Thursday’s political round-up

December 14, 2006

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers:

* Former Sen. John Edwards appears to have the early edge on the Iowa caucuses, at least according to a new poll from the Des Moines Register. Before campaigning begins (and before we even really know the candidates are going to be), Edwards leads the Democratic field with 36% support, followed by Hillary Clinton with 16%, Barack Obama with 13%, and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack with 9%.

* In case there were any doubts about the seriousness with which Rudy Giuliani (R) is considering the 2008 presidential race, the former New York City mayor picked up one of the most sought-after GOP staffers in DC yesterday. Mike DuHaime, the political director of the Republican National Committee, signed on yesterday to head Giuliani’s exploratory committee, and would probably be his campaign manager after Giuliani announces. “I don’t have to tell you the credibility he has in the field,” said Anthony Carbonetti, a longtime senior adviser to Giuliani. “Being the RNC political director, his tentacles reach out across the country.”

* If money decides the 2008 primaries, Hillary Clinton (D) and John McCain (R) are in good shape. Clinton continues to lead the Dems with $14 million cash on hand after spending $35.9 million on her successful re-election campaign. McCain leads the GOP pack with more than $1.1 million in the bank.

* Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) continues to believe there’s an opening for a traditional conservative candidate in the presidential field, and he’s still thinking about filling the niche. Gilmore told National Review, “There is a need for a conservative who’s electable,” adding, “I’m considering a national candidacy.” Gilmore has been to Iowa four times and South Carolina twice in just the last month.

* And conservative columnist George Will devoted his column today to urging Barack Obama to run in ’08. “[I]f he wants to be president — it will not be a moral failing if he decides that he does not, at least not now — this is the time for him to reach for the brass ring,” Will said.

“Being the RNC political director, his tentacles reach out across the country.”

And isn’t that the perfect visual metaphor for the Republicans? The last time I looked, in horror movies tentacles always belong to the monster.

Quite appropriate.

  • Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) continues to believe there’s an opening for a traditional conservative candidate in the presidential field

    Gilmore has absolutely no issue other than “cut taxes” – early and often. He left Virginia in terrible fiscal shape. It will be interesting to see exactly what he means by running as a “traditional conservative” – is that supposed to mean no “compassion” and no “common sense”?

  • “Being the RNC political director, his tentacles reach out across the country.”

    Killer Octopus or Medusa?

  • I never thought I’d find myself agreeing with George Will on anything, but he really nails it pointing out all the reasons why Obama should run in ’08. This is his moment and if he fails to take it he’ll end up regretting it. And so will everybody else.

  • Damn you Tom, are taking over for Frak.

    Actually, I was going to compare the tentacles to Octupuses, slimly slithery creatures who make mischief just out of sheer boredom.

    DDD gets Gilmore in one. And not state taxes, which he collected. No, he cut county and locality property taxes on cars because it was the most visible (you had to pay it twice a year by check yourself, no withholding from paychecks, no escrow accounts with mortgages) and because it wasn’t really HIS tax to cut anyway.

    Dumb smuck. Of course a failed presidential run would pretty much eliminate him from challenging for Governor or to succeed Senator Warner if he doesn’t run in 2008. Though I suppose an early attempt at the Republican’t nomination followed by a “sympathy” run for Senate might actually be his plan.

  • I hear Chalabi may be the US point man on talks with Syria. If so… can I be the first to say – WTF? What is with this administration. Get over Chalabi already. He doesnot, nor ever will, have anyone but his own best interest at heart. And that doesn’t mean that he includes himself into whichever group he has (temorarily) aligned himself with.

  • When George Will supports something, I run the other way.

    My thoughts, sk.

    That smug sob is among the worst – the occasional glimmer of real intellect is brutally extinguished around the time of his next column.

    -GFO

  • After reading his article, it sounds like Will wants Obama to run because he is sooo liberal that conservatives like him will never embrace him, thus giving the republican’t cadidate a better shot at election.

    Just my take.

  • I don’t disagree that Will may have, probably did have, an ulterior motive in trying to push Obama that way. His ploy may well backfire, however, and his words may come back to haunt him someday. Just saying.

  • A number of right wingers have been urging Obama to run. My guess is that they believe he’ll run the tables in the Dem primaries and then be the weak Dem nominee because a McCain or a Giuliani will blow him away due to their relative wealth of political experience.

    But McCain is the same type of Republican that got us into the Iraq quagmire in the first place and Giuliani is a “liberal”, by comparison, Repub who may not appeal to the base on November 4, 2008.

    Will, I believe, is not boosting Obama for altruistic reasons. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

  • …”his tentacles reach out across the country”…

    Vote CTHULHU in 2008!

    Seriously, though, I’m celebrating P.Z.’s cephalopodmass,
    regardless of the Elder implications.

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