Some 2008 News
Pretty good 2008 preview on some selected candidates at the end of NBC’s First Read today. Here’s a peak at a couple:
Chuck Hagel (R-NE): “We’re a long way from that decision,” Hagel told The Hill in June. Asked if he had the backing of social conservatives, Hagel said, “I’m not worried about that… Right now, I’m not thinking about that.” But Hagel visited New Hampshire in May and had a jam-packed schedule of fundraisers and speeches. He also addressed both the New Hampshire and Iowa delegations at the RNC convention in New York last year.
John Kerry (D-MA): In May, Kerry told the New York Times he wasn’t sure if he’d run for president again. “I don’t have any clue,” he said. But this week, he chartered a plane and flew much needed supplies to Hurricane Katrina victims. Kerry has also been back to Iowa, New Hampshire, and Washington state, among others, and through his PAC, he pays staffers to work for local candidates in New Hampshire.
A thought experiment for my readers: God forbid, if the 2008 matchup was Hagel versus Kerry, who would you vote for? (I’d have to hold my nose and vote for Kerry: at least we would all kinds of opportunity for great sport at his expense for four years).
Thanks Mark, now I’m gonna have nightmares before I go to sleep.
I honestly can’t think of a Republican seriously considering to run who would be worse than Hagel. Even Brownback, whose been drinking the Kool Aid over the fetal tissue issue of late, would be a better choice, since he at least understands that, when you are at war, surrender is not the most effective strategy for victory. Fortunately, his chance of winning the Republican nomination are only slightly higher than Al Sharpton’s.
You know, Kerry’s flip-floppiness might be of use to him here. I still have no idea what he would have done in Iraq had he won, but I’m pretty sure Hagel would insist not only should we bug out, but also order the soldiers do so with ear-piercing shrieks. I’d take my chances with Kerry.
(Actually, I’d probably do what I’ve done in other elections that made me want to retch; write in my kids’ names. I like to think somewhere in some government vault, some bean-counter has dutifully counted them as receiving votes.)
Kerry. In a heartbeat. (Of course, I voted for him in the last election too, so I may be a bad source.)
Dennis, should this nightmare scenario come to pass, I may ask you for your kids’ position papers…
They’re not fiscal conservatives, I can tell you that. My daughter believes we need more spending on Barbie production, while my son is in favor of increased investment in Star Wars. Not SDI, but the action figures.
Of course, I kind of agree with him on that. Barbies? They’re girl toys. Blecch.
Brilliant…your son’s Supreme Court nominee could employ the Chewbacca defense…
Chuck Hagel has the advantage as a former keeper of one of the voting machine companies. Nothing like more cronyism in calling on favors from old friends. Slick as tricky dick that one.
http://www.onlisareinsradar.com/archives/000896.php
All is not as it seems with that one and it seems many in D.C. count on the public having long term memory loss.