One of the many effects of this long run up to the first caucus and first primary is the opening it may (may) create for underdogs to pull off a surprise.
We Republicans are blessed with depth. Guys like Jim Gilmore and Tommy Thompson are proven leaders with long resumes of political and governing success. Sam Brownback is an extraordinarily articulate messenger of compassionate conservatism. John Cox is a highly motivated and motivating personality-not a crank by any stretch of the imagination. We have two accomplished members of Congress, Tom Tancredo (who is more on target than anyone on the importance of controlled, legal immigration-among the hottest of hot button issues) and Duncan Hunter. Mike Huckabee is among the most immediately likeable of politicians, articulate and affable, who also presents a long resume of political and governing success.
What a great constellation of candidates, and those are just the darker of our horses. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani have already reached almost iconic status in the public mind. Mitt Romney is proving to be a most formidable of candidates, well organized, well funded and exuding confidence and power.
But now we are in a long race; we have almost a year before the official caucuses and five and half months to the Straw Poll. Media and public boredom with the troika at the top of our ticket is inevitable, not from any deficiency of theirs but from the very nature of the insatiable appetite of the reality TV that is the 24 hour news cycle. Any one of our deep bench can present a pretty good alternative to interest the bored mind. Remember, the reserve quarterback is always the most popular player to the fans. Once gone, the support of that bored caucus attendee might never return to the front runner from whence it left.
So, don’t write off anyone on our side of the ticket, every one has a chance in this marathon.
We Republicans are blessed with depth. Guys like Jim Gilmore and Tommy Thompson are proven leaders with long resumes of political and governing success. Sam Brownback is an extraordinarily articulate messenger of compassionate conservatism. John Cox is a highly motivated and motivating personality-not a crank by any stretch of the imagination. We have two accomplished members of Congress, Tom Tancredo (who is more on target than anyone on the importance of controlled, legal immigration-among the hottest of hot button issues) and Duncan Hunter. Mike Huckabee is among the most immediately likeable of politicians, articulate and affable, who also presents a long resume of political and governing success.
What a great constellation of candidates, and those are just the darker of our horses. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani have already reached almost iconic status in the public mind. Mitt Romney is proving to be a most formidable of candidates, well organized, well funded and exuding confidence and power.
But now we are in a long race; we have almost a year before the official caucuses and five and half months to the Straw Poll. Media and public boredom with the troika at the top of our ticket is inevitable, not from any deficiency of theirs but from the very nature of the insatiable appetite of the reality TV that is the 24 hour news cycle. Any one of our deep bench can present a pretty good alternative to interest the bored mind. Remember, the reserve quarterback is always the most popular player to the fans. Once gone, the support of that bored caucus attendee might never return to the front runner from whence it left.
So, don’t write off anyone on our side of the ticket, every one has a chance in this marathon.
3 comments:
Don't the democrats always say "it's the economy stupid". I think I heard Carville say that about a million times. Well, if it's the economy stupid, the republicans should feel pretty good. Tax cuts work and here's the proof - again:
"Despite the ongoing costs of US military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the outlook for the federal budget has grown substantially brighter.
Tax revenues are rising much faster than spending, according to Treasury Department numbers released last week. The recent trend is strong enough that, were it to continue, the budget could move into surplus in barely a year, one economist calculates.
In the Monitor
Wednesday, 02/21/07
I'm newly troubled by McCain. Wasn't he against the tax cuts? I'm also troubled by his attack on Rummy - seemed gratuitous at best. He attacked Cheney the other day too.
What's up with that? That does not endear him to republicans and now I'm remembering all the other times he went democrat rather than republican in his stance.
There's lots of room for this nomination yet. McCain is only up there due to his stance on the war.
That won't last if he continues to attack the war managers.
Did you just insinuate that John Cox has a chance?
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