Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack running for President in 08

[sandman]

i've been saying it for two years. hillary is out next prez.

most said i was crazy. until recently polls started showing that she can hang with the big guys.

she raised $30M for her senate campaign which she had no chance of losing.
 

[The Dog]

i've been saying it for two years. hillary is out next prez.

most said i was crazy. until recently polls started showing that she can hang with the big guys.

she raised $30M for her senate campaign which she had no chance of losing.
 

I hadn't thought about that part of it, Hillary is a money making machine.  I still think shes too love/hate though.  I personally would like to see her president with Obama as the VP.

I really think its going to be a Rudy/Hillary contest with NY deciding who wins.  Wow, my vote will ACTUALLY count this time! hahahah

[SLCPUNK]

actually Booker, in a book he wrote, Obama mentions using marijuana and "maybe" doing some blow.  Unfortunately, this will be used against him politically so yeah, there's a negative here...not to mention the obvious race factor which guarantees failure in a racist south.

Honestly I think most Americans don't give a shit about the weed.

You are correct, Hillary is able to pool huge amounts of capital, HUGE.

[The Dog]

actually Booker, in a book he wrote, Obama mentions using marijuana and "maybe" doing some blow.  Unfortunately, this will be used against him politically so yeah, there's a negative here...not to mention the obvious race factor which guarantees failure in a racist south.

Honestly I think most Americans don't give a shit about the weed.

You are correct, Hillary is able to pool huge amounts of capital, HUGE.

Not anymore at least...it was a big deal for Clinton (I didn't inhale - haha).  But they obviously don't care about alcohol abuse or cocaine use either as you can see from Mr. Bush being in office.  I think since Obama is a church going man and that was in his past most people will over look it the way they did for Bush.  Axl4Prez is right though, it can only hurt him.   But I think the shadow of the Lewinsky scandal will kinda hurt Hillary too.  The Dems lost the 2000 election in part b/c of that so whether or not people don't care about it anymore still remains to be seen.  Personally I think having Bill behind her will help her a lot more then hurt. 

The top 4 candidates all have their issues - McCain has pandered to the far right recently and supported the Iraq war big time (actually calling for MORE troops if I'm not mistaken at a time when most of the country wants less troops there), Rudy has his divorce/extra marital affair and his very moderate views (pro gay rights if I'm not mistaken), obama has the race issue (not "dirt" but its not going to help him as others have pointed out - which just goes to show you how f'ed up america still is).  Hillary being a woman is yet another strike against her in some places in the country I would guess too.

[Axl4Prez2004]

actually Booker, in a book he wrote, Obama mentions using marijuana and "maybe" doing some blow.? Unfortunately, this will be used against him politically so yeah, there's a negative here...not to mention the obvious race factor which guarantees failure in a racist south.

Honestly I think most Americans don't give a shit about the weed.

You are correct, Hillary is able to pool huge amounts of capital, HUGE.

Not anymore at least...it was a big deal for Clinton (I didn't inhale - haha).? But they obviously don't care about alcohol abuse or cocaine use either as you can see from Mr. Bush being in office.? I think since Obama is a church going man and that was in his past most people will over look it the way they did for Bush.? Axl4Prez is right though, it can only hurt him.? ?But I think the shadow of the Lewinsky scandal will kinda hurt Hillary too.? The Dems lost the 2000 election in part b/c of that so whether or not people don't care about it anymore still remains to be seen.? Personally I think having Bill behind her will help her a lot more then hurt.?

The top 4 candidates all have their issues - McCain has pandered to the far right recently and supported the Iraq war big time (actually calling for MORE troops if I'm not mistaken at a time when most of the country wants less troops there), Rudy has his divorce/extra marital affair and his very moderate views (pro gay rights if I'm not mistaken), obama has the race issue (not "dirt" but its not going to help him as others have pointed out - which just goes to show you how f'ed up america still is).? Hillary being a woman is yet another strike against her in some places in the country I would guess too.

HannaHat, you are saying what I'm thinking over and over!     Good post.   

[Booker Floyd]

The field narrows once more:

Feingold rules out run for president

MILWAUKEE - U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (news, bio, voting record) has decided against seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, saying he wanted to focus on his work in the Senate.

