The GOP's Obama - Bob McDonnell?

[Keystone Phil]

At first, it was argued that someone like Dino Rossi could be "our Obama" - someone not in a major elected office for a lengthy amount of time but an energizing, appealing figure.

Well, we know what unfortunately happened to Dino but how about the current Attorney General of Virginia - 2009 Gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell?





I know it seems a bit far-fetched but let's give it some thought. He obviously has to win the Gubernatorial race (which will be very difficult against Deeds or Moran). Let's assume he wins it. He takes office in January 2010. He'll get some national attention because it would be a Republican winning in a battleground state that went for Obama. He'll be 58 in 2012 with a relatively young family (his youngest will be 21 and oldest will be 31). A huge asset will be the fact that he's a Governor with really nothing to lose (especially since he can only serve one term anyway). Another plus is the fact that he is from Philadelphia! 

Now the drawbacks are obvious - He will have to decide to run for President no later than a year and a half into his term but I don't know if that's really that damaging anymore. Obama had to have decided to run at roughly the same time.

I think the guy could be a serious contender. If McAuliffe is his opponent and he can score a sizable victory, look for him to be considered a rising star.

[Keystone Phil]

but to be president he'll need a lot more national connections, fundraising prowess, etc.

Obama didn't have that built in. He obviously had to work for it and then there's the benefit of becoming the nominee. A nobody can become a somebody. Let's see how he builds himself if he wins in 2009.

[Keystone Phil]

 but winning Iowa or New Hampshire against Palin/Romney?

Who knows? I don't like handicapping elections four years out (especially primary contests).

I'm really skeptical that Romney's star will continue to shine four years from now. He's insanely overrated. Then there will be people like myself that like Palin but ultimately won't back her for the nomination because she's damaged.

All I'm saying is that if we're looking for an outsider, this guy may be the one.

[Keystone Phil]

 but winning Iowa or New Hampshire against Palin/Romney?

Who knows? I don't like handicapping elections four years out (especially primary contests).

I'm really skeptical that Romney's star will continue to shine four years from now. He's insanely overrated. Then there will be people like myself that like Palin but ultimately won't back her for the nomination because she's damaged.

All I'm saying is that if we're looking for an outsider, this guy may be the one.

So...if you don't want Romney, or Palin....and your guy Santorum doesn't run...who do you support?

Depends on the candidates. Ideally, I want either Santorum or Pawlenty.

[Keystone Phil]

 but winning Iowa or New Hampshire against Palin/Romney?

Who knows? I don't like handicapping elections four years out (especially primary contests).

I'm really skeptical that Romney's star will continue to shine four years from now. He's insanely overrated. Then there will be people like myself that like Palin but ultimately won't back her for the nomination because she's damaged.

All I'm saying is that if we're looking for an outsider, this guy may be the one.

So...if you don't want Romney, or Palin....and your guy Santorum doesn't run...who do you support?

Depends on the candidates. Ideally, I want either Santorum or Pawlenty.

What about Huntsman? He seems like a new, fresh candidate.

He'd be up there on my list as well.

[Keystone Phil]

Chris Christie > Bob McDonnell

Well, one of the two will come close to or actually win.

True, but Obama had his DNC speech in 2004 to put himself on the radar. He'd been promoting himself through his book, which was not a typical politician's tome that no one reads, but something interesting. O'Donnell can't get that up and running in time for 2012.

I don't know about that. Who the hell knew who Mike Huckabee was in 2007? "Oh, that once fat guy who wrote a book about getting fit?" Seriously. My point is that McDonnell could become the outsider candidate and maybe that's what we'll be looking for in 2012. I really think people will grow tired of Romney and Palin by then.

He ended up winning because he combines youth, charisma, and gravitas (and not being a Republican in the year 2008).  Does McDonnell have these things?

McDonnell has the advantages of being a rising star in an Obama swing state. I don't know exactly how charismatic McDonnell is but we should start to get an idea in a few months.