Politics
2008: Field of Dreams?
The ever expanding ’08 presidential field is getting unwieldy.
A primer on…
The Candidates. Their Strongest Assets / And Their Fatal Flaws.
Democrats:
Serious candidates:
- Hillary Clinton. Cash / Kerryesque Contortions on Iraq War Vote.
- Barack Obama. Superstardom / Inexperience.
- John Edwards. Compassion, Whitness, Maleness / Electability.
- Bill Richardson. Deep Foreign Policy Experience, Latino / Charisma Questions.
- Joe Biden. Foreign Policy Committee Chair / Too Little Joementum.
- Tom Vilsack. Could Win Iowa / International Inexperience.
Wild Cards:
- Al Gore. Right on Everything / Charisma Questions.
- Wes Clark. Military Cred, Bedroom Eyes / Clumsy Politician.
Also Rans:
- Chris Dodd. Solid senate vet not named Clinton, Edwards, Obama, or Biden / Chris Who?
- Dennis Kucinich. Anti-Warrior / Vegan.
- Mike Gravel. Anti-IRS / Yet Another Ex Senator.
- Al Sharpton?
Republicans:
Serious Candidates:
- Rudy Giuliani. 9/11 Hero / The Company He Keeps (Gays, Ex-Wives, Bernie Kerick)
- John McCain. Age and Experience / The “McCain Doctrine”
- Mitt Romney. Universal Free Market Healthcare / Mormon, illegal gardeners, closeted liberal leanings.
- Sam Brownback. Keeps Faith With Base / Electability.
- Mike Huckabee. Sunny Social Conservative / Another Man from Hope?
Wild Cards:
- Chuck Hagel. Electable Anti-War Conservative / Surge Defector.
- Newt Gingrich. Sweet Neocon / Ocasionally Bonkers.
- George Pataki. Solid, Experienced / Another Friggin’ New Yorker?
Rans:
- Tom Tancredo. Anti-Immigrant Base / The rest of us.
- Duncan Hunter. Foreign Policy Credibility, Immigrant bashing / Duke Cunningham pal
- Jim Gilmore. Would Keep Virginia Red / Charisma Questions.
- Tommy Thompson.
- Ron Paul. Economic Conservative Stalwart/ Ron Who?