A Gaggle of Republicans

As of today, there are officially 10 republicans in the running for the party’s presidential nomination. There are at least 4 other  potential candidates. This is definitely a case for that old baseball axiom that you can’t know the players without a scorecard.

At this stage of the process, anything is possible and hope springs eternal  as in baseball’s  spring training. While it is early, of course it is not as early as it might seem. President Obama will obviously run for  a second term and among other advantages that he has are an excellent fund-raising apparatus and a significant advantage in name recognition over most of  his potential  opponents ( other than Palin and maybe Bachmann, who will still only the second most well-known Michele-hint, hint).

It is fascinating to me to see the interaction among those already declared and the coyness of those on the sidelines. And, let us not forget the curse of the front-runner. Mitt Romney is probably still in the ” head lead” as a childhood friend of mine said. But, Michele  Bachmann is closing fast and may actually lead in Iowa polls.

Right now, Iowa native Bachmann has 22% and Romney 23% in a Des Moines Register poll. If one has any math skills that would leave 55% to be divided 8 ways and that doesn’t  sound so good. Can you win Iowa and lose the nomination oh yeah- and the opposite is also true. It is also true that one can be ruined in the Iowa caucus which will take place on February 6, 2012.

This will be an interesting journey to chronicle so just for the record, I will at least name the 10 who are in and the four who are not.

Hovering  on the sidelines are Sarah Palin, Rick Perry ( Rush’s choice and mine) , John Bolton and Rudy Giuliani.

Those in it to win it, I guess, are the aforementioned Romney and Bachmann along with the following, in no particular order: Jon Huntsman, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Gary Johnson, Mitch Daniels and Rick Santorum. ( ” Fringe  candidates not included.)

Perhaps the best candidate would be  a guy who has already recused himself, Jeb Bush. Should be quite lively with Paul, Palin and Bachmann in the fray, should it not?

Related articles

• Lackluster GOP field of Presidential wannabes meet for first major debate (capitolhillblue.com)

The Accidential, Temporary Senator

Meet your new Senator from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Paul G Kirk, Jr. Mr Kirk was appointed today by Governor Duval Patrick. Thus one of Senator Ted Kennedy’s final requests has become a reality, as if there were ever any doubt. First, about Senator Kirk. He will be sworn in tomorrow by our good buddy, Joe Biden and will serve until  a special election is held on January 19, 2010. He, again fulfilling Kennedy’s wishes pledged not to run for the seat permanently.Kirk has been Chairman of the Democratic  National Committee, an active lobbyist, an aide to Kennedy, and ironically is the executor of Kennedy’s estate. An insider’s insider.

Predictably, Kennedy’s  widow praised the  appointment , adding that it was strictly the  Governor’s  choice, although the family had pushed for Kirk. Nothing against the late Senator, but what Kennedys  want, they invariably get. I posted about this scenario on  August 21, shortly before the Senator passed away. Quick summary, Kennedy wanted state law changed back to where it was before 2004, so  a quick replacement for him could be named. Why was  it changed in 2004? To prevent Republic guv Mitt Romney from being able to appoint  a Kerry successor if Kerry  won the presidency.

Kennedy led that charge in 2004, somewhat eerily, he has done so again. The Massachusetts legislature passed the needed legislation, despite really futile Republican efforts to block. Skillful political maneuvering, oh yeah.

What almost amuses me is the stated rationale that there are too many important issues such as  health care, climate change etc., for Massachusetts not to be fully represented. Sureeeeee!!

Why would Mr. Kirk want the job? Doesn’t really need it although  it may look good on his final resume. But the Kennedy call is oh, so hard to resist. Oh, might I add that the president was strongly behind this action.

Senator Kennedy Has A Request

Senator Ted Kennedy, D, MA is gravely ill with  a malignant brain tumor first diagnosed about 18  moths ago. Regardless of our feelings about him politically, we do wish him well in this difficult time. It appears  increasingly likely that he  will  not  be able to return to his Senate seat. Doubtless that is  a  source of great frustration for him with the effort being expended at passing health care legislation, his signature issue.

But the Senator has figured out a way to influence things his way. He has written a letter to Massachusetts leaders( all Democrats of course) asking that they change state  law to allow his  seat to be filled by an  appointment of the Governor( one Deval Patrick) rather than an election held 145 days after the seat was declared vacant. Sound reasonable, sure. It makes certain that the state is fully represented during this crucial legislative time. 

But one must remember  that these are Democrats at work  and rarely is anything as it seems. That just so happens to be the case here. Harken back to 2004 when Senator John Kerry, D, MA was running for President. Well, folks in Massachusetts got to thinking, what if he wins? Lo and behold, his Senate seat would be open and Governor Mitt Romney, Republican would have been appointing a replacement. Not so says Senator Kennedy, cannot be allowed, a Republican Senator from our state, what would people think.

So, what happened? Prodded by Senator Kennedy, the state changed the law in 2004. That means  things would revert to how they were. Is it blatantly political, sure. Do the Democrats have the votes to make it happen?  Yes, again. But, as the Wall Street Journal so adroitly asks, do they have the chutzpah? What a great choice of words. Oh, paging former Illinois Governor Blago, ask him how that appointment process worked out.