The Contenders for 2008
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<<...Sen. Barack Obama–Illinois: It’s simply not Obama’s time yet. It is only his first year in the Senate. But there is no question that he has a very good chance at becoming the first black president in American history someday. Just not yet. Get back to us in 2016, or 2012 if, God forbid, the Dems manage to lose in ‘08 also.
Gov. Bill Richardson–New Mexico: This man is going to be the next president of the United States. He has it all. He’s a governor, which means he has experience balancing a budget. He spent 14 years in the House where he developed a keen interest in foreign policy. In 1997 Clinton appointed him as U.N. Ambassador, the next year Clinton made him the Secretary of Energy, which means he also has expertise in a field that will be of major importance in 2008. Budget experience, foreign policy experience, energy experience. What’s not to like? Richardson is also a Hispanic who spent part of his childhood in Mexico, so perhaps conservatives will make his ethnicity an issue, and they will probably charge that because of his background he will be weak on immigration. Not so. Earlier this year Richardson declared a state of emergency on the border of his state so that he could increase security to try to keep illegals from sneaking in. Richardson is a moderate, as governor he has cut taxes but also made New Mexico the first state to provide life insurance coverage for all active National Guard members. Bush just a month ago sent Richardson to North Korea as an unofficial envoy to help in negotiations with that country regarding their nuclear weapons. But Richardson does have a few issues. There are rumors that neither Gore nor Kerry chose Richardson as their running mate because of supposed sexual conquests, and as Energy Secretary he was involved in the Wen Ho Lee scandal. Lee was falsely accused of stealing secrets about nuclear warheads and giving them to China while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Richardson is accused by some of leaking Lee’s name to the press while the investigation into how China received information they weren’t supposed to have was still secret. But I like him, and I think he’s got a great shot at winning. And he has reportedly told party leaders that he will indeed run in 2008.
Gov. Tom Vilsack–Iowa: Vilsack was thought to be one of Kerry’s top three choices as his running mate last year, a job that obviously went to Edwards. Vilsack’s major achievements as governor have been expanding health care for children and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Vilsack recently announced that he will not seek a third term as governor in 2006, increasing speculation that he is ready to make a run for the presidency. Vilsack is chairman of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, which will allow him to make inroads with influential party leaders, and also notice his state. Iowa, the first caucus. Always nice to have connections in Iowa.
Gov. Mark Warner–Virginia: Warner has drawn comparisons from some to none other than Bill Clinton, and why not? They are electing his replacement today, but only because Virginia limits its governors to one term of office. Warner’s approval rating in Virginia is an astounding 74%, and let’s remember, it’s Virginia. They don’t elect very many Democrats in Virginia, although they might do so again today, and that’s only because of Warner’s enormous popularity. The problem with Warner is that his one term of office is the only office he has ever held, so inexperience may be an issue, like with Edwards last year. Warner would also probably be competing with Edwards for the Southern vote in the primaries, and with Midwesterners Bayh and Vilsack for moderate voters. But keep an eye on Warner, any Democrat who manages a 74% approval rating in Virginia is worth watching...>> |
