Republicans: Whom do you favor in 2008?

This may well go into GD at some point, but I myself don’t have a real debate yet.

Two main questions: Whom do you want to win, and who is electable? Giuliani and McCain seem to be the frontrunners at the moment (which means virtually nothing when talking about primaries that are a year or more from now), but Romney’s making a strong showing right now as well. I think McCain/Giuliani is the most likely ticket, as McCain has a strong record as a three-term Senator and is certainly an elder statesman. Giuliani is popular because of being mayor of NYC during 9/11, but will have to deal with support for same-sex marriage and stem-cell research.

The Republican field is way stronger with those three than the Democratic field right now. I am not exactly a Republican per se but I probably would be for Presidential purposes (the current anomalie blocked out of my head).

I would actually be happy with any of those three. I think they are all presidential material although I don’t think Romney can beat the other two.

I would like to see Rudy/McCain. I can live with McCain/Rudy.

I strongly dislike Romney so he will probably get the Nom.

My worst nightmare is Jeb Bush. I expect some additional awful candidates to show up.

Jim

I would love to see Condi Rice run, but I doubt highly that she will. Not sure if she is electable at this point, anyway, given her involvement with the Bush administration.

I should add that I don’t know if Giuliani and McCain get along because they both have such strong personalities and a desire to lead but I do think that combo ticket would be essentially unbeatable by any know Democratic candidates. The Democrats would be better off fielding an expendable lightweight and saving the money for later.

They are friends from what I understand. They will probably be a ticket with McCain at the top.

Jim

Seriously, I’d like Mark Steyn, but he was born in Toronto, so we’d have to change the Constitution.

Second choice: Newt Gingrich.

So you want the Democrats to win?

She is on record as saying that she is not interested and will not run.

I wouldn’t mind McCain or Guiliani. I am not pleased with how Romney has moved steadily to the right to court the more conservative, because I see the shift as insincere (politically motivated, not motivated by personal conviction).

Not sold on Romney, and I don’t want to use 2008 as the year we test the Mormon candidate. I think there is enough predjudice to nix him. I really don’t think Rudy is going to go for the title.

But McCain and Rudy are the two I have in mind right now. Tommy Thompson is a possibility as is Chuck Hagel.

Oh, I know, and I don’t think she’s the politician type, but you never know…minds CAN get changed!

I agree with you about McCain & Guilaini…I would be happy with either, and think either could probably win.

I’d love to see a McCain/Guiliani ticket. I normally don’t care for senators as presidential candidates, but McCain seems to have more leadership chops than your average senator. I don’t know what to think about Romney. He seems OK, but he’s from Massachusetts for Christ’s sake, so how competent could he possibly be? :stuck_out_tongue:

I think Condi could be a good president, but she’s too badly tainted by Bush. Maybe if they stuck her in the veep position; a McCain/Rice ticket would be good too.

Right now, I think most would agree McCain is out front, Rudy a near second and Romney the dark horse.

Mitt and Rudy will have to answer to the base regarding their stances on abortion, SSM (I think they’re both either in favor, or at least not strongly opposed.) The benefits of them are they won’t give 80% of the CA, NY and possibly IL votes to the Dems right out of the gate. With new RNC leadership they may realize the party has to get back towards the center and not submarine their campaigns. (But who knows.)

Mitt has the serious disadvantage simply by being Mormon. That will likely hurt, at least in part, anyone from any party. Though, even with Rudy winning NYC, Mitt was able to win MA. That’s saying something. As well as the health care reform he was able to work through.

But don’t forget about what the DNC will be able to dig up on McCain. Not limited to his wife’s little deal with the prescription drug charge that was dismissed. Americans love to forgive and root for redemption stories, but I don’t think it would be let go very quickly. Plus, McCain is a media darling (of sorts) and his record should be strong enough to weather any attacks.

Right now I’d say it’s going to be McCain/Guilliani. Pataki might be a a vague option, but I’d see him more suited to a cabinet position.

I’ve seen Gingrich mentioned, but there’s no way he could run as either Pres or VP. Though given his political accumen and leadership, I could easily see him being very successful as a campaign manager.

Anyway, running on here so i’ll end it at that.

McCain and Giuliani?

McCain will be 72 in 2008. That and his stance on the Iraq war are really going to hurt him if you ask me. Remember, McCain is a big proponent of more troops in Iraq, and that is way out of line with public opinion at this point. Unless there is a drastic turnaround in Iraq, that position will be increasingly detrimental to him. Plus, this is the guy who lost to Bush, and Bush only barely beat Gore.

As far as Giuliani, nothing motivates the Republican base like a divorced, pro-choice, pro-gay union, pro gun control candidate. September 11th was 6 years ago, and will be 8 years in the past by the time the election roles around. The boost he gets from 9/11, will not be enough to get him elected.

McCain at least has a chance, but I see no way for Giuliani to even compete in the Republican primary.

As Veep, he doesn’t have to. In the general election, do you think Republicans are gonna vote for Hillary because Giuliani is the VP on the ticket? There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell. If he does attract more moderates back to the GOP, then he’s a VP good candidate.

Well said. He is actually a very solid VP candidate that will piss of the religious right while appeasing the moderates like myself. He will also probably win NJ & Connecticut as he extremely popular in those states. They normally go to the Dems.

Jim

I’m a conservative, who will certainly vote for either McCain, Giuliani or Romney over Hillary or Obama. However, I’m not thrilled about any of them.

McCain was responsible for CFR. This is IMO one of the worst laws passed in this country ever.

Giuliani is anti-gun.

I don’t want to be impossible to please as a voter. I’m willing to vote for somebody whom I generally agree with, even if there are issues where I don’t. But, I don’t think I should have to compromise on basic principals of the constitution. You can’t be against the first or second ammendments and get my vote. At least not in the primary.

Romney is probably unelectable, and his mormonism will hurt him. But at least he’s not going to take my guns or my free speech rights away. At this point I’m leaning towards him.

Can you expand a little on why you think CFR is one of the worst laws? I do not understand your opinion on this.

Jim

If McCain gets the nomination, I’ll likely vote for my first Democratic presidential ticket ever. Until his recent advances towards conservatives, McCain has been against cutting taxes, in favor of increasing government regulation on a host of industries, and in favor of gun control. He’s the most opportunistic politician I have ever seen and I would’t trust him in the Oval Office.

And, of course, he sponsored campaign finance reform which seeks to limit the rights of those criticizing elected officials (the gag rule on “issue ads” before an election) and make it more difficult for individuals to participate in the electoral process.

This is not to mention McCain’s incredibly bad temper and self-righteousness. Speaking as a Republican, Hillary or Obama would make a far superior President than McCain.

No, they will stay home and not vote.