May 19th 2007
Presidential Race 2008
by Jonathan Smart

They are at it already! 10 Republican hopefuls are debating, arguing, gesticulating and presenting their case to be selected as the republican nominee for President in next years Presidential race. Only 3 are worth thinking about. The Democrats are at it as well, but there are as well only 3 worth thinking about. My greatest fear is to end up with two dummies running one for each of the parties! What is even more frightening than that is the amount of money needed to win the race and the amount of money already raised by several of the candidates. Given that only one will get the nomination and one might be selected as the running mate for position of Vice President the sums are staggering and must lead all Americans to start questioning the whole process by which we elect our President and for that matter Senators, Congressmen, etc.

The Iraq War has dominated US politics for the past few years and has overshadowed George Bush JR’s Presidency. Bills and laws passed by him are largely overlooked; a strong economy that has performed well but is now on the slide gets very little attention. The democrats who for the most part supported the war are now back tracking, none faster than Senator Hilary Clinton.

There is a free-for-all going on in this political arena and the obvious front runners may run out of steam and substance if not money. I cannot at this point in the race make a decision on who would be the best President from the hoards knocking at the gates of the White House. I would however, like to see Barack Obama and Rudolph Giuliani face off. Both have gone points. Giuliani’s experience in NY and Obama full of ideals and fresh energy. Senator Clinton has never inspired me to do anything other than throw up when I hear her speak. She reminds me of a double headed Cobra, spitting venom from both mouths, it just depends on which will kill you faster or which would be less painful, but death of this country is assured with her. Mitt Romney seems an affable fellow, yet I always get concerned with deeply religious politicians not only pitching for top office but also when they are extremely rich. The hairs on the back of my neck go up.

Republican Hopefuls:

Arizona Senator John McCain, 70, a Vietnam War. He has a reputation for independence and favours a US troop buildup in Iraq.

Rudolph Giuliani, 62, the former mayor of New York City. Large popularity for handling New York's response to the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, 59, helped rescue the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a devout Mormon, a potential problem for the Republican Party's evangelical Christian base.

Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, 50, who is a devout Roman Catholic and has strong support from religious conservatives.

Duncan Hunter, 58, is a former chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.

Colorado Representative Tom Tancredo, 61, tough on immigration stance.

Mike Huckabee, 51, was governor of Arkansas for 10 years until last January.

Tommy Thompson, 66, a former Wisconsin governor and former Bush cabinet secretary.

James Gilmore, 57, a former Virginia governor served as a counter-intelligence officer in the US Army.

Democratic Hopefuls:

Hillary Clinton, 59. The New York senator's team includes experienced advisers husband, former president Bill Clinton.

Barack Obama, 45. The charismatic and telegenic senator from Illinois is considered the first African-American to have a serious chance of winning the presidency.

John Edwards, 53, is a former senator and was John Kerry's vice presidential running mate in the 2004 election.

Delaware Senator Joseph Biden, 64, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, 62. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1974 and to the Senate in 1980.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, 59. A former energy secretary and United Nations ambassador during the Clinton administration, if elected he would become the first Hispanic US president.

Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich, 60, is a pacifist that embodies the party's left wing. He was a Democratic contender in 2004.