Who is up in '08?

[bideau]

OK, this is a serious question because I haven't done enough research to have answers. Who will we most likely see take a run at the White House, both Democrat and Republican? I'm not interested in whether you hate or love a certain prospect, but who are they and how would they be perceived.

For the Dems, the only name I keep hearing is Hillary. Personally, I would vote for her (is anyone surprised?), but I don't think she's electable. First, I don't think the country is ready for a female. Second, there's too much baggage from Bill.

I don't see Edmonds as an option either. I think in general, people just don't like him.

Obama is the rising star, but he's at least 8 years away. And the big question would be, is America ready to elect a black candidate.

For the Republicans, I've heard McCain. I would vote for him without hesitation, but could he get the support of his conservative wing.

I've heard Guiliani (sp?). I may be wrong, but I see him as a moderate. If not, someone please correct me. If he is moderate, the same question holds true.

Are there any "Bushites" in the wings?

[Ballbustah]

I know one thing....
Bushey will not be available.

[bideau]

Originally posted by Ballbustah
I know one thing....
Bushey will not be available.

Hopefully, everyone else can stay in the spirit that the question was asked.

[spiderman]

Don't forget about Jeb!

[spiderman]

I agree with your assessment of Hillary and think it would be unwise for the Dems to give her the nomination in 2008.

I like Guiliani, but I'm still unsure about the kind of President he would make.

I (surprisingly) do not like John McCain.

I hope for the Dems sake that a strong candidate other then Hillary emerges over the next 2 or 3 years.

[bideau]

Originally posted by Undertaker #59
I think Giuliani will take it running away, and he'd be smart to take McCain as a running mate. That would be a very strong ticket.

I don't think Hillary could win, not because she is a woman, but because she is a socialist.

OK, I'm curious. How would you classify Giuliani?

[dchester]

Originally posted by bideau
OK, this is a serious question because I haven't done enough research to have answers. Who will we most likely see take a run at the White House, both Democrat and Republican? I'm not interested in whether you hate or love a certain prospect, but who are they and how would they be perceived.

For the Dems, the only name I keep hearing is Hillary. Personally, I would vote for her (is anyone surprised?), but I don't think she's electable. First, I don't think the country is ready for a female. Second, there's too much baggage from Bill.

I don't see Edmonds as an option either. I think in general, people just don't like him.

Obama is the rising star, but he's at least 8 years away. And the big question would be, is America ready to elect a black candidate.

For the Republicans, I've heard McCain. I would vote for him without hesitation, but could he get the support of his conservative wing.

I've heard Guiliani (sp?). I may be wrong, but I see him as a moderate. If not, someone please correct me. If he is moderate, the same question holds true.

Are there any "Bushites" in the wings? I think McCain and Guiliani would be a strong ticket for the republicans.

On the democratic side, Hillary does look to be one of the more likely candidates, but I think her negatives are so high, it would be a disaster. Edwards I'm sure will take another run at it. One thing I don't know is who many of the governors are. Ususally a few of them will throw their hat into the ring. I'm guessing it will be someone from the south, as I don't see the democrats nominating a northeastern liberal again.
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[Undertaker #59]

I think Giuliani will take it running away, and he'd be smart to take McCain as a running mate. That would be a very strong ticket.

I don't think Hillary could win, not because she is a woman, but because she is a socialist.

[Undertaker #59]

Originally posted by bideau
OK, I'm curious. How would you classify Giuliani?

You know, I don't really know a lot about him, just the general opinion of him post 9/11, and I based my opinion on that and that he seems to be pretty moderate.

[Annihilus]

1. Hate Hilary. Would truly move out of the country if she was elected (unlike some poseurs who only threaten to leave because Bush was elected). I liked Bill. Nothing wrong with getting a hummer in the oval office (my own opinion, of course...)

2. I too have heard that Giuliani would be an option and would consider voting for him, but do not know enough about his policies (not sure anyone has).

3. Love McCain and would vote for him in a heartbeat.

4. Jeb Bush in Florida - no clue if he has presidential aspirations though. If he does, I'm betting it'll be 10 years down the road or so (I think he's younger than W.)

