Still-early musings on 2008
Let's see . . .
Democrats
- Clinton - I don't think she's done much to hurt herself since the beginning of the year, and she's settled in to the credible candidate role very effectively, perhaps by backing away from the presumptive nominee role. She's definitely a front-running horse who needs to lead from wire to wire. If any others in the field draw even with her, she will fall back for good. I still don't think she's electable, but 2008 won't be a typical year so maybe I'm wrong.
- Obama - He's settled down into being a regular candidate and not a rock star, which is good. He has plenty of money and a line on plenty more. If he is not the nominee, the nominee will have had to beat him.
- Edwards - I think Edwards's probable win in Iowa might be the beginning of the end for Hillary. I think Edwards is a very strong candidate.
- Biden, Dodd - It's wide open, but not that wide open.
- Vilsack - He just joined the Des Moines office of Dorsey & Whitney LLP as an of counsel. Don't count Vilsack out, as this firm has nurtured such charismatics as Harry Blackmun and Walter Mondale, among others.
- Kucinich - After a forthcoming caning incident on the floor of the House, he will withdraw for medical reasons, and his assailant will be forced to resign the vice presidency.
- Richardson - Gee, is he a governor or something? I think I heard him say something like that about 300 times during that debate. It won't matter. Most voters probably figure they could run a state like New Mexico.
- That guy from Alaska - Senator, I knew Jim Stockdale. I served with Jim Stockdale. Jim Stockdale was a friend of mine . . . and, Senator, you're no Jim Stockdale. But you do have your moments.
- Kerry - As I predicted "he might well be smart enough to . . . stay out of a race he would almost surely lose." But only so he can concentrate on statesmanship for the betterment of us all.
- Gore - Looks like he won't be running.
- Clark - I guess he won't be running either.
- Corzine - May he enjoy a recovery as speedy as his official vehicle.
- McCain - I think he's probably done. He deserves a little credit for choosing political suicide instead of backing away from what he sincerely beleives is in the national interest.
- Giuliani - I'm sure his support is very shallow and comes from people who don't know much about him. But he does have an electable set of views. I still don't see him as a national political figure.
- Romney - I still find his persona slightly creepy—like he's waiting for the rest of the landing party to depart so he can strap you into the chair and turn the Neural Neutralizer up to about "8"—but he's in better shape now than earlier in the race and can't mind if, indeed, McCain is done and Giuliani's support is soft.
- Thompson - I'd say he might be a stalking horse for someone else, if I could conceive of who that might be. Jeb? When Thompson's name is added to polls, the results seem to demonstrate that Guiliani's support is neither deep nor committed.
- Brownback - He's to be commended by putting his money where his mouth is and adopting various kids, but his views are still goofy.
- Gingrich - He keeps flying around in awkward circles and flopping against the porch light, but it might just be instinct. No idea if he will run.
Labels: 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton
posted at 6:37 PM
4 Comments:
I thought Vilsack formally withdrew a while back, when the money didn't come pouring in as he apparently had expected it to?
Yes, that's correct. I didn't mean to imply he was still in the race. To me there is just something poignant about trading aspirations of world leadership for a chance to help litigation clients in a Dorsey satellite office, so I couldn't just take him off the list without mentioning the new gig.
Thoroughly enjoyed your insights and humor. I remain stunned to think that we have to listen to this crowd for another year and a half. Yawn.
I'm already tuning out.......
Maybe the Newtmoth can have a spot in the political zoo next to the Gerrymander. They seem like an appropriate duo for some reason.
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