Comments on: Some Reality On 2006? http://donklephant.com/2005/11/14/some-reality-on-2006/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:11:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: sleipner http://donklephant.com/2005/11/14/some-reality-on-2006/#comment-3719 sleipner Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:11:09 +0000 http://donklephant.com/2005/11/14/some-reality-on-2006/#comment-3719 I think McCain would be a longshot - not because of his politics but because of his age. In 2008 he'll be 72, and because of that I doubt the Republicans would nominate him, no matter how popular he is. Don't get me wrong, of all the potential Republican nominees he's fairly close to the top for me, though I disagree with many of his positions. A balanced budget is high on the list for me, I just wish it weren't always tied to tax cuts for the rich. With the fundies pretty much still in charge of the Republican Party I expect them to push the nomination of some nutcase like Frist (though he's damaged goods now), so if the Dems manage to field a respectable candidate they should be able to pull it off. With fewer swing states capable of throwing gay marriage on the ballot the fundies won't be herded to the polls like they were in 2004, so the Dem/moderate vote should prevail. From what I've read the likelihood of a Senatorial powershift is small, due to the specific seats up for grabs in 2006, though I do think the Dems will pick up a couple spots. It's really too soon to judge the potential political climate in 2008, so though I hope a shift will occur, I can't assume it as a fait accompli. The Congressional races though are I think an interesting possibility. Anti-Republican and Anti-incumbent sentiment is running high, so if those feelings stay hot for another year, I expect a major shift in the House in 2006, despite the gerrymandered districts. I do think Barack is an interesting Presidential hopeful, but I also think he's too young yet until at the very earliest 2012, and probably 2016. Another possibility I heard about and at first discounted as nuts was to try to get Oprah to run for president. After thinking about it I realized, here's a candidate that a huge percentage of Americans from both parties trust (when trust in politicians is at an all-time low), who is most likely incorruptible due to her enormous wealth, who is intelligent and capable (proven by her incredible successes despite low beginnings), and who is outside the political establishment. In addition, she is likely to be the "people's candidate", favoring programs to get people off the streets and into jobs rather than the old "tax cuts for corporations & the rich" that has become the Repub's ONLY plan. The only problem is she doesn't want to do it. I've always thought the best person for the job of politician was the intelligent, capable, compassionate, and responsible person who does not want the job. There's a whole "recruit Oprah" movement going on...if you think this idea makes sense, please send her a personal email asking her to reconsider. I think McCain would be a longshot - not because of his politics but because of his age. In 2008 he’ll be 72, and because of that I doubt the Republicans would nominate him, no matter how popular he is. Don’t get me wrong, of all the potential Republican nominees he’s fairly close to the top for me, though I disagree with many of his positions. A balanced budget is high on the list for me, I just wish it weren’t always tied to tax cuts for the rich.

With the fundies pretty much still in charge of the Republican Party I expect them to push the nomination of some nutcase like Frist (though he’s damaged goods now), so if the Dems manage to field a respectable candidate they should be able to pull it off. With fewer swing states capable of throwing gay marriage on the ballot the fundies won’t be herded to the polls like they were in 2004, so the Dem/moderate vote should prevail.

From what I’ve read the likelihood of a Senatorial powershift is small, due to the specific seats up for grabs in 2006, though I do think the Dems will pick up a couple spots. It’s really too soon to judge the potential political climate in 2008, so though I hope a shift will occur, I can’t assume it as a fait accompli.

The Congressional races though are I think an interesting possibility. Anti-Republican and Anti-incumbent sentiment is running high, so if those feelings stay hot for another year, I expect a major shift in the House in 2006, despite the gerrymandered districts.

I do think Barack is an interesting Presidential hopeful, but I also think he’s too young yet until at the very earliest 2012, and probably 2016.

Another possibility I heard about and at first discounted as nuts was to try to get Oprah to run for president. After thinking about it I realized, here’s a candidate that a huge percentage of Americans from both parties trust (when trust in politicians is at an all-time low), who is most likely incorruptible due to her enormous wealth, who is intelligent and capable (proven by her incredible successes despite low beginnings), and who is outside the political establishment. In addition, she is likely to be the “people’s candidate”, favoring programs to get people off the streets and into jobs rather than the old “tax cuts for corporations & the rich” that has become the Repub’s ONLY plan.

The only problem is she doesn’t want to do it. I’ve always thought the best person for the job of politician was the intelligent, capable, compassionate, and responsible person who does not want the job. There’s a whole “recruit Oprah” movement going on…if you think this idea makes sense, please send her a personal email asking her to reconsider.

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