5. Mark Racicot, former governor of Montana has been mentioned. He was the most popular governor in the history of Montana politics and had something like a 92% approval rating when he was in office. Not sure if he'd do it or not (I don't think he's sure either). He was mentioned as a VP candidate when Bush ran the first time (I think he declined the job before it was even offered to him). He was most recently W's campaign chairman during this election.

Other than Hilary, I haven't heard much talk about Democrats in the wings. I'm sure Gephardt will run again (why?). I'd be interested in who they plan on running myself.

[bideau]

Another name I've heard the Republicans throw out is our own Mitt Romney. I can't imagine them putting up a Massachusetts Mormon (sounds like an oxymoron).

[Undertaker #59]

There's something to be said for Romney. Any republican that can get elected in a state in which only 16 out of every 100 people are also republican might be able to get some pretty broad based support.

[bideau]

Originally posted by Undertaker #59
There's something to be said for Romney. Any republican that can get elected in a state in which only 16 out of every 100 people are also republican might be able to get some pretty broad based support.

True, but that's a common occurence in this state. From King to Weld to Celucci to Romney, with Dukakis thrown in the middle.

I guess I'm not as scared of Hillary as others. I actually think she was the brains behind Bill's administration. Plus, you've got to admit that it would be pretty amusing to see Bill go off with the foreign first ladies during state visits :p

I've assumed that Giuliani was moderate since I don't think a conservative republican could win in New York city. I think Giuliani/McCain would be very attractive, but would the right wing of the party allow it?

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Republicans:
Mitt Romney

NH's Senator Judd Gregg (who also, per scuttle in legal circles, may be in line for a SCOTUS nomination)

McCain's getting too old (will be 74 I think by 2008). I think he may be spent.

Guliani has too many health issues, but other than that would be a strong choice...except he might not get the Fundamentalists to come out because of his moral wishy-washyness (from their perspective) Also, the New Yorker-ness might hurt him in the south and midwest, which the Republican's can't risk.

Jeb has declared that he WILL NOT RUN.

I like Gregg, and he's a truly decent man (rare in politics) with charisma, but none of the above make my blood start pumping.

Dems:
Who knows. The dems have a tradition of rounding up the firing squad every time their party loses a presidential, so it might be someone out of the blue.

[Undertaker #59]

Originally posted by bideau
I've assumed that Giuliani was moderate since I don't think a conservative republican could win in New York city. I think Giuliani/McCain would be very attractive, but would the right wing of the party allow it?

Would they have a choice? They certainly would not vote for Hillary either. ;)

I just read a little about Giuliani, and he started as a Democrat, but its also the nature of northeast republicans to be much more moderate than elsewhere in the country.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Originally posted by bideau
Plus, you've got to admit that it would be pretty amusing to see Bill go off with the foreign first ladies during state visits LMAO!

[Spinal Tap]

maybe townes could run. ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

[Annihilus]

Originally posted by bideau

I guess I'm not as scared of Hillary as others. I actually think she was the brains behind Bill's administration. Plus, you've got to admit that it would be pretty amusing to see Bill go off with the foreign first ladies during state visits :p



Ooooooooooohhh....you may have hooked me!

He'd be the first 'First Gentleman' of the United States.

My God, the potential for political humorists is mind boggling to think about.....Darrell Hammond would have a career resurgence the likes of which no one has seen!

Maybe I could live with that for 4 years...:D

[jim_vh]

the repubs could run a dogcatcher from alabama against hillary and win. and i think she is smart enough to know it. if she runs she won't expect to win, it will just be an ego trip.

[bideau]

Originally posted by Annihilus
Ooooooooooohhh....you may have hooked me!

He'd be the first 'First Gentleman' of the United States.

My God, the potential for political humorists is mind boggling to think about.....Darrell Hammond would have a career resurgence the likes of which no one has seen!

Maybe I could live with that for 4 years...:D

I'm laughing like a fool just thinking about the SNL skits. :p

I wonder how many wars he'd be responsible for?

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Also possibilities:
Senator Sam Brownback (R)
Condaleeza Rice (R) (Wouldn't that be something? I would LOVE that, even though she wouldn't be my first choice...)

and I disagree, jim vh, I think Hillary would be a freakin' terrifying candidate for the Dems.

