As The Iowa Caucuses Loom, Who Will Emerge As The Democratic Nominee?
An inside look at the Democrats running for president.
TAMPA -- With less than a week to go before the first in the nation Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary to follow just days later, it’s a fitting time to assess the Democrat field of candidates running for president. You can read my assessment of the Republican field here. As with the GOP assessment, the candidates are listed alphabetically with their greatest claim to fame, my view of his or her strengths and weaknesses, and a short analysis.
Joseph Biden, United States Senator from Delaware
Greatest claims to fame: dropped out of 1988 Democrat Presidential race after the Dukakis campaign accused him of plagiarizing a campaign speech; has the best hair-plugs in the U.S. Senate.
Greatest strength: Biden has been in the senate for six terms which is not by itself something worth bragging about, but during much of that time he has served on the Foreign Relations Committee, and he is probably the only Democrat candidate who knows the difference between Macedonia and Madagascar.
Greatest weakness: Biden has struggled to define his candidacy with the media-driven fascination with Clinton and Obama. Unfortunately for Biden, his anemic fundraising won’t provide him the opportunity to overcome this obstacle.
Analysis: Joe Biden isn’t stupid and he knows he can’t win. No doubt he is running for Secretary of State in an Obama or Clinton administration, not President of the United States.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senator from New York
Greatest claims to fame: stood by her man when he got funky in the Oval Office with a twenty-two year old White House intern; proved New Yorkers really aren’t that bright when they elected a carpet-bagging opportunist to represent them in the U.S. Senate; known for condescending attitude, polarizing demeanor, and multiple scandals. Clinton could find a cure for cancer next week and yet that is not what she would be remembered for in the history books. Furthermore, Clinton is to U.S. politics what Leona Helmsley was to the hotel business.
Greatest strength: for whatever reason, her husband Bill is still beloved by Democrat party faithful and she’s playing up that asset as much as possible; she’s a fighter but probably too much so for her own good; has a strong network of loyalists and super fundraising so she has consistently been a top-tier candidate though less deservingly so than most of the rest of the field of Democrats.
Greatest weakness: no amount of money or advice from the best political strategists and media consultants can change the fact that Hillary Clinton’s personality is about as appealing as running one’s finger-nails over an old dusty chalk board.
Analysis: in American presidential politics, likeability trumps knowledge, competence, trustworthiness, or experience, and that is why Hillary Clinton will never be President of the United States – she just isn’t likeable.
Christopher Dodd, United States Senator from Connecticut
Greatest claims to fame: Dodd has been in Congress since 1974. I worked in politics on and off Capitol Hill for ten years and follow politics rather religiously. Yet I can’t tell you anything about Dodd other than his “special interest” is banking related issues, he goes on the Sunday talk shows a lot (though he rarely makes much of an impression) and I think he once dated Bianca Jagger and the actress who played Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies. Other than that, he’s basically about as milk-toast as you can get as a member of the U.S. Senate.
Greatest strength: someday some college professor from some third-rate school in Connecticut will write some book no one will buy about the strengths and weaknesses of Senator Chris Dodd.
Greatest weakness: see above.
Analysis: just like Biden, at this point Dodd is jockeying for an appointment in the Clinton or Obama administration. Given his background, Dodd would likely seek Treasury Secretary or a seat on the Federal Reserve.
John Edwards, former United States Senator from North Carolina
Greatest claims to fame: one-term senator; 2004 Democrat VP nominee; previously made millions as a trial lawyer who successfully sued anyone he could, thus driving up all of our insurance rates -- so next time you get a rate increase from State Farm, thank John Edwards; runs around the country talking about how terrible it is to be poor – but lives in a $10 million plus house and gets $400 haircuts. Listen up kiddies, today’s Word of the Day is “hypocrite.”
Greatest strength: that $400 hairdo is unflappable; has strong organization in Iowa (but nowhere else). Edwards must finish in first or a very close second place in Iowa or he is done.
Greatest weakness: anyone who pays $400 for a haircut has questionable judgment. Do you want this guy’s hands on the nuke button?
Analysis: when he wasn’t getting $400 haircuts wherever it is you go to get a $400 haircut, Edwards has been living in Iowa for the last three years. He has strong organization there, so if his people get out to caucus for him, he could spoil or at least delay the nomination of Clinton or Obama. Oh, and for the record, I cut my hair myself with a seven dollar clipper I got at the local Wal-Mart so I guess I’m an atypical voter in that I get steamed about guys who pay four Franklins for a trim.
