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2012 Speculation
Weekly Standard Blog —
Jonathan Martin has a piece on GOP contenders already maneuvering for the 2012 nomination. Already? I know. Before you click on that link, consider what Hayley Barbour tells Martin:
“Oh, man,” drawled Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, when asked about 2012 and specifically his own interest in a possible presidential run. “I’m going to tell you something. One of the worst things that can happen to the Republican Party in our effort to rebuild is for a bunch of people to start running for president. Anybody harboring that ambition needs to squelch it until after 2010. … Anybody out there running for president is undercutting what’s ...
MIDDAY ROUNDUP
News —
MIDDAY ROUNDUP An increased allotment of bailout funds for AIG draws scrutiny from both sides of the debate today, while liberals find optimism in Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) decision to again lead Democrats’ congressional efforts in 2010. Conservatives meanwhile contemplate how to stand in opposition to the incoming Democratic control of Congress and the White House. News that new bailout funds may go to troubled lender AIG leads Michelle Malkin to wonder where the fiscally conservative counterinsurgency has gone in the U.S., as she points to the excesses and mismanagement of the firm. The publicly available numbers on AIG make the new round of ...
11/10: The Calm Before The Storm
Blogometer —
... : "Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators. He didn't support us on military stuff and he didn't support us on Iraq stuff. But you look at his record, it's pretty good. He comes from one of the most liberal states in the country. He is -- Joe Lieberman is not some rightwing nutcase. Joe Lieberman is one of the most progressive people ever to come from the state of Connecticut." THOUGHT OF THE DAY: The Internet Should Kill 2012 Talk The Next Right 's Patrick Ruffini thinks it's way too early to speculate about the GOP's 2012 contenders: "Barack Obama ...
The GOP hopefuls go all Bull Durham on us
Betsy's Page —
Patrick Ruffini says that conservative bloggers should stop focusing on 2012 and reminds us that no one in November 2004 would have predicted that Barack Obama would have been the winner. We were probably still talking about George Allen and Bill Frist. Oh, Patrick, you take all the fun out of it. I agree that it's futile, but hey, that's a lot of what political observers do - futile, useless speculation. Witness all the speculation over who may or may not be in Obama's cabinet. Though I agree that the candidates themselves should now disclaim all interest in the nomination. And they're all doing that, just as they should. As they tell the reporters ...
Remainders: Keeping him in
Jonathan Martin's Blog —
Heilemann previews the Obama infighting.
Human rights groups call for him to close Gitmo.
Obama doesn't want Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus.
Salter goes to the mat to defend McCain.
Newt graciously says he'll accept the RNC chair if offered.
Final turnout: 130 million.
Solis Doyle in the White House?
Ruffini wants to squash all 2012 talk now, pointing out that no one talked about Obama until October 2006.
Which Emanuel brother are you? ...
More thoughts on what next
Stubborn Facts —
Here's some good news: Scott Rasmussen thinks that the polling data doesn't support the conclusion that the electorate has fundamentally changed. Reaganism, he says, is still alive and kicking. Sean Oxendine concurs.
But then the bad news. We (that is, the party) blew it, says PJ O'Rourke. Moreover, we (that is, SF) warned against retaining failed leadership in the House. They're not listening, and Publius adds this. Sitting back and waiting for the electorate to change its mind, concluding that election returns are no verdict on you, is what kept the dems in the minority for twelve years. Get used to life in the ...
Mike Huckabee Plays Selfish Attack Dog, Not GOP Leader
Sound Politics —
... : Anyone interested in 2012 must help in 2010. Republicans should remember how much presidential candidates help in re-energizing the grass roots, raising funds, encouraging good candidates and articulating a strong message. Palin, Romney, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Huckabee, Jindal, Giuliani: if you want to lead our ticket, earn our good will. 2) From Patrick Ruffini : So, I implore you, quit focusing on 2012, and focus on 2010 and on showing the Republican Party can rebuild at the state legislative, Congressional, and statewide levels in 2010. (That's where we're starting with ...
Marco Rubio for Senate?
The American Scene —
It is very rare for me to boost candidate, not least because winning the Reihan primary is, if anything, a poisoned chalice. But ever since serious journalists have attributed Great Mentioning powers to me, I’ve been feeling obligated to weigh in. With that, I endorse MacGyver for president. Patrick Ruffini has written the definitive case against 2012 speculation, but surely we can speculate about 2010?
Now that Mel Martinez is stepping down, Republicans need to find someone smart and competent to run against Alex Sink, Florida’s appealing Democratic CFO. Though I’m hardly an expert on Florida, my ...
GOP Strategy Looking Forward
Sound Politics —
GOP Strategy Looking Forward Fair and thoughtful analysis from Michael Barone : The debate among Republicans is whether to go after downscale or upscale voters. Those who argue for going downscale usually have a 2012 candidate in mind: Sarah Palin. She has an undoubted appeal to such voters and revved up part of the Republican base -- cultural conservatives, and rural and small-town voters -- throughout the campaign. Despite the scorn the media heaped on her, she has excellent political instincts and seems capable of developing the knowledge base that would make her a credible presidential candidate in the future. [emphasis added] But my examination of ...
