T-Paw for # 2
Veep Watch: Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s Approval Rating Soars
Excerpt:
Since Gov. Pawlenty is one of the most likely candidates to fill the #2 slot on the 2008 GOP ticket, I thought I’d bring to your attention this story which illustrates the transcendent popularity of the Governor known simply as “T-Paw”.
Comment: A McCain - Pawlenty ticket? I think so!
Jim, do you think the Republicans have much of a chance in the election? The only reason I say that is because we have had a Republican now for 2 terms, and the country often changes parties after that. I would say the same thing if we had just had 2 terms of a Democrat. We had Reagan for 2 terms and then Bush, but historically speaking, it seems like it's tough to keep in the same party without switching over.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question:
ReplyDeleteHere's George Will's view: A GOP Numbers Crunch
Today, all the usual indicators are dismal for Republicans. If that broad assertion seems counterintuitive, produce a counterexample. The adverse indicators include: shifts in voters' identifications with the two parties (Democrats now 50 percent, Republicans 36 percent); the tendency of independents (they favored Democratic candidates by 18 points in 2006); the fact that Democrats hold a majority of congressional seats in states with 303 electoral votes; the Democrats' strength and the Republicans' relative weakness in fundraising; the percentage of Americans who think the country is on the "wrong track"; the Republicans' enthusiasm deficit relative to Democrats' embrace of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, one of whom will be nominated.
This much is clear to me: Whoever the GOP nominee is ... don't have President Bush campaign for you. President Bush is very unpopular for a number of reasons and if the election is about him, the GOP will lose big!
I do think that there is a real choice ahead. As I see it, it will either be Hillary or Obama for the Democrats and either Mitt or McCain for the GOP. Either of the Republicans would stand in stark contrast to the Democrats.
Obama is more formidable than Hillary becauase he is dynamic and represents new blood.
If the Iraq war is not an issue (and it is not that strong of an issue today!) and the economy is strong (fickle Americans vote their pocketbooks!), then the GOP should win!
Jim, I think you lost me right here:
ReplyDelete"If the Iraq war is not an issue (and it is not that strong of an issue today!) and the economy is strong (fickle Americans vote their pocketbooks!), then the GOP should win!"
The economy is the huge issue right now. I could very well be wrong, but I don't see the economy picking up steam and it being relegated to a non-issue by November. If anything, most people think it will get worse. The Fed keeps lowering interest rates and that does work, but in the long run all it does is devalue the dollar. That's where I agree with Paul. He keeps on going on and on with the whole dollar issue and maybe it gets old to the electorate, but I think he's on to something.
You also lost me on the war issue. I think the economy right now is trumping the war, but it's still a major issue. And of course, it's hard to deny that the war and the economy aren't intertwined. Wars are extremely expensive.
The economy: A lot can happen between now and November. Remember we are not even officially "in a recession".
ReplyDeleteThe $ 150 billion stimulus bill (if it passes) will pump up the economy just before the election.
The stock market could easily rebound and be in the positive territory.
If these things happen, this is a plus for the GOP.
Additionally, whether one likes the Bush tax cuts or not, they will expire in (not sure if it is 2010 or 2011). Letting them expire would be a defacto tax increase and would be negative for the economy. The Dems would let them expire!
The war: The surge (which the Dems lambasted) is generally regarded as successful. Keep in mind we are not debating about whether we should have gone to Iraq or not ... that ship sailed. The issue now is how and when do we get out. The "get out now" view will not resonate with the voters if things are stable in Iraq. (As an aside, I have a son who served in Iraq. He was strongly opposed to the war. His view is that we need to stay in until the situation is stable: to exit with success.)
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope the stock market rebounds, or I hope I pick better stocks. :) I am stuck right now in a stock that I thought was good, but went down the day after I bought. Wells Fargo is a big institutional owner, so at least I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of November, I seem to remember gas prices being high in 2006. But then around October/November they went down. Hmmm, very interesting how that worked out. Now they are back up there again.
But I do agree with you that a lot could happen between now and November.
Does anyone else besides you and me read your blog? I've only ever seen a post by one other person. :(
Well, I hope the stock market rebounds, or I hope I pick better stocks. :) I am stuck right now in a stock that I thought was good, but went down the day after I bought. Wells Fargo is a big institutional owner, so at least I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of November, I seem to remember gas prices being high in 2006. But then around October/November they went down. Hmmm, very interesting how that worked out. Now they are back up there again.
But I do agree with you that a lot could happen between now and November.
Does anyone else besides you and me read your blog? I've only ever seen a post by one other person. :(
Re: Does anyone else besides you and me read your blog?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Let's put it this way ... I'm not quiting my day job! :)
If he does, then he will have lied to the people of MN because he said that he would serve out his term as Governor.
ReplyDeleteThey are perfect for each other, two liberal, global-warming RINOs