GOP Front-runner?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

Here are the current candidates, with pros and cons for each (remember, these are taken from a Repug's POV): (In alphabetical order)

Sam Brownback

Pros: Likely to be the most conservative Bible thumper in the race.
Cons: Sam who? Little name recognition outside of DC or Kansas.

Newt Gingrich

Pros: Engineered 1994 "Contract with America" and helped take over the House for Republicans. May have some pining for those "better days".
Cons: Tons of ethics questions, failed shutdown of the federal government, hasn't done jack shit since 1998.

Rudy Giuliani

Pros: Moderate Republican from a Northeast state; still has the "9/11 glow" (so to speak).
Cons: Adulterer, pro-gay, pro-choice Moderate from a Northeastern state. Hasn't done jack shit since 2001.

Chuck Hagel

Pros: See "John McCain".
Cons: See "John McCain". Having McCain in the race trumps his entry.

John McCain

Pros: "Maverick" status has engendered him a lot of support from moderates.
Cons: That same "Maverick" status has earned him "Traitor" status from party loyalists.

Mitt Romney

Pros: Conservative that won in Massachusetts.
Cons: Was Governor of Massachusetts and would not have won re-election, is a Mormon, has made some "liberal" compromises (such as MA Healthcare Bill and mild stem cell support).

Tom Tancredo

Pros: Ultra-conservative/racist on immigration issues.
Cons: Even some conservatives think he's batshit insane. Tom who? Little name recognition outside of Washington and Colorado.

[wakeme2008]

1. Gotta vote for the Bat-Shit Insane :) nt

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Why not? Republicans seem to like it! :-)

[Virginia Dare]

2. I think Mittens will be the dark horse...n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. I don't disagree there.

I think he's VERY dark horse though, and a lot of it will depend on how Brownback does as a campaigner. The race has a lot of moderates in it right now, which would make Romney look a lot better to the ultra/neo-con party loyalists. Still being a Mormon and having taken a lot of liberal dives, I'd have to think Brownback would be better suited for them if he can make himself known. Given how early it is, I'd say Brownback's got a great shot, but you're right, that'd make Romney a darkhorse.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. Romney and Hagel

They will both do better than anyone is giving them credit for.
I think Chuck in fact could pull it all off.

[marmar]

3. Brownback.....

Repug Wars Episode II: Revenge of the Right Wing Nutballs

:scared: :crazy:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I'm very inclined to agree.

Especially with all the rhetoric from their strategists saying that 2006 wasn't a loss for conservatism and that Republicans lost because they "weren't conservative enough". This guy is the only one in the race that would fit those bills to a T.

[More Than A Feeling]

6. John McCain.

The establishment will shove him down the throat of the base. If he loses, the Republican party will be very much divided.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. The same establishment that essentially "swift boated" him?

That truly would be a reversal of course for a group that is allergic to such things.

[More Than A Feeling]

10. Yeah, they swift boated him when they had annointed another candidate

McCain took it, and continued to pledge his loyalty. He's paid his dues, and they will annoint him, just as they annointed Bush.

[savemefromdumbya]

9. I hope that there is no GOP by then?

[Bucky]

12. Newt: "hasn't done jack shit since 1998" Hmmm, sounds like a good campaign slogan to me

The real problem with Newt is that before 1998 he did do jack shit.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. Kick for the afternoon

[Infinite Hope]

14. McCain now, but watch for Hagel. n/t

[CalebHayes]

15. I gotta go with Brownback.

I don't see Newt running. So in that case there are two real ultra-Conservatives running. Ton Tancredo doesn't stand a chance because he is a one issue man. No one issue candidate ever wins. I think the more liberal Republicans will all split the vote of the republicans that can stand to vote for a somewhat liberal guy but Sam will win nearly all the ultra con vote. So basically I'm saying Rudy is a McCain spoiler and Sam Brownback wins. yeah!

[rep the dems]

16. I'm thinking Romney. I don't think he'll win if nominated, but a lot of

conservatives seem to think he could.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

17. Talk radio is lining up early for Rudy

The fundies are already making excuses for him. It WILL be Rudy.

Then watch him go all 'moderate' in the genral election, as is ass is kissed by the media and an authoritarian worse than Bush on the Mideast is elected in a combination of smoke and mirrors-as the DLS hacks can't figure out why Hillary isn't exciting the base or winning over independents

You heard it here first.

[andykef]

18. McCain

Unless something drastic happens to his health I think he will be GOP nominee.
Romney is the dark horse but he might miss out on VP slot if McCain is nominee as Romney's religion might prevent the GOP endorsing both McCain/Romney ticket slightly outside the base. Brownback could be VP.
Hagel is a good pick if McCain does not run then expect three way race Hagel, Romney and Brownback. At the moment most likely GOP ticket
McCain/Brownback