Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Just on MSNBC

Waiting for AP..................

Anyone have any predictions/favorites??? I think it's obvious Hilary & Obama will run. I don't think either will get the primary. Honestly I think Gore will run & win the democratic ticket. Just my guess. Also I predict Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell will be a big person in the campaign. He's a great public speaker & man-of-the-people type of guy (he's on Eagles post game shows in Philadelphia, and the funniest part his he actually knows football pretty well). I think he might be selected Vice President, not sure though as he's got a few skeletons in his closet from the past (Was District Attorney of Philadelphia during a few scandals & such). They would probably come out during the race. But it wouldn't surprise me to see him out & about alot, he's a very energetic speaker & great rallyer. Really none of his races are ever close.


Republican I think McCain w/Guiliani as VP.

It wouldn't suprise me at all, of course, if Clinton ran, but it would if she got it.

It would come as somewhat of a suprise to me if Obama decides to run, but it wouldn't at all if he got it.

You get me?

Interesting statement and yeah, I know what you mean and agree on both.

as of right now, obama, hillary, rudy and mccain all have about equal %s in terms of likeability.  However when it came to who do you dislike, hillary was the clear front runner.

i also think the conservatives will not like Rudy's stands on a lot of the "moral" issues.  He is pro choice, pro gay etc... (if i'm not mistaken).  He is adored when he speaks down south and what not, but they politely forget his stance on things - will be a diff story when he runs for office I think.

should be interesting.  McCain is getting kinda old, obama has no experience really, hillary is love/hate and rudy is too moderate of a repub i think to get the base to vote for him.

Not wishing to say anything too out of line, but you have to admit that Hillary and Obama would have an obvious sway with swinging/casual voters, or those that don't usually vote.................................................

I see what you mean. Hillary could also get the NY vote, but that is why I think the Repubs will have Guliani as VP as well. Anyway, I don't think Hillary will win the primary so it probably won't matter on the dems side. HannaHat's right about Hillary being a love/hate thing.

Vilsack at this poingt is the biggest long shot for the Dems nomination. Maybe he knows he has a lot of catching up to do, so he's starting early.

If Guiliani runs he's got my vote. He isnt controlled by the religious zealot right. And look what he did for NYC.

I'm a Democrat but in name only.  I'd strongly consider voting for someone like Guliani or Ahh-nuld.  The key for me is non-neo-conservative and government hands-off when it comes to reproduction and sex.   :peace:

imo vilsack does not have a chance.

Agreed.  Its Hillary all the way for the Dems.  Nobody will be able to compete with Bill Clinton standing behind Hillary.

I am a Democrat that has never voted across the lines but if Rudy ran, especially being that I am from NY I would probably vote for him.

If it was a Hillary vs. Rudy ticket I don't know who I would vote for.  Would be REALLY hard.  Rudy gets so much respect for how he handled 9-11.  Would be very tough not to vote for a Clinton though.  Would be exciting, but I don't see Rudy getting the Repub nomination.  A NE, Italian Catholic from NYC of all places.  I think hes too moderate.  I think the base would take someone else, but the independents would eat him up.

An Iowa governor?  I don't know anything about him.  We'll see.

Rudy G., like HannaHat said, he just doesn't fit the mold.  The Republicans won in '00 and '04 pandering to the religious wrong (oops, I meant right  ;) )  Rudy Guliani wouldn't fly.  Mitt Romney's name's been floated a few times, but again, way too left for the GOP. 
McCain's already had a warm-up pandering to the religious right down in the southeast.  Was it Bob Jones University? 

The Republicans are in trouble if the Democrats play it smart.  Clinton and Barack are the sexy picks right now...but isn't there a fella named Bayh out there in the midwest? 

I am not thrilled about Hillary.

Rudy is not supposed to run.

Why?  (for both statements).

Really dude?, I thought that you were a Hillary advocate? Am I just getting you mixed up with somebody else, or have you changed your mind?

You are getting me mixed up with somebody else.

I hope the Hillary ship sinks...............

Vilsacks presidential run has been as secret as Joe Bidens.  Its been know for quite awhile, I guess its only newsworthy now because hes officially annouced.  He has about as much of a chance as Christopher Dodd.

As far as I can tell, John Edwards is the Democratic frontrunner.  John McCain is probably the Republican choice. 

Giuliani has no chance of surviving primaries.  Neither does Kerry.  Or Joe Biden.  Or Duncan Hunter.  Or Tom Daschle.  Or Tom Tancredo.  Or Sam Brownback. 

