Posted by Parker V on January 2, 2007 under Elections, Republican, Video | 
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Dennis Prager talks to former New York City Mayor, Rudy Guiliani, about leadership. The conversation took place in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. Trascript previously posted here >>
Posted by Parker V on under Elections, Republican | Be the First to Comment
“When it comes to the presidency, the Republican Party has a long tradition of nominating the next guy in line” notes Liz Sidoti, Associated Press Writer. She also notes the obvious about that tradition: John McCain is next.
Yet, a full year before the first primary contests, the Republican race is anything but wrapped up. The Arizona senator who once reveled in his reputation for bucking the party line is now running as the establishment candidate, but he faces serious challenges from Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Yet, a full year before the first primary contests, the Republican race is anything but wrapped up. The Arizona senator who once reveled in his reputation for bucking the party line is now running as the establishment candidate, but he faces serious challenges from Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“Right now, McCain is the front-runner. There are always dangers in being a front-runner. But you’d rather be the front-runner than the also-ran,” said Ken Duberstein, a longtime GOP consultant. “The question is whether McCain falters or not.”
Others dispute that the front-runner mantel belongs to anyone this early.
“We don’t have one yet. There’s not enough engagement by the activists and the money people,” countered Ed Rogers, a Republican strategist. He said straw polls, dollars in the bank, and key endorsements next year would better gauge the state of play.
Yet, there’s no denying the party’s history.
“We’re respectful of hierarchy,” Rogers acknowledged.
Regardless of who has the early edge, McCain, Romney and Giuliani make up the top tier of the crowded GOP presidential field that includes a cast of other lesser-known potential candidates, most of whom would be long-shots should they decide to formally enter the race.
In all, at least a dozen Republicans are considering running to succeed President Bush. With Vice President Dick Cheney having ruled out a candidacy, the cast of wannabes grows daily. It includes current and former governors, as well as current and former members of Congress.
Among them, the McCain, Romney and Giuliani troika are considered serious contenders believed to be able to raise the $80 million to $100 million next year that operatives say will be needed to mount a viable campaign.
The article points out however that all three also have positions that raise alarms with the GOP’s vitally important conservative base:
– Long viewed skeptically by conservatives for his renegade streak, McCain has further agitated them with his position on immigration and his involvement in avoiding a Senate showdown over Bush’s judicial nominees.
– Romney insists that he opposes abortion and is a defender of traditional marriage. Yet, he voiced more liberal views when he ran as a moderate in his 2002 gubernatorial race and in a failed 1994 Senate bid. He’s drawn fire from leading conservatives for such inconsistencies.
– Giuliani is a social moderate who supports gun control, same-sex civil unions and abortion rights, stands that run counter to the positions of the GOP’s right flank.
Posted by Parker V on under Elections, Humor, Republican, Video | Be the First to Comment
John McCain sing Barbara Streisand on Saturday Night Live…
Posted by Parker V on January 1, 2007 under Democrat, Elections | Be the First to Comment
Two leading members of the state’s congressional delegation are anxious for Senator John Kerry to make up his mind on whether he’ll run again for the White House.
Representative James McGovern says his advice to Kerry is “hurry up.”
Congressman Michael Capuano, who is leading the day-to-day transition effort for incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, says the senator needs to clarify his plans soon.
Kerry — who lost to President Bush in 2004 — reiterated Friday that he’ll decide after New Year’s Day. McGovern says delegation members are eager for Kerry’s decision so they can line up behind someone else if he declines to run.
Earlier this month, Senator Edward Kennedy said he wouldn’t wait indefinitely for Kerry’s 2008 decision, stepping up pressure on the junior senator.
- by Katie Krupnik at WCSH channel 6
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John Kerry and John Edwards have gone their separate ways, but already some pundits are scoffing that either Democrat is on the road to the White House. -So says Emma Ratliff of the
Boston Herald. She says “Edwards, the ex-North Carolina senator who appeared overjoyed to be tapped as Kerry’s presidential running mate, yesterday announced he’s striking out on his own on a presidential bid as the Bay State’s Kerry continues to mull another run.” This may be due to Edwards always boyish glow and joyful appearance, because on a recent edition of Hardball, Edwards admitted to host Chris Mathews suspicion that he did not like running as VP at all.
“Edwards is obviously the more serious of the two candidates, but the two do have one thing in common: They’re both losers,†said Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
“Neither one will walk away with their collective 2004 base. Democrats did not vote for the Kerry-Edwards ticket because they loved either candidate, they voted because they thought the two could beat George W. Bush,†Sabato said.
Democratic strategist Doug Hattaway is more skeptical about Kerry’s prospects, though,as the Massachusetts senator weighs a 2008 bid. “Democratic voters are not big on second chances,†said Hattaway, and unlike Edwards, Kerry also will have to deal with the issue of his “botched Iraq joke.â€
In a Dec. 11 ABC News/ Washington Post poll, Edwards came in third among those whom voters would select for their Democratic presidential nominee. Kerry ran behind Al Gore at the No. 5 position. Kerry is expected to reveal his intentions soon. Edwards’ press secretary, Jennifer Palmieri, could not confirm whether Edwards, 53, contacted Kerry prior to launching his own effort.
But she insists there is no animosity between the two former teammates, welcoming Kerry to join the presidential race. “Sen. Edwards feels that the more talented candidates in the field, the better.â€
Kerry was not available for comment yesterday.