Can ANY Republican candidate overcome the Bush legacy and compel Americans to choose him...?

Question

for the Presidency in 2008?

The 28%ers of the Republican party who would vote for Bush again if they could? Sure. But moderate Republicans? How readily, how enthusiastically will they flock to a candidate who's likely to emulate much of what Bush has done for the last 7 years?

Answer 1

Hi, Lamplighter! I usually enjoy your answers.

Sadly, I fear that it's not so much a case of a Republican candidate overcoming Bush, as it is a case of too many Republicans being so very win-or-die set against *any* Democrat that they'd vote for Godzilla over most opposing party candidates. I mean, I would've thought Kerry was a no-brainer in a time of war--3 purple hearts and a voluntary enlistment vs. Bush's military record--but I still talk to people who, no matter how much they hate Bush, say "But I couldn't elect a DEMOCRAT."

That means we Democrats can't just rest on beating the Republicans. We have to have a candidate worth selling to the undecided moderates.

Answer 2

I don't think a Republican can win this time - their policies have failed the people you're talking about, as well as everyone to the left of them. Guiliani might be able to distance himself from the Bush legacy, but his own legacy would be enough to make conservatives stay home on election day, whereas Democratic voters will be extremely motivated in 2008. If the Democrats can field a decent candidate that's not too far left, they should win in a walk.

Answer 3

The "moderate" Republicans are the problem. They are the ones who came up with President Bush's ridiculous "compassionate conservative" concept. What a Republican needs to do is repudiate a good deal of the Bush legacy, including the war in Iraq, and the large increases in domestic spending, and go back to the Gingrich philosophy of restraining spending to create a Federal budget surplus, promote the Giuliani anti-crime initiatives, and re-think the strategy of the War on Terror. Oh and keep giving fools like Rico, who think it's possible to reduce deficits and the debt while supporting massive increases in domestic spending, enough rope to hang themselves with.

Answer 4

Sure. It depends on who the Democrat candidate is. Even so, I think its highly unlikely the Republicans will be able overcome Bush.

Answer 5

If the democratic candidate totally self destructs, yes. A major scandal at just the right time for example. I suspect the dem will play it safe though, making a republican victory extremely difficult.

Answer 6

I agree with Rico on this one. I believe the republican party will have to sit this one out. Their only chance is at this point someone who is already a disappointment I'm sure. America is ready for a big change not just a small change.

Answer 7

I hope so. I'd like to get a real conservative into office. Someone who is fiscally responsible, will deal with the immigration issue and our open borders and also someone who will pursue the Fair Tax.

At this point, I"ll be voting for Fred.

Answer 8

Fred Thompson(isn't officially running yet) and Mitt Romney are the only two people in that party i have paid attention to who have a damn clue. I like Fred Thompson hopefully he runs. I wish there were some independents.

Answer 9

I think the dems are in for a rude awakening when they finally wake up and realize that Bush isnt running for president this next election.

People that voted for Bush in the past arent going to vote for Hillary or Obama just because they didnt like what Bush did. They are going to vote for the republican that will fix what they feel Bush did wrong.

Moderate republicans wont take a flying leap to the far left esp when Bush isnt even running for reelection.

The dems keep running there campaigns as if they are running against Bush. They need to start getting smarter if they want a chance at winning.

Answer 10

Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate that I would consider worthy of my vote. *sm*