The only serious primary candidates I can see are:

Democrats

John Edwards
(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiceGVRF4XEABTCjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=12favj5hm/EXP=1163225758/**http%3a//www.newmediamusings.com/blog/images/John_Edwards.jpg)
Barack Obama
(http://obama.senate.gov/img/pic_obama_bio.jpg)
Hillary Clinton
(http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/03/24/clintons_narrowweb__200x268.jpg)
Bill Richardson
(http://www.portofcorpuschristi.com/AU/images/Richardson%20photo.jpg)
Evan Bayh
(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050126/050126_bayh_vmed_1030a.vmedium.jpg)
Wesley Clark
(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiYPJlRF9RkAvCWjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=126rt7ui2/EXP=1163229071/**http%3a//americablog.blogspot.com/WesleyClark300.jpg)

Id love to say Russ Feingold had a real shot (hes my choice), but I doubt he does.  Hillary Clinton may or may not run, but I doubt shell win primaries.  The base doesnt want her and electability is shaky at best.  Evan Bayh is a longshot.  Bill Richardson and Barack Obama are strong VP possibilities.  Ive been considering the reality of an Obama run and Im not sure.  Hes the most exciting of the bunch, doesnt carry a hint of scandal and nobody (even Republicans) seems to genuinely dislike him.  The experience issue is silly.  John Kennedy served just one term in the Senate before being elected.  The race issue is a considerable one, but not impossible to overcome.  Im just not sure the electoral votes are there (though I havent done any math yet).  Wesley Clark should have more support than he does, but hes not a very exciting personality.  Hed make a great VP choice.  Edwards is the favorite because hes loved in key primary states like Iowa, strongly liked by the base, and Southern.  He could pick up states missed by Kerry, which Im not sure the others could (with the exception of Bayh, whos plain unexciting and not liked by the base). 

Mark Warner was my previous choice for favorite before withdrawing.  He definitely could have won.

Republicans

John McCain
(http://u.univision.com/contentroot/uol/art/images/noticias/rostros/personalidades/030101_afp_john_mccain_3.jpg)
Mitt Romney
(http://www.nndb.com/people/373/000044241/mitt-romney.jpg)
Mike Huckabee
(http://race42008.com/wp-content/design-imgs/bio_mike_huckabee.jpg)
Bill Frist
(http://race42008.com/wp-content/design-imgs/bio_bill_frist.jpg)
Newt Gingrich
(http://race42008.com/wp-content/design-imgs/bio_newt_gingrich.jpg)

These are the only ones I can see at the moment.  George Allen wouldve been at the top, but...

Newt Gingrich is the base favorite, but hes a longshot.  Huckabee is a good politician who is disliked by the base.  Hes still a possibility.  Mitt Romney is a possibility I suppose, but he too isnt well-liked by the base.  He has potential moderate appeal but hes Mormon and his administration is being federally investigated for their role in the Big Dig disaster that resulted in a persons death.  Still a possible VP candidate (assuming hes vindicated in that investigation). Frist isnt happening, but will probably mount a run anyway and get some southern support.  The party will likely compromise with McCain, whos solidly conservative but still disliked by the base.  Hes loved by moderates and some uninformed liberals and the most electable of the bunch.  I think his staunch Bush-support over the past four years may have backfired.  I believe he meant to endear himself to Bushs base and potential 2008 delegates, but has worried some of the moderates that used to like him so much. 

actually Booker, in a book he wrote, Obama mentions using marijuana and "maybe" doing some blow.  Unfortunately, this will be used against him politically so yeah, there's a negative here...not to mention the obvious race factor which guarantees failure in a racist south. :(

i've been saying it for two years. hillary is out next prez.

most said i was crazy. until recently polls started showing that she can hang with the big guys.

she raised $30M for her senate campaign which she had no chance of losing.
 

I hadn't thought about that part of it, Hillary is a money making machine.  I still think shes too love/hate though.  I personally would like to see her president with Obama as the VP.

I really think its going to be a Rudy/Hillary contest with NY deciding who wins.  Wow, my vote will ACTUALLY count this time! hahahah

Honestly I think most Americans don't give a shit about the weed.

You are correct, Hillary is able to pool huge amounts of capital, HUGE.

Not anymore at least...it was a big deal for Clinton (I didn't inhale - haha).  But they obviously don't care about alcohol abuse or cocaine use either as you can see from Mr. Bush being in office.  I think since Obama is a church going man and that was in his past most people will over look it the way they did for Bush.  Axl4Prez is right though, it can only hurt him.   But I think the shadow of the Lewinsky scandal will kinda hurt Hillary too.  The Dems lost the 2000 election in part b/c of that so whether or not people don't care about it anymore still remains to be seen.  Personally I think having Bill behind her will help her a lot more then hurt. 

