News What were the top issues in the 2008 presidential election?

[Astronuc]

[Fred] Thompson Announces He Has Lymphoma
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9521083
by Don Gonyea

All Things Considered, April 11, 2007 · Fred Thompson, television actor and former senator, announced today he has a form of lymphoma, but that his cancer is in remission.

The 64-year-old from Tennessee left the door open for a possible presidential bid in 2008. He is already among the leading candidates in polls of Republican voters.

Get Well, Fred! I hope you are around for a few more decades.

 

[Astronuc]

Pining for Another Presidential Candidate
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9552395

NPR.org, April 12, 2007 · The political community has a history of surveying the field of presidential candidates and wishing someone else would get in the race. We've seen this time and again; usually it happens when voters of a particular party are dissatisfied with their choices and pessimistic about their chances in the next election. . . . .

That leads us to 2008. Democrats, it seems, are happy with their choices. That may not be the case with many Republicans. An unpopular war and an unpopular president have a way of dampening enthusiasm among a party's core base, and that seems to be what's happening now in the GOP. Plus, for a party that prides itself on conservative principles, the three leading contenders for '08 — Arizona Sen. John McCain, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and ex-Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts — leave much to be desired.

That may explain the appeal of former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) and ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, two non-candidates (so far) who are drawing double-digit support in most national polls.

. . . .

It will be interesting to see where things are one year from now - and then 18 months from now, just weeks before the national election - Tuesday, November 4, 2008. I am sure Iraq and Afghanistan will still be an issue. Bush will still be president for the following 11 weeks until Jan 20, 2009.

 

[Astronuc]

Obama placed under Secret Service protection
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/03/obama.protection/index.html

Story Highlights
• NEW: No specific, credible threat known, sources say
• NEW: Protection comes at request of Obama campaign
• NEW: Hillary Clinton already protected as former first lady
• Homeland security secretary authorizes protection detail

(CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, has been placed under the protection of the Secret Service, the agency said Thursday.

The government is not aware of any specific, credible threat against Obama, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the decision. But the campaign has received hate mail, calls and other "threatening materials" in the past and during his campaign, the source said.

Three Obama campaign officials who discussed the issue on condition of anonymity said there was no specific threat against the candidate.

Hmmm. Not a good sign.

 

[MaGG]

Whatever happened to Walken for 2008? :)

http://www.walken2008.com/

 

[BobG]

Good debate last night. After listening to that debate, I'm definitely voting for Reagan in '08.

Huckabee looked like the big winner, followed by Gilmore. Both needed exposure and both came across very well. Hunter's performance would have been very good for a front runner, but I don't think he did anything to lift himself out of second (or third) tier status.

Among the big three, Romney probably came across the best. I don't think the debate decided anything between the big three.

Still, an interesting contrast between how McCain, Giuliani, and Romney handled issues that they knew would be problems for them. McCain confronted them straight up while Giuliani tried to massage his answers to take off some of the edge. I didn't think Giuliani did a very good job of what he was trying to do. Romney just blew off the problem issues and answered more desirable (unasked) questions. He projected a better image than McCain and Giuliani and I wonder how many viewers saw through some of his tactics to avoid problem issues.

Thompson did badly and was the big loser. Too bad. If the quiz on On the Issues is to be believed, he's probably best match for my own views (followed by Gilmore, Biden, Richardson, McCain, and Clinton?!).

Paul was an interesting phenomenon. The internet was flooded with Paul supporters after the debate. I just have my doubts that was a spontaneous reaction to Paul's performance in the debate. He pretty much confirmed that he ranks with Brownback and Tancredo as candidates I definitely won't vote for (strangely, on the quiz, Obama and Paul came out with identical ratings when compared to my views).

Brian Williams did a lot better job as moderator in the Dem debate than Matthews did with the Rep debate. Matthews was very noticeable and still failed to control the flow very well.

 

[Astronuc]

Romney just blew off the problem issues and answered more desirable (unasked) questions.

I don't like politicians who avoid answer questions, and then try to change the topic.

If I was are reporter, I'd then ask "Please answer the ***** question," which is why I am not a reporter.

 

[denverdoc]

Frankly I'm mystified by the Reagan thing--replete with voodoo economics, huge deficits, insane military spending, a man so completely misinformed an embarrassment, cut backs for all forms of social funding, and at least three invasions. Kind of what we have been doing for the past 6 plus years.

 

[Astronuc]

Good debate last night. After listening to that debate, I'm definitely voting for Reagan in '08.

Huckabee looked like the big winner, followed by Gilmore. Both needed exposure and both came across very well. Hunter's performance would have been very good for a front runner, but I don't think he did anything to lift himself out of second (or third) tier status.

