2008 Election

[SuzySunshine]

I'm looking for more of a discussion then a debate but since I know this board better I'm putting this here.

The presidential election is still two years away but I'm curious what everyone thinks about the democrat angling at this point.

Edwards is making his intentions clear. I'm curious what everyone thinks about that given our spouses' careers.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13773998/site/newsweek/

Lieberman may lose the Democratic primary in his race this year which would lead you to beleive he couldn't win a presidential nomination in 2 years.

Then you have Hillary and that's only part of the democratic side.

There haven't really been very many names thrown out for the republicans except John McCain and Guiliani.

I think since the sitting VP is not going to run it will be an interesting election - who wants to make their predictions? Not necessarily of who will win but who will get their party's nomiation.

[DCJenn]

I think for the Republicans, it nomination is currently McCain's to lose. If he were smart he'd pick someone from the Governor's side to be his running mate- probably Romney from Mass although his religion could be an issue, too)

For the dems, Hillary is far too polarizing for a national win. maybe a VP selection but I"m not sure her ego would stand 2nd place. That and she is VERY effective and well thought of in the Senate. Might climb that latter a wee bit more and become The Senator since the Old Guard is all half dead anyway.

Edwards doesn't stand a chance, nor does Obama or Lieberman. (Too Lawyer, too Young (and race could be an issue in some part of the country), too done (and religion could also be an issue).

If the Dems are smart, they'll start doing something with Warner from Virginia- he has an excellent record from time as Gov. as being able to work across party lines to get stuff done. He's young and not unattractive. He also is very moderate.

Whatever the Dems do, they need to boot Pelosi and Dean as the Party talking heads because their extremism is not helping things AT ALL.

Jenn

[Sheherezade]

I'm looking for the surprise nominee this year from the Democratic party. I don't think Hillary or Edwards can win it. I wonder if Gore or Kerry will pop back in with an "I told you so" campaign. Both have been in the public eye more lately. There are a few governers that have been mentioned - I think the governer of Virginia? Is he the pro-life Democrat? (See how much I know?) I've been very impressed with the Democratic campaigning here in Ohio - they've been knocking on doors for over a year now. I had two guys stop by the house 2 weeks after the last presidential election to start stumping for this November's congressional election. Ohio is still going to be a swing state, so I'm sure I'll hear lots in the year to come about candidiates. :>

I don't know Republican politics that well. I think John McCain could have done well with the middle before he went out and started shoring up his "base". Now I don't like him. He seems like a fraud. Guiliani is a distinct possibility. I've always liked Arlen Spector as a centrist - but he's too old to run and has health issues. That's all I've got.

I can't wait to hear other more informed opinions. I'm thirsty for some political change. :~

[Stella]

(Obvious disclaimer: I'm a moderate republican.)
You're right. The Dems don't have a whole lot going for them right now. Hillary is polarizing and disrespected by all Republicans and half of her own party. Plus, she's a woman. Plus, she let her husband cheat on her publicly. What is that for morals? Obviously, I don't like her, but I'll move on.
Edwards is too weak on so many levels. Lieberman or Kerry, yeah right.
And then there is Warner... Being from Virginia and having met the man multiple times face to face, I think he is (and looks like) a sleaze, but he's probably the best bet. He'll have to get some more exposure though.
For the Republicans, McCain has the whole veteran thing plus he's moderate and respected by both sides. He's also got a proven track record and enough gov't experience to know what he's doing. Gulianni would be great too seeing as how well he's cleaned up NYC (even before 9/11.)

Those are my thoughts, now I'm going to run! :!

[Auspicious]

Plus, she let her husband cheat on her publicly. What is that for morals?

...

Gulianni would be great too seeing as how well he's cleaned up NYC (even before 9/11.)

I think this illustrates where Giuliani falls out of the race. If Republicans are going to continue to consider themselves the party of "morals," I don't see how they can put forth Giuliani as their guy. I know he's since married Judith Nathan, and I guess they'll have been married like five years by the time the 2008 election rolls around, but he still has some very messy stuff in his recent past. Plus I'm thinking the rest of the country doesn't yet know him well enough to realize how weird and how mean he is.

He does have some definite abilities and I can see him in a significant role, but if he can get the republican nomination in a national race . . . you'll be able to knock me over with a feather.

[Vanquisher]

Give me anyone who is the polar opposite to GWB, and I will give them my vote!

I like Hillary, and I think it is about damn time we had a woman in charge. As for her "letting" her husband publicly cheat on her. I don't think she had a say in that at all. "Umm, honey, can I let the press corps know that Monica is giving me bj's in the Oval Office? Cool with you?" The fact that she chose to work on her marriage and keep it together is either political forsight or noble or sad, but it has zero to do with her ability to run the nation. She probably can't win the presidency, but it is my hope that there are enough people out there that are as sick of GWB as I am (well probably not that many as sick as me) to warrant a change.

Change is good!

I think McCain is a lock for the repubs.

[DCJenn]

I don't think Guliani can unite the disperate factions of the Republican party. There's NO way the ultra-conservatives will be able to support him.

As for Hillary- see? already she's polarizing. and you all know that I LOVE her. Whatever the condition of the Clinton marriage then or now, she would really, really have to be a masochist to want to live through the constant rehashing. I mean God, people it's been 8 years already. Let it go already. They clearly have come to terms with a relationship that works for them, shouldn't WE let them?

McCain I actually really supported the first time, like sent money. But courting Jerry Falwell just cost him my donation this time.

I honestly don't care who wins as long as they're generally moderate. Before the Alito and Roberts additions to the court I was really worried but now? The damage is done and there's no going back.

Jenn

I agree - Hillary is too polarizing. Cannot win, and therefore IMO should not take up the space.

McCain was a fav of mine until the "straight-talk express made a stop in crazy town" (thanks Jon Stewart). Speaking at Falwell's school just made my head spin. But, still he's a somewhat acceptable to Romney, Frist or, God forbid ... Jeb Bush.

Does anyone think Condeleeza Rice might take a bite at it?? I DON'T want her to ... I'm just curious if she might. I think she'd get a lot of "regularly" democratic support. Lots of women might vote for her just for the "first woman president" thing, and the same with the African-American voters. More moderate Republicans could use her as the "look how inclusive we are" poster child, and the v. right wingers might be afraid of being called racist if the opposed her. She's clearly super-smart, even though I hate her politics.

I'm worried about the dems. They aren't organized (again), and the people they choose to use of their "Party Face" are NOT good at it. We need an evil puppet-master ala Karl Rove.

[Stella]

"Umm, honey, can I let the press corps know that Monica is giving me bj's in the Oval Office? Cool with you?"

Fair rebuttal.
I suppose "letting" was a wrong choice of words and though I don't think Hillary has a lot of morals, my intention was not to imply that only Republicans do. Like I said before, MODERATE republican. I wouldn't defend Bush for the last 8 years even though I voted for him and I certaintly wouldn't create a hat trick by voting for Jeb Bush. (But really...who would? )

I think that McCain will be the frontrunner for the Repubs, and I am a big supporter of his because I think that he is a good unnifier who is fair, experienced, and most importantly (since it's been lacking in politics lately) smart.

I think Hillary could get the nod from Dems but it wouldn't be a smart move even if it would define history. I am all for female leaders, I just don't think that it is going to happen.

Whoever does get to the end will have to focus on unification and bipartisan politics. I feel that unless the slogan is "rebuild and reunite" then the candidate won't win. Democrats are pissed and Republicans are let down and embarrassed, so IMO it will have to be a moderate who can bridge this gap and galvanize the nation. It's time, I agree.

Does anyone think Condeleeza Rice might take a bite at it??

I don't think so and i think Powell would be a much better choice anyway. SO loves him!

[DCJenn]

We all know that the REAL exciting race will be Chelsea vs. George P. in a few more years.

Now THAT would be fun to watch.

Jenn

[Sheherezade]

I liked Powell too. I see him as a tragic figure. He will be forever tied to presenting the evidence to the UN for the war on Iraq. I watched that and the man seemed like he was in pain. I wonder if he saw it as a career ender then? So sad. He obviously didn't buy the argument, but they sent the dove to make the case for the hawks. I don't see him winning with moderate Dems because of that.

I actually was not put off by Mitt Romney when we were in MA - even thought he is a religious Morman. I think he has dealt well with a liberal state. He could be a good choice for a moderate Republican.

*sigh*

The democrats have to be hiding someone. I would vote for Obama at this point - regardless of his age. We do need someone to reunite and rebuild. He's a brilliant speaker and a great visionary. Hook him up with an in the know VP?

Pretty sure Powell won't go there. His wife is smart enough to say "Absolutely not.".

Jenn - George P.?? Which George are we talking about. Is it another Bush?

[SueC]

I've been trying to figure out who George P. is as well. Isn't it amazing that in a country with this many people we are hard pressed to come up with some good candidates? I don't think Gephardt canl make it past the primaries, but I think he seems like a good guy. My very good dem. friend says he doesn't have "it", unfortunately. There's also a guy in Iowa that my parents are really excited about, another dem--I can't remember his name. As far as Republicans go, I'm at a loss. I used to like McCain but not so much now for aforementioned reasons.

[SuzySunshine]

George P is Jeb's son and the current president's nephew. He is a cutie! He campaigned for his uncle to get the young voters out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_P._Bush

No way in He** will CP run, he's done - I think he realized with his time on Bush's cabinet he doesn't want to do anything like that again. Brillant man but I'm sure he'll stick with his non-profits.

[SueC]

Now here are some candidates I could get behind!
http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/stewartcolbert