Handicap the '08 Republicans

[ruggerson]

Rudy Guiliani - the 9/11 hero, but his pro choice stance and photos of him in drag and living with two old queens after his divorce would alienate the religious right, probably keeping him from the nomination.

John McCain - Conservatives hate his guts. The religious right hates his guts. Everyone else loves him. Would be a tough candidate to beat, but can he get the Republican nomination? You can bet the religious right will highlight McCain calling Pat Robertson "evil" in 2000 primary battle.

Jeb Bush - Wild card. On the plus side, acceptable to conservatives and the religious rightwing. On the negative side, Americans dislike nothing more than dynasties and monarchies and there would likely be an overwhelming revulsion if the Republicans dipped into the Bush family well yet again, for lack of other candidates.

Pataki - Utterly dull and insipid. Pro choice. Religious rightwingers would be up in arms. Northeastener. Would have rough road to the nomination.

Bill Frist - Acceptable to the rightwing. Eminently beatable by a charismatic Democrat, as he lacks passion and personality. May be a safe compromise bet for the Republicans.

Arnold - A wildcard. Would take extraordinarily quick passage of a constitutional amendment. But the Terminator would likely spearhead the effort.

[leyton]

1. What about Mitt Romney? n/t

[dogman]

2. Very likely.

[ruggerson]

8. But Mitt

is another pro choice New Englander. I cannot see the Republican party, as it is currently constituted with the activists all being religious rightwingers, nominating anyone pro choice.

[dogman]

13. So are a number of those mentioned.

I was not aware of his pro-life stance. I didn't think his religion permitted that.

[ruggerson]

14. Link

http://www.issues2000.org/Governor/Mitt_Romney_Abortion.htm

He tries to have it both ways. essentially Kerry's position. Which doesn't fly with the talibornagain.

[Richardson08]

4. he said he would not run

[GRLMGC]

6. Politicians are liars n/t

[UpsideDownFlag]

3. good analysis....i think they'll have a hard time deciding.

i'd imagine that as far as popularity goes, though, a McCain/Powell ticket would be smart for them. but then again, they have diebold, so why's it matter?

[Richardson08]

5. Bill Owens

[quinnox]

7. Republican candidates in 2008

Guiliani - I agree about his negatives, I doubt he would win the nomination.

Jeb Bush - won't run for reasons given.

Pataki - won't win nomination, too boring.

Bill Frist - might win the nomination, but would be easy to beat for the Democrats.

My favorites:

Chuck Hagel - a moderate republican who seems to be intelligent and a 180 degree turn from Bush's politics.

McCain - probably the clear favorite to win the nomination if he ran, would be a little old but would be an acceptable choice from my perspective from the republican side.

[Richardson08]

11. hagel is gruff,ruff around the edges-he wouldn't be much of a challenge

[Richardson08]

9. ask any NYer about Pataki and they could not name 5 things he has done

[slestak]

10. None of those guys.

The Fundies won't support Ghoulie, Pataki, or Ahnuld.

McCain is old (68), so he's missed the boat.

Jeb has announced that he won't run for President. Of course, that doesn't mean anything, but maybe for once a Bush is telling the truth.

Frist is the best out of that bunch but he has the personality of a canned ham.

You know who I saw all over TV on election night and the day after that scared the crap out of me? CO Gov. Bill Owens. That guy could run and win. Charismatic, well-spoken, has "values" that appeal to the Jesus Freaks. He will be a formidable opponent. He's who my money's on.

[DenaliDemocrat]

20. yeah but

Owens looks like "Woody" from Toy Story. Can't have that for a President.

[tedoll78]

12. How to deal with each one:

Guilani: stories of him divorcing and moving-in with two gay dudes won't go-over well with the GOP base. Add flyers with multiple pics of him in drag, place them under car windshields on Sundays in church parking lots..

McCain: just what you said: he won't get past the primaries. Again, flyer churches of his statements on the Religious Right.

Bush: won't run.

Pataki: pretty much the same as Guiliani. Liberal liberal liberal.

Frist: IMHO, he will be the nominee. We need to start raising money NOW so that we can smear the hell outta him as soon as he gets the nod. I want kitten-torture commercials on during EVERY commercial break in primetime. I want flyers at churches detailing how he holds financial interests in abortion providers. We need to get our smear machine ready so that by the time he arrives at his convention, he's severely-damaged goods.

Arnold: won't happen.


==========

My money is on Frist as the nominee, which is fine by me. The man is booooooring. Very uninspiring. And he has a voting record a mile long for us to scour. If they can twist things around as far as senate voting records go, so too can we.

[Richardson08]

16. have you noticed Frist has the weird smile when is being asked a ?

[tedoll78]

18. Oh yes.

Kind of a dummy-type smile. A smile that could creep-out the electorate.

If I like the candidates fielded for the Dem nomination, I might cross-over and influence the GOP nomination process instead..

[Leilani]

15. I saw a Focus on the Family speaker on C-Span this morning

or it was one of those nutty Fundie groups, & he said Sam Brownback would make a great candidate they could support.

The power the Fundies have gained through Dubya has gone to their heads & they are going to do themselves in.

They say we're out of touch? LOL!!!

Sam Brownback in 2008! I could go for that!!!

[Richardson08]

17. is he going to wash everyone's feet with water?

[The Sad Little Pony]

19. My prediction...

The republicans will have Cheney step down, so that whomever the replacement may be, he or she will have enough time to seem "vice-Presidential", before the election.
I'd bet dollars to donuts, that the next repub nominee, will first be the Veep.

They will do this soon, because if it is NOT Giuliani, they want him to have enough time to go for Hillary's seat in NY.

Rice?

[St. Jarvitude]

21. Media would be in love if Jeb were nominated

They love these sort of "family success" bullshit puke stories :puke:

[St. Jarvitude]

22. Hell, they might even call them "the new Kennedys"

:puke:

[auburngrad82]

23. I'm with you. I want to make the GOP look like the immoral thugs they are

I've compiled a list of about 75 GOP members so far that have done immoral acts ranging from rape (Strom Thurmond) to being arrested with a prostitute (Ken Calvert, Rep, CA, 1994). I'm keeping a spreadsheet of everything I find complete with links to stories. If anyone wants to forward things for me to add, or would like information on what I have, feel free to let me know.

[shawmut]

24. McCain will be 72 in 2008

No way he runs imo.