After a weekend of political action (but still a poor substitute for football), the presidential race on both sides has become slightly more...confused. So what happens now?
1. Fred drops out. He staked it all on South Carolina and barely placed above Romney for third. I still like Thompson and believe he was -- by far -- the best conservative in the race. But he never overcame a lackluster start. He is this campaign's version of Phil Gramm.
2. Romney...well, he cleans up in Nevada, but no one besides Paul really contests that race. He still leads the delegate count, but a poor showing in SC does him no favors (and the idea that he pulled back there in recent days is undermined by the fact that he still managed to spend a mountain of cash over a very long period of time to finish...fourth. Not good.).
3. Huckabee looks more and more like a one-trick pony. He's still got some pull among evangelicals, but even they began to turn their back son him in SC. Bill Howell wonders what could have been.
4. Duncan Hunter drops out. Whatever.
5. Ron Paul and his digital minions tout his second place finish in Nevada as proof that the dream is still alive. Bully or them, but paleo-Paul will never be the nominee. Ever.
6. Rudy is still running, right (or left, as the case may be)?
7. And Sen. Clinton...hmmm. I think she just might win South Carolina. And if she does, Obama is this campaign's Gary Hart(pence).
8. John Edwards is done.
9. John McCain rides a bit of a wave, but has a long, long way to go before anyone is ready to crown him nominee. Still, he's winning when he has to and, for now, he's got the press on his side. And folks I know and trust on the independent side of politics see him as a Republican they can vote for with some pride. That makes even his cash-strapped campaign the one to beat. This week, at least.
10. And for once, Virginia's primary just might be worth watching.
What Happens Now
Norm, Good analogy, Fred T = Phil G. Except there is a long shot that Fred could pull it out if all the stars align - right now. Not likely. Still gets my vote on Feb 19th.
I'd guess Romney wins the nomination and losing the election to Hillary. Maybe McCain...
Romney v. Hillary
Personally, I think Romney would beat Hillary, but I think he would get creamed by Obama-mania (Obamania?). To me, a Romney-Hillary race would greatly resemble France's Presidential election last year with Mitt playing the role of Sarkozy (minus the marital troubles) and Hillary doing a darn good Segolene Royal impression, socialism and all. I see McCain as they only candidate who could best any of the Dem candidates.
Duncan Whatever?
Norm:
I know you lean libertarian, but you are trying to say the most consistent Conservative in the race, Duncan Hunter is nothing more than What ever? (now that he is out)
I guess being consistent on the issues nor being a Conservative matters?
What does matter to you?
'Whatever," in this case,
'Whatever," in this case, means the impact he had on the race. Hunter is a solid conservative, that I don't doubt. But as a presidential candidate, he was a thorough-going bust.
What matters to me? It's almost a rhetorical question. I value many things in others -- honesty, loyalty, determination, wit, introspection, intellect and more. The world is filled with such people and, bless their souls, many of them remain outside electoral politics, preferring instead to enrich the lives of the people around them with their gifts.
Post new comment