USA Presidential Politics - 2008

[MikeW]

I'm watching Colin Powell.
Finally, beginning to publicly distance himself from the administration he once worked for.

[dartay]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Also, as Dartay and I were discussing, and as one of the other Republicans (can't remember which one right now) said in the debate, I don't know how compatible his views on abortion in particular are with his party, and thus how electable he is, especially as I don't see any 3rd candidate standing a chance.
Steve

I know that there's a lot of Republicans who agree with his stance on abortion, but I don't think the far right will allow him to succeed.

It's too bad that single issues become so polarizing. Especially intra-party.

I'm just as guilty from the security aspect.

Fred is in front so far for me. Doesn't mean that he will be my vote.

[Mexivoof]

IF he can survive the primaries, I think he has the best chance of any of the Republicans to take the White House. There are alot of us pro-choice fiscally conservative, tough on crime types out here

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

IF he can survive the primaries, I think he has the best chance of any of the Republicans to take the White House. There are alot of us pro-choice fiscally conservative, tough on crime types out here

I don't think this type of politician exists right now.

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

IF he can survive the primaries, I think he has the best chance of any of the Republicans to take the White House. There are alot of us pro-choice fiscally conservative, tough on crime types out here

So you Rudy folks, is that the main attraction to him, then? Because the friend I mentioned previously who said she might switch and vote Republican if Giulani made it through the primaries also mentioned first (if indeed it wasn't the only thing she mentioned) that he'd cleaned up NYC and how bad it was before him and so on.

Just asking, as again I don't see the fascination with him, myself, so I don't know. Would that sum it up in a nutshell?

Steve

[kirbyfan]

Originally Posted by MikeW

I don't think this type of politician exists right now.

Aint that the truth!

[kirbyfan]

Originally Posted by ryberg

So you Rudy folks, is that the main attraction to him, then? Because the friend I mentioned previously who said she might switch and vote Republican if Giulani made it through the primaries also mentioned first (if indeed it wasn't the only thing she mentioned) that he'd cleaned up NYC and how bad it was before him and so on.

Just asking, as again I don't see the fascination with him, myself, so I don't know. Would that sum it up in a nutshell?

Steve

For me its his previous record in NY both before and after 9/11. If the Republicans dont have him as their candidate, I think he could run as an independant and have a good chance to win.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by kirbyfan

For me its his previous record in NY both before and after 9/11. If the Republicans dont have him as their candidate, I think he could run as an independant and have a good chance to win.

Ouch, you just put a rock in my sandal. That is such a pet peeve of mine. If Americans would just wake up and realize that there are other parties out there than the Republocrats and voted for the person closest to what they think; be it socialist, libertarian, green, whatever, maybe we could finally get something done in Washington.
Maybe thats why I like Rudy, he's the closest thing to a Libertarian in the race.
And Mike W; I, unfortunately, must agree with your comment about fiscal conservatism especially amongst the Republocrats.

[roni]

Poll: Clinton takes charge in New Hampshire
POSTED: 6:53 p.m. EDT, June 11, 2007
Story Highlights
• New poll has Sen. Hillary Clinton leading among New Hampshire Democrats
• New York Democrat's lead has grown since Democratic presidential debate
• New Hampshire primary voters view Clinton as strongest leader
• Sen. Barack Obama viewed as more likeable than Clinton
By Bill Schneider
CNN Senior Political Analyst
Adjust font size:
Decrease fontDecrease font
Enlarge fontEnlarge font

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Where do things stand with New Hampshire Democrats since the Democratic presidential candidates debated in Manchester June 3?

The CNN/WMUR/New Hampshire Union Leader debate did exactly what it was supposed to do. It helped the New Hampshire voters sort out the candidates.

In early April, New Hampshire Democrats were all over the place. The front-runners -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York; Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois; and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina -- were closely matched. Clinton was at 27 percent, Edwards was at 21 percent and Obama was at 20 percent. It was essentially a jump ball. (Interactive: Poll results)

Who jumped highest after the debate? Clinton. According to a new CNN/WMUR poll of New Hampshire Democratic primary voters released Monday, the New York senator has surged into the lead, with 36 percent support. Obama has held fairly steady at 22 percent, while Edwards has lost support. He's now at 12 percent. (Read the complete poll results -- PDF)

The debate got another player into the game -- Bill Richardson, whose support has reached 10 percent.

The poll involved telephone interviews with 309 New Hampshire adults who plan to vote in the Democratic primary January 22, 2008. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 6 percentage points.