Mike Gravel, former United States Senator from Alaska
I don’t know much about former Sen. Gravel, but I tell you what, this ol’ guy was a hoot on the stage at the debates the way he lashed out at Clinton, Edwards, and all the other career political clowns in congress now running for president. He’s right about one thing: these people (and their Republican counterparts) are the problem. What Mike is wrong about is, he isn’t the solution. Where is Ross Perot when you need him?
Dennis Kucinich, member of Congress from Ohio
Greatest claim to fame: has a hot wife.
Greatest strength: has a hot wife.
Greatest weakness: admits to once having seen a U.F.O.
Analysis: when all that people know about you is your wife is hot and you’ve seen U.F.
O.s, you don’t have much of a chance at becoming elected President of the United States -- at least not yet.
Barrack Obama, United States Senator from Illinois
Greatest claim to fame: endorsed by Oprah Winfrey. Okay, yeah, I agree, it’s pathetic that a presidential front-runner’s greatest claim to fame is having been endorsed by some daytime TV talk show host. But really folks, what do you know about this guy?
Greatest strength: limited legislative record as public official for Republicans to attack; excellent speaker; easy going and friendly demeanor; wholesome looking wife and kids. While this is a subjective observation, I think most people can objectively agree that since TV became a major fixture in US politics in 1960, the candidate with the better personality, the guy whom you would most want to have a beer with, or the guy you would most likely let baby-sit your kids is the guy who won the White House. That’s why this guy is the most dangerous man to the Republicans’ sights on maintaining the White House. Also, Obama personifies the “American Dream” and that has voter appeal.
Greatest weakness: limited record as public official; has almost zero foreign policy experience. But hey, W. didn’t either! Maybe we should think about this some more…
Analysis: of the twenty typical/average Republicans I have spoken with about the presidential race in the last two weeks, eighteen out of the twenty have said something like “I could live with Obama,” or, “Obama doesn’t scare me the way most Democrats do.” If Democrat Party voters are smart enough (they aren’t) to send Hillary Clinton back to being the junior senator from New York, and nominate Obama, it’s all over for the Republicans. The goons in the GOP party headquarters in Washington have absolutely no idea what to do with anyone other than Clinton, not to mention no idea how to run a successful campaign against a nice, well-educated, attractive, non-threatening black man who uses the King’s English properly. Note to the GOP: if the Dems wake up and nominate this guy, save your campaign money until 2016 because the fat lady has sung!
Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico
Greatest claim to fame: former member of Congress; former Ambassador to the U.N.; former Secretary of Energy; five-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Greatest strength: has done more in any two year period of his professional political life than Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama have done in both of their lives combined.
Greatest weakness: as a friend of mine who works at the White House said, Richardson won’t get the nomination because he’s too fat. That sounds shallow, but what other reason is there, as this guy sure looks good on paper?
Analysis: being the best-rounded candidate in a field of extremely un-well-rounded candidates isn’t much to brag about. Yet if we all got our news from NPR instead of sound bites on Fox and CNN, we’d be hearing a lot more about Bill Richardson. But the situation is what it is, and Richardson will only stay in long enough to give a meaningful endorsement to whomever he thinks the ultimate winner will be (Clinton or Obama). And mark my words, Bill Richardson will be the Democrat’s V.P. nominee.
Okay, so there you have it, my assessment of all the Democrats.
Now here are my predictions for Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina:
In the Democrat race, Clinton barely wins wins Iowa, with Obama on her heels and Edwards in a close third. In more meaningful New Hampshire, Obama wins with Hillary in close second and Edwards in a distant third. In the palmetto state, Obama wins big setting the stage for his nomination with Hillary in a distant second, and Edwards in third place with just single digits. Edwards quickly withdraws and endorses Obama. The Clinton campaign sends out all its big guns to crush Obama but the strategy backfires because Hillary Clinton is a real (fill in the blank) whom even Democrats can’t stand. Obama is the clear nominee by February 5th.
In the GOP race, Romney wins but just barely beats Huckabee in Iowa. In the granite state, voters who know him better than most, say “no thanks” to Romney, and instead give John McCain another victory with Huckabee finishing second, and Romney in a close third. Down in South Carolina, Huckabee squeaks by McCain for first place, with Romney in a close third again. This thing doesn’t have a front-runner until at least Jan. 29th when Florida votes and when Giuliani may emerge. But more than likely Giuliani proves you can’t forego Iowa and New Hampshire and expect to later overcome the momentum candidates who competed in earlier states gained with decent showings. We likely won’t know who the eventual nominee is for another week when twenty-three states vote on February 5th, now known as “Tsunami Tuesday.”
