So who do you think the Repubs will nominate in '08?

[Wetzelbill]

Just out of curiousity.

See I watch the media fawn over John McCain constantly. Like he is actually the straight-talking, Maverick he claims to be. It's interesting how the media will fall in love with personas like that. I imagine much of the far-right is just as sick of hearing about McCain as we are. So, even though, they are practically anointing McCain years before the election, I don't think he will win.

So who?

I have a feeling George Allen will get the nomination. He fits the bill for what Republicans look for nowadays. He's just dumb enough that people mistake that for being a straight talker. He's blindly far-right, coddles the Fundies, is always on the typical GOP message of the week. He's tightly controlled and polished by those around him. He has a fake macho cowboy image, as well. Not to mention another parellel with Bush. He has a successful daddy whose rep he's lived off of his whole life. I think George Allen is going to pick up a ton of momentum in the ultra-conservative circles. But, you know, we'll see how it all unfolds. :)

[Pirate Smile]

1. I think it will be Allen also.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. If we somehow don't beat Santorum, I fear he'll be the nominee

But since I think he's going down, and pretty damn hard, I wouldn't be surprised to see Allen, Gingrich, or Romney.

[Atman]

3. B. Al Zebub

He probably won't run under that name, though.

:evilgrin:

[trotsky]

4. I'm with you, I don't think McCain has a chance.

Too many in the party hate him. But they'll use him as long as they can, and when they shit all over him (again), he'll line up to smooch the nominee (again) and sell his soul for the party (again).

[Immad2]

5. Mitt Romney - Andrew Card is rumored to be headed toward his Campaign

[Late Slip]

8. I agree - no baggage, presidential image

[blm]

24. He has baggage. Being a lapdog for Bush and the fascist agenda IS baggage.

.

[Jai4WKC08]

25. Romney is a Mormon

The fundies won't like that.

[Thirtieschild]

McCain's age is against him

dob: 8/29/1936 He'll be 72 at election time in 2008. Does Allen have national recognition?

[Wetzelbill]

10. he has a little, not much

Just your standard interview with Russert and various Stephanopouli. I don't think national recognition means much outside of conducting polls two or three years before the election. This time four years ago Joe Leiberman was the overwhelming frontrunner and once things got underway he was quickly relegated to the middle of the pack, at best. Once those ultraconservatives in the early primaries latch on to a guy like George Allen, he could pick up some momentum fast. It takes one primary win and a guy can go from nobody to somebody very quickly. As far-right as the Republican base is nowadays don't be surprised if they start falling in love whether the rest of the country knows who the guy is or not.

McCain's age probably won't be a factor. It's not something that helps him, but it probably won't hurt him. Most people, let alone Repub voters, don't really care about that as a deciding factor. Too many other factors to figure into the mix, you know? I know if an older candidate ran in a race I wouldn't just decide not to vote for him due to age. I'd find out what they stand for and so on first. So I'm thinking age is the least of his problems. Especially when he has the Christian Right and the blind Bush loyalists who actually call him "librul" to deal with.

[Virginia Dare]

16. Seems like he's on some talking head show every Sunday...

spewing some bullshit or another. I know, because as a Virginian, I find it embarassing, my apologies to rest of you for this asshat.

[saltpoint]

6. The 08 GOP nomination will be won by... The Unknown Republican.

In the past I've thought that Frist, THE CAT BUTCHER, would appeal to
suburban Republican USA but he's been such a horse's patoot lately that I'm inclined to write him off. The Schiavo affair reduced him to a near by-stander in the Senate and he has many fewer cards to play these days.

McCain has the star power but he's cozying up to Falwell and it seems to me his appeal to independents will shrink below electability levels. I don't count him out but he's looking like a thin-gruel total sell-out lately.

Romney is a brattish lightweight. Mediagenic enough to generate a buzz but vulnerable for other reasons. A Catholic like JFK or John Kerry is a far surer bet in the religious vote column than a Mormon, and Mitt is a Mormon. And he may be too New England for the GOP's southern base.

George Pataki is a pathetic egomaniac and won't survive the first twenty minutes of the Iowa caucuses.

Mike Huckabee looks to me like a VP candidate, but the competition ahead of him for the top spot is so lame that he might actually get the nomination. Allen has more oompf but he's not that bright. Huckabee could emerge.

I don't like the Republicans' chances in 08. The 06 midterms are going to weed several of them out -- I hope Santorum, Jean Schmidt, and Arnold Schwartzenegger are among those so weeded -- and newer faces will come to the fore as party celebs.

I think the Unknown Republican with the best chance to win the 08 presidential race is Rob Portman of Ohio.

[Yupster]

20. McCain

if his health is up to it.

[Faygo Kid]

7. George W. Bush?

Actually, they may dispense with that whole messy nomination thing.

[SaveElmer]

9. Watch out...it's gonna be Hagel...

And he could be trouble...McCain without the baggage!!!

Sorry, Allen is dumb as rocks, and he is gonna get bloodied in his senate campaign (though he will win)

[Wetzelbill]

15. Since when has being dumb been nothing but an asset

when somebody is running as a Republican? :) In case you haven't noticed, Bush isn't exactly the smartest guy around and that works pretty well with Republican voters.

Hagel is not McCain without the baggage. He's a whole lot better than McCain. Not saying much, I know. Hagel, who I would never vote for, is easily the best Republican considering getting into the race. As for being better than any of the potential Dems? Well, no way. He's not even close. :)

[FSogol]

11. Fake Cowboy and dim bulb: George Allen and his personal saviour JC n/t

[Sadie5]

13. If things keep going

the way they are now, they will all be in jail. GOP=crooks

[Crunchy Frog]

12. My money's still on Frist.

I don't think it's going to be McCain. He's too timid and obsequious, and the Repukes can smell it, and won't vote for it. That's my feeling on the matter.