The top 4 candidates all have their issues - McCain has pandered to the far right recently and supported the Iraq war big time (actually calling for MORE troops if I'm not mistaken at a time when most of the country wants less troops there), Rudy has his divorce/extra marital affair and his very moderate views (pro gay rights if I'm not mistaken), obama has the race issue (not "dirt" but its not going to help him as others have pointed out - which just goes to show you how f'ed up america still is).  Hillary being a woman is yet another strike against her in some places in the country I would guess too.

HannaHat, you are saying what I'm thinking over and over!   :hihi:  Good post.   :peace:

The field narrows once more:

Feingold rules out run for president

MILWAUKEE - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record) has decided against seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, saying he wanted to focus on his work in the Senate.

In a letter posted on his political action committee's Web site, Feingold said he was excited that Tuesday's elections gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, giving them the chance to "undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America."

"We can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed health care, dependence on oil and our unbalanced trade policies," he wrote.

Feingold, 53, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he realized he would be a long-shot candidate in a bid for the presidency.

He said running as an underdog appealed to him, but not the way it would "dismantle" his work in the Senate and his personal life.

An outspoken opponent of the
Iraq war, the Patriot Act and other Bush administration policies, Feingold had formed his PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund, and visited key presidential primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

Still, he said he started the process more predisposed against a run than for it.

"I began with the feeling I didn't really want to do this but was open to the possibility that getting around the country would make me want to do it. That never happened," he told the newspaper in a story posted on its Web site late Saturday.

Feingold leaves a crowded field of possible Democratic candidates, including Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who announced his candidacy last week.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is widely considered the front-runner for the nomination. Others considering or positioning themselves for a run include U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee; former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the vice presidential nominee two years ago; U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joe Biden of Delaware and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced last month that he was bowing out of the race.

Feingold said he had come closer to making his decision in the past few weeks, and the final factor came when Democrats won both chambers of Congress because it provided added appeal to focus on work in the Senate.

Feingold spokesman Zach Lowe did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press early Sunday seeking comment.

Some updates for this thread:

Bill Frist is out.


Sam Brownback is in.


Evan Bayh is in. 


SLC, perhaps you can change this threads title to be the 2008 Presidential Election threads.

Dennis Kucinich is in. (http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/openers/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_openers/archives/2006_12.html#214305)

Short of a constitutional ammendment (a la "Demolition Man"), Ahh-nuld can't run for President.

I know...replying late.

I'm hoping Obama DOES run....given his appearance in NH, I'm thinking he must be planning on it.  Of all the candidates, while he has the least experience...I think he would make the most difference for the country.

Of course, current polls on the 2008 presidential election are fairly insignificant, but they do measure momentum as we get there.  I found todays NBC/Wall Street Journal poll interesting:

Edwards (D) 43%, McCain (R) 41%
McCain (R) 43%, Obama (D) 38%
McCain (R) 47%, Clinton (D) 43%

Despite favoring John Edwards and calling him the Democratic frontrunner, I found this poll surprising, especially in light of the amazing Obama hype.  And I dont think this takes Edwards Hardball appearence yesterday, which went extremely well, into account.

Then again:

GOP Prim: Giuliani 34%, McCain 29%, Gingrich 10%
Dem Prim: Clinton 37%, Obama 18%, Edwards 14%, Kerry 11%

Recent Rasmussen polls:

Gore (D) 48%, Romney (R) 39%
Clinton (D) 48%, Romney (R) 40
Edwards (D) 50%, Romney (R) 37%
Obama (D) 47%, Romney (R) 38%
Gore (D) 52%, Gingrich (R) 36%
Kerry (D) 47%, Gingrich (R) 38%
Giuliani (R) 51%, Kerry (D) 37%
McCain (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 44%
Giuliani (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 43%

Fox News:

Giuliani (R) 46%, Obama (D) 35%
Giuliani (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 39%
McCain (R) 49%, Obama (D) 30%
McCain (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 40%

Give me somebody green.............

Des Moines Iowa Register poll for the Iowa primary (likely primary voters MoE: +/- 4%) conducted in October:

John Edwards: 36%
Hillary Clinton: 16%
Barack Obama: 13%
Tom Visalck: 9%
John Kerry: 6%
Joe Biden: 5%
Wesley Clark: 3%
Bill Richardson: 2%
Undecided: 8%
Evan Bayh: Less than a percentage point
Chris Dodd: Less than a percentage point

Among party leaders:

Edwards: 40%
Vilsack: 15%
Obama: 11%
Clinton: 8%

I might just make an official 2008 threads since we have a few threads on it, and the title of this one doesnt accurately reflect the posts...but in the meantime:

Evan Bayh is out.

it`s all about the money right?

what about arnold schwarzennegger?

i`d think about immigrating to the US then :hihi: