Are the '08 Republican hopefuls "lemons"? According to some in their own party the answer is yes.
It's tough being a Republican these days. From the Libby trial to the new Democratic Congress, the Republicans are under siege. They're feeling it, too. Laura Ingraham offered some prescient comments this past weekend during NRO's rendition of "Thew View," which I covered on my radio show. Don't look now, but the conservatives are afraid of us, but the Democrat they dread the most is James Webb.
First, Ingraham offered up a right-wing testimonial on the power of James Webb's SOTU reponse. None of her female panel members were too happy with Ms. Ingraham's observations. They evidently prefer the wingnut echo chamber.
Ingraham then continued by explaining why James Webb scares the crap out of conservatives. It's obvious to some of us, but always good to have the other side cower.
Then Ingraham wondered out loud if Democrats had "learned the lessons" of past failed elections. She then said "God forbid" if the Democratic Party ever became a "pro-life" party. Never going to happen, because our idea of being "pro-life" means helping the poor, offering health care and investing in stem cell research, while not interfering with the privacy of women and also reducing abortions, which is the ultimate goal. Frankly, I want to campaign and win in 50 states. So if a "pro life" Democrat will support our party and a pro-choice candidate, while having their own personal views against abortion, I say let them run. If they can beat out a progressive in the primary and represent our party, so be it.
It gets worse from here.
Politico had an interesting piece up yesterday talking about the GOP Right Sees Lemons in White House Race that's getting a lot of attention (including my radio show). But one of the people quoted in it beat them to it. They quote a Red State post that is just too deliciously negative not to pick up.
They all suck. Let's just admit it. Every one of the thus far announced Republican candidates for President sucks. From the lecherous adulterer to the egomaniacal nut job to the flip-flopping opportunist with the perfect hair to the guy who hates brown people to the guy we've never heard of to the guy who has a better chance of getting hit by a meteor while being consumed by a blue whale being struck by lightening.
They all suck. (Well, okay, Brownback doesn't suck at all, but I perceive no viability for his candidacy.) ...
RedState - They All Suck (links found here)
With the field this bad, can Newt be far from their minds? Evidently not, says "They All Suck." Oh, please. Oh, please. Oh, please. Bring back Newt, by all means. His Fox "News" candidacy would be a hoot to watch unravel, er, I mean unveil.
But let's run down the current crop in the GOP '08 field:
"Lecherous adulterer" = Rudy Giuliani, now the leading Republican in national polls.
"Egomaniacal nut job" = John McCain, whose candidacy is collapsing.
"Flip-flopping opportunist with the perfect hair" = Mitt Romney, as slippery and slick as they come.
"Guy who hates brown people" = Tom Tancredo, who merits no comment.
"Guy we've never heard of" = Duncan Hunter, the kick off swiftboater of Jack Murtha.
"Buy who has a better chance of getting hit by a meteor" = Sam Brownback, who makes you long for Bob Dole.
The one guy who could rev up moderate Republicans and independents will not be considered. His name is Chuck Hagel. That's fine with me, but it's once again proof that the ideological wingnut base is killing the Republican Party.
The '08 lemons have even lost Rush.
Contemplating the current field of Republican presidential candidates, Rush Limbaugh sounded like a man with malaise.
"To be honest with you, there's nobody out there that revs me up," he confessed to his audience of several million conservative sympathizers on his radio show last week, "so why should I pretend there is?"
That likely explains Ken doll Hannity's new attack on all things Clinton. He's even dusting off the edited clips of "Path to 9/11," complete with Dick Morris narrative (podcast here), to convince people that Hillary is bad, because she's got Bill. Good luck with that one, because it will never fly. Clinton's husband is a huge asset and anyone trying to conjure up negative feelings about the '90s after the depressing years of W. needs to up their meds.
The real clash among the GOP ideologues, which will likely be accompanied by an even greater depression, will come next week when the Sense of the Senate resolutions are brought forth by Democrats, but also featuring several Republicans. But will the Congress move on funds? Some believe Congress doesn't have the authority. They need to get acquainted with our Constitution.
Or watch Feingold. He gets it.
So does Barack Obama, who has just offered a full redeployment plan for Iraq. That's right, all troops out, baby.
Then take it one step further and talk to Webb. He wants answers on Iran from Condi, who is just another GOP lemon, whether she ever runs for office or not.
This is about to get very interesting.
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