Next President and why

[BILLY D.]

Rocky

Point well taken. Darn, I hate that.

Bill

[Jack]

Skinny, I can't speak for Pure Bred Redneck, but I think what he was referring to re Iran is this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_contra

[Jack]

I'll make a prediction: the personal, shake your hand and actually talk to you politics of Iowa and New Hampshire is over. In those small states, someone can spend time instead of money, and pull off an upset. Huckabee being a case in point in Iowa.
From now on, money's going to rule, and only well financed candidates will have a chance. Florida is the next primary, in a few days, and then comes the February primaries with 23 states holding primaries at the same time. No way a candidate can spend time instead of money in 23 states at once. Big bucks will rule in February. I've heard the figure that 3 million will have to be spent for a candidate to win in New York, and 4 million in California.
That narrows the field a lot, on the Republican side. Romney is the only candidate with enough money, right now. McCain may be able to raise enough to compete. Unless Guiliani pulls off a big win in Florida, he's done- he won't be able to raise enough money. Same for Huckabee.

[jl1966]

Politics has become big business, instead of public service. The job of President only paying $400,000 a year? Please! The Bush White house is so secretive that there is no telling what kind of kickbacks are going on. What is wrong with big business? Nothing, not a thing, industry is what made America great. However when big business is allowed to run rampant and indulge the greed of corporate america, then we have a problem. We have had our share of democrats, and true enough, they have done little to improve the lot of the "common man" so to speak. They do make the big wheels of business nervous though.

[fabsroman]

The whole campaign funding issue is horrible. They should pass a law that makes funding even across the board. Nobody should be able to influence a candidate by offering them campaign funding. Maybe taxpayers should pick up the campaign funding and make things fair. Sheez. No wonder nothing ever gets done. Big business is probably funding the campaigns, the sheeple need to vote for the candidates, and then the candidate is in a bind to do anything because they don't want to piss off their source of funding or their source of votes. Sheer stupidity.

[jl1966]

A good idea would be a series of televised debates/ question and answer sessions, well mediated and not allowed to devolve into a shouting match. Financed by the government/ taxpayers, free tv time like the President gets. Each candidate has an alloted time to speak his mind and lay out his platform, then answer questions, posed from a mixed panel, no softball stuff and no soft answers, we dont move on until a direct answer to the question is given. Outside of these venues there would be absolutely no campaigning or ads and commercials, candidates cannot accept any money from any person, group ,or corporation. No showing up on Leno to smile and tell lies. Then when the guy got elected he would have to stand behind what he said on national television.

[fabsroman]

That sounds like a great idea. On top of that, how about letting the American public impeach a President for not doing what he/she should be doing.

Speaking of politics, can you believe an economic stimulus package has passed the House but might get stalled in the Senate. Some of the democrats in the Senate want to add additional items in it to take care of unemployment benefits beyong 26 months and increased welfare. Honestly, if somebody is unemployed for over 26 months, I really don't think they are trying to get a job, and don't even get me started on welfare. Again, a bill is in place from the House that the President is willing to sign, but the idiots in the Senate. I truly hope they come to their senses and pass this thing. As it stands right now, the IRS won't even be able to get the money to the people until the end of May, beginning of June.

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I was thinking about this money they think will spur the economy. If it is spent and not saved I think China will win in the long run.. You can 't buy anything that isn't made in China. Where do they figure we will win on that one other than give the store clerks something to do. China will still be the biggest winner. We need jobs here and make things here. I live in the biggest steel mill area in the world and it is all flat now..they are stripping the soil where the mills once stood and selling the slag stone but also selling all the stainless, any other steel they find overseas to ....China. .We don't have any steel mills left to melt the stuff..
.I think the news media is at it again with their games... Clinton, Osama...the fight continues on news...this is free adds for them....every night on the news...people will think they are the only 2 running..... anyhow...I Will do the republican thing...like once said....you never worked for a poor man...for long anyhow....go big business but keep it home.

[Rocky Raab]

Well, the way to keep it from going to China is simple: don't buy any more "stuff" with it. Save it. Invest it in stock, buy a mutual fund or even a government bond.

You want to stimulate the economy, plunk that money INTO the economy by investing in a good US company. One especially good stock to buy right now is Garmin. It's poised to double or even triple over the next few years. Before long, everything that moves is gonna have GPS in it - and Garmin is leading the pack.

[rattus58]

Fred Thompson was my choice... but I took a poll asking how I felt on things and it turns out John McCain is 84% in agreement with how I feel....

And there is no way in hell I'd ever vote for McCain. He's a damn Commie in my opinion... he's anti capitalist, he's pro-environmentalist... he sleeps with the Democrats, votes with the Democrats but somehow he's got this poll buffaloed...

Next to McCain for me would be Romney or Huckaby... Huckaby is a hunter. Huckaby is 2nd Amendment. Obama would vote for the Akaka Bill that would essentially change Hawaii from a State to a foreign country.... that man is very dangerous for America.

Aloha...

[Rocky Raab]

Because I'll be in Vegas on Feb 5, I voted early yesterday. I looked with disappointment at the Republican list, because Fred's name was still there even though he has pulled out.

Utah will go to Romney in a landslide, of course. I voted for him on economic grounds. I know he's a bit weak on RKBA, but he's probably the strongest of those remaining. Those that have a chance, that is.

[rattus58]

Y'all should take the test in the following thread....

Aloha...

[denton]

I'd rather elect a syphillitic baboon than Hillary or Obama.

You do injustice to baboons and syphillis germs.

Hillary is basically a nasty person. The more people see of her, the less they will like her. Time is not running in her favor. The worse things get, the more Bill will interfere, and the more he interferes, the weaker she seems. People had almost forgotten how the Clintons operate. Fortunately, people are being forcefully reminded.

Obama is articulate, but very light in his loafers. Articulate and telegenic are winning attributes.

Edwards is a huckster, pure and simple. Watch who he tries to help after he backs out. That's who he thinks will win.

Huckabee will now fade quickly. His campaign is essentially out of money. It would take a major, early, unexpected win to rejuvinate the campaign. He would throw his support to McCain, but not to Romney, just on personal grounds.

Trends are running in favor of Romney, and he has financial staying power. That is incredibly important. He is clearly the most capable executive in the race. There are things I don't like about him, but he is very capable. His campaign could probably survive a defeat in Florida.

McCain is hard to predict. If he wins Florida, his campaign will have life. If not, the outlook is challenging. He's not near the executive Romney is.

Gulianni's strategy of sitting out the first few, and focusing on Florida has killed his campaign. He's done.

I think it will be either McCain or Romney against Obama. Hillary will be just a memory, and a lingering foul odor in the air.

But then, I do injustice to foul odors.

[Jack]

"The whole campaign funding issue is horrible. They should pass a law that makes funding even across the board."
Fabs, they tried to do that. The bill was called McCain-Feingold, and it did pass.
The law has some flaws, for sure, but someone at least tried.
And take a careful look at who opposes it.

[fabsroman]

Jack,

I vaguely remember a bill being talked about regarding campaign funding, but I don't remember much about it. Since I am in hunting season, the beginning of cycling season, and tax season, I just don't have time to read the bill that got passed. I'll have to rely on you for the synopsis.