of George Allen before....
Unlike Trancedo (sp?) or there was another one the other day that I cannot remember who it was.....I couldnt tell them from Jobe and I think I am a pretty informed voter.....
Rudy is too liberal
Pataki ha
I don't think Frist will win it for the same reasons that Kerry didnt. Senators have a hard time getting elected for some reason, although I think that Frist would stand a much better chance than Senator flip flop....
George Allen ping.
I gotta start makin' me some phone calls...
You beat me to the ping. :)
put me on that ping list please.
For what it's worth: I was a delegate to the Convention in NYC. Watching George Allen work the Iowa crowd on the floor of the convention was a thing to behold.
Pataki had a party, Rudy was everywhere, but it was George Allen who got down to their level and really glad handed the Iowa Delegates.
It will be interesting to watch, that's for sure.
Did the crowd like him? What was the reaction?
done
I loved george's dad. He was THE coach when the Rams were great. Let's hope jr. has the same stuff.
Allen '08? Works for me. Cantor can run for his Senate seat.
My wife and both worked for him when he was Governor.
I can assure you, what you see is genuine.
Hope so...the former Gov. of VA and current Senator, George Allen, is a good man.
I learn something new every day..........
What? You thought I was making all this stuff up???
;-)
Please add me to the Allen ping list.
Of course not..........Now I have a more knowlegeable perpective of why I tend to rely on you for information regarding VA politics!!!!!
I obviously made the correct assumptions when I started lurking around and following the posts of the 3 of you when preparing to move here!!!!
I met his father on an airplane ride from Washington D.C. when I was 7. It was rather odd, I was a Dolphins fan and it was just after the Super Bowl when the Dolphins beat the 'Skins. He was gracious and a gentleman and I still have that autograph.
glad that everyone is catching up to me. I said this two years ago.
If Allen runs, he wins.
The dude is a straight shooter, family man, conservative, and all round nice guy.
I know he's genuine. I was just wondering how the Iowa crowd reacted to him.
Ditto that!
Old Dominion FReepers ROCK...MUD
The Republican nominee will be the one who assembles the best campaign team. It don't make no difference how great the horse is, without a trainer and jockey it ain't gonna be a winner.
Wow, I'm totally flattered. Corin and Mudboy are way more knowledgeable than I am, though. And Sultan - God rest his soul.
I think they liked him. You have to remember the mind set of the typical Iowa Delegate,,, most are quite conservative, so they were happy to see someone other than Rudy & Pataki.
Does Dick Wadhams count?
Well, technically I have a Richmond ping list and a Kilgore ping list. But you're on.
I think you need to set up a "George Allen for Pres in 2008" ping list.
I think you're right...
Not if he keeps caving in to the dems....
Allen has hired Dick Wadhams, who helped Thune get elected, and is arguably one of the biggest behind-the-scenes talents that the GOP has.
George Allen is a good man. A nice man. With a beautiful family. BUT, unless he has someone like Rove behind him, I don't think he can survive the democrat's scorched earth way of campaigning. And the MSM. It's going to be ugly. Can Allen kick ass and take names??
Tell me about him. At a minimum I would want a manager who has won at least a couple major Senate or Gubernatorial races. The big contributors look very carefully at a candidate's organization.
Wow...that's quite interesting..not many strategists can claim dumping a sitting majority leader. That along with Allen's success overall in the Senate campaigns (sans Coors) gives him a great headstart for '08. Being a former governor I think insulates him somewhat from just being viewed as Senator (a.k.a. Kerry, Kerrey, Dole, Gramm) etc..
How about using the Kilgore ping list as a starting point for an Allen ping list?
If you're getting this ping you are current on ping lists for Jerry Kilgore for Governor in 2005 and George Allen for President in 2008.
Let me know if you want on or off either list.
heh...
I heard Frist on Hannity yesterday.
Hannity was trying to get him to say that the Saudis weren't pulling their weight in providing assistance to southeast Asia.
Frist wiggled around and refused to give a direct answer. Frist is a liberal weasel and I don't like him.
Condi Rice, Tancredo, George Allen or even Bush III are o.k. with me. But Pataki, Giuliani, McPain or any other RINOs "need not apply".
There has already been some scorched earth shenanigans. Mrs. Allen resigned as a member of the board of directors of Dominion power since Allen is being assigned to the Energy Committee. Lots of snide comments about conflict of interest. Funny how that NEVER got brought up with Tom Daschle and his wife's job.
"The dude is a straight shooter, family man, conservative, and all round nice guy."
Where does he stand on illegal third world immigration?
Does he have the @@ to arrest and reverse current non-European immigration policies?
Thanks. I'm not sure I would be picking it up so quickly if it weren't for the Old Dominion Freepers!!!
I'm still trying to get used to the sheer SIZE. Remember I came here from a state where I could get anywhere in the state in under 2 hours, a state that has on 3 counties, less than 800,000 in population and only 62 members in the ENTIRE General Assembly!!!!
I went to one of Allen's town hall meetings - right before the convention. There were quite a few questions on the issues of security, borders, immigration, etc. I can't put my hands on the notes I took, unfortunately. But my recollection is that he is not a RINO on these issues.
That's because I've been posting his name since Nov. 2. After my post a week ago I was informed by advance_copy of the following:
Posted by advance_copy to mombrown1
On News/Activism 12/28/2004 7:07:06 AM PST · 55 of 206
George Allen has beaten the Clinton machine before. In 1993, the Clintons went 100% full-bore behind Mary Sue Terry. But Allen whooped 'em. And in 2000, Chuck Robb had been long time close ally of Clinton. Allen whooped him too. George Allen should be the next Republican nominee for President, because if he is, he'll be the next President. I don't think Rice would be a good running mate though.
I picked Allen and Owens as the team for 2008 when somebody started a thread right after the last election.
Both are attractive solid conservatives and Owens, as governor, adds the proper balance to the ticket, IMO.
As well as anyone without Karl Rove, I suppose.
I'd have to keep an eye on Rich Lowry, if I was bending over for soap in the shower room.
Allen raised a cool 20 mil in his 2000 campaign.
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