It's been awhile since we took a look at how the campaigns of the various candidates have been doing. We've been through debates on each sides and have seen some serious and not-so-serious gaffes. Here's my take on how the campaigns have gone over the last months for the party leaders.
The Democrats:
UP
Barack Obama: Obama has run a steady campaign in which he has not made too much noise. He's smart, he knows that you can't win the nomination at this early juncture, but you sure can lose it. He's made a few gaffes such as overstating the amount of people killed in the Midwest tornado and other embarrassing mistakes but nothing fatal and nothing that can't be explained away as him being tired.
Bill Richardson: Richardson has a certain gravitas about him. He seems centrist and has an excellent resume. He's in the position of running a swing-state and not serving in the Senate where he'll be forced to vote on the many important bills currently making the way through that branch. He has also ran a somewhat low-key campaign and has shown himself to be a confident speaker while debating. He's a seasoned politician and acts like he's been here before.
DOWN
Hillary Clinton: Clinton has proven to be about 1/100 of the politician her husband was/is. On the stump she has used an African-American voice, a Southern voice and her own voice, which is so shrill as to be unlistenable. She has wavered on Iraq and immigration and looks downright indecisive. That is the single worst quality one could possess if seeking the Oval Office. She's running this campaign as if one misstep will be her undoing and in doing so has left herself open to alot of criticism.
John Edwards: Edwards has absolutely zero political skills. From the $400 dollar haircuts to the huge house he owns, these are mistakes that seasoned politicians don't make. The entire rich guy looking out for the poor thing is not selling well and his not verbally smacking down a "9/11 Truther" -- a moment that could have been his Sister Souldja moment -- is only going to hurt him. A deft political animal would've turned that moment around and made major points for himself. Plus, he comes off as way too liberal and way too soft for a nation that was attacked 5+ years ago.
The Republicans:
UP
Rudy Giuliani: Rudy's weathered some storms over the past few months including incessant questioning on his abortion beliefs. He's handled it quite well and has stated his case in the right terms. While I have him as still "up", he's gone down a few notches in the last month or so. His reaction to the previously unknown Ron Paul at the last debate helped his standing dramatically.
Mitt Romney: He is the "conservative" in this race. He too has had to endure questions about his abortion views (and one stupid question from Mike Wallace in which Wallace actually asked him if he had pre-marital sex with his wife) and is constantly dealing with the media's fascination with his being a Mormon. Romney communicates extremely well and looks Presidential.
Fred Thompson*: Thompson is sitting in the best seat of any candidate; he can take shots at everyone and have no fear of repercussion. He's talking about red meat issues daily on any forum he can get on and is making his points. The word is that he'll declare in June and attend a few debates. He will be a true breath of fresh air once he does and it may help invigorate the entire campaign on both sides. He's a true conservative with the credentials and aura to pull off not only winning the primaries but wiping up his Democratic opponent in the general. The excellent Peggy Noonan writes a fair profile here.
DOWN
John McCain: Senator McCain is running the exact type of campaign he did in 2000 when I was an early and avid supporter. He has talking points and sticks to them to the point that you get bored listening to him. He made a huge tactical mistake by appearing with Edward Kennedy at the press conference detailing the immigration reform bill, a bill that a large majority of conservatives and Republican hate. McCain's campaign has been the second worst run campaign behind that of John Edwards.
