What are the odds of an independent running for president?

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

He's very smart. This week he's taken a huge step toward separating himself from the Bush-esque "compassionate conservatives." That leaves Romney appearing to represent the religious right. I don't think the GOPs want to go that route. The party desperately needs to put some distance between themselves and Bush, and Giuliani is giving them the opportunity to do so.

I really disagree (first time I have ever disagreed with a librarian!). I think the GOP base that votes in primaries wants a REAL conservative (and they view Bush as being a complete sham conservative). They are trying to find a Ronald Reagan look alike, and it certainly isn't Giuliani. Romney could fit the bill, but his religion is hindering his bid (because the right LOVES religion, but only if it is evangelical religion).

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

I really disagree (first time I have ever disagreed with a librarian!). I think the GOP base that votes in primaries wants a REAL conservative (and they view Bush as being a complete sham conservative). They are trying to find a Ronald Reagan look alike, and it certainly isn't Giuliani. Romney could fit the bill, but his religion is hindering his bid (because the right LOVES religion, but only if it is evangelical religion).

Right. The party is clearly looking for a Reagan, and the candidates are each trying to portray themselves as such. I think the prejudice against Romney's religious beliefs might be too much of a liability for the party to look past. On the other hand, if the religious bigots become too outspoken, the Romney camp can use that to their advantage....kind of a "let's get past the personal attacks, embrace America's religious diversity, and move forward" sort of thing.

Now, I have a long list of criticisms against Giuliani (I'll be happy to post), so I'm not saying he's the ideal candidate. He's just the one I see the GOPs going with. If for no other reason than right now he's got a 60% likeability index. No other candidate even comes close.

[Detroitdad]

This could give rise to a presidential race of Clinton v. Bloomberg v. Giuliani. They could move the capital to New York afterward.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Detroitdad

They could move the capital to New York afterward.

Wasn't NYC the capital to begin with? I guess they shoulda left well enough alone and not moved it to DC. Perhaps we should move it back...if we got rid of DC, the nation's crime rate would drop by half.