March 31, 2005
Don't Panic!
Peggy Noonan (mmmm.....Peggy) writes from an undisclosed tropical location to warn again that Hurricane Hillary is on her way and Republicans had better not kid themselves that she's going to take a sudden left turn and veer into the Yucatan instead.
Peggy counsels neither denial nor despair but preparation. And what is the GOP equivalent of boarded up windows, hordes of canned goods and bottled water and a portable generator?
Can a Republican beat her? Sure. She'll have to make mistakes, and she will. And he (it will be a he; it's not Condi, because the presidency is not an entry-level political office) will have to be someone who stands for big, serious and solidly conservative things, and really means it, which will mark a nice contrast with Mrs. Clinton, who believes only in herself. He will also have to be able to do the delicate dance of running against a woman without seeming scared, patronizing, nervous or macho. It isn't going to be easy. But it's doable.
Yes, but who? I know it's still three and three-quarters years' off, but the time to start making preparations is while it's still sunny outside. GOP aspirants would do well to start stocking up on batteries and toilet paper right now.
Posted by Robert at March 31, 2005 12:08 PM
Cheney's nomination if he wants it.
True, but I believe him when he says he doesn't.
Posted by: Robert the LB at March 31, 2005 01:30 PMBesides, Cheney would have too much baggage as part of this administration; a lot of Republican-leaning voters don't like the admin's stepping into the Schaivo embroglio, or the massive upturn in spending. Aside from Dr. Rice, the nomination will need to come from outside the administration. Senators don't seem to fair well, I don't think any House member outside of Hastert will play very well. That leaves governors. Hmm, don't have the amendment yet Arnie; Pataki isn't dynamic, Guliani is too liberal for the Republican base. . . Gridlock between Clinton and Congress again???
Posted by: RobertJ at March 31, 2005 02:29 PM
Oddly enough, of all the Dems, Hillary might not be the worst one for America. She might actually have the stones to fight a war if we were attacked. And I'm thinking that she is evil enough that big, scorched Earth solutions wouldn't be out of the question.
Not an endorsement, by any means. I'm just saying who would you want next to you in a firefight -- Hillary or Howard Dean? Or Jean Francois Kerry?
The Republicans have some really problems finding a candidate. Chuck fargin' Hagel? Please.
I mean, in a fight between Hillary and John McCain, or Hillary and Arnold, or Hillary and just about anybody, I'm with the one who's not Hillary. But we don't need anyone who's going to get beat like Dole. No losers, please.
Posted by: The Colossus at March 31, 2005 02:39 PMLet me clarify something. I do not think Bob Dole is a loser. Bob Dole is a hero.
I'm just saying we do not need a candidate who will get beaten like he did.
John McCain, for all of his media-hogging sins, is a guy who could possibly beat Hillary. If he were the candidate, I'd be perfectly content to vote for him vs. Hillary. I wouldn't think twice about it.
But nominate a Chuck Hagel -- someone no one really knows and who we really don't like that much when we do get to know him -- would be a disaster against Hillary.
Cheney could beat Hillary. I could envision that. McCain could beat Hillary. I could envision that. Giuliani could beat Hillary, and though he is way to my left, I would still pull the lever for him. Chuck Hagel, Mitt Romney, et al. are vice presidential candidates. Nice guys, and all. But they couldn't win.
