Republican Canidate For 2008

Article By Writer Michael Kraft Author: Michael Kraft
Published: April 26, 2007
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Media Lizzy brings us a breakdown of the current leading republican canidates and their prospects and drawbacks.

The GOP Field Today:
For 2008, Rudy Giuliani is a likable and charismatic candidate. He’s got great name ID. He was the guy on the ground as the Towers fell. He owns his positions on the issues - he hangs a lantern on most of his policy portfolio. It’s refreshing. He’s energizing young people. BUT, Giuliani is also the guy who risks a lot by not addressing the Bernard Kerik matter in a much more direct fashion. Look, the truth is subjective. Giuliani’s campaign simply has to get real. It’s not the ads that his fellow Republicans will run against him in the primary that he must worry about. It is the ads that Democrats and MoveOn.org and Code Pink will run. Rudy’s got to convince more than a few people he’s taking this seriously, and that he really wants to be President - not just be famous. Disclosure, disclosure, disclosure. To be the most authentic guy - he’s actually got to be the most nakedly honest guy running for the Oval Office. If he doesn’t OWN this ground, it will leave the door wide open for Fred Thompson. Does anyone know how he met his wife Judith yet?

UPDATE: If Rudy wants to be President, he’ll own his life, his career, and even his mistakes. He could take a page out of his friend Bernard Kerik’s playbook… and be a real man. Read this, and remember why we all fell in love with Kerik in the first place: The Storm that Wrecked Bernie Kerik’s Career. If Rudy chooses not to be bold - he’ll prove his critics are correct. Enter the Glass Jaw.

John S. McCain: Yuck. He’s got the most bureaucracy laden campaign structure in modern history. All of his top consultants think they’re the one with magic access and magic powers. Except not one of them has delivered fundraising magic. Tough gig. Also, McCain & his BC04 (04 being the important part) consultants underestimate the lingering animosity Bush supporters from 1999/2000 feel towards McCain. McCain didn’t like South Carolina - tough. Neither did the Bush supporters - because we remember the “Paid for by McCain 2000″ fliers placed on our cars, on private property at events then-Governor Bush was attending. We remember, and we don’t like him. Our vindication came during the last SC debate when W pulled out one of the fliers and McCain got busted for either lying or incompetence in campaign staff management. Even during McCain’s announcement today, he seems to think the old baggage won’t come back to bite him. He talked about “falling in love” with his country when he came back from an extended absence. If you like McCain, you’ll think “how modest” he is to not mention the POW thing. For me, it’s more like - “he came home, left the wife who waited for him and left her for the heiress that subsequently funded his political ambition and helped him overcome his inferiority complex about not measuring up to his father & grandfathers expectations” - but hey, maybe that’s just me. In any case, I predict McCain will get out either right before or right after the 2nd quarter finance reports at the FEC… and he’ll endorse Fred Thompson. UPDATE: One final thought on John McCain - I personally believe he would stay in this race JUST to drive down support for President Bush. It stands to reason that if all the hard-core Bushies can’t stand McCain - the feeling is mutual. Take it or leave it - the man is petty. And if you hate Bush, who better to align yourself with than…. do your research on his consultants - and you’ll have the answer.

Mitt Romney: He’s running the smartest campaign right now… under the radar - purchasing every straw poll vote available. He understands how the game is played. And he’s got Barb Comstock who is one of the most magnificent opposition researchers in the country. She’s served at Justice, the RNC - she’s a great asset when it’s time to navigate through the muddy deep of separating candidate from President Bush after the convention in Minneapolis next year. Not to mention, Alex Castellanos is on board. Talk about the master of media/ads/contrast and all things…. he’s simply tough to beat. Not one of the other Republican candidates has picked up the only guy who could beat Castellanos. And no, I won’t say who I think that is. When & if that guy signs on - rest assured, I’ll write it up and brag.

You can read the entire 2008 breakdown with great links to related articles here.

Republican Canidate For 2008 election outlook for the leading republicans in the race