Category: 2008 Presidential Race
How Republicans match up against Dems
A.C. points to some interesting numbers showing Huckabee sitting in 4th, at 11.4% with the 3 major Democrats ahead of him. While I would like to have seen better numbers from Republicans, Republicans clearly have a wider field of legitimate contenders. Who else is a contender for the Dems other than “the three”? Republicans have McCain, Thompson, Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee. So, I don’t buy that there has been a huge shift among the electorate.
I do, however, fear a trend that Republicans may stay at home because they don’t like the candidates. I think that this is a real possibility. But, I think this could change in November. If Hillary is nominated, Republicans will come out in DROVES to vote against her… not to vote for their candidate, necessarily - but, to vote against her. With Obama, I think Republicans have a problem.
Who matches up well against Obama? ONLY McCain, really. You have to counter his lack of experience. And, frankly, there is nobody (except Fred) other than McCain who can really do that.
The best Iowa Caucus coverage
I found this post over on Mashable, discussing the best places on the web to get coverage from Iowa. This post discusses a really interesting experiment that someone is doing to determine if Twitter can actually perform better than the media in covering Iowa. It certainly is possible. I plan on following this Twitter feed, tonight… although I can see how this may become a completely disorganized mess. This seems like great information. But, it needs some order.
A sad state of affairs for Fred
According to polling, Fred is actually polling BEHIND Ron Paul in New Hampshire…
Still think he didn’t get in too late? Still think he didn’t need to abide by the rules of politics? Still think he can run a completely unconventional campaign and get by with it?
Damn, what’s a Republican to do?
At this point, I have pretty much given up on Fred. So, who am I left with… Giuliani? Please, I don’t trust that guy’s judgment. He just scares me. Romney… the more I see him… the more I think “used car salesman”. And, that leaves me with Huckabee. And, now a poll comes out that says he loses in a head-to-head against leading Democrats. Frankly, that does not surprise me in the least.
If Fred is out, I am probably going with Huckabee. But, I fear that it is too easy for the Left to paint Huckabee as “that old right-wing whack job”. But, then again, Huckabee’s inability to pour money into this campaign and his lack of name recognition might be impacting him right now - at least in this poll. At any rate, the choices concern me.
Candidates on DIGG, are you kidding me?
If you think that these candidates are “DIGGING”, than, you probably also still believe that “there are some darn weapons o’ mass destruction SOMEwhere in Iraq.” I would hope that someone who is running for President doesn’t have that much time to DIGG.
I would seriously doubt that Obama is hanging out on DIGG. Rather, if he is doing anything, methinks it is some lowly staffer who has time in his or her day to explore social media.
Fred Thompson floundering in Florida
This was a sad statement. Unfortunately, I fear that Fred’s campaign has contracted the worst thing that a campaign can have… cantwinatallitis. And, when the momentum from this disease in a campaign slows down, so does the money (or in this case… it never started)… and so does the support. That is what we are seeing here. Everyone likes to be behind a winner (except Detroit sports fans).
It is really tragic. Because, Fred could have won this race. What was the hold-up? Why did he wait to jump in? And, who where the idiots who sold Fred on the idea that he could run a campaign unlike any other… make some cameo You Tube appearance, now and then… and everything would be fine.
WRONG. I don’t care who you are… nobody is above the system. You still have to run a campaign… you still have to raise money … you still have to be on television… you still have to participate in debates… you still have to work states for a year or more before the primaries… all in the name of being a credible candidate. Somewhere, somehow, someone convinced Fred that he was above all of that. Truly, that person did Fred and this country a disservice.
Not very confident in Bill Lacy — but, very confident in Fred Thompson
My concern with the Fred Thompson campaign concerns its leadership. I just haven’t (and why should I be?) been too impressed with Bill Lacy. Lacy says that:
in the last 60 days “sprint” we will “see more” of Thompson although he
explains that “he’s going to spend more time in preparation” for
debates and other events because “he is not scripted.” He contends that Thompson was “never going to blow people away” but that he is “going to wear well over time when a lot of politicians turn people off.”
As a Fred supporter, this really doesn’t abate my concerns…. “wear well over time”????!?? Are kidding me? NH, SC, Iowa, etc., are in a few months… where is the “time” that he speaks of? I do recall that Bill Lacy was opposed to the red truck - back in ‘94. Great idea, Einstein. Glad Fred went ahead with it. Fred needs to stop listening to his advisors and start being himself, again.
Fred Thompson advocates more funding for the military
At the Citadel, this morning, Fred Thompson said:
The investments we make today provide the means to defend our nation tomorrow. They will make our military personnel more effective and safer,” Thompson
will say, according to prepared remarks his campaign made available to
The Associated Press.”Too many commitments today leave our Armed Forces capable of meeting too few contingencies tomorrow,” he says.Regarding care for current and former service members, Thompson
advocates implementing many of the recommendations of a presidential
commission on improving the treatment of wounded veterans. He also says
service members need better pay and benefits “including a modern GI
Bill with educational assistance that will help us recruit and keep our
nation’s finest in uniform.”
It is great to hear a Presidential candidate talk like this. When I was in the military, the mantra was “do more with less”. Frankly, I got tired of hearing that. That is disgraceful… I can’t imagine how many times I heard very senior officers say that. And, it became an acceptable policy throughout the military.
And, what do we get from “do more with less?”… we get a military that is stretched beyond its limit. Soldiers and sailors should not have to operate in that type of environment. Our nation’s finest should have adequate supplies and equipment. And, frankly, they should have more pay and better benefits. For the sacrifices that they make, everyday, for this country, we owe that to them. And, I am very glad that Fred Thompson recognizes that.
The Outcome of Iowa — Winners and Losers
Well, the Iowa Straw Poll is over. I thought I would run down the winners and losers:
Winners
Mitt Romney - Frankly, he had to win. With the ridiculous amount of money that he spent on this straw poll, it was inevitable. With 31% of the vote, he had a strong showing. A clear winner with good momentum that he will need in the early primaries. Although - for anyone who knows about the Iowa straw poll, you know how ridiculous it really is. Campaigns “bus” in their people from all over the country to participate. Although - I understand that this year - there was actually an element of legitimacy in that people were supposed to produce IDs. Nevertheless, typically, whichever campaigns spend the most $$$ are the ones that are victorious. This was all part of the Romney strategy. He needed this victory.
Mike Huckabee - A 2nd place finish. Not bad. Without a decent showing here, I felt that he would be unable to continue. But, I really think the straw poll bolstered Huckabee’s chances of competing. His persona appeals well to a forum like the Iowa Straw poll. With a minister’s oratorical ability, he actually had more votes than he paid for… an amazing feat, indeed.
Losers
Sam Brownback - He spent a significant amount of money and time on this straw poll. And, with his midwest-based campaign, he neeeded a decent showing, if not a win. Third place behind Huckabee was not good enough. I think it is a matter of time before he is out.
Giuliani - I know… he didn’t participate….But, this win solidified Romney’s position as a strong contender - if not the guy to beat.
Given, the Straw poll doesn’t mean too much. But, with the shifting early primary schedule, it does mean that there will be some momentum that Romney’s campaign can capitalize on in the weeks ahead.