The 2008 Republican Presidential Primaries

Discussion in 'Political Discussions' started by Tom Head, Sep 8, 2004.

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Which rumored 2008 Republican presidential nominee would get your vote?

Poll closed Sep 8, 2006.
  1. George Allen

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  2. Jeb Bush

    7 vote(s)
    18.4%
  3. Bill Frist

    3 vote(s)
    7.9%
  4. Rudy Giuliani

    8 vote(s)
    21.1%
  5. Chuck Hagel

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  6. John McCain

    8 vote(s)
    21.1%
  7. George Pataki

    1 vote(s)
    2.6%
  8. Tom Ridge

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. Mitt Romney

    3 vote(s)
    7.9%
  10. Rick Santorum

    6 vote(s)
    15.8%
  1. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    Okay, enough about 2004. In the wake of the Republican National Convention, ten likely candidates have already emerged to challenge John Kerry--or succeed George W. Bush--in 2008. Which one would get your vote?

    George Allen -- This conservative Virginia governor made the rounds with the delegates at the 2004 RNC. Rumor has it that he's very interested.

    Jeb Bush -- Although he hasn't made any formal moves in this direction, Jeb is the heir apparent to the Bush dynasty, and rumor has it that he has expressed quiet but persistent interest in following in the family tradition. Being governor of Florida--the most coveted swing state of 2000--won't hurt him either.

    Bill Frist -- This moderate Senate Majority Leader from Tennessee is already being seen by some as a possible frontrunner, and he has expressed some interest.

    Rudy Giuliani -- The former NYC mayor and Time's 2001 Man of the Year is almost a sure bet for 2008.

    Chuck Hagel -- This senator from Nebraska is already a sneeze away from assembling his campaign staff.

    John McCain -- This maverick senator from Arizona ran unsuccessfully against Bush in 2000, and the buzz coming out of the convention is that he was very social with the delegates.

    George Pataki -- This New York governor is considered the most certain candidate, other than Chuck Hagel.

    Tom Ridge -- Although he's probably stepping down as homeland security director next year, this former Pennsylvania governor's tenure in that position and his political infrastructure in a crucial swing state make him an attractive candidate. Like Bush, he has also reportedly expressed quiet but persistent interest in running for the presidency.

    Mitt Romney -- This moderate Massachusetts governor probably won't carry his home state, but he could bring Maine and New Hampshire back into play for the Republicans.

    Rick Santorum -- This conservative Pennsylvania senator is reportedly very interested in running.

    Other rumored candidates:

    Haley Barbour -- This Mississippi governor and former RNC chair is reportedly interested in running, but I haven't seen as much buzz attached to his name as to the other candidates.

    Arnold Schwarzenegger -- An actor turned California governor was a nice deal for the Republican Party the first time around, but the Constitution prohibits Arnold's Austrian-born self from holding the office of president. That obsolete rule is likely to be changed--but not in time for the 2008 elections.


    Cheers,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 8, 2004
  2. maranto

    maranto New Member

    That hasn't stopped the Socialist Workers Party... their ticket for 2004 has 2 nominees that are constitutionally ineligible to serve. The Presidential nominee is both a foreign national and a felon. The VEEP nominee is only 24 and would be unable to assume the presidency if called to do so. That's what I call a serious ticket! :rolleyes:

    Anyway... for future elections, keep an eye on Jeb's son, George C. Bush. He is young attorney who is energetic, articulate, charismatic, and will undoubtedly hold some sway with socially conservative Hispanic voters (his mother is Hispanic). As soon as he gets some political experience under his belt, I think that he will likely rise to prominence in the GOP. Another George Bush?? If only we could get George Foreman to run... there is a long line of back-up George Foremans for subsequent elections :D

    Cheers,
    Tony
     
  3. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    Okay, who are the two jokers who voted for Rick Santorum? :D

    I saw George Prescott Bush speak (fluently, in two languages) at the RNC, and he's a natural; I think that guy has a definite future in politics if he wants it. The new Barbara Bush (the Bush twins brunette) might also have some potential when she gets older. Less familiar with George C. (George P. looked half-Latino; could that be who you're thinking of?), but it does seem that they have a pretty good supply of talented and charismatic George Bushes, doesn't it?

    The Socialist Workers Party ticket is a riot. I mean, that's a sign you're scraping around for protest votes--when you nominate two candidates who are constitutionally ineligible to serve. But then the U.S. socialist movement has never struck me as a wellspring of good sense, and I'm speaking as someone who completely sympathizes with the goals of socialism (one poll I took online classified me as a Canadian "social liberal" rather than a "U.S. liberal").


    Cheers,
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 8, 2004
  4. Jeb Bush...

    I'll say this much....

    Now that I've lived here in Florida for a bit, and have endured Hurricane Frances, George W.'s brother sounds one HELLUVA lot smarter than he does on any given topic under any given circumstances... I can't say I agree with all of his politics, and I am suspicious of his corporate/real estate connections in Florida, but the man is very impressive when under fire.

    If Jeb were running against Kerry, even though I'm a liberal through and through, I'd vote for Jeb any day of the week at this point.

