THIS IS A THREAD in which news and information can be posted about 2008 Republican Presidential Contenders. As always, please post links to the sources for the information.

Possible Republican Contenders:

REP.TOM TANCREDO

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN

GOV. MITT ROMNEY

SEN. BILL FRIST

GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE

GEORGE ALLEN

NEWT GINGRICH

SEN. SAM BROWNBACK

SEN. CHARLES HAGEL

GOV. GEORGE PATAKI

Giuliani takes first step toward '08 presidential bid

November 13, 2006

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, known for his apt city leadership after the September 11, 2001, attacks, took the first step toward a possible 2008 White House bid by forming a presidential exploratory committee.

Giuliani has not officially decided whether to run, said committee Treasurer John Gross in a statement.

"We have taken the necessary legal steps so an organization can be put in place and money can be raised," Gross said.

A document from the New York Department of State says Giuliani made the initial filing Friday.



READ MORE HERE

Giuliani compares Bush to Winston Churchill

It looks like someone else is in a state of denial.

Yesterday, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani set up an exploratory committee for a possible run at the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Arizona Senator John McCain made a similar announcement over the weekend. It is likely that Bill Frist, Mitt Romney, George Pataki and Mike Huckabee will do the same in the coming weeks.

As of now, if he does indeed run, Giuliani will try to gain Republican support by cuddling up to President Bush. The former New York Mayor defended George W. Bush yesterday, even comparing the recent anti-Bush sentiment to the kind that the late Winston Churchill received years ago:

Giuliani said.

I will give Giuliani one thing: It is easy to misinterpret a guy who has trouble finishing a sentence. But it sure isn't easy to misinterpret policies that have hurt working families in this country. That was why Bush and his party got a vote of 'no confidence' one week ago.



READ MORE HERE

Like I said before, I cannot imagine any thinking person EVER voting for a Republican. They just seem so dishonest and anti-American in philosophy and mannerism.

You might as well bring back Dan Quayle. At least we could get some legitimate jokes.

Do you guys get Second City Television? The re-runs, I mean. ? One of the best comedy show ever if my opinion, out of Toronto. Excellent skits and spoofs. It is like Saturday Night Live, except much better, in my opinion of course.

Anyhow, they did a piece about Dan Quayle one time. The scene is George Bush 1 ( the retard's father ) is going out for a night on the town. I guess it was a Saturday night or something. And, he is in his chauffeured limo. And, a thought occurred to the President and in a state of fear or shock he realizes something and says:

" oh my God. I left Dan in charge of the White House "

Don't know if anyone saw that, but it stuck with me.

And, lest we forget. Bush 1 was called the " whimp "

When I read that Rudy G. had that exalted opinion of the monkey that has been at the helm of our country for the last six years, and who has done more harm to it than anyone else on the face of the planet, I put him right into the same box as Harriet Myers, Bush's one-time Supreme Court nominee.

You will remember tha Myers was quoted as saying that W was the most intelligent man she'd ever met.

Catherine

Republican Sen. John McCain will file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday to create a presidential exploratory committee, his aides said Wednesday.

The Arizona senator also launched a Web site that allows supporters to donate and join his effort by donating money. His speech before the conservative group GOPAC on Thursday will be broadcast on the site.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who served as Health and Human Services Secretary in President Bush's first term, said Wednesday he intends to form a committee to explore a possible run for the White House in 2008.

"I intend to do so after the first of the year," the Republican said in reference to establishing an exploratory committee.


read more here

McCain? Well, he supports the war and increasing the troop level. I guess that means the Complex loves thi guy.

Does anything ever change?

At this point and time, I'd say McCain is probably the most likely nominee. He's sought it before, has a very recognizable name, is a war-hero (why Vietnam remains a political issue in today's America is beyond me!), is mainstream, has experience in high office, I--think--is perceived as a 'moderate' Republican (which will be a plus in 08), is currently a Senator, and WANTS to be President, is getting older, and probably won't get another chance after 2008 . He was trumped by Bush Jr. in 2000, but I see no other such 'aristocrat' waiting in the wings to displace him for 2008. He might be the best available candidate for the Rs in what may be another difficult election for them in 08.



So, NO thinking person votes R? Do you seriously believe that? Do you not realize that the MILLIONS of people voting R are saying the same thing about YOU? I can understand your fustration with the current admin and many in Congress/Senate, but do you honestly lob ALL pols who are Rs into the same category as Bush? I will say that, FAR too many have voted the party line, but MANY voted against Patriot Act 2 (just as many Ds voted for it). In the Senate, Rs and Ds voted--almost unanimously--for Patriot Act. What does that tell you? I--rarely--will vote R, just as I will--rarely--vote D, and I consider myself a thinking person (when it comes to politics, at least) who can see beyond labels like "conservative", "liberal", etc.

I think Americans do themselves a great disservice when they identify w/a particular party label. It really does turn politics into an US v. THEM sport-like endeavor, when in reality, WE ALL lose in this type of system. Instead of voting in the greatest interest of the COUNTRY, as a whole, people vote what they perceive is in THEIR personal, best interest.