In a letter posted on his political action committee's Web site, Feingold said he was excited that Tuesday's elections gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, giving them the chance to "undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America."

"We can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed health care, dependence on oil and our unbalanced trade policies," he wrote.

Feingold, 53, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he realized he would be a long-shot candidate in a bid for the presidency.

He said running as an underdog appealed to him, but not the way it would "dismantle" his work in the Senate and his personal life.

An outspoken opponent of the
Iraq war, the Patriot Act and other Bush administration policies, Feingold had formed his PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund, and visited key presidential primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

Still, he said he started the process more predisposed against a run than for it.

"I began with the feeling I didn't really want to do this but was open to the possibility that getting around the country would make me want to do it. That never happened," he told the newspaper in a story posted on its Web site late Saturday.

Feingold leaves a crowded field of possible Democratic candidates, including Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who announced his candidacy last week.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is widely considered the front-runner for the nomination. Others considering or positioning themselves for a run include U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee; former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the vice presidential nominee two years ago; U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joe Biden of Delaware and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced last month that he was bowing out of the race.

Feingold said he had come closer to making his decision in the past few weeks, and the final factor came when Democrats won both chambers of Congress because it provided added appeal to focus on work in the Senate.

Feingold spokesman Zach Lowe did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press early Sunday seeking comment.

[Booker Floyd]

Some updates for this thread:

Bill Frist is out.

In the Bible, God tells us for everything there is a season, and for me, for now, this season of being an elected official has come to a close...I do not intend to run for president in 2008.

Sam Brownback is in.

Dear Friend,

I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency.

I am running to spread hope and ideas. We are a blessed nation at an important crossroads. War, corruption, disintegrating families, and for some, hopelessness, tear at the American Dream. We need hope and ideas.

I am running for America?to be of service in a crucial time of trial.

Ours is an exceptional nation. A nation between two oceans made up of people from every nation on earth. A great nation united by our ideals. But we are a great nation because of our goodness. If we ever lose our goodness, we will surely lose our greatness.

We believe in a culture of life?that every human life is a beautiful, sacred, unique child of a loving God.

We believe in justice for all?at all times.

We believe in liberty.

But the central institutions that best transmit these values?the family and the culture?are under withering attack.

We must renew our families and rebuild our culture!

We need to revitalize marriage, support the formation of families, and encourage a culture of commitment.

We need a culture that encourages what is right and discourages what is wrong?and has the wisdom to understand the difference.

Each generation of Americans is called upon to carry the torch of virtue during its brief season. If one generation lets the torch fall, its light is extinguished for all future generations. That?s a big responsibility, but we can achieve it if we pick up the torch with courage, generosity, and realism. We must meet and fulfill the job we are called to accomplish in our day. The time to act to insure our future as a nation is now.

Problems abound. The federal government wastes and spends too much. We lack compassionate yet practical programs to help the poor here and around the world. We need energy independence and alternative, clean-burning, domestic-grown fuels. The scourge of cancer has killed too many and must be stopped. We need term limits for judges and members of Congress like we have for the President. We need a flat tax instead of the dreadful, incomprehensible tax code we now have.

And we need humility.

While I am proud to be an American, when I consider my citizenship and the responsibilities it carries today in the light of eternity, I am more humbled by it. We have been given much and will be held to account for what we have been given.

I ask mostly for your prayers. Pray for America, that our division as a people might end and that our land be healed.

Thank you for your interest and support. Thank you for your prayers. Please join our campaign of national renewal and hope for the future!

God Bless you, and God Bless this nation we love so dearly,

Sam Brownback

Evan Bayh is in. 

(We need) someone who can unite Americans in a politics of common purpose -- Democrats, Independents and Republicans...If I can be that individual, so be it.

SLC, perhaps you can change this threads title to be the 2008 Presidential Election threads.

[Booker Floyd]

Dennis Kucinich is in.

[pilferk]

I'm a Democrat but in name only.  I'd strongly consider voting for someone like Guliani or Ahh-nuld.  The key for me is non-neo-conservative and government hands-off when it comes to reproduction and sex.   