[FSogol]

18. Frist tends to panic when confronted with something he doesn't expect.

Also Senators are never elected President.

[terrya]

14. Jeb Bush

If he announces he's running, he's got the nomination. Ok with the religious right, access to a shitload of money...that's all he needs.

[Wetzelbill]

17. he'd be the toughest one to topple

I would think.

[FSogol]

19. Nah, America is fed up with the Bushies. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

21. yeah but Republicans love them

and that's who votes in the Republican primaries, so if Jeb got in the race, he'd be the toughest to beat for the nomination.

[Stinky The Clown]

22. Senator George "Sweet Nectar of Liberty" Allen will die fast if he gets it

There is documented instances of overt racism - to which he admitted - in his past.

With thanks to a fellow DU Denizen, I offer for your reading pleasure: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x794876

[Wetzelbill]

23. hell that's helpful in some places

:)

To tell you the truth, I believe he could dodge his way out of this stuff. Much like Bush has gotten away with all sorts of things, such as his financial dealings and so on. I have no faith in the media to go after this guy on this. None at all.

[paulk]

26. interesting question...

I think Allen is clearly the annointed one from the right wing of the party - but, that wing's credibility, so tied up with Bush's, is going to be in serious trouble by 2008. That will give McCain a shot. And I agree with SaveElmer upthread - watch out for Chuck Hagel. He's McCain without the baggage.

[Ron Mexico]

27. George Allen.

The GOP has alienated a lot of its base, and Allen has the voting record that dissatisfied Repugs are looking for. He made major points with Repugs when he voted with Coburn's "Bridge to Nowhere" amendment to deprive Ted Stevens of his $200 million bridge to a town of 50 people, and Repugs loved him for it (even I had to tip my cap on that one).

[snowbear]

28. W/Bill.. I thought you were going to work for McCain?

Or at least applying to work for him.

What happened?

[Wetzelbill]

29. I haven't ruled it out

However, I have a few other things I'd like to do before I would apply to intern with McCain. My opinion of him has always been the same though, he's a shameless opportunist whose theater has much more bite than his actions. But, he is the chair of the Indian Affairs committee and I want to do some work in Indian Affairs, so when the time comes, if the time comes, I'll bite the bullet and learn some stuff. :)

[mikeanike]

30. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times....

This is the easiest question in the world! Well in reality its a two-parter, one easy the other one a little tougher. Who will be the presidential nominee you ask? Gulliani. Hands down, no question. In every poll that asks this question Gulliani comes out on top. When's the last time you've seen him in the press (not counting today's 9/11 trial)? He is never in the spotlight yet people still remember him, trust him, and respect him. He's run probably the toughest city in the country to run and made it safer and economically stronger. But he's too liberal for the heartland conservatives you say? Well here's what I predict. George Allen. A perfect VP candidate, very adept public speaker, Virginia senator so he has the southern cred, and very conservative. Voters by now know what the VP spot is all about, to advise the president on most issues. This will give Gulliani that added conservative cred he'll need to pick voters in the south. Guys this is a combo that can't lose for the right. Frankly I can't think of one candidate that would actually have a shot at trumping this slate. I mean there are some I'd like to see elected but the realist in me knows that it is not possible. Frankly, I don't expect us to retake the White House in 08. I'm sure that type of attitude isn't a good one to have but frankly just try and refute the power of that combo. Go on just try! I've made only the briefest points explaining why he's in good shape, if you try and refute my points there are more where they came from!

[Wetzelbill]

31. in a GE election he may be tough

but no way in hell does he ever win the GOP primary. Not even close. He'll win a GOP primary right about the same time that I do.

[mikeanike]

33. no one cares though don't you see

How could Clinton get such fantastic poll numbers? In reality he wasn't actually doing anything (good or bad). That made much of an impact with the public. Terrorism will still be a major issue in 08 and Gulliani has the 9/11 mantle on lock down! He's the only guy to actually come out of that whole fiasco smellin like a rose. remember Katrina, everyone was comparing the local leadership of NO to NY. Plus remember SNL? Can we be funny? Why start now? People don't forget that type of thing. He made a big impact in gettin this country back on its feet. And sure he's had plenty of scandal in his time and now one cares! It's well in the past and he took his lumps for it already. It's behind him, and don't think that evangelicals sitting on their hands will be the tipping point! Besides your underestimating that group. and everyone else will vote for him. (well maybe not DUer's but that's only so many people....) Come on just look at him. Those squinty eyes, that shinny head, those glasses. He's positively dreamy! (J/K) He has the primaries and GE man. Mark my words carefully....

[Wetzelbill]

35. don't start scaring me

for some reason, even though I disagree, I keep thinking you may be exactly right. :)

[FrenchieCat]

32. Didn't Guliani dress up like a woman or something?

If he did, I don't think that's gonna earn him brownie points in becoming Commander in Chief. I'm just saying....

[mikeanike]

34. dude whatever!

Who hasn't done a little cross dressing! (j/k) That won't be the deciding factor. Plus I believe he did it as a joke. Now if he had gotten caught doing that on a street corner well I think everyone might be wondering what was going on, but for a joke? Forget it.

[laugle]

36. Yeah, Guliani dressed like a woman on Saturday night live, however

I believe Gore was on there too and had a hot tub scene with another man during his campaign for president.

It didn't seem to hurt him, people thought it was funny....