I live in CA, where Ds hold substantial advantages in the State Legislature and have dominated politics in the state for decades. CA ranks near the bottom in education, is a VERY expensive (not sure how this benefits 'regular Joe's', like me) place to live, has one of the highest tax burdens (again, don't know how this helps working people), hospitals are in horrible shape, infrastructure is crumbling, public debt (which will eat up more and more of the budget as time goes by) is out of control, has more laws per capita (does more rules = more freedom/liberalism?) than any other state, the state capitol is crawling w/lobbyists, state employees unions have formed a sick symbiosis w/Ds to maintain the status quo (RIDICULOUS pay/benefits for state employees/political power for Ds), it is a very restrictive/difficult place for private property owners/businessmen (esp. small-time entrepreneurs), and crime is very high. Yes, it is ranked among top-10 highest GDPs in the world, but the USA is 1st, and I doubt any on this site (I know I DIDN'T) lauded GWB and the GOP these last 6 years.

I'm not picking on Ds, JOMT, and don't think the Rs--as a whole--are any better. I'm illustrating that electing Ds isn't the be-all, end-all solution to our problems. I've had many loyal, D-voting friends/family be forced out of CA due to it becoming a difficult place to afford to live; I'm sure they made no connection between the two. I believe D policy (which, obviously, seems to be supported by a large majority of Californians) has contributed to this. This is why I voted for a R in this last election (Tom McClintock for Lt. Gov): he was on of the few mainstream pols to take a REAL stand against policies that hurt this state, but--predictably--he lost for being too much of a 'right-winger'. Typical of the electorate in this state: they just keep on voting D, regardless of how things keep deteriorating for working-class folks in this state.

Doesn't say much for the company she keeps, does it?

NO, it doesn't, Stripey!

Myers has disappeared into the dark netherworld of an administration reject...she may have to resurface as Bush's lawyer if the Dems ever begin investigations into Bush's roles in all of the Repub corruption that the people voted so vigorously against.

Catherine

McCain calls for common sense in GOP

By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John McCain, casting himself as the embodiment of the Republican Party's future in the vein of Ronald Reagan, said Thursday the GOP has lost its way and must return to "common-sense conservatism."

"Though we suffered a tough defeat last week, we will recover if we learn our lesson well and once again offer Americans enlightened, effective and principled leadership," the Arizona Republican said in a speech that laid out his vision for the party's path forward - and could set the tone for a potential presidential campaign.


LINK

I don't like this. McCain, I mean, telling America they have to go back to their roots and all that. It is just appealling to peoples' sympathies. It is just all bullshit if you ask me. Referring to Ronald Reagan. That is the part that really irritates me.

America they say has become more conservative in its political leanings. That is the message the media wants you to believe. I believe that is a form of deception. And, just another method of trying to control the population. Do the left wing bloggers feel a need or sense to become more conservative in their political outlook on things? Personally, I am insulted.

I do not like this soft sell approach by McCain. He is still for war and the Complex. Like I said in a previous post. I don not trust Republicans. I believe they have an agenda that is not in harmony with the needs of those who need help or are merely trying to survive in an ever increasing competitive and chaotic world. Republicans have other aims and other supporters. McCain is a nice pretty face with a nice soft message. I am not buying it.
I think he loses anyway even if he wins. I think the Democratic tide will be strong in 08. Just elect somebody that is electable that is all the Democratic Party has to do.

I agree. It seems like any R candidate (Arnold invoked RR's name in Gov race) tries to associate him/herself w/this 'winner's' name. Ronnie's 2 landslide victories had more to do w/circumstances (Carter was blamed for things totally outside of his control) and a very weak opponent in Mondale(and, while an admirable gesture, I don't think having Ferraro as a running mate helped, much). I think Regan has become one of those figures almost beyond reproach, in America. I also think his anti-Big Govt credentials are very overrated.



I'm not even sure I know what 'conservative' (or, 'liberal', for that matter) means, anymore. The higher up the political ladder you go, the less it seems to matter. Democrat/Republican are kind of generic terms, with little meaning, anymore. They both, largely, represent the interests of the Big Corp/Big Govt system (i.e., are for the Fascist status quo). Now, we KNOW where the Green, Peace & Freedom, Libertarian, Socialist, et al Partys are coming from--they have the honesty to tell you! No 'centrist' pols in those Partys! I think the political spectrum is much, much wider/more diverse than our 'two' Party system reflects. Most people, unfortunately, think they only have 3 choices: R, D, or not voting (which may be the best option of the 3!). If people were true to their beliefs, many of the 'fringe' Partys would be active participants in Govt, instead of garnering 'wasted' votes.



Agree, again. Really, McCain makes a lot of sense for the Rs. He REALLY wants to be President, and will run in 08, regardless of his chances. And if he loses? He's already near the end of his political career, so no harm done. American politics has degenerated into a contest of picking the 'lesser' of two evils. I still hold out hope that a legit 3rd Party will emerge, maybe even a splinter group leaving one of the major Partys; I think its more likely that the R Party would fracture than the Ds. I think there exists a significant minority of Rs who lean Libertarian, and I DO think a large # of Americans (SOME Ds, Is, and non-voters) would get behind a 3rd Party that is TRULY independent and for smaller Govt/reforming Govt (remember Perot?).

Kansas' Brownback considers presidential bid
Says ideals, policy positions can trump poor name recognition

Sen. Sam Brownback, who is considering a White House bid in 2008, said Monday the Republican field has room for a "full-scale Ronald Reagan conservative" and pledged to make a final decision next month.

The Kansas senator said he was not discouraged from running by the Democrats' strong gains in this month's midterm elections, including assuming majority control of the House and Senate.

LINK

Geez...the Repubs are behaving like Elvis impersonators...except they're all trying to look like Ronald Reagan!