Short of a constitutional ammendment (a la "Demolition Man"), Ahh-nuld can't run for President.

[pilferk]

I am not thrilled about Hillary.

Really dude?, I thought that you were a Hillary advocate? Am I just getting you mixed up with somebody else, or have you changed your mind?

You are getting me mixed up with somebody else.

I hope the Hillary ship sinks...............

I know...replying late.

I'm hoping Obama DOES run....given his appearance in NH, I'm thinking he must be planning on it.  Of all the candidates, while he has the least experience...I think he would make the most difference for the country.

[Booker Floyd]

Of course, current polls on the 2008 presidential election are fairly insignificant, but they do measure momentum as we get there.  I found todays NBC/Wall Street Journal poll interesting:

Edwards (D) 43%, McCain (R) 41%
McCain (R) 43%, Obama (D) 38%
McCain (R) 47%, Clinton (D) 43%

Despite favoring John Edwards and calling him the Democratic frontrunner, I found this poll surprising, especially in light of the amazing Obama hype.  And I dont think this takes Edwards Hardball appearence yesterday, which went extremely well, into account.

Then again:

GOP Prim: Giuliani 34%, McCain 29%, Gingrich 10%
Dem Prim: Clinton 37%, Obama 18%, Edwards 14%, Kerry 11%

Recent Rasmussen polls:

Gore (D) 48%, Romney (R) 39%
Clinton (D) 48%, Romney (R) 40
Edwards (D) 50%, Romney (R) 37%
Obama (D) 47%, Romney (R) 38%
Gore (D) 52%, Gingrich (R) 36%
Kerry (D) 47%, Gingrich (R) 38%
Giuliani (R) 51%, Kerry (D) 37%
McCain (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 44%
Giuliani (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 43%

Fox News:

Giuliani (R) 46%, Obama (D) 35%
Giuliani (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 39%
McCain (R) 49%, Obama (D) 30%
McCain (R) 48%, Clinton (D) 40%

[SLCPUNK]

I'm hoping Obama DOES run....given his appearance in NH, I'm thinking he must be planning on it.  Of all the candidates, while he has the least experience...I think he would make the most difference for the country.

Give me somebody green.............

[Booker Floyd]

Des Moines Iowa Register poll for the Iowa primary (likely primary voters MoE: +/- 4%) conducted in October:

John Edwards: 36%
Hillary Clinton: 16%
Barack Obama: 13%
Tom Visalck: 9%
John Kerry: 6%
Joe Biden: 5%
Wesley Clark: 3%
Bill Richardson: 2%
Undecided: 8%
Evan Bayh: Less than a percentage point
Chris Dodd: Less than a percentage point

Among party leaders:

Edwards: 40%
Vilsack: 15%
Obama: 11%
Clinton: 8%

[Booker Floyd]

I might just make an official 2008 threads since we have a few threads on it, and the title of this one doesnt accurately reflect the posts...but in the meantime:

Evan Bayh is out.

During my two terms as Governor and now in the United States Senate, it has always been more about the people I was able to help than the job I held. As you know I have been exploring helping the people of my state and our country in a different capacity. After talking with family and friends over the past several days, I have decided that this is not the year for me to run for President and I will not be a candidate for the presidency in 2008. It wasn't an easy decision but it was the right one for my family, my friends and my state. I have always prided myself on putting my public responsibilities ahead of my own ambitions. The odds were always going to be very long for a relatively unknown candidate like myself, a little bit like David and Goliath. And whether there were too many Goliaths or whether I'm just not the right David, the fact remains that at the end of the day, I concluded that due to circumstances beyond our control the odds were longer than I felt I could responsibly pursue. This path - and these long odds - would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation. I am immensely grateful for the support of my family and friends and the thousands of people around the country who helped me with their time and their resources. There may be no campaign in the near future, but there is much work to be done. When the Senate returns, I will focus on the issues that matter to the people of my state and are critical to the future of the nation including reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating opportunity for middle class families, and implementing a national security strategy that is both tough and smart."

[WARose]

it`s all about the money right?

what about arnold schwarzennegger?

i`d think about immigrating to the US then