Hey this is fun!
Stay tuned…
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at at chris@411communications.net.
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Who Won The CNN/YouTube Debate?
TAMPA -- Walking out of Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate, I asked my friend and fellow political consultant Jamie Miller who he thought won the debate. Jamie’s response was right on the money. “Mike Huckabee won,” he said. Adding, “though on paper John McCain probably looked just as good.” Jamie didn’t have to add that voters don’t read transcripts of debates, so the token “on paper” victory is meaningless for McCain’s struggling campaign.
So what made Huckabee the winner? First and foremost, he actually answered the questions he was asked (unlike Mitt Romney). And he wasn’t nearly as scripted as some of the other candidates (most notably Giuliani). Furthermore, Huckabee has an easy-going, non-threatening demeanor. This works well for any candidate because it translates into likeability and voters tend to support candidates who have a likeable personality. Huckabee scored big points (based on audience applause) when he told Mitt “say anything/say nothing” Romney we Americans “shouldn’t punish a child because of a parent’s crime” when referring to whether the children of illegal immigrants should be denied college education benefits.
Huckabee’s response to the question about whether or not Jesus would support the death penalty was the night’s best line. Huckabee demonstrated he is quick on his feet and has a great sense of humor when he told CNN host Anderson Cooper “Jesus was too smart to run for public office.”
The Florida Chamber of Commerce sponsored a post-debate poll which was reported in numerous newspapers the day after the debate showing 44 percent of undecided Florida voters who watched the debate believed Huckabee won, with 18 percent saying Giuliani, and 13 percent McCain.
Some newspapers that reported on the poll made it sound as if the poll was an “open” survey which anyone could call in to – which would make it meaningless and prone to hijacking by Ron Paul supporters. Earlier in the day I spoke with Tom Baxter, an old acquaintance and reporter with the Atlanta Journal who explained the methodology of the chamber poll to me. He said: since federal law prohibits polling after 9 p.m. the polling firm hired by the paper had to identify people who planned on watching the debate and then asked them to call-in when it was over. Those who were willing to participate were mailed a post card with the call-in number and a one-time code to ensure there was not any vote stacking. In short, the poll conducted by Insider Advantage was a legitimate poll that would make Theresa LePore choke on a hanging chad. Congratulations Mike Huckabee!
Here is something you probably didn’t see on TV. After the debate in the media “spin room” some guy pushed down a staffer of Mike Huckabee’s. Huckabee caught the tail end of this incident and appeared to be ready to join the brawl to protect his lowly staffer. As a one-time lowly staffer myself, I can tell you, any candidate who is willing to go to the mat for an easily replaceable campaign aide is a good man. The guy who made the attack on the staffer was later escorted out of the debate hall by about a half-dozen of St. Pete’s finest men in blue and they were overheard discussing charging the man with battery. I’m not sure if they did or not, but it sure did provide some post-debate excitement -- nothing like a good brawl.
So Mike Huckabee won, but how about the rest of the bunch?
No doubt Governor Mitt Romney was a big disappointment to anyone looking for an honest answer to a question. Several times the audience snickered listening to Romney (aka Eddie Haskell) as he dodged specific questions or tried to explain his flip-flops on issues like abortion, gay rights and other important issues. About the only refreshing thing he said was when he admitted he was wrong and changed his position (on abortion, on gay rights, on gun control, on immigration, and on pretty much every other issue he was asked about). Being honest about being wrong could be embraced favorably by voters if it were believable. But coming from Romney it just sounds more like a poll-tested response that some consultant told him to say.
When he wasn’t scrapping with Romney, Rudy Giuliani appeared overly prepped and scripted. His answer to a question about how to balance the budget and cut the national debt droned on about cutting federal government spending five to ten percent across the board and not replacing retiring federal workers. The answer was evasive and sounded more like bureaucratic gobble-dee-gook than a well though out plan to address one of the biggest problems facing our nation (out of control spending). The way to control spending is to cut taxes. If Washington doesn’t have your money they can’t spend it. Oh wait, yes they can. They do it every day by running up the national debt. Anyhow, Rudy should have had a better answer. Note to Rudy: get Frank Luntz back on the payroll. And work on that response about gun control. The booing heard in the debate hall doesn’t suggest GOP voters believe or like your answer.
