Race for the White House: 2008

Monte Smith · June-20th-2005, 07:54 PM

Ugh. Even I, a preeminent junkie of electoral politics, was not eager to start a thread on the race for the White House in 2008--and especially not this early in 2005. But I cannot ignore the facts. We have an official candidate.

My intention now is to seek the nomination.

Senator Joe Biden (D-Del) used his regularly scheduled face-time on the Sunday shows yesterday to announce to CBS's Bob Schieffer that (in case anyone was wondering), he is indeed running for the Dem nomination in 2008.

It wasn't a formal announcement, but Biden made it pretty clear: "My intention now is to seek the nomination."

Biden first ran for President in 1988, but dropped out in 1987 after a scandal involving plagiarisms, including that of a political speech by British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock. He is a lawyer by training who has been in the Senate since 1972. Or longer than some of us have been alive.

He's got a reputation in some circles as a serious player in foreign policy, but if the usual Dem websites are an indication, he doesn't enjoy broad support among the liberalest Dem constituencies. Fact they hate his ass.

My chief concern has proved spurious: that if Biden should ever seriously throw his hat in the ring, his hair plugs would come with it.

Also hinting strongly at a run yesterday was a senator whose frequent appearances on the Sunday shows are surpassed only by Biden, John McCain (R-Ariz). McCain was far coyer than Biden, but left Tim Russert with a heavy "maybe."

GoodSpeak · June-20th-2005, 08:14 PM

Well, it won't be Hillary.

Your conservatives are promoting a book which they hope will sabatage her career.

Such bullshit.

I can't wait until those bastards are out of office....

RBS · June-20th-2005, 09:41 PM

I say Hillary. She won a straw poll in South Carolina. But she would fight back against the Conservatives, just like her husband did.

The far right is like a pack of damaged wolves right now. Very dangerous. But very scared.

crawjo · June-20th-2005, 09:48 PM

I actually like Biden. He's articulate, serious, intelligent...which probably means he has no chance of securing the nomination whatsoever.

June-20th-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBS

The far right is like a pack of damaged wolves right now. Very dangerous. But very scared.

Hahahahaha................

Optimistic to the death. It's what I love about you, brother.

Gentle Giant · June-21st-2005, 08:15 AM

Sorry to say, you ain't heard the last from Massachusetts:

John Kerry and Mitt Romney gear up for 08. But is America sick of Massachusetts?

June-21st-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Sorry to say, you ain't heard the last from Massachusetts?

God, lets hope not!!!

Monte Smith · June-21st-2005, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawjo

I actually like Biden. He's articulate, serious, intelligent....

And ridiculously vain and microphone-hungry. I pity any politician or civilian who gets between Joe Biden and the camera for MEET THE PRESS.

Dr Dave · June-21st-2005, 02:41 PM

Well, Cheney ain't gonna run. Bill Frist is already making such a huge fool of himself--even Famous Right Wing Ninny David Brooks is cluck-clucking about him--that HE ain't gonna get the nomination. That leaves Brother Jeb, who is doing his own right-wing self-destruct by pressing on with Terri Schiavo. Anyway, even if Jeb gets out of this one I don't think the electorate will stand for Yet Another Bush in the White House.

So who? McCain? In today's bizarro climate, John McCain is Too Liberal. I'd say the Republicans are sucking wind worse than the Democrats. Or maybe Monte is already conceding that another four or eight years of Republican power consolidation might not be the healthiest thing for the country.

Always the optimist.

C'mon guys, who's going to lead the Republicans on to glory in '08?

jesus marion joseph · June-21st-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

C'mon guys, who's going to lead the Republicans on to glory in '08?

Monte Smith · June-21st-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

C'mon guys, who's going to lead the Republicans on to glory in '08?

Difficult to say--probably even more difficult to say than with the Dems, who have much more clear-cut candidates (and the only announced candidate).

The names I see being bounced around are McCain, Romney of Massachusetts, Allen of Virginia, Frist (God help us), Hagel of Nebraska, Condi Rice. No drum beat for Powell that I am aware of. Or any generals. EJ Dionne had a piece in the Post where he suggested a likely ticket would be McCain-Bush, with Jeb as veep. That's utter speculation, but interesting. I'd sell a kidney to get Giulliani on the ticket, myself. My dream team: Cheney-Giulliani. Ain't gonna happen. I'm just ruminating here, strictly ruminating.

Coda · June-21st-2005, 03:14 PM

You forgot Newt Gingrich. He's going to run, not likely that he'll be nominated because of his baggage, but he'll run.

My hope is for a Hillary Condi run off.....and I give the edge to Hillary

moneyp · June-21st-2005, 03:18 PM

McCain-Bush would win in a landslide, and probably clear the way for the elephants for the next sixteen years. I wonder if the McCain ticket would get the full support from the the party, though.

Monte Smith · June-21st-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mone peterson

I wonder if the McCain ticket would get the full support from the the party, though.

