Joe Biden's not on the list? Here's what Biden said about Rudy: "All he has to say is a noun, a verb, and '9/11.'" That about sums up Rudy.
Now, I must protest... where is Kucinich? I know he is of small stature but this is ridiculous. And, just because he saw a UFO, doesn't mean we should ignore him. Just think about it, when he is president maybe we'll finally find out what's going on in area 51. Susanna
Mitt Romney....I think he stands the best chance of beating Clinton or Obama, and I agree with most of his issue positions. At least the ones he has now.
The general election? With all of them on the ballot? I don't know. All I can do is give capsule impressions of some of them. Hillary Clinton - I don't trust her. She has a reputation as a savage political infighter who isn't afraid of dirty tricks. She's trying to hold the moderate center, but I worry about what her real agenda is. But... I do perceive her as intelligent and competent and probably could vote for her, depending on what the alternative is. She's the female Rudy Guliani perhaps, at least in leadership style. Both are effective operators with slightly questionable ethics. Rudy Guillani - My favorite of the bunch, conceivably. But that's not set in stone. I like his socially inclusive big-city brand of conservatism. He's among the most secular of the Republicans, which I definitely like. Not afraid to knock heads, which is what enabled him to manage NYC's previously disfunctional mix of political activists, labor unions and powerful special interests. It also made him some resentful enemies (including some in the media) who are trying to undermine him now. His take-charge "abrasive leadership style" might be exactly what Washington needs. Barack Obama - The guy's a mystery, a cypher. I can't get any feeling for what he stands for, for what he's about. He seems to be a creation of the media, all packaging and no substance. He's young and fresh! He's multiracial! John McCain - I don't like the fact that he's never seen an illegal alien that he doesn't like. But otherwise, I admire him. He might have the best foreign-policy credentials. I worry a little about his age, so I'd want to see him paired with a strong running mate. He'd probably be the most centrist of the candidates, probably the best at cooperating with the Democrats. Another secular moderate Republican. John Edwards - I don't know much about him. I like what I take to be his skepticism about 'globalization' and his concern for American workers. He might be best in resisting the country's accelerating deindustrialization, but I fear that he might simply be a creature of the labor unions. He speaks to the populist in me. Unfortunately, whenever he opens his mouth on foreign policy we get unrealistic partisan posturing. He's probably the most traditional Democratic candidate, both good and bad. Mike Huckabee - Vote for Mike and you get Jesus too, no extra cost! He represents the dixification of the Republican party since the civil rights movement pushed many southern Democrats to switch parties. I don't like him and wouldn't vote for him. If the Republicans nominate him, I'll cross the aisle and vote Democrat. That helps explain why he's being promoted by an unholy alliance of the religious right and the liberal media who hope to push the Republicans into nominating a polarizing figure who can't hold the moderate center. If he's nominated, the general election will be a blue-sweep. Ron Paul - At best, he only has one idea rattling around in his head - the market. At worst, I fear psychiatric problems. His supporters resemble a religous cult. He scares me. Chris Dodd - Who? Mitt Romney - I liked him when he was Massachusetts governor. Then he decided that he'd try to outflank Giuliani to the right, confident that he could move back to the center if nominated. So he changed all of his positions for tactical advantage. The guy's revealed himself to be a snake. I don't trust him and wouldn't vote for him. Fred Thompson - I don't watch TV very much, so I don't know who he is and don't have a clue why he excites anyone. He looks like a block of stone to me.
This makes me thing of the political slogan from the movie Brewster's Millions with Richard Pryor - "None of the Above"
Rudy Guillani? As long as we're voting for former mayors, why not add Jerry Springer to the list of possibilities?
BillDayson, I am always thrilled by your meticulous thoughts. You are right on the money with your assessments of the presidential candidates. I agree with your assessments. Thank you. Cehi
Where's Mike Gravel... Wait... Don't tell me... He's the crazy old uncle that we keep locked in the basement? Err... Wait... Or is that Ron Paul?