I found myself secretly hoping Fred Thompson would land a knock-out punch. Instead, poor Fred’s attacks come across as mean and negative. That’s no way to appeal to voters already skeptical of your candidacy. It’s too bad Thompson’s campaign is run so poorly because he is the only serious candidate who has taken unpopular but necessary stands on some of the most important issue facing our nation – reforming Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. All of the other candidates merely pander to senior citizens by saying they want to “preserve and protect the system for current and future generations.” That’s about as responsible as a dentist noting you have four cavities and need a root canal but won’t do the procedure and instead sends you home with a bag of Tootsie Rolls. Thompson’s way of thinking would actually make these programs viable for the long-term but given the voting public likes only to hear what it wants as opposed to what it needs, it’s not the winning strategy for Thompson to resuscitate his overly-hyped campaign.
In the spin room Thompson was aided by none other than George “mucaca” Allen. Now the former U.S. Senator is a nice guy who just happened to have had a momentary lapse of good judgment. But still Fred, is this the guy you want talking to the media on your behalf? And really Fred, with thirty some-odd years in Washington is he the best spokesman you can come up with? Whoever is calling the shots at the Thompson campaign needs to go back to campaign school. Maybe once the Hollywood writer’s strike is over Fred will drop out and go back to Law and Order. You can’t win a presidential race with no enthusiasm for campaigning.
John McCain came close to having some knock-out punches but his penchant for talking too much and hearing his own voice left his potential good one-liners lying flat. Still, he got three standing ovations from the crowd – the only other standing Os were received by non-candidate Florida Governor Charlie Crist before the debate started. McCain looks old and tired – anything but the Maverick fighter he used to be. Perhaps President Huckabee will make him Secretary of Defense.
In case you didn’t know it beforehand, Tom Tancredo said he believes legal and illegal immigration is wrong. I wonder what Tom’s ancestors would have thought about this position. Tom also thinks there aren’t any jobs American’s aren’t willing to do that need to be available to immigrants. Note to Tom: you’re wrong. Here in Florida, oranges rot on the ground because growers can’t find enough legal or illegal workers to harvest the crop. So unless you’re willing to pay $12.00 for a head of lettuce Tom, recognize we need immigrant labor.
If you blinked you might have missed it, but yes, Duncan Hunter was in fact on the stage and he was asked a few questions. However, his answers were not memorable, funny, or thought provoking. Hunter should drop out and go back to building border fences.
Finally, poor Ron Paul was on the defensive all night. This is not where you want to be on the national stage. He basically had to defend the wing-nut, “black helicopters are coming to get us” conspiracy crowd of which he is the honorary Grand Poo-Pah. Paul is the Chevy Nova of political campaigns. That car’s sales bombed when GM tried to sell it in Mexico because Nova translates into “no go” in Spanish. Packaging and marketing matter in politics and Ron Paul doesn’t get it. The more you watch him, the weirder you realize he is. I’ll bet he has seen (just like Democratic freak-case Dennis Kucinich) UFOs. Somebody should ask him about that.
In my last column, I said this column would focus on the Democrat candidates. But since the GOP debate was in town, I decided to put the Democrats off for the next column. Besides, what’s the point? We all know the party of big government is foolish enough to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at at chris@411communications.net.
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An Inside Look At The Republican Candidates Running For President
Welcome to the Irreverent View, my new column appearing on FrontPageFlorida.com. The column will focus on political topics of interest to Floridians.
According to Dictionary.com “irreverent” means:
1. Lacking or exhibiting a lack of reverence; disrespectful.
2. Critical of what is generally accepted or respected; satirical: irreverent humor.
This column will be more of the latter than the former. I’ll only be disrespectful when an elected official or candidate disrespects the voters. That’s fair game.
Just who am I and what makes me qualified to spout my opinion about politics? I worked in Washington, D.C. on and off the Hill for nearly ten years. I’ve been a campaign strategist, chief of staff to a member of Congress, and a political pollster, and pundit on Fox and CNN and have contributed columns published in the Washington Times, National Review Online, and United Press International. Today, I am the president of my own Tampa-based company 411 Communications , a public opinion research and communications firm for corporate and political clients.
So there is the short version of my background. You can read my full bio here. (URL to bio is: http://www.411communications.net/chrisingrambio.html) My background doesn’t make my opinion any better, or any more right (or wrong) than yours. It’s just my opinion. But my opinion is here on FrontPageFlorida.com and yours is not because I know the publisher and he thinks I’m a swell guy.
