Let's consider the following candidates:
For Democrats we have:
Evan Bayh
Joe Biden
Phil Bredesen
Wes Clark
Hillary Clinton
John Edwards
Russ Feingold
John Kerry
Dennis Kucinich
Bill Nelson
Ed Rendell
Bill Richardson
Al Sharpton
Tom Vilsack
Mark Warner
For the Republicans:
George Allen
Haley Barbour
Sam Brownback
Bill Frist
Newt Gingrich
Rudy Giuliani
Lindsey Graham
Chuck Hagel
Mike Huckabee
John McCain
George Pataki
Tim Pawlenty
Condi Rice
Mitt Romney
Tom Tancredo
Those not running: Al Gore, Mark Sanford, Jeb Bush, and Rick Santorum. If any of these people change their minds or very, very dark horses enter the race, we'll be sure to add them as soon as possible.
Our current list of thirty has demonstrated Presidential ambitions and many--if not most--have taken the requisite steps towards running.
We must consider several factors for both primaries and the general election. Once each of these candidates is evaluated, we well arrive at a composite rank for candidates among their respective parties. The factors we will consider, are the following:
Looks/Age/Health: Physical vigor, age, and a certain aesthetic appeal have all proven pivotal in primaries and general elections--especially with the advent of television.
Geography: This has proven pivotal in recent elections. Would Tsongas have beaten the elder Bush? Does the candidates home state have a large number of electoral votes? Is it a swing state or a boderline swing state? Is there more of a homestate advantage in West Virginia (where virtually everyone that lives there was born there) than Nevada or Arizona? Many of these "sub-factors" must be considered when ranking these candidates.
Primary Appeal: Does this candidate excel in retail politicking? Do they have good stump speeches? Are they all-around likeable people? How would they fare in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina? Will they be able to spend time in Iowa without abandoning other obligations?
Charisma: We know when we are experiencing it. While this may be more difficult to judge the other party's candidates, you can often make reasonable conclusions so long as keeping an open mind. Does this person motivate people to "get out and do something" after they've spoken?
Connections, Monetary: Does this person have access to money.
Connections, People: Does this person have access and support from higher-ups in the party or high profile individuals?
Experience, Govt.: How long has this person been in Govt.? Were they appointed or elected? (lawyer or judge falls under this category)
Experience, Non-Govt.: Has this person been inside the private sector? Huckabee was a preacher and Warner was a businessman, for two examples.
Politics, Intrapolitcal: This is a judgement of conformity to party doctrine. Zell Miller and Lincoln Chaffee would be poor choices for their respective parties.
Politics, Interpolitical: This is a judgement of moderate appeal or political appeal to a majority of Americans. Unless there is a candidate that reconciles their beliefs such that they are perceived as moderate by most yet perceived by their party as being ideologically similar, a candidate will most likely receive high marks EITHER intra- or interpolitical categories.
Biography/Scandal: Humble beginnings? Previous scandals? Divorce? Affair? This category is quite open-ended, so approach it with caution!
My approach to this thread is to rank the candidates on one factor. You will have two days (so around noon on Thursday 'til the next one) to rank the candidates for each party. I encourage research (
www.patrickruffini.com/2008wire and the candidates website, for example the official website of Gov. X) before ranking. Once the deadline arrives for ranking candidates by a certain factor, I will average the ranks. Once each of these factors is completed, I will average the average ranks for each factor. The lowest average for each party, will be designated "The Choice" for each party. Please, please, please approach these rankings with an open mind. And I hope y'all will particpate judiciously and consistently. Y'all know my preferences, but I won't rank, until I've done some research because I do not know a lot about many of these people. This may also help you commit to a candidate, but you may also re-examine your current preferences. Thank y'all for bearing with me in this excessively long post and for your participation. Hope you have fun! Please PM me with questions or comments, if you have any.
Let's begin with looks/age/health.
