Posted on 12/07/2006 4:53:28 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
Former GOP Senator Al D’Amato said Republicans will "race to the center” in 2008 to make up for losses in the 2006 elections, and Sen. John McCain will be the man to lead them there.
D’Amato, appearing Thursday on Fox News Channel, said the Republican Party was hurt in the elections by the "morass” in Iraq and the ineffectiveness of a GOP-controlled Congress to pass meaningful legislation.
He also said President Bush was damaged by the appearance that he didn’t do enough to help Hurricane Katrina victims, with the image of Bush "flying over” New Orleans in a helicopter viewed by Americans as showing he was "out of touch” with the tragedy.
D’Amato said McCain can help bring voters back to the party for the 2008 presidential elections.
"If we have someone who demonstrates strength and compassion, like a John McCain, if we stay away from issues which almost trivialize the political process, like gay marriage . . . that’s nonsense. We shouldn’t be about that.”
D’Amato said Republicans may not favor McCain now, as some polls indicate, but he predicted that will change during the upcoming presidential campaign.
"If you have a McCain candidacy, you are going to capture the middle,” D’Amato said. "We will have a more moderate Republican tone, tuition assistance, an immigration policy that deals with reality . . . and stay away from bashing gays.
"He’s going to be the nominee,” D’Amato said.
This from a guy who couldn't find his own a$$ with a mirror and a flashlight...
For whose party ?? Not the GOP that's for sure......
My impression was that it was the "rush to the center" the last two years that caused Republicans so much grief in this last election.
Karl Rove has it right, that if the Republicans want to regain their majority, they have to stick to their principles. Playing politics and treating our constituents like they're stupid will only get us into more trouble.
McCain doesn't have a shot in hell of winning.
Oh I don't know. The GOP may well nominate him; he won't be representing conservatives in any case
So Al consulted his crystal ball and this is his prediction.
Conservatives will, of course, stay home to teach the country a lesson.
I guess it all depends on which conservatives face him in the primary. I consider McCain a hawkish Democrat.
I'd certainly hope we can do better than that.
McCain could very well be the nominee, but if he's smart, he will run away from his past "moderate" stances. The Repubs didn't lose cause they were too conservative, they lost because they were nothing, or at least seen as nothing but crooks, hypocrites, panderers, big spenders, out of touch...
A Republican who campaigns for Democrats now supports McCain.
Is he? He's less hawkish than Lieberman, that's for sure. I'm not sure what McCain is.
Karl Rove has it right, that if the Republicans want to regain their majority, they have to stick to their principles. Playing politics and treating our constituents like they're stupid will only get us into more trouble.
McCain doesn't have a shot in hell of winning.
Right on all counts!
now I'm just waiting for the Rudy schills to start spamming this thread...
Flame away GOP bootlickers, I don't care.
What drivel!!
In the early days of a disaster - natural or otherwise - the presence of the POTUS on the ground just adds to the headaches of the rescuers.
IIRC President Bush made several visits to the Katerina effected area in the following weeks.
The GOP better come up with someone better if they want my family's vote. I'll never vote for mcpain.
This from a guy who lost to Chuck the schmuck Schumer
d'Amato is not the world's smartest political genius. Sees everything through a very narrow NY focus.
I will not vote for McTraitor. How about Tom Coburn Senator OK?
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