Posted on 03/23/2005 6:26:29 PM PST by wagglebee
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist gave another indication he could be leaning towards a bid for president in 2008 by touring New Hampshire, home to the nation's first electoral primaries.
Bloomberg News reports that Frist, Tennessee Republican, along with fellow GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Democratic Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina – Sen. John Kerry's failed running mate last year – have visited New Hampshire already this year, even though the next presidential contest is years away.
"For candidates in both parties, the wide-open nature of the 2008 race - with President George W. Bush ineligible to run again and Vice President Dick Cheney having ruled himself out - puts a premium on starting sooner than ever," Bloomberg reported.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York have hosted New Hampshire-based business people, the newswire service reported.
With the bitter 2004 election still fresh in the minds of millions of Americans, does anyone have any stomach for a new presidential election cycle so soon?
"The rest of the nation thinks the election is over," Tom Rath, a Republican National Committee member, who accompanied Frist to speaking engagements in New Hampshire last week, told Bloomberg. "But the next one's already under way here."
It may be understandable for Democrats to want to get an early start, since they were drubbed in election contests in the House, Senate, and White House. But Republicans too?
"While winning the state's primary doesn't guarantee success - McCain bested Bush in 2000 and lost the nomination - it can provide momentum, media coverage, and a fund-raising boost," said Bloomberg.
So, consequently, the race is on. And as far as anyone's concerned, it's wide open right now.
For Frist, he hit on familiar GOP themes – or rather, familiar Bush administration themes – such as tax cuts.
"We'll fight for a tax code that is fair and simple," he told the Merrimack County Republican Committee's Lincoln Day Dinner in Concord, Bloomberg reported.
Still – is it really necessary to begin so soon?
"No one has much name recognition yet, except for McCain," said Rath. "In a crowded field, you have to get out early, building relationships."
If Frist wants to be president, he needs to do this right now and not make a promise for the future.
What a boring candidate.
He's not as boring as Dole was or McCain would be.
Besides this past weekend, name one other thing that he has done to make himself stand out from the rest of the Senators. As the GOP leader, I think he is one of the weakest milque-toast majority leaders I've seen in a long time. Even Trent Lott got excited once in a while. I long for the days when political strategies prevailed in Washington.
Frist is just another "no spine, no testosterone" republican.
Would Mc Cain be trying to get the VP nomination from Hillary, he certainly is left on a lot of issues..
Frist has shown he has no ability to lead.
Frist is TERRIFIED of Fat Teddy and will do whatever Teddy tells him to do. Proof? Where are the memos that were found on the computer of the Judiciary Committee Minority? Frist has hidden them to protect the dems on Fat Teddy's orders, that's where!!
Frist will fold on W's judges. He will give up on some point that will allow the dems to block most of W's selections. And, when the crapweasels filabuster, Frist won't even make them talk, he'll just give in to the treat. Frist is a wuss and no worth pi**ing on!!
Frist would make Bob Dole look exciting.
I like Frist but not for President.
I vote Jeb, myself, if we can convince him to run. No one else gets me excited.
"I vote Jeb, myself, if we can convince him to run. No one else gets me excited."
If Jeb is anything like his father or his brother George we can't financially afford him.
While Frist is clearly intelligent and attractive, he often comes across as a cold fish--aloof and dull. But I don't think an "electrifying" presence is as important as it's cracked up to be. Sure, it gives an edge, but it's not the end all, it that were the case Kerry, and Gore before him, would have gotten a grand total of zero votes.
Sen Frist: In your dreams, you weenie.
Jeeze is this what we have to look forward to? A bunch of Useless Senators looking for the ultimate photo-op running for president? UGH!
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