So here it is, my inaugural column for FrontPageFlorida.com. What I think of the 2008 Republican Presidential Candidates:
As the Republican presidential candidates pander to the right-wing of the party and try to “out Reagan” one another, it is important to cut through all the consultant created, poll-tested messages and recognize the candidates all have certain strengths and weaknesses. For voters, the toughest thing to do is to see through all of the campaign rhetoric and accept each candidate for what he is – bunions, blemishes, bad hair, bad ideas, and all.
Since I don’t buy into the notion of “top tier” candidates – there are only top tier media darlings – here is an equal look at each candidate, (in alphabetical order for fairness) with my view of his strengths and weaknesses and a short analysis.
Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City
Greatest claims to fame: did the impossible by cleaning up New York City; 9-11 leadership following Twin Towers attack; used to have really bad comb-over; keeps divorce lawyers busy; once photographed dressed in drag.
Greatest strength: he’s anti-gun, pro-gay, and pro-choice; Hillary’s “November Nightmare.”
Greatest weakness: he’s anti-gun, pro-gay, and pro-choice; Republican Primary voters will never elect this guy who has more baggage than an airline terminal.
Analysis: if the American public still perceives the economy is in the tank on Election Day, Rudy will have a hard time capitalizing on his 9-11 leadership as his signature issue because economic issues trump terrorism as a voter motivator. In addition to his liberal social positions, what GOP voter is going to trust a liberal New York Republican to be tough on taxes and spending? He couldn’t overcome all his personal obstacles and face Hillary in the 2000 N.Y. Senate race. What has changed Rudy?
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas
Greatest claim to fame: got really fat and then lost a lot of weight.
Greatest strength: for Republicans looking for a “true conservative,” Huckabee is the only real deal in the bunch.
Greatest weakness: fundraising is not what would qualify as “top tier;” may be too conservative for General Election voters; hails from Arkansas (this could be a fun asset against Hillary as he reminds voters of her opportunistic tendencies in debates when he reminds her she used to be an Arkansan but is now a New Yorker).
Analysis: Huckabee has earned the title of the religious conservatives’ candidate having forced ultra-fringe Sen. Sam Brownback out of the field last week. And Huckabee is starting to appear as a media favorite earning accolades from the New York Times’ David Brooks who says he’s earned the right to be a top tier media darling. The challenge for the other man from Hope will be to balance gaining support from religious conservatives while simultaneously appealing to mainstream voters While all the GOP candidates invoke the name of Ronald Reagan at every Iowa BBQ or New Hampshire town hall meeting they attend, Huckabee may be the only one in the field who could actually be the next Ronald Reagan.
Duncan Hunter, member of Congress from California
Greatest claim to fame: never got really fat and had to lose a lot of weight.
Greatest strength: he’s strong! Listening to this guy you would think he single-handedly built a 730 mile section of border fence on the U.S./Mexican border. Don’t take Duncan’s slender frame for granted, he could be the next Jesse Ventura; as president, would have a take no prisoners approach to China trade and illegal immigration; if elected, buy stock in companies that manufacture bricks.
Greatest weakness: no one knows who he is; close ties to disgraced former Congressman Duke Cunningham (now in prison) and Defense Contractor Mitchell Wade (also in prison and the same Mitchell Wade who took former Rep. Katherine Harris out to a $2,800 dinner).
Analysis: if one of the media’s top tier candidates had Hunter’s baggage (Cunningham/Wade scandal) that is all you would hear about. It’s not an issue with Hunter because as far as the media is concerned, he’s not a serious candidate.
John McCain, United States Senator from Arizona
Greatest claims to fame: spent five years in P.OW. camp in Vietnam; involved in Keating Five congressional bribery scandal; put a whooping on W. in New Hampshire Primary in 2000 then got horse-whipped by Karl Rove in S.C.; authored worst piece of federal legislation (campaign finance “reform”) ever enacted; disdains pork-barrel spending.
Greatest strength: this guy is a fighter. Don’t underestimate John McCain and his anemic fundraising, low poll numbers, and staff defections.
Greatest weakness: beltway insiders loathe him, right-wing conservatives don’t believe he is a true conservative, soccer moms, NASCAR dads, and other “mainstream/moderate” voters no longer see McCain as a their Maverick hero.