Depends. Depends on whether Karl Rove sends the "yes" or the "no" signal to the chips in our brains.

Coda · June-21st-2005, 04:55 PM

Well, it won't be Hillary.

Your conservatives are promoting a book which they hope will sabatage her career.

Just like Kitty Kelley. I didn't find an equally outrageous comment about her Bush bashing book.

One sided again.

Ppppppbbbbttttt

lynn · June-21st-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Depends. Depends on whether Karl Rove sends the "yes" or the "no" signal to the chips in our brains.

Truer words were never written.

Dr Dave · June-21st-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mone peterson

McCain-Bush would win in a landslide, and probably clear the way for the elephants for the next sixteen years. I wonder if the McCain ticket would get the full support from the the party, though.

You don't think Jeb Bush is a liability? Any more Bushes in high public office and somebody may have the wit to say "dynasty" which is cool in professional sports but not in contemporary politics. I don't think. And the Schiavo business...

June-21st-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coda

Well, it won't be Hillary.

Your conservatives are promoting a book which they hope will sabatage her career.

Just like Kitty Kelley. I didn't find an equally outrageous comment about her Bush bashing book.

One sided again.

Ppppppbbbbttttt

June-21st-2005, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mone peterson

McCain-Bush would win in a landslide, and probably clear the way for the elephants for the next sixteen years. I wonder if the McCain ticket would get the full support from the the party, though.

Good lord.........

I couldn't disagree more.

McCain would cause just enough hard righters to stay home come election day. He is not liked or trusted among the hardcore.

Jeb makes Gore look like Robin Williams.

And let's be serious here and drop ANY notion that there is even the possibility of a landslide for either side.

McCain/Bush wouldn't be nearly as disasterous as Dole and that crazy old fucker that ran with him, but not only would it not be a landslide, it wouldn't be a win.

Chaz Longue · June-21st-2005, 05:28 PM

Condi v Hillary would be a hoot. Condi would win in a landslide.

But oddly enough neither party is ready to risk nominating ...a woman.

And even the Dems aren't stupid enough to let Hillary carry the nomination.

Though we right-thinking citizens still don't get why, we know the hatred is just too overwhelming.

Hey - there's a good thread to start:

Hillary: why DO they loathe her so?

June-21st-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz

....would win in a landslide.

Where do you people come up with this stuff?

Quote:

But oddly enough neither party is ready to risk nominating ...a woman.

Now THIS I agree with. It's a point I made long ago, and still stand by it.

And a *gasp* black woman being nominated by the racist white Christian party?

BUT:

Quote:

And even the Dems aren't stupid enough to let Hillary carry the nomination.

I disagree.

What I really mean is that I don't know how "stupid" it would be to nominate Hitlary. She couldn't be any worse than the sacrifice they offered up last year, she would have THE highest name recognition on either ticket(and let's not kid ourselves into thinking that doesn't count), plus I think that there are many out there who would look at it as a way to return to the Clinton years.

Besides, who can resist smiling at the thought of Willie C being our next first lady?

groover · June-21st-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Besides, who can resist smiling at the thought of Willie C being our next first lady?

I'm sure he's anxious to get involved again with the White House intern program.

Dr Dave · June-21st-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Good lord.........

I couldn't disagree more.

McCain would cause just enough hard righters to stay home come election day. He is not liked or trusted among the hardcore.

Jeb makes Gore look like Robin Williams.

And let's be serious here and drop ANY notion that there is even the possibility of a landslide for either side.

McCain/Bush wouldn't be nearly as disasterous as Dole and that crazy old fucker that ran with him, but not only would it not be a landslide, it wouldn't be a win.

Always a pleasure to be able to agree wholeheartedly, Scott.

bostontricky · June-21st-2005, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Dole and that crazy old fucker that ran with him

? ? ? ? ?

June-21st-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Always a pleasure to be able to agree wholeheartedly, Scott.

I honestly believe the Dems will regain the White House in '08. I just don't know exactly who it will be.

I used to think it would be Hillary, but then I regained my senses.

I think '08 will be one of those bizarre "somebody's got to win" kind of election. A real stinker.

June-21st-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bostontricky

? ? ? ? ?

Hahahaha.......................good catch!

I was confusing him with:

Oopz.

moneyp · June-21st-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

You don't think Jeb Bush is a liability?

How bad a liability could he be?

moneyp · June-21st-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Good lord.........

I couldn't disagree more.

McCain would cause just enough hard righters to stay home come election day. He is not liked or trusted among the hardcore.

But his veep is.

Quote:

Jeb makes Gore look like Robin Williams.

...

June-21st-2005, 07:38 PM

I don't care who his veep is, McCain would never get the nod. Nor will Guiliani.

Although, ideally it would be a damn near perfect ticket, IMO. Both are respected by many in both parties, and would represent a more centrist ticket along the lines of Clinton/Gore.

bostontricky · June-21st-2005, 07:44 PM

Well then, what happens if the Republicans nominate a couple of complete neanderthals? Frist-Jeb?