I don’t think people as yet comprehend how crazy the 2008 election is going to be. Not only are there no incumbent presidents or vice-presidents running, but it will be the first election like that in a media environment with three 24-7 cable news channels, thousands of blogs, and partisan talk radio. Plus the traditional newspapers and tv outlets. MADNESS. Just look at the likely candidates – people I think are 51% or more likely to run:
Dems
Clinton
Obama
Kerry
Edwards
Clark
Bayh
Biden
Feingold
Republicans
McCain
Romney
Giuliani
Pataki
Frist
Gingrich
Hagel
That doesn’t include “maybe” candidates (Gore, Richardson, Brownback), “protest” candidates (Tancredo) or random folks just popping up on the radar (Kucinich, Sharpton, etc.). Plus, in the case of Clinton, Giuliani, and McCain these people are no mere politicians – they are pop culture celebrities (I mean, she was the freaking first lady). And two of the likely Democratic candidates got 59 million votes just 4 years prior (though I think Kerry is DOA).
Madness.
Fun.
Gingrich? Really?
You left out Jeb. Everyone will be saying how much more intelligent he is by comparison to 43.
Oliver, for once, you and I agree. The 2008 election cycle, for those of us that are political junkies, should be quite a show. However, if it sinks as low as the ‘06 election cycle, it will be a circus.
But its really, really McCain or Guiliani vs Ms Clinton. And I’m not unhappy with that option at all.
I think it’s too early for “really, really.” Once upon a time Howard Dean was the lock for a 2004 Dem candidate, and then all those pesky primaries happened. Once upon a time McCain seemed the most likely candidate for 2000 against Gore, and then all those pesky Rove tactics happened.
buma: I think Bush fatigue all around puts Jeb on the slow track. But he’s sure to go in 2012.
Gingrich is definitely going to run. I would love if he did, because I think he’s sooooo beatable.
The one who scares me the most is McCain.
You left out Jeb. Everyone will be saying how much more intelligent he is by comparison to 43.
I’ve seen cheeseburgers more intelligent by comaprison to 43.
McCain was scarier when he still held “maverick” status. His recent record instead shows somebody who got knuckled under the Bush/Cheney machine; if Bush is still as unpopular in 2008 as he is now, so too will be his toadies.
Don’t discount McCain’s still strong independent/Democratic appeal. His biggest trial will be squeaking through the GOP primaries. He’s more of a real threat to me than Giuliani because he’s very conservative – I think Giuliani has way too many skeletons in his closet to survive presidential scrutiny.
It’s going to be a ball! Wind ‘em up boys and girls. November 8 is a coming!
I’m surprised you left out Rice as a ‘popping on the radar” type.
What about Schweitzer? He’s my favorite.
I think Jeb would beat out everyone on that list except Gingrich, among the Ghenghis Khan wing of the party. The top four on the red list are too librul for the base. Who the hell cares or knows about Frist or Hagel.
My father-in-law is holding out hope for Jesse Ventura.
There’s Mike Gravel also.
Rice isn’t running, and if she does the GOP isn’t nominating a black woman.
Too soon for Schweitzer.
You people are too short-sighted.
Election 2020: President John Hickenlooper.
I’d prefer him to run in 2016 when he’s 64.
Also, you forgot Allen Bunch:
http://www.taxesbad.org/
they are pop culture celebrities (I mean, she was the freaking first lady)
Hillary isn’t a pop culture celebrity because she was first lady, she’s a pop culture celebrity because there’s an entire industry established to attack or defend her. Laura and Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalyn Carter, Betty Ford – none of these women are pop culture celebrities.