GOP starts to chart its post-Bush course

Story Highlights
• First debate marks look ahead to life after Bush presidency
• Some yearn for return to heyday of Reagan "morning in America"
• Others say Reagan was unique personality for a unique era
• All appear agreed on need for return to fiscal discipline

We certainly did not have fiscal discipline under Reagen who run up huge deficits.

Again we have collective delusional thinking! Unbelieveable.

 

[mlowery]

Paul was an interesting phenomenon. The internet was flooded with Paul supporters after the debate. I just have my doubts that was a spontaneous reaction to Paul's performance in the debate. He pretty much confirmed that he ranks with Brownback and Tancredo as candidates I definitely won't vote for (strangely, on the quiz, Obama and Paul came out with identical ratings when compared to my views).

I am not a big fan of Brownback or Tancredo either, but Senator Paul stood out in my eyes more than those two. He ran as a Libertarian in '98 and came in 3rd. There also seems to be a Libertarian movement beginning to catch on. I think he'll turn out to be much more successful than was expected.

 

[vanesch]

Hey, if you're really without inspiration, in France there's Chirac who's looking soon for a job...

 

[Astronuc]

Nebraska's Hagel Faces Political War at Home
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10464131

All Things Considered, May 26, 2007 · Senator Chuck Hagel, the Nebraska Republican, has made the anti-war community pay attention to his repeated criticism of how President Bush has handled the war in Iraq.

He's also spoken of his disappointment with the GOP and hinted about an independent presidential candidacy.

His comments have angered some of his fellow Republicans in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says he plans to challenge Hagel in next year's GOP primary for U.S. Senate.

It would be interesting if he ran as an independent. But is that likely?

 

[phoenixy]

Ron Paul has replaced McCain the fallen angel as that special candidate in my heart. He and I disagree on a lot of issue, yet he commands my respect. His integrity, boldness, credential, and fond use of logic in his reasoning is a rare sight and sound in the mud puddle we call American politics this day.

He is the voice. If he speaks loud enough he just might turn some deaf ear.

 

[BobG]

Nebraska's Hagel Faces Political War at Home
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10464131



It would be interesting if he ran as an independent. But is that likely?

If he runs, it guarantees defeat for the Republican candidate.

To be honest, Hagel would be the perfect Republican candidate. He would be acceptable to social conservatives. He'd be acceptable to fiscal conservatives. The only Republicans that would be upset by him would be the neo-cons. He opposes the war in Iraq pretty strongly and opposes the wiretapping provisions in the Patriot Act.

Of course, barring a drastic change in momentum in Iraq, the top 3 Republican candidates might be doomed in a general election even without Hagel in the mix. Support for the Iraq war only exists among Republicans and it's down to 54% even among them. Democrats and Independents overwhelmingly disapprove of how Bush has conducted the war.

Take Iraq off the table as an issue and things probably get a lot dicier for Democrats. Both parties are pulled by the extremes in their party and neither really capture the desires of the majority of voters. Take Iraq off the table, and you'd have the same problem with a choice of Hagel or a Democrat - he's definitely a strong conservative on most issues.

He could do better than Perot did in spite of that, since he could pick up quite a few disenchanted Republicans and he'd pick up quite a few Dems that won't vote for either Clinton or Obama. I wonder if he could actually win a few red states, throwing the election into a decision by Congress.

 

[Astronuc]

Election 2008
Republican Fundraising Slips
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11043081
by Steve Inskeep and Juan Williams

Morning Edition, June 14, 2007 · Republican donors don't seem to be shelling out as much money as they have in the past at this point in the presidential race. Republicans haven't been able to persuade donors that the Republicans are on the way to the White House given no heir apparent, nor definitive frontrunner.

Huckabee's Appeal Doesn't Help Presidential Bid
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11043084
by David Greene

Morning Edition, June 14, 2007 · Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is an ordained Baptist minister, former governor of Arkansas, and has conservative credentials. Still, his poll results hover in low single-digit range.

McCain Continues to Lag Behind in Fundraising
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11086530

All Things Considered, June 14, 2007 · Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was supposed to be the inevitable front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008.

But Mike Allen, chief political correspondent for the Politico Web site, reports this week that McCain's advisers anticipate the receipt of "journalistic last rites" when the end-of-June fundraising numbers come out. McCain will likely cash in, again, behind the other two leading candidates.

Republicans certainly seem divided if not uninspired.

 

[Andre]

Let's put in some Gore in the thread:

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B2E4604BD-F68B-4B44-99CB-F72CF7D8EDE0%7D&language=EN

Bill Clinton: Al Gore to Enter Presidential Race

Washington, Jun 13 (Prensa Latina) Former US President Bill Clinton said that his friend and running mate, Al Gore, will enter the Democratic race for the White House, The New York Post reported on Wednesday.

According to the newspaper, Clinton warned his wife, Hillary, that she is likely to face stiff competition from a yet unannounced source - Al Gore.