Analysis: to say the “Straight Talk Express” broke down is an understatement. The bus has been headed down a dead end street ever since George W. Bush rear-ended it on some dirt road in South Carolina in 2000. McCain hasn’t been able to realign the front-end ever since. His appeal in that campaign was he was a Washington Maverick and didn’t mind being well, irreverent. That had appeal. Now he’s Bush’s Number One cheerleader on Iraq and (along with the president) dead wrong on immigration reform. McCain’s problem this year is he has no political strategy or identity. But don’t count him out just yet. For all of his flaws, out of this bunch, McCain is probably the candidate most-qualified to be president.
Ron Paul, member of Congress from Texas
Greatest claims to fame: one of only six Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted against the Iraq War Resolution; 1988 Libertarian candidate for president; medical doctor who continued to delivered babies while in Congress; once accused Bill Clinton of fathering illegitimate children and using drugs.
Greatest strength: this section left intentionally blank.
Greatest weakness: looks like the character Montgomery Burns on the television show “The Simpson’s.”
Analysis: for every great idea Ron Paul ever has, he has three really stupid ones. That’s why he isn’t a serious candidate and is not a media darling. But like Democrat gadfly Mike Gravell, he’s fun to have on the debate stage. So whoever is sending this guy money, please keep it up!
Fred Thompson, former United States Senator from Tennessee
Greatest claim to fame: Hollywood actor turned politician, once married to Jane Wyman – no wait! That was Ronald Reagan. This guy is no Ronald Reagan.
Greatest strength: occasionally appears in a good movie – plays roll of president/leader well; once wrongly believed by political pundits and prognosticators to be the next Ronald Reagan; took what felt like twelve years to decide and prepare for presidential run; fell flat on his face and still looks like it hurts.
Greatest weakness: looks like a whipped mule headed for a glue factory.
Analysis: I struggled with what to say about Thompson. Earlier this year I thought he was going to be the next Ronald Reagan (I thought the same about George “macaca”Allen about two years ago – maybe I’m not so good at this...). But boy, has Thompson been a disappointment. Substantively, he talks a good game about seriously addressing issues like saving Social Security and doing something about our national debt and immigration. In the senate though, he didn’t accomplish much – unless you consider opposing the fight to end lawsuit abuse and passage of McCain/Feingold campaign finance “reform” an accomplishment. Thompson’s problem now is he never looks like he actually wants to be doing what he’s doing (running for president). Instead he looks like an actor who took a job in a B-rate movie because he needed the money. Fred, next time, read the script first. Watching this campaign hurts. Word is his wife (who is an accomplished political consultant in her own right) is a big meddler in the campaign. Spouses can be an asset, or a liability, and in this case she appears to be the latter. There is still time for Thompson to turn it around, but he is no longer the 800 pound gorilla everyone thought he was going to be before he got in. The bar of expectations has been Thompson’s unraveling. Too bad Fred. Hope to see you back on Law and Order next season.
Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts
Greatest claims to fame: elected Republican governor in 2.5:1 Democrat leaning Massachusetts; took credit for turning around scandal-plagued Salt Lake City Olympics; once strapped dog crate and dog to roof of the old family truckster en-route to summer vacation with the kids.
Greatest strength: great smile; handsome; will gladly change position on any important issue for a vote.
Greatest weakness: when forty percent of the American people say they would not vote for a candidate for president who is a Mormon and you are a Mormon, that is your greatest weakness. You don’t have to be a highly paid political consultant to figure this one out…
Analysis: at first look, Mitt Romney is a dream candidate. He’s good looking, extremely smart, and for conservative Republicans, he’s right on the issues. Today. Where he was yesterday is a different story. Simply put, this guy is the Republicans’ version of one William Jefferson Clinton. Personally, I don’t want a Republican Bill Clinton. I don’t want to win so badly that we have to nominate a candidate who clearly believes in nothing other than the sheen on his perfectly pasted smile. Who are all of these people supporting him? Do they not have any convictions on any issues? Whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, a second amendment supporter or a gun control advocate, how will you ever know what this guy actually believes? The answer: not until the damage is done.
No matter who gets the G.O.P. (or Democrat) nomination, the November election promises to be a battle like American voters haven’t seen in decades. And the election has a number of firsts or potential firsts. This is the first election since 1928 in which there is neither an incumbent president nor vice-president running. It has the potential to be the first election with a black, Latino, or woman as the nominee of a major party. It will be the first time since 1952 (with the exception of 1964) in which a Nixon, Dole, or Bush was not on the G.O.P. ticket. And if (God forbid) Hillary Clinton got elected, it would be the first time two families were elected to the presidency for six consecutive terms. Oh the thought of President Hillary… Pass the Rolaids.
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