The picture gets a little clearer if we assume Al Gore will not run. Clinton leads New Hampshire with 39 percent, followed by Obama with 24 percent, Edwards with 14 percent and Richardson with 11 percent.
'Leadership' sets Clinton apart

Clinton seems to have impressed Democrats by taking charge in the debate. "The differences among us are minor," Clinton said. "The differences between us and the Republicans are major."

Asked which candidate is the strongest leader, Democrats picked Clinton, hands down. None of the others come close.

But can she be elected? Democrats think so. They see Clinton as the candidate with the best chance of beating the Republicans next year.

Do Democrats think she's likeable? Not really. Clinton runs third on likability. Obama comes across as the most likable Democrat.

Here's how he answered a question about making English the official language: "When we get distracted by those kinds of questions, I think we do a disservice to the American people."

Edwards may have lost points because he criticized other Democrats. "Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama did not say anything about how they were going to vote until they appeared on the floor of the Senate and voted," Edwards said about the Iraq war funding bill during the debate. "They were among the last people to vote."

Richardson may have gained points because he sounded firm and decisive.

"First day as president, I would shut down Guantanamo," Richardson said during the debate. "I would shut down Abu Ghraib and secret prisons. That is the moral authority that we don't have."

[roni]

With Gore in the poll, he ties for 3rd with Edwards at 12%, with Clinton at 36% and Obama at 22%.

[MWC]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Really?

Really?!? (what I need here is a "surprise" emoticon that's not like the gasping shock of because I didn't think you were interested in him -- thus my comments that you might want to check out his book and that you might like his ideas or something)Steve

I think Obama handled the "infatuation" stage of his campaign in a very sober, mature fashion. I think his answers to questions in the debates have shown a lot of thought, and I hope the media gives people a chance to process that -- instead of criticizing Obama for not being "outfront" or "macho" enough in his responses, attitudes which I have read recently. I like that he is not an instinctive glad-hander or smiley-face; he is taking his calling seriously -- I like that a lot.

Originally Posted by ryberg

REALLY?!?!? (Bona fide place to use there. I do not understand the fascination with this guy. He seems... I dunno... like he's too much of a blow-his-own-horn-er, a bit too artificially gung ho in some ways (witness his response re Iraq -- sorry, Roni! ), or something along those lines. Personally I think he'd be more likely to attract votes if he were a bit calmer and quieter or something. Like Obama, maybe.

Also, as Dartay and I were discussing, and as one of the other Republicans (can't remember which one right now) said in the debate, I don't know how compatible his views on abortion in particular are with his party, and thus how electable he is, especially as I don't see any 3rd candidate standing a chance.

Why are you (and you, Mexivoof, if it applies) fascinated by him?

Steve

For Giuliani, he IS running a calmer and quieter campaign! And it's the caliber of his campaign that is giving me reason for pause (in a good way). He has strengths, and he's running on them; and he's not trying to pretend to be someone he's not. He is certainly a decisive leader, and a smart guy. Maybe he has experienced personal growth after going through his cancer treatments, and perhaps finding real love with wife #3. I would like to hear more from him on how he would attack issues other than national security -- domestic policy, energy policy, etc. I would expect some innovative thinking.

As I have said before, all it would take is another terrorist incident on US soil to make the single-issue abortion people irrelevant.

And since I was the one to float the third-party possibility out there, that scenario continues to fascinate me.

[MWC]

Originally Posted by dartay

I know that there's a lot of Republicans who agree with his stance on abortion, but I don't think the far right will allow him to succeed.

It's too bad that single issues become so polarizing. Especially intra-party.

I'm just as guilty from the security aspect.

Fred is in front so far for me. Doesn't mean that he will be my vote.

I'm curious where you stand on Duncan Hunter out of California for the security issue. My nephew is a conservative Republican -- in international security for his career -- and he is VERY gung-ho on the guy.

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by roni

With Gore in the poll, he ties for 3rd with Edwards at 12%, with Clinton at 36% and Obama at 22%.

If Hillary wins, I'll be on here asking how to get an FM3 (?) Mexican work permit!!

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

If Hillary wins, I'll be on here asking how to get an FM3 (?) Mexican work permit!!

I said the same thing about GW.....I am still here....well mostly....

[Mexivoof]

Originally Posted by Jacko

I said the same thing about GW.....I am still here....well mostly....

You and 1/2 of Hollywood, and they are still here too.
Wish I could make it to your Peep Meet, it was great getting to know you in Playa!