Which Republican Will Be Elected President in 2008?

[PhiPsiRuss]

A Republican will be elected president in 2008. This will absolutely happen. The economy is on the upswing, and no Republican will be as stupid as Al Gore was and distance himself from the President.

So lets get down to business. I see three major contendors, but no one knows what will really happen in the Republican primaries four years from now. The top three contenders could be three completely different men.

Jeb Bush - His brother will have a sky high approval rating in 3 years, and Jeb will have access to his brother's rolodex. I think that this makes him the top contender.

Rudy Giuliani - He is a sentimental favorite of many, especially for me. I worked for him in 1993 doing opposition research, and he was New York's Winston Churchill during, and after 9-11. He also has great fund raising capability. Working against him is that mayors of New York historically don't rise to higher office. The position is very brutal on a man.

John McCain - I voted Libertarian in 2000 because I was so disgusted that a man like McCain was beat by a man like Bush. He is as close to a perfect candidate that you can find, except for a few fatal flaws. He doesn't have a great fund raising aparatus, and he speaks his mind. I believe that America would be a better place with McCain as president, but I don't know if Republican primary voters believe that. He also has the disadvantage of being a senator without governmental executive experience. Americans like to elect governors and vice presidents.

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
A Republican will be elected president in 2008. This will absolutely happen. The economy is on the upswing, and no Republican will be as stupid as Al Gore was and distance himself from the President.

So lets get down to business. I see three major contendors, but no one knows what will really happen in the Republican primaries four years from now. The top three contenders could be three completely different men.

Jeb Bush - His brother will have a sky high approval rating in 3 years, and Jeb will have access to his brother's rolodex. I think that this makes him the top contender.

Rudy Giuliani - He is a sentimental favorite of many, especially for me. I worked for him in 1993 doing opposition research, and he was New York's Winston Churchill during, and after 9-11. He also has great fund raising capability. Working against him is that mayors of New York historically don't rise to higher office. The position is very brutal on a man.

John McCain - I voted Libertarian in 2000 because I was so disgusted that a man like McCain was beat by a man like Bush. He is as close to a perfect candidate that you can find, except for a few fatal flaws. He doesn't have a great fund raising aparatus, and he speaks his mind. I believe that America would be a better place with McCain as president, but I don't know if Republican primary voters believe that. He also has the disadvantage of being a senator without governmental executive experience. Americans like to elect governors and vice presidents.

You think Giuliani will be acceptable to the Christian rights?

As for McCain, I think his age might go against him. Not sure about Jeb Bush. It will depend how well GWB will do in his final four years.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by moe.ron
You think Giuliani will be acceptable to the Christian rights?

As for McCain, I think his age might go against him. Not sure about Jeb Bush. It will depend how well GWB will do in his final four years.

I'm not sure what % of the Republican party is made up by the Christian right. I think both parties by and large vote for whoever the media tells them the "front runner" is (see: John Kerry).

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by moe.ron
You think Giuliani will be acceptable to the Christian rights?

As for McCain, I think his age might go against him. Not sure about Jeb Bush. It will depend how well GWB will do in his final four years.

Before 9-11, there would be absolutely no way that Giuliani could get through the Republican primaries. The Religous Right would have destroyed him fast. Right after 9-11, he could have become president easily if other factors were favorable (his party presiding over a good economy or the other party presiding over a bad economy.) In 2008, 9-11 may be too distant of a memory to allow the goodwill of Religous Right to overlook that he is pro-choice and pro-gay rights.

McCain might be too old, but then again, his age may have mellowed him enough to be able to get through a full presidential campaign without repeatedly putting his foot in his mouth.

I think that Jeb will have the goodwill towards his family, and access to an amazing political machine. That's why I think that Jeb cvan do it.

[phigamucsb]

The Republican Party is a wait your turn party and John McCain is the next in line. Giuliani might possibly move ahead of McCain, but I'm not sure if I see that happening. As for Jeb Bush, he's not quite ready yet.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by phigamucsb
As for Jeb Bush, he's not quite ready yet.

And his brother was? On what merit? Between the two of them, Jeb was far closer to presidential caliber than his brother.

Either way, it doesn't matter to me. I'll either be a full-fledged Canadian or dead by 2008.

[moe.ron]

Giuliani might push the Republican back to the centre and this might piss off some hard core right winger. If Giuliani gets nominated, will he be able to push his pro-choice, pro-gay policies? This might divide the Republican party between the smaller government/government off people's bedroom fiscal conservatives vs. the Christian rights. Will be interesting to watch.

[hottytoddy]

What about Majority leader, Bill Frist?

[Pike1483]

Originally posted by hottytoddy
What about Majority leader, Bill Frist?

My thoughts exactly-- I'm a big fan of the good doctor. Big fan of Giuliani, too, but I'm not sure how I feel about him being President. Jeb would be awesome just because it would piss so many dems off.
I'm hoping Frist, but who knows, that's a long time from now.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

hell- I'd vote for Giuliani
He's more liberal on social issues than Kerry was.

[kddani]

4 years is a long time away. We have no idea what will happen in the next 4. Back in 2000, none of us could've ever imagined 9/11 and how much it changed our lives. While it's fun and interesting to conjecture, nothing will be predictable for awhile yet.

[hottytoddy]

Anyone think that Arnold might try to find a loophole so he can run?

[kddani]

Originally posted by hottytoddy
Anyone think that Arnold might try to find a loophole so he can run?

i've heard on the gossip shows that he has these aspirations.

That would be tough. I don't know what kind of loophole could be found. He'd have to change the constitution, and for something like that, that's not going to happen

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by kddani
He'd have to change the constitution, and for something like that, that's not going to happen

Hatch sponsored an Amendment that would change the Constitution to allow naturalized citizens of X years be able to run. I think his was naturalized citizen for 21 years. I believe it should be naturalized citizen for 14 years, having lived 10 consecutive years in the states or territories of the United States.

There's really no reason to keep the naturally-born requirement these days. And I think it could pass through enough states in time for the next election if it quickly gets out of Congress.

[EtaPhiZTA]

My vote is for Jeb! Hail to the Chief.