Political Potpourri for January 29th, 2008
Well, Kreskin I ain’t, but after today I have to say that my prediction last week of McCain taking the Republican nomination is looking more and more accurate. And again, I have to reiterate that this is not what I am cheering for, but rather this is simply how I see it playing out.
With a sound victory today in Florida, Senator “I get it… Border security FIRST!” looks to be headed in the direction of a Super Tuesday victory, albeit by a narrow margin (another of my predictions). Some people feel this will go on past Super Tuesday, but I think, while it will not be a slam dunk, there will be a marginal and insurmountable level of delegates obtained by McCain by that point that it will make it impossible for the likes of the others in the Republican field to overcome. After all, the only one that will be left that has a chance is Romney, and I just don’t see him getting enough support to overcome the whale of a delegate buffet that Florida was.
You have to add to that chance the fact that Giuliani has come out and all but said he will be dropping out and endorsing McCain, which, if you look at it, should not surprise anyone. After all, one moderate deserves another. This is another reason that McCain and Giuliani poll so high in the national general- they are moderate enough to attract the middle.
If you are a fairly staunch conservative (as I am) then I don’t need to tell you about how McCain ‘s Washington antics have turned many on the right against him. McCain Feingold, the border acts/bills of last summer, and campaign finance reform just to name three that really ticked off the right… and I don’t even mean the FAR right. Even most of the LEFT thinks he was wrong on the border. And I just don’t KNOW how you can hold that position being a Senator from Arizona. That is like being a Senator from Flint Michigan and driving a Toyota.
My gut feeling on the man is not a heck of a lot unlike the gut feeling of many others concerning him-
- I don’t trust the man.
- He makes me feel uneasy.
- He makes me feel as though he is the type that will say what needs to be said in order to win, then will do what the hell he pleases.
- He is not very Presidential when he lets his ego slip through the “candidate” veneer.
- He has always seemed to have sense of entitlement to his political goals.
- The “war hero” uber-patriotism really should have run out of dividends in about 1996.
That all being said, I do have to say that out of the candidates from the right, I think I trust him more than any other major candidate on the war on terror.
As for the whole of the field, Romney of course came in a not too distant (while at the same time, not close ‘enough’) second; Giuliani a pretty dang distant third. Huckabee slid in a close fourth just behind Giuliani, followed a good distance back by Ron Paul, and Fred Thompson.
On the undaunted Paul candidacy, he came in with his normal slow-and-steady-wins-the-race 3%. The man is like a robot. Excepting his showings in Nevada and Louisiana, Paul is one of the most tenacious last placers I have seen in a long time. But you have to remember that in Louisiana and Nevada, felons and the mentally ill can vote.
But don’t give up yet, Paul. You did beat Fred Thompson by 2%. Fred had 1%, and he is not even running any longer. And as I stated before- hat’s off to ya Ronnie… you beat me by 3% as well. Go Paul… go.
Hillary did win a meaningless “race” in Florida. At least, it is meaningless if the DNC keeps its word on holding all Florida results in default due to changing the date of their primary without DNC consent or approval. But, don’t hold your breath. Keeping your word is not high on the left’s list of priorities. Just look at Pelosi and Reid’s performance since taking over Congress.
Even though the race was meaningless, Hillary found it worthwhile to give “acceptance” and “victory” speeches. Why not? She did after all, WIN (nothing). And she really needs something to hang onto after the trouncing Obama gave her in South Carolina.
I still say Obama can beat her, but I hope he does not. He is an electrifying (or horrifying, depending on who you are) candidate. Surely, though, everyone, even those who dislike his politics and lack of experience, can recognize the mans skills as an orator; the ability to electrify folks; the ability to charge up a crowd or movement.
We all know the left is ‘emotional’ before ‘logical’. The last thing we need is an emotional juggernaut getting them in a big enough tizzy to actually come out and vote in high numbers.
But here is another of my bold predictions. Many pundits are saying (something I said a few months ago to friends, but never in here) that Hillary and Obama could join forces as P and VP. I say this will NOT happen. Too much distance between them. Too much pride in Obama. Too much youth in Obama to think he has to hurry into the White House. And too much sense and practicality (along with some principle) to allow himself to “go back” on what he has attacked Hillary on, namely policy and voting records.
And here is one more prediction on the record. If Hillary loses, either in the primaries or in the general, she will not be back to the Presidential road. Ever.
But Barack will. Probably at least twice, if not more.
Beware, right wingers. A left “legend” is in the making.
That’s my potpourri… hope you enjoyed the sniff.
