And so ‘08 begins: Feingold out, Rudy in
Now that the midterms are over everyone's turning their attention to the '08 Presidential campaign. The things two years away but people are already starting to jockey for position, if they haven't already been since 04 ended. Already we've had three major players make announcements. Senator Feingold is out, Senator McCain is thinking about it and former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in (Note: there are some other, less figures who have said they are running but have no chance and of course there are those who haven't said either way but everyone know's is running, i.e. Senators Edwards and Clinton).
I don't know what advantage Senator McCain sees in dragging this whole thing out; everyone and his mother knows that he's running. They've known that since 04. Whats this shit about forming an exploratory committee supposed to do exactly? Your running Senator, you know it, I know it, so lets just cut the crap. Thats why you've sold your soul and been pandering to the hard right for the last two years. We get it. At least Rudy has ended the suspense (or lack there of) and tossed his hat in the ring.
About Rudy though, I'm going to go ahead and agree with Josh Marshall here: There is no way in hell Rudy Giuliani is the Republican nominee in 08. I put the odds of that happening as being only slightly, slightly greater then the odds of me being the nominee. The only people who think this might remotely happen are Chris Matthews and other dumb media talking heads. I'll let Josh, who's much smarter then me, explain:
Perhaps this is something of an existential question. But do we really have to pretend that Rudy Giuliani has more than a snowball's chance in hell of getting the Republican presidential nomination? Or can we all just stipulate that a multiple adulterer, who supports gay civil rights and choice, has deep and on-going ties to mobbed-up and now-disgraced Police boss Bernie Kerik, has a largely unscrutinized (outside of New York) resume, and had the bright idea of locating the NYC disaster center in the already-once-bombed World Trade Center probably will have some rough sledding in Republican primaries?
Again, Rudy's appeal is almost entirely found among media elites, some independents and I guess some foolish Democrats. Or exactly the people who WON'T be voting in Republican Presidential primaries. Like Senator McCain, Rudy is loved by the media almost universally (say it with me, What liberal media?) but that love will not translate into primary votes. Just not going to happen. Sorry Rudy.
On to Senator Feingold. Let me say this out front: I love the junior Senator from Wisconsin. Love him. He's a liberal hero and has been outspoken (and on the right side) of countless important issues. He's the only Senator who had the courage to vote against the PATRIOT Act for God's sake. Having said that, there's no way he was going to win the nomination, much less the general. I'm glad the Senator realized this and has decide to stay in the Senate where he can still accomplish a lot of good.
Is it to early to make 08 predictions? Of course but I've said it before and I'll say it again, Al Gore is going to be the Democrats nominee in 08. Book it (sorry Mom and can't wait for the dinner D).
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