Duncan Hunter: The Representative from my old home in eastern San Diego County has not made any major faux pas; in fact he's made no news at all. Hunter should be a darling of conservatives and instead is getting no traction. The guy is against illegal immigration, a supports the War on Terror and has a son serving in the battlefield. He should be in the up category but for some reason, his campaign has been lackluster at best. That's sad simply because the Congressman is a great candidate. If he were to get his campaign in gear, he could be among the top three or four with Fred Thompson, Giuliani, and McCain. Hunter would make an excellent VP candidate.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 9)
1. Let me rustle up the candidates in this cattle call. Somebody should be paying me for this analysis. Call me? Time to brand these doggies. Obama is the epitome of a Democrat. Look at the donkey and then look at his ears! It doesn't matter that his name reminds us of our top two enemies; Obama is Black and untested-period. Oh no, he's not getting off that easy. He's Oprah's Boy, he inhaled and liked it, and he's hiding his Muslim roots. The ears and names would be acceptable; but he's a closet Muslim that inhaled and liked it. That's keeping it too real and America isn't going there. Bill Richardson is the "Fat Al Gore" who lost the keys to Los Alamos! Si su pueda my butt! America is anti-Latino until they learn to obey the law. Gonzales is out at Justice and this damn anmensty program will blow up in the face of anyone pushing it. This is worse than Harry Reid saying "We Lost." Back amnesty and Democrats have "Lost!" Richardson is too eager to get back into the White House. It's like he left a toy in the Lincoln Bedroom that he doesn't want anyone to use. He's a Clinton loyalist and that means "He's Disqualified!" A vote for "Bill's Wife" means the Circus comes back to Washington. In her first debate, she was Zsa Zsa Gaboring! She pandered to Blacks and the poor with her "Down Home Voice." I'd scream, "Mammy" but that's against the law in America now. I thought Bill was going to enter the "I'm Anna's Baby Daddy Sweepstakes." She's the frontrunner because Republicans are helping her. All the top Republican strategists are ganging up on Edwards. Bill's wife is close, but no cigar because sexual relations does not qualify one to be President. He did have sex with several women. John Edwards represents the brightest future. He's rich and he cares. All Republicans care about is his $400 hair cut. They are jealous or they are infatuated by his boyish charm. Republicans wish that Edwards was a Congressional page because he's legal and hot! He must be a threat because that's the only person they attack. Huckabee got "Willie Hortoned" by Republicans and all they could talk about was Edward's hair. Let me quickly brand the Republican Bush Wannabees. Rudy is a one-trick pony salivating like a Pavlovian dog when the bell rings on 9-11. He's speculating. Romney is a Republican Kerry ready to flip-flop and Republicans know it. Thompson doesn't want to run or work for the White House. He's Dick Cheney with cancer and Hollywood training. He'd accept anything the Bushes give him, but they want to make sure he will hand it over to Jeb or Laura on command. McCain is done because it's torture to watch him struggle. Duncan Hunter and Tancrado can only be helped by Bush selling out our national security. Which one of them can say, "No Mas!" How's that for a branding?
Cecil Jones at 4:58PM on May 18th 2007
2. Hillary doesn't take a stand on anything until she finds out whether she thinks the public will like it so she looks good. This woman is such a phony, liar, cheat,her and Bill even stole furniture from the white house. This isn't any kind of leader of a day care center let alone our country.
jane at 4:55PM on May 18th 2007
3. John Edwards had an expensive hair-cut because his wife said he needed a hair-cut (what man would refuse?) and because he didn't know how much it would cost (because nobody told him).
So what?
Howz about choosing the best man to lead this country after the disastrous Cheney-Bush Administration? Howzabout being RATIONAL for once?
w.c.watt at 1:37PM on May 19th 2007
4. Barracks O'Bomber will get the VP slot under Hillary.
When Richardson was Sec. of Energy he was four quarts low in his own car. Hillary kidnaps Dalmations.
Edwards is too expensive. One more wife and Giuliani converts to Islam. Mitt Rommney could make it. Fred Thompson voted to burn the flag 40 days before 911. SJR7. As did Hillary. You won't see that media footnote anywhere because it would send 40 demoncrats to the gas chamber along with Match McConnell, Lincoln Chapstick and Arlen the Cisco Immigration kid Spectre.
McCain is Rustler Feingold's Manchurain candidate. The only real American that can be trusted so far is Duncan the Hunter. But his capabilities are a media secret.
