2008 Republican Presidential Nominee

[CARLHAYDEN]

I've listed all seriously mentioned candidates for the 2008 Republican nomination.

[WalterMitty]

ugh.  what an awful crop of candiates.

of the candidates you listed, id be most likely to support pataki in the primary.

[CARLHAYDEN]

I expect about half of them to have abandoned their dreams by this time next year.

However, I expect that somewhere between 4 to 8 will actually run.

The critical question is which ones drop out, and who do they support among the remaining contenders.

[WalterMitty]

i wish christopher shays would consider a run. 

[Alcon]

George Allen - The standard "decent conservative."  Would do well, but fall to a moderate - pretty much another George W. Bush, at least electorally.

Haley Barbour - Negative approval ratings in his home state of Mississippi.  Not really a great candidate.

Sam Brownback - Too conservative, and Kansas isn't exactly a swing state.

Jeb Bush - Independents might have serious qualms electing another Bush so soon.  Possibly, but I'd wait for a while.  Hasn't been doing wonderfully in Florida lately.

Bill Frist - Boring, and the "cat killer" label may be ridiculous to some, but never underestimate the number of people who would be easily turned off if this was the first thing they hear.

Newt Gingrich - If only.

Rudy Guiliani - Lots of personal baggage, but popular.  Would turn 9/11 into a major campaign issue, which could turn off the electorate.  Too liberal to get the nomination.

Chuck Hagel - Could help in the midwest, but an awkward combination of maverickness and being from the not-so-swing state of Nebraska.  Unlikely.

John McCain - Past his prime, although if the GOP ever nominates (or ever had nominated him), he'd probably win substantially.

Bill Owens - The recent divorce and declining popularity seem to have moved him from potential favourite to longshot.

George Pataki - I do not really know much about the man, but after being forced out of the Governor's seat by Elliot Spitzer, I really doubt he'll do well.  If he runs, he better be thankful that ex-Governors are still referred to as "Governor."  "Mr. Pataki" would certainly hurt any campaign and place him as the "has-been" candidate, which is something he'll likely get anyway.

Colin Powell - Even if the Bush administration comes out very popular, candidates like this could turn off independents as being seen as just an extension of a controversial President.  The GOP may want to put up a candidate that heralds in a new age, not dredges up more of the past to the point of fatigue.  However, Powell wouldn't be a bad candidate electorally.

Condelezza Rice - It's surprising that a Rice candidacy wouldn't be seen as pandering to minorities and women, which it most clearly would be.  In fact, being a black woman is one of the few reasons Condi is mentioned.  Which is sad, because she is of admirable political skill.  Would probably lose the primary, but do very well in a general.

Mitt Romney - Another Governor I should know more about.

Rick Santorum - Even if he isn't too conservative, he's seen as that, and will have difficulties comming out unscathed from the match against Bob Casey.  A possibility, if he can "moderate down" his image, but otherwise he may win the primary, but would probably lose to most people in the general.

[YRABNNRM]

I would only wish that Powell would run...

Out of the real possible candidates I guess I would have to choose Romeny.

[MasterJedi]

Right now I'll take George Allen.

[Nation]

Go Romney!

[WalterMitty]

Go Romney!

you like candidates that oppose emergency contraception?

[Giant Saguaro]

As of now, McCain

Romney, from what I've read, and Frist would be at second.

[Nation]

Go Romney!

you like candidates that oppose emergency contraception?

I like him for other reasons -- nothing would happen to emergency contraception if he was elected President.

[TomC]

Rick Santorum - Even if he isn't too conservative, he's seen as that, and will have difficulties comming out unscathed from the match against Bob Casey.  A possibility, if he can "moderate down" his image, but otherwise he may win the primary, but would probably lose to most people in the general.

Sounds like a plan. I vote Santorum.

[Moooooo]

The only electable candidates on that list are...

Allen
Romney
McCain

God, I hope the GOP doesnt nominate McCain.

[WalterMitty]

Go Romney!

you like candidates that oppose emergency contraception?

I like him for other reasons -- nothing would happen to emergency contraception if he was elected President.

...said the spider to the fly.

[Reaganfan]

George Allen

[MODU]

George Allen

Allen

[Speed of Sound]

if i had to support one, it would be Powell

[skybridge]

I voted Romney.

The Allen fans baffle me as much as the Warnerites.

[tarheel-leftist85]

Allen's winning...I'm shocked

[AkSaber]

Right now I'll take George Allen.

Same here.

[The Duke]

I choose John McCain.  His age limits him to one term, which would be nice after Clinton and Bush being back to back two termers.

He is the one I trust to rebuild a military decimated by three administrations who are disasters as far as building for national defense goes.