Friday, January 04, 2008

Do We Know Anything Yet?

"Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

The results of the Iowa caucus are in, and Mike Huckabee has won on the Republican side. Mitt Romney finished a distant second and Fred Thompson a distant third. What happened to Rudy? Are Republicans starting to see through his pretense of Conservatism?

On the Democrat side, Barack Obama has won and John Edwards and Hillary finished second and third respectively. I don't think any of those three could win against any Republican, but then, my faith in the intelligence of the American people has been proven misguided before.

Democrats Biden and Dodd have dropped out of the race. Apparently they think their Democratic constituents are too dumb to vote for experience.

When will Ron Paul, John McCain, and Duncan Hunter (the best choice for President) drop out, and who will they ultimately endorse?

Rarely has the winner of the Iowa caucus won the eventual Presidential election. So, does the outcome have any significance?

7 comments:

Dan Trabue said...

Democrats Biden and Dodd have dropped out of the race. Apparently they think their Democratic constituents are too dumb to vote for experience.

Seems to me the people of Iowa have spoken quite clearly that they want a changing of the guard. Not just kicking out Republicans or Dems, but kicking out those entrenched in the two party system and seeking outsiders with a positive message of change and integrity.

That's what this suggests to me about Iowa.

(And I think you're seriously wrong if you think ANY of these Republicans have much of a chance in the final election this fall. They are all flawed enough that they will likely all be swift-boated by the Republicans themselves.

Will the Republicans at large vote for Rudy or McCain? No way. Will they vote for Romney or Thompson? Perhaps reluctantly, but I don't think they or any of the others stand much of a chance in the general elections. The Republicans best hope lies in the Dems running Hillary, who is extremely divisive candidate, but even then, I think the Dems would win.

Just my opinion.)

Mark said...

"They are all flawed enough that they will likely all be swift-boated by the Republicans themselves."

So you think that the Republicans will find proof that all their candidates are unfit for command based on a record of cowardice and treason under fire?

Dan Trabue said...

So you think that the Republicans will find proof that all their candidates are unfit for command based on a record of cowardice and treason under fire?

No, I mean the Republicans have a history of eating their own (see McCain's campaign against Bush). I don't think any of them have much of a chance to win in the general election. I think their strongest candidates on the nat'l field (McCain, Guiliani) will never be given support by Republicans at large. Similarly for Romney - I just don't think that many evangelicals will get fired up about voting for a Mormon.

I could be wrong. Just my opinion.

My suspicion for a while now is that our next president will be President Obama. I just don't think the Republicans have anyone running that can overcome all the negative drawbacks of the current administration. I think the Bush presidency has created a huge sucking hole dragging in anything that chooses to remain in its vicinity.

The Republicans best chance is to hope the Dems nominate Clinton and to distance their candidate from Bush - denouncing his presidency as delicately and strongly as possible.

If they want my advice.

Timothy said...

Hi Mark,
I'm still hoping Thompson, or, well Thompson will make a surge. I like Huckabee as a person, but don't want him as a president. He reminds me too much of another candidate from Hope.
Blessings

BB-Idaho said...

The only GOP candidate with combat experience said this:
McCain : I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable. As it is none of these individuals served on the boat (Kerry) commanded. Many of his crewmates have testified to his courage under fire. I think John Kerry served honorably in Vietnam
..at http://www.factcheck.org/republican-funded_group_attacks_kerrys_war_record.html

Mark said...

" I mean the Republicans have a history of eating their own "

Are you kidding? Are you old enough to remember anything before the last Presidential campaign? They ALL AlWAYS attack each other before a candidate is chosen in convention.

Yes even Democrats. Especially Democrats. Wait til you see what Hillary has in mind for Obama.

Lone Ranger said...

Here's my prediction. B. Hussein Obama and John McCain will take Blue Hampshire.