petraeus

[Lunar]

Probably won't be able to run for President now that he's off managing a new war.  The possible quagmire nature of the war could potentially tarnish him as well, although, of course, I hope he solves the war in 5 minutes and gets the troops home before Thanksgiving.  

I believe Petraeus has publicly backed Obama's planned date for beginning of the Afghanistan withdrawal of July, 2011.

Not much time left for campaigning

[Lunar]

2016 is forever far away.

He could still be a VP candidate for '12.

And, it should be said, that if he weren't interested in politics, people wouldn't keep mentioning him as a contender -- it's not hard to say "I will never run for President, I don't think I'm qualified for that position, I don't think I'd be effective at the legislative and economic aspects of that position" or something to squash all rumors, something which the General has not done.  People lie all the time, but if one ACTUALLY wanted to crush such notions of a candidacy, it's not hard to say something which is not only a denial, but which would be used against you if you broke that denial.  Even a one-sentence press release declaring "I will not run for President in 2012." would go a long way here.

And, it should be said that Petraeus taking this job on speaks highly of him.  He's already regarded as the wonderboy of Iraq strategy, he could have declined Afghanistan and retired, but because he's a soldier and Obama is Commander in Chief, and Obama asked him to take a demotion so as to take on a crucial war effort, he did it without public hesitation.  He knows that this job could ruin his reputation, but he did it anyway, because he's a soldier.  

Respek where it is due.

[Lunar]

Yeah everyone says that, that's not a real denial.  REAL denials include some sort of proof.  Like, when Palin sought to prove she wasn't running for Senate, she gave $2,300 to Murkowski, even though she later endorsed her opponent.  Vague statements that you won't run for higher office are about as useful as something that's not very useful

If Petraeus wanted to prove to his political backers that he wasn't going to run for president, he would have said something like the above -- that not only is it not in his interest, he doesn't feel like he's the best man for the job.

[Lunar]

You said "Even a one-sentence press release declaring "I will not run for President in 2012." would go a long way here."

How is "I will not ever run for political office" more vague than "I will not run for President in 2012"?  Seems like hair-splitting to me.

I say a lot of stupid things from time to time