November 15, 2004
The 2008 Sweepstakes
Okay, shoot me, I'm a political science professor, and while I should be still nursing the hangover from two weeks ago I'm already looking to 08.
Two potentials to watch:
Chuch Hagel (R-Iowa)
Mark Warner (D-Virginia)
Of the two, Warner is the guy to follow: he's got a ton of money that he made in the cell phone frequency business, but wasn't raised in a wealthy family. He's likeable, in a goofy, earnest sort of way, which softens the edge of his technocratic approach to things. He earned a number of big chips in the last race by backing Kerry and delivering Virginia in the primaries back when Edwards still had some momentum. And on top of it he comes across as a nice guy who wears khaki pants and blue oxford shirts all the time yet was still able to win statewide in Virginia.
Tradesports (whose new motto is "Zogby? We don't need no stinkin' Zogby!") has their market up for those who like their long shots long.
UPDATE: LLAMA CONFESSION: I'M A JACKASS!
But you knew that already.
Why? Because Hagel represents Nebraska, not Iowa.
D'oh!
My apologies to the Huskers for that one. Another commentator notes that Hagel is a RINO (Republican in name only) and not popular to the base: fair point. I'm just reporting.....
FURTHER UPDATE: Our old pal and fellow tortured Redskins fan Jen of Freakin Jen points out George Allen as a Virginia politician with presidential ambitions---absolutely. I was going to do a separate posting on Allen, but you've beaten me to the punch. Allen got himself a ticket to the grown-ups table by doing a good job quarterbacking the RNSC to its great performance last time around. And while he has many assets that would go towards a strong primary showing, he's got two big problems: 1. New Hampshire and Iowa appeal, and B. The Curse of Warren Harding (the last sitting Republican senator to be elected president).
Hey, if we had to jettison the curse of the Redskins, we had to come up with something else as equally goofy.....
Posted by Steve at November 15, 2004 01:34 PM | TrackBackUh, Chuck Hagel represents Nebraska, not Iowa.
According to my family, who live there, he's not real popular there right now. I don't know the whole story, but he's a pro operative. I think maybe he was born in Omaha, but moved away, was a lobbyist in Virginia, then came back to run.
Every time he makes it onto one of the Sunday morning shows, people cringe. Ben Nelson, former Governor and a Democrat, is much more popular, even though I can tell you from personal experience that he's an ass:)
Posted by: Kathy at November 15, 2004 02:28 PMHagel is a RINO. Very, very, very unpopular with the base. Think Lieberman in the last Dem primaries.
Posted by: Bob at November 15, 2004 04:28 PMYeah, I can see that Warner is a guy to watch. I'm not a fan though, as a resident of the Commonwealth. I didn't appreciate his push for the tax increase that ended up not being necessary after all.
If we're looking at Virginia politicians, I think Senator George Allen is the guy to watch.
Posted by: jen at November 15, 2004 04:50 PMAs for the Republicans I'd keep my eye on Governor Bill Owens of Colorado and Rudy Giuliani. I think Hillary wants to run in 2008 and she'll cramp her way to the top of that heap.
Posted by: Joey at November 15, 2004 11:47 PMHagel
Harkin
Tomato
Tomahto
Nebraska
Gateway to Nebraska