[bideau]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
Also possibilities:
Senator Sam Brownback (R)
Condaleeza Rice (R) (Wouldn't that be something? I would LOVE that, even though she wouldn't be my first choice...)

and I disagree, jim vh, I think Hillary would be a freakin' terrifying candidate for the Dems.

I know nothing about Brownback.

Condy, no way. Black and woman. That would be alot for southern conservatives to swallow.

Whoever it is, I'm just hoping for some middle ground. I think the whole country would breathe a sigh of relief if we were presented with candidates who could offer something to both liberals and conservatives. But the moderates in both parties are going to have to start flexing some muscle to make it happen.

[townes]

It won't matter one bit to me who the democrats run, they lost my support for good when they couldn't muster up the spine to beat the weakest candidate the republicans have ever run.

If they can't beat an alcholic, cokehead, philandering moron with the worst track record of any president in U.S. history then they can't beat anyone.

time for a new party for the left.

Hillary is a joke, even W could beat her. Just another crappy candidate for the democrats.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Originally posted by townes
If they can't beat an alcholic, cokehead, philandering moron with the worst track record of any president in U.S. history then they can't beat anyone. Come on now, townes. Ulysses S. Grant? William Henry Harrison? Herbert Hoover? Grover Cleveland? Get some perspective. It could be worse.

[townes]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
Come on now, townes. Ulysses S. Grant? William Henry Harrison? Herbert Hoover? Grover Cleveland? Get some perspective. It could be worse.

True--it could be Dick Cheney




:eek:

[dchester]

Originally posted by Flagg Wanderer
Come on now, townes. Ulysses S. Grant? William Henry Harrison? Herbert Hoover? Grover Cleveland? Get some perspective. It could be worse. HeHeHe HaHaHa HeHeHe HaHaHa

How about Warren Harding?
:D
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[Mark_Henderson]

Originally posted by Undertaker #59
Would they have a choice? They certainly would not vote for Hillary either. ;)

I just read a little about Giuliani, and he started as a Democrat, but its also the nature of northeast republicans to be much more moderate than elsewhere in the country.

The Republican right would definitely have a choice on Giuliani because they are over-represented in the primaries/caucuses. And, the details of Giuliani's affair/divorce would get dragged out by the Pat Robertson wing in a Presidential race. I think McCain may still want a shot at the brass ring. If his health is ok, he might even commit to serving for a single term, which could be a selling point. Romney has taken a strong enough stand on gay marriage/social issues that he might be able to survive the primaries; it would be interesting.

I have no clue about the Democrats. It's fun to speculate on this, but I think Iraq is a HUGE wildcard. After LBJ hammered Goldwater and liberalism was at its height, NO ONE would have predicted that Richard Nixon, who lost his attempt to become Gov. of California, would become President in '68.

The right unquestionably has the reigns of power now. If things don't go well, the dynamics could really change. If things don't go terribly, but are still unstable, the right could once again make the argument that we need to stay the course.

[townes]

I expect a serious schism to develop in the republican party over the next four years. With the democrats completely out of the equation the republicans will be fighting amongst themselves over the direction of the party, and who their next candidate will be. This has already started to develop, with Arlen Spector firing the first shot, and the extreme right firing right back and making clear they are going to implement their extremist agenda regardless of who stands in the way. those who do will be run right the f*ck over.

The split will occur between traditional conservatives who are fiscally conservative (McCain/Hagel...) and moderate conservatives who favor Choice (Spector/Snowe) pitted against the new alliance between the christian right wingers and neo-conservatives. I expect that the neo-conservatives will use their control over the flow of money into the republican party to put forth another empty headed christian conservative (e.g..Santorum) who would support the internationalist and fascist goals of the neo-conservatives, just as W has done under the strict control of Nanny Dick over the past four years.

Look for an all out brawl between these competing factions over the next four years, it should be extremely bloody and fun to watch.

[townes]

Note* Not all christian conservatives are empty headed, but that is part of the criteria the neo-cons use when selecting a candiate they can manipulate, as W has proven completely, so it's a necessary requirement to be their choice.