The New York senator is the front-runner in the polls, followed by Illinois Congressman Barack Obama and former North Caroline Senator John Edwards.

The ex president said that Gore is preparing a good effect to enter the presidential race unexpectedly.

"Someone's got to fizzle," Clinton said. "If someone fizzles, then yeah, he could enter the race. He's got plenty of money, his own money, to do it."

The New York Post quoted analyst Andy Ostroy, who said that Gore plans to enlist Obama as a vice presidential candidate.

"Gore will toss his hat into the ring and enlist the junior senator from Illinois as his running mate. An unbeatable ticket," he said.

 

[Astronuc]

Let's put in some Gore in the thread:

You had to spoil it, didn't you?

 

[Andre]

Well, I had a prediction running. Always nice to see your predictions coming true.

But the new dark ages are still well on schedule.

 

[Astronuc]

Running for President? Are You Rich Enough?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11103519

Morning Edition, June 15, 2007 · With $50 million in the bank, Bill and Hillary Clinton are pretty well off, new findings show. But Sen. Clinton is far from the wealthiest candidate in the 2008 presidential race. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is worth at least $190 million.

Anyone born in the US can be president. Anyone can be a millionaire. Just not everyone.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I hope this isn't the beginning of a new genre of music.

 

[Astronuc]

The next Monica Lewinsky?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

The next Monica Lewinsky?

I would like to announce my intention to run for President of the US.

 

[Astronuc]

I would like to announce my intention to run for President of the US.

You better get Tsu's permission first.

 

[turbo]

She's no intern! She's a Vice-Presidential candidate!

 

[check]

Let's put in some Gore in the thread

I'm not sure Obama would go for that. He's definitely looking to win it for himself. He has fallen in the polls recently though, so he might take Gore up on it, but to be considering a run at the vice presidency so early in the campaign... does that happen? Ever?

Personally, I think Obama has the best shot of all the democratic candidates of ending up on the ticket either as a presidential candidate or as VP.

 

[Astronuc]

Bloomberg Sounds Like a Presidential Hopeful
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11291665

All Things Considered, June 22, 2007 · New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been a busy guy since he quit the Republican Party earlier this week. Bob Hennelly has a profile of the big city mayor who is giving speeches on foreign policy, even though he insists he isn't positioning himself to run for the White House.

Apparently Bloomberg is considering running as an independent candidate for president in 2008. That would be really interesting given the lack of strong single front runners in either the D and R parties at present.

But apparently two days ago,

Bloomberg Squashes Talk of Presidential Bid
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11225340

All Things Considered, June 20, 2007 · New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has changed his party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated, fueling speculation that he intends to run for president. A third-party candidate would make waves in the presidential pool, but Bloomberg says he isn't jumping in.

Amy Walter of the online magazine The Hotline talks with Melissa Block about the possibility of a Bloomberg candidacy, how it would affect the political landscape, and what types of voters would be drawn to him.

 

[BobG]

So which candidate has the best MySpace page?

Chris Dodd
Joe Biden
Hillary Clinton
Dennis Kucinich
Barak Obama
Bill Richardson
John Edwards
Mike Gravel

Kucinich may rank second to last in his chances, but at least he has the best mySpace page. He's the only one that seems to know how to use it effectively. Biden's was safe and second best, while Clinton's was safe and third best. Edwards, Dodd, and Gravel pages are particularly bad. Obama's is overly loud (but I'm not really a mySpace person - that may work). Richardson's pages seemed kind of soothing after Obama's, but the sponsored links showed a big difference between the two, as well - Obama's sponsored links offered Obama wristbands and a link to Obama for President, while Richardson's sponsored links offered a link to "Mitt Romney in 2008"

 

[check]

^^^ You forgot Ron Paul
http://www.myspace.com/RonPaul2008

I agree though, that Kucinich had the best page.

 

[BobG]

I think we hit a tipping point in July.

Until July, most people might say they prefer a Democratic President to a Republican President, but when asked to choose between actual candidates, none of the Democratic candidates could beat Giuliani or McCain in the polls.

Based on July's polls, Clinton and Obama could beat any of the top Republicans and Edwards would be slightly behind Giuliani and a toss up against McCain.

Allowing the public to watch Republican candidates tie themselves to Bush and the religious right in order to win the nomination is starting to kill their chances in the general election.

http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08gen.htm

 

[Astronuc]

I heard recently the Fred Thompson was ascending and that Giuliani and McCain were/are descending.

http://www.fred08.com/

http://www.imwithfred.com/About.aspx
Fred has an interesting background!

 

[edward]

I don't think that the real republican "run" has even started yet. They are waiting for the Democrats to spend a lot of money and flail each other to death with accusations.

I also don't believe that the real republican candidate has yet stepped forward. Whomever it turns out to be will not have had multiple wives and divorces.