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 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.
why don't you ask him?
And before you ask, no, I don't know if he prefers his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut in squares or triangles.
OOPS!!!!!!!!
My good friend was on his staff. George Allen is the one to watch.
Mitt Romney came to one of my breakfasts. I honestly thought that he was a robot from Disneyland. I took a picture, and he still looks like a cardboard cutout.
Let's see how Rice does the next 4 years before completely ruling her out though.....
Ask former senator Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas about why he lost in '02.
Before the George Allen festivities start, he still has to win his re-election in '06.
JZ,
If you were Allen would you run for Senate in 2006 or use the two years to distance yourself from D.C.?
Please put me on that George Allen Ping list too!
I can't remember if we had Romney at breakfast or not. I distinctively remember Rudy. I remember going to that big Naval Ship for the Romney party. They had the Iowans in a special room and he spoke, but I missed the speech,, I was off looking at the Naval stuff.
What I remember about Rudy was that I saw/heard him 3 times and each time he had a speech especially prepared for the crowd he was addressing. That impressed me. There was none of this generic stump speech stuff. When he spoke to the Iowans, he spoke directly to us, about us. When he spoke at the Ag Breakfast his remarks were specific to agriculture. And of course at the convention his comments were sort of Political Viagra.
You have to give him credit. He could have used the same speech everywhere he went, but evidently that wasn't the case. He had AT LEAST 3 speeches. Maybe more.
(slapping myself upside head!) I forgot about Robb. He WAS sent home, tail between his legs, yelping like a scorched puppy. I just cannot imagine a debate scenario, with the constantly smiling Allen feet away from Satan's Prom Queen, fire belching from her sulphurous innards. She will seek to devour him with the brimstone lies of the left. Hopefully he will simply pull out a mirror and deflect the onslaught back onto her while patiently explaining his positions. I pray he realizes he's gonna need that mirror.
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