Mad in Pursuit - 2008 Presidential Candidates

mad in pursuit journal

DISPATCHED FROM THE CROSSROADS, AT THE intersection OF despair and hope

2008

I haven't said much about politics lately because I'm so disgusted. The American people have spoken. But apparently we didn't speak loud enough. For want of a few more senators, Congress is fiddling while the country burns under the Bush-Cheney idiocracy.

Can 2008 come fast enough?

What then? Here's my position at the moment.

Republican: Giulliani is my pick.

(-) I don't know why he gets so many points for "9/11". NYC was no more prepared for 9/11 than New Orleans was for Katrina.
(+) However, he does get credit for overall performance as mayor of NYC.
(-) He has an authoritarian streak and was a successful prosecutor of the Mob (+), so I wouldn't expect phone taps to go away soon.
(+) On the other hand, he is social liberal.
(+) As a cad, he has Bill Clinton beat hands down — so if he runs against Hillary, it would neutralize the pants-down factor.

Democrat: Clinton for the moment.

(+) Bill
(+) An administration that would draw from the super-competent people who served in Bill's administration

If Clinton self-destructs, I like Bill Richardson, governor (+) of New Mexico and one of those super-competent (+) Clinton Admin (+) graduates with foreign policy (+) experience. Obama is an interesting guy — but I thought that about Jesse Jackson too. Barack would make a great Secretary of State.

The Dark Horse: Al Gore. I don't think he'll join the fray, unless Hillary bows out. He would need Bill by his side and — this time — run on Clinton Admin competency. He would definitely get my vote.

3.4.07