The right wing of the Republican Party is probably quite pleased with the line up of presidential hopefuls on the Democratic side. So far, they see front runners with obvious weaknesses that won't play in Preoria in 2008. Here is how the Dems stack up:
Hillary Clinton: Shadows of Bill Clinton, liberal, woman, feminist (read man hating). Worse than Lucifer.
Barack Obama: African American, admits to previous drug use, current smoker, little national/ international experience. Middle name Hussein.
John Edwards: Too pretty, talks about poverty while he himself is a millionaire, resumé thin on defense and international affairs. Was on the losing ticket in 2004.
Joe Biden: Never mind!
Despite their glee about Democratic presidential candidates, the right wing is rather glum about their own slate of candidates so far. Although some of the contenders are very conservative when it comes to fiscal and defense issues, their personal lives and social agenda are cause for suspicion. In fact, one has to wonder if the conservatives worry that none of THEM will play well in Peoria or rather in their case, in South Carolina.
(Rudy Giuliani as Marilyn Monroe)
John McCain: Not rabid enough on abortion. Divorced, used to be a playboy, has adopted a "colored" child. Opposed George W. Bush in the 2000 primaries and beat him in New Hampshire.
Rudi Giuliani: Pro-choice, supports gay rights. First marriage annulled, very public affair, messy public divorce (even though he is a Catholic), now in third marriage. Dressed up in drag as Marilyn Monroe. Comes from New York.
Mitt Romney: Used to be a moderate. Has flip flopped on abortion and gay rights - now opposes both. But can you trust him not to revert to his previous position if elected? No divorce or known affairs. But is a Mormon ( some of his ancestors may have committed polygamy).
Sam Brownback: Conservative on social issues. But has betrayed Bush by opposing the "surge." Most damning - converted to Catholicism a few years back.
The right wing would love to see Newt Gingrich or perhaps Jeb Bush as their man in 2008. But Newt is hardly a paragon in his personal life. (Heartless divorce #1, affair, nasty divorce # 2, currently in third marriage). As for Jeb Bush, his personal life is pretty squeaky clean. But he has other problems. He is the smart one in the family and recognizes the devastation older brother has wreaked on the Bush family's political fortunes for the foreseeable future. When asked about his political aspirations, he said ruefully, " Yo no tengo futuro." Even Poppy knows it.
I know he hasn't announced yet, but what about Hagel? A Hagel-Romney ticket would be pretty powerful, don't you think? At the risk of losing all credibility, I think that only Gore-(someone other than Clinton or Edwards) could beat this combination.
Posted by: Clean articulate bright man | February 03, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Clean: (I like your name - Senator Biden too will approve:-)
I like Senator Hagel - he is honest, straightforward and quite fearless. But then I am a Democrat and I really don't care much what the Republicans do with their ticket. The more unelectable the better, as far as I am concerned. Perhaps Hagel-Romney should run as independents. That would really hurt the right wing.
As for Gore, I do believe that he could shake up the Clinton-Obama-Edwards equation. He has a clean bill of health on Iraq. And other than Howard Dean, he has been the most vocally opposed to the criminal misadventure right from the start. His speeches in the last six years in which he has called the Bush-Cheney administration on all their illegal and unconstitutional moves, have been forthright and excellent. After eight years, Bill Clinton won't be casting as long a shadow on his candidacy as he would on Hillary's. I would love to see Gore run.
Posted by: Ruchira Paul | February 03, 2007 at 11:45 PM