If the Republicans are lagging in fundraising and enthusiasm, who can get the Party up for the coming campaign? Not a tough question, especially at Halloween, as Richard Baehr opines at The American Thinker:
The media has been intrigued by the "firsts" offered by the Democratic candidates - a woman nominee and President, and an African American nominee and President. But the case can be made that if Rudy Giuliani, a social liberal, and pro-choice candidate can be nominated by the Republicans, that this is an even bigger shock to the political system. It would certainly not fit with the pundit class models which have been comfortably wrapping Republicans into a neat box for a few decades, and would suggest that Republicans think national security is the key issue at this time, and can live with candidates who do not meet their expectations in all areas.
Where do independents go in the primaries?One consideration I have not seen addressed elsewhere is that if Clinton wins Iowa, and wraps up the race early, independent voters, who are allowed to vote in either party's primary in some states by selecting that party's ballot, may find taking a GOP ballot of greater interest than voting in a Democratic race that is all but decided. Independents swung heavily to the Democrats in the 2006 Congressional races and Barack Obama, in particular, has drawn a lot of interest from younger unaffiliated voters. But if Obama is not a real contender after Iowa, then this will benefit Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, who are both perceived as more centrist than other Republicans, with appeal to independents. This could help either or both candidates in several early states, and in the general election as well.
Hillary unites the GOPThe other shot-in-the-arm for the GOP in recent months has been the realization among Republicans that Hillary Clinton is the likely nominee. Nothing unites the GOP faithful more than a race against a Clinton, particularly Hillary. I expect that when it becomes clear who the GOP nominee is, that the party's fund raising problems will begin to disappear. At that point, the nominee to be will be perceived as the head of the party, not a lame duck President with low approval ratings.
Read the whole column at the above link. Republican dissatisfaction with the field and disaffection from politics after the spending and scandals of the late GOP Congress dissipates when the subject turns to Hillary Clinton. Parties always hope to find a nominee to unite them, but usually it's their own nominee . . .
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2008 Presidential Race, Commentary, Democrats, Hillary, Primaries, Republican
Tags: Democrat, Hillary Clinton, presidential campaign, primaries, Republicans
Comments (11)
"Hillary is political Viagr... (Below threshold)1. Posted by bryanD | October 24, 2007 10:30 AM | Score: -2 (6 votes cast)
"Hillary is political Viagra for Republicans"
Yeah, it makes one politically deaf and philosophically impotent.
*wow, that FLEW off the keyboard!*
1. Posted by bryanD | October 24, 2007 10:30 AM |
Score: -2 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 10:30
2. Posted by Lee Ward | October 24, 2007 11:46 AM | Score: 1 (7 votes cast)
"Hillary is political Viagra for Republicans"
Well, I hope the effects are long-lasting. The circle-jerk of right winger bloggers yammering about Hillary is only underlining the obvious point that they are ashamed of their own candidates and can't find anything positive about the Republican primaries.
Look like 2008 is "Hillary vs. some pathetic chump to be named at a later date" - and the only rising star among the GOP hopefuls this week is Ron Paul.
Oh, perhaps that explains everything - lol. The wingers are absolutely nutters about Ron Paul's increasing stature and the possibility of his third party run further decimating Republican chances in '08. I understand at least one major right wing blog has resorted to banning comments about Ron Paul.
Democracy in action. Attack the opponent and pray your own party doesn't crumble. It's a GOP three-ring circus.
2. Posted by Lee Ward | October 24, 2007 11:46 AM |
Score: 1 (7 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 11:46
3. Posted by SJ Reidhead | October 24, 2007 2:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Kudos to the single best title I've seen in ages!
SJ Reidhead
The Pink Flamingo
3. Posted by SJ Reidhead | October 24, 2007 2:00 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 14:00
4. Posted by Glenn Koons | October 24, 2007 2:29 PM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
The fact that Harry Reid can blame global warming for fires, that Durbin can try to sneak through the Dream Act and fail, the fact that the Southwick nomination went through, shows me that the absolute confirmation of the Hildabeast winning and the Dems sweeping the lower ticket races is just not set in stone. The leftists make so many mistakes that even the Stupid Party(the GOP) could benefit here. The uniter of the party, whoever it is, Rudy, Fred, Mitt, Mike will surprise many of the MSM and the experts. It will take the GOP to grow up and note that unless they win, they do not get to set any agenda!
4. Posted by Glenn Koons | October 24, 2007 2:29 PM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 14:29
5. Posted by pinkofreeptard | October 24, 2007 10:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
She makes my hair hurt.
5. Posted by pinkofreeptard | October 24, 2007 10:33 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 22:33
6. Posted by Russell Hammond | October 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Speaking of Ron Paul, how can he refer to himself as Libertarian (even "quasi")when he's not pro choice and wants to repeal Roe v. Wade?
6. Posted by Russell Hammond | October 24, 2007 11:32 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 23:32
7. Posted by Andy | October 24, 2007 11:58 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Not that Hillary isn't a fire for Republicans, but didn't Democrats prove in 04 that you needed to be for something rather than just anti-someone (in their case it was anti-Bush)?
7. Posted by Andy | October 24, 2007 11:58 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2007 23:58
8. Posted by kim | October 25, 2007 11:49 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
'Anybody but Bush' deceived the Democrats into believing that anybody could beat Bush. The truth is 'Anybody but Kerry' would have beaten Bush.
================================================
8. Posted by kim | October 25, 2007 11:49 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 25, 2007 11:49
9. Posted by bryanD | October 25, 2007 12:12 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
"Speaking of Ron Paul, how can he refer to himself as Libertarian (even "quasi")when he's not pro choice and wants to repeal Roe v. Wade?
Posted by Russell Hammond"
I give up.
How?
9. Posted by bryanD | October 25, 2007 12:12 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 25, 2007 12:12
10. Posted by kim | October 25, 2007 3:34 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I finally took a look at Ron Paul in one of the post debate spin sessions. That guy raises his voice and starts pointing too often when he is wrong. I just love people who are wrong at the top of their lungs. Tres amusant.
=========================================
10. Posted by kim | October 25, 2007 3:34 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 25, 2007 15:34
11. Posted by bryanD | October 25, 2007 10:45 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
I finally took a look at Ron Paul in one of the post debate spin sessions. That guy raises his voice and starts pointing too often when he is wrong. I just love people who are wrong at the top of their lungs. Tres amusant.
=========================================
Posted by kim
Resolved: Ron Paul is RIGHT on the issues:
(silence in food tasters' home labs nationwide)
Resolved: He looks and acts like Mister Rogers after 2 1/2 beers:
(grudging agreement all around (heh! >:~))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALfo4N-s8io
(That video will never get old!!!)
But to get down to brass tacks:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html#articlei
11. Posted by bryanD | October 25, 2007 10:45 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 25, 2007 22:45