LAT: Is the GOP Well Dry for 2008? (No heir to Bush* in sight)

[kskiska]

By Bruce Bartlett

(snip)

Starting on the Republican side, if George W. Bush wins in November, he immediately becomes a lame duck. So whether Bush wins or loses, the race for the Republican nomination will start the day after election day. Normally, when a president wins a second term, the vice president becomes the automatic front-runner for the nomination. Not this time.

(snip)

By retaining Cheney, Bush is passing up a terrific opportunity to pick a successor who might not otherwise have a chance of getting the presidential nomination — someone, for example, who is not a professional politician. He could have passed the mantle to someone in his Cabinet: Colin Powell, say, or Condoleezza Rice. Instead, the ticket will remain as it was, which means the Republican nomination will be wide open in 2008, with no apparent front-runner.

Truth is, the Republican candidate well is rather dry. There are no Ronald Reagans waiting in the wings for 2008, and the current crop of usual suspects — governors and senators — does not inspire much interest.

There is, of course, the governor of Florida: Jeb Bush, the president's brother and the one the Bush family used to consider the most likely of the brood to become president. Under normal circumstances, Jeb might be a viable candidate. He's been a competent governor and is well respected among the Republican base. But the American people have an intrinsic distrust of dynasties, and they just aren't going to elect someone who is both the brother of the current president and the son of another recent president.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-op-bartlett6jun06,1,6374700.story
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[The empressof all]

1. I think the next GOP ticket will be

Regardless of who wins this year


Pataki--Jeb Bush

[belle]

15. Giuliani might try for it (shudder). Or some rabid fundy out of nowhere.

It'd be wonderful to think of them in disarray for the next, like, ever. but a lot can happen in four years, as we all know (for good or for bad, it's true). look how much has changed since 2000. certainly this has got to have been the *longest* four--excuse me, not even four, three and a half--years that ever were...

[Old and In the Way]

2. Bush has sucked the political life out of this party.

Good. When he is through, this Party will be known for organized criminal malfeasence in alowing the interests of corporations and rich Americans to take precedence over the interests of this country.

[asjr]

8. True, and we must not let the world forget just how

corrupt this administration has been. We must continue to let this country know that the Republican Party is the Party of Mean.

[lazarus]

3. Mitt Romney

He's being groomed. Watch out for that one.

[sallyseven]

5. He is going to lose in 2006

Trust me.

[lazarus]

9. That'd be perfect, for them

After all, the Republican SOP is failing upwards, right?

If he looks like he's going to lose, he'll just quit to "focus on the campaign" or "spend time with his family" or something like that.

[sallyseven]

4. He does not think that elections will

be necessary in 2008. He expects that a conditional amendment will allow him to be president for life. Like Idi Armin. He ain't giving up the job for anyone. We will be lucky if he allows the election of 2004 to proceed. He is going down in the poll so that is going to be a headache for him.

[barbaraann]

6. They're grooming Arnold.

He's the A movie version of Reagan and they will push to change the constitution to allow him to run.

Bush will create such a mess that only a professional ACTOR can run as a Republican.

p.s. We are getting California tourism ads in Washington State that showcase Arnold and Maria.

[Frances]

7. And I suppose my tax dollars

here in CA are paying for the ads.

[Jade Fox]

10. Yeah, someone needs to question that...

The Governor appearing in tourism ads?? :wtf:

[Jade Fox]

11. Glad that Jeb is not an option.......

because he is really scary. But I think it is because the first two Bush
Presidents have been less than spectacular, and the GOP is smart
enough not to bank on a third. Some Americans love the idea of an
American Dynasty.

Good night, Jeb. Glad that we won't get to know you.

[Skittles]

12. they will change the laws to get AHNOLD on the ticket

YES INDEED

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

13. Chuck Hagel is going to run, Im pretty sure. I agree Jeb is out.

Hagel seems to be positioning himself.

It will be an interesting primary season.

[0rganism]

14. Watch out for Bill Frist

That guy is the anti-Kerry. If, by some chance, he winds up as minority leader in 2004 or 2006, I'll bet money he starts a run for the presidency.

[belle]

16. oh GOD i hope not. still, he's kind of a weird dour FREAK, no?

[drb]

17. Don't waste your time wondering about this...

...if Bushco wins in 2004, there won't be an election in 2008.