IN:
- Rudy Giuliani - the major contender Republican candidate is in the race right now and he's getting all the press and the attention. But does he have the stamina?
- Duncan Hunter - the Congressman from California announced he would run while running for reelection to the House. Last House member to win the presidency? James Garfield in 1880.
EXPLORING:
- Sam Brownback - now in the minority, the Kansas Senator is making noise about running a very conservative campaign.
- Jim Gilmore - the former Virginia governor is a conservative favorite and a definite long-shot.
- John McCain - the undeclared front runner. However, I still don't see him running. He will be 72 in 2008, which, if he's elected, would make him the oldest person elected president.
- Mitt Romney - the outgoing Massachusetts governor is expected to join the race in early 2007.
- Tommy Thompson - the former Wisconsin Governor and Cabinet Secretary has formed an exploratory committee. Will he find anything or anyone to care?
RUMORS:
- Jeb Bush - Still the wild card, term limited, Bush won't be able to run again as governor of Florida. Will he seek to continue the Bush dynasty?
- Newt Gingrich - the former Speaker has said he will wait until Labor Day 2007 to make a decision. If there is no consensus candidate or the issues he believes in are not being addressed, he will get in. He can be a serious contender. My dark horse.
- Chuck Hagel - the moderate senator from Nebraska has been rumored to want the higher office. But can he reach back to the base?
- Mike Huckabee - the outgoing Arkansas Governor. Can Arkansas produce another President?
- George Pataki - The outgoing New York governor has presidential ambitions but will likely make a better veep candidate.
- Condoleezza Rice - A popular draft candidate, she may instead run for senate in California in 2006, especially if Diane Feinstein retires.
OUT:
- George Allen - he will spend the next two years wondering how he lost his Senate reelection.
- Haley Barbour - the Mississippi Governor and former RNC Chair got a lot of press after Katrina, but has said he is not running.
- Bill Frist - the outgoing Majority Leader is going home to Tennessee and is "retiring" from public service.
- Rick Santorum - see George Allen, but in Pennsylvania.
2 comments:
Personally, I'd like to see Senator Hagel run. He's a conservative that can work across the isle and has been dead on about Iraq since 2002.
I like Hagel. Although a Democrat, I could even consider voting for him. If I lived in Nebraska.
2008 may very well be the time for a fusion-type party ticket. I hope Hagel does run, the Republicans need a lot of help finding their way back to the middle.
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