    By the way, if Bush wants to seal this election, all he has to do is to give everyone in Florida a huge federal handout because of all these damned hurricanes we've been taking - it would guarantee the state in his hands come November. I'd even consider voting for him if he fixed my battered landscaping and pool area.... ;)
     
  5. maranto

    maranto New Member

    Yep... George "P". not "C". I've been having typing "issues" lately.

    Cheers,
    Tony
     
  6. Dr. Gina

    Dr. Gina New Member

    Guillani for sure - he is no different in person as he is when speaking (I've met him several times when he was first elected mayor). He is even gotten better since then.
     
  7. Christopher Green

    Christopher Green New Member

    Condi. Definitely.
     
  8. Tom Head

    Tom Head New Member

    I love Condi's biography and general demeanor, and she'd be the first Ph.D.-holding president since...when, exactly? But I'd have to see where she stands on social issues and the neoconservative foreign policy agenda before voting for her. The biggest strike against her is that she hasn't expressed any interest in the presidency (that I'm aware of), which is the only reason why she didn't appear on the list. She's certainly one of the more appealing candidates that could emerge out of the Bush campaign.

    I'm mildly freaked that Santorum and Giuliani are tied in the lead--not so much Giuliani, because I can understand that, but what's the big deal with Santorum coming in ahead of McCain, Jeb, Frist, Pataki, etc.? I know he initially campaigned on a fiscally conservative agenda, but right now he's pretty much a one-issue candidate; all I've heard him talk about since Lawrence v. Texas is his love of sodomy laws and his opposition to gay marriages and civil unions. Is there something you folks see in him that I don't?


    Cheers,
     
  9. Christopher Green

    Christopher Green New Member

    hey Tom,

    I think Condi would be strong enough on national security to avoid the Kerry-like criticisms, and you are right about the other positives. I don't know where she is on social issues either.

    But, I do remember reading an article on Drudge that goes too far back to be caught by his archive search that listed rumors she would desire to run. The article stated, as best as I remember, she didn't want to create an image that she was being opportunist so wasn't discussing the idea much, except in safe circles.

    Chris
     
  10. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Chuck Hagel

    I watch congressional hearings on CSPAN quite often and I am impressed by Hagel. Unlike some senators he is looking for the facts. Perhaps this is because of his business background
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I support a ticket of Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts and Winthrop Rockefeller, Lt. Gov. of Arkansas (will be Governor by then).

    Romney is smart, handsome, articulate, and squeaky clean; Rocky has made a name for himself in Arkansas as honest, pragmatic, and compassionate.

    The SWP ticket has stand in's in states that won't allow Calero or Hawkins to run. They are James Harris and Margaret Trowe, the SWP candidates in several previous elections. Actually, Calero is a replacement candidate. Originally, Martin Koppel was the nominee but the Party has him running for Senate in NY.

    Both the SWP and Worker's World Party have a history of running unConstitutionally-qualified candidates. This is their way of protesting the rules.

    George Allen--smart, articulate, excellent Governor and Senator of Virginia. May be too much a regional candidate.

    Jeb Bush--America won't go for a dynasty.

    Bill Frist--good man, but not a very effective Senate leader; should have gone to Thad Cochran of Mississippi

    Rudy Giuliani--"America's Mayor" will be forgotten in 2008 with the excpetion of how he handled his divorce, bad...bad...bad; too liberal for GOP base

    Chuck Hagel--not well known; too fickle

    John McCain--too much of a maverick

    George Pataki--good man, don't see him making it, too moderate for GOP base

    Tom Ridge--no way, good man, good Governor of PA, but too controversial

    Rick Santorum--too far right for GOP, long shot
     
  12. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    With the exception of Jimmy Clifton, you're all underestimating Mitt Romney.

    As Jimmy mentioned, he's handsome, articulate, educated (B.A. from Brigham Young, M.B.A. and J.D. from Harvard), and has a great political pedigree (his father, George, was Governor of Michigan and a Presidential candidate himself).

    He also has the perfect family. Wife Ann is battling Multiple Sclerosis, but is literally a poster child for fund-raising for the disease. The Romney's five sons are all successful, and have provided them with seven grandchildren.

    I really believe that Mitt Romney will be a player in 2008, either as a Presidential candidate, or as Vice-President. The Democrats can roll out the steam shovels, but they're not going to get any sort of dirt on Romney.
     
  13. Myoptimism

    Myoptimism New Member

    Romney was also impressive with his handling (clean-up) of the SLC winter olympics.

    ...but, he is mormon, not that there's anything wrong with it. :)

    LOL! Actually, I would vote for Romney, as I have a soft spot in my political heart for moderate conservatives.
     
  14. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Romney definately has more charisma than the last Mormon who ran for president (Orrin Hatch).

    Tony
    (Who shares the same alma mater with Romney and Hatch--BYU)
     
  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    But Hatch was funny! In most primaries someone emerges who is very funny--Udall (another LDS member), Babbit, Taylor, Hatch, Sharpton, etc.
     

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