ABUTOM at 7:26PM on May 18th 2007
5. Mitt Romney... insincere waffler. Hillary....insecure waffler. John Edwards...light weight in a heavy weight world. Giuliani.....one trick pony...911. McCain....wears on
people. I think I'll support Mike Gravel....as long as he promises to care more for American citizens problems than those of illegal aliens.
Steven Rahn at 9:06PM on May 18th 2007
6. Obama is working the internet crowd very well, 2 or 3 emails a week asking for action, not just money. You get the feeling its him talking directly to you, and not just staffers sending out bulk mailings.
Some on the GOP side may be touting him thinking they can beat him later. I think if this guy gets the nomination, and the war is still a quagmire, look out whether your name is Thompson or not.
Steve Bonomo at 12:34AM on May 19th 2007
7. Um, excuse me. Ron Paul is going way up. It's been exceptionally clear in the internet polls and now even the conventional phone polls are climbing. His success is no surprise, America is ready for a principled candidate in the white house. Ron Paul is our best choice because he's been appealing to both parties. I have seen a lot of democrats commenting favorably about him on several major websites. The man is loyal to the constitution. Vote Ron Paul!
carla8478 at 4:03AM on May 19th 2007
8. AmNasty (amnesty) deal, means the end of the Republican Party. When you have a Republican and remove ethics, morrals and Princapals, you get a Democrat.
I have been a Republican voter for twenty Years.
RAY B. at 8:23AM on May 19th 2007
9. I think Obama is only a stalking horse for Al Gore and so when he crashes, Gore will come racing in to "SAVE" the democrat party!
victor b. coster at 11:40AM on May 19th 2007
10. Hillary is a Senator for her constituents. She feels out the wind direction and follows it. If more members of Congress would do this the country would be better off. Iraq/Vietnam what is the difference? We got out of Vietnam after the picketing of the people against the war. I was one of those picketers at college. Same war different countries. I praise the Senator for her foresight
Melvin at 11:20AM on May 19th 2007
11. Ron Paul has the most realistic view of what is going on in this country and throughout the world. He says things that are true, even if we don't want to them. A candidate who sets his/her own agenda to campaign on is refreshing and unique. His campaign is not based on what the various media networks think is important. And it is especially delightful that Fox News is appalled everything that comes out of his mouth.
Marla at 6:59PM on May 20th 2007
12.
ALL OF THE CANDIDATES RUNNING ARE FILTHY RICH AND TO HELL WITH THE WORKING CLASS WHO PAY THEIR ILL GOTTEN SALARIES BECAUSE THEY DO NOTHING AFTER THEY GET IN OFFICE. IF YOU WERE TO PUT THE ONES RUNNING IN WITH A DEN OF SKUNKS, THE SKUNKS WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL.
JOHN POTTERF KANSAS
JOHN POTTERF at 2:49PM on May 19th 2007
13. ALL THE CANDIDATES RUNNING ARE FILTHY RICH AND ONCE THEY GET IN OFFICE THEY THUMB THEIR NOSES AT THE WORKING CLASS WHO PAY THEIR ILL GOTTEN SALARIES FOR DOING NOTHING. IF YOU PUT THEM ALL IN WITH A DEN OF SKUNKS, THE SKUNKS WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL
JOHN POTTERF KANSAS
JOHN POTTERF at 3:08PM on May 19th 2007
14.
ALL CANDIDATES RUNNING ARE FILTHY RICH AND ONCE ELECTED FORGET ALL ABOUT THE WORKING CLASS WHO PAY THEIR ILL GOTTEN SALARIES BECAUSE THEY DO NOTHING AFTER GETTING IN OFFICE. IF YOU WERE TO PUT ALL THE ONES RUNNING WITH A DEN OF SKUNKS, THE SKUNKS WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL
JOHN POTTERF KANSAS
JOHN POTTERF at 3:25PM on May 19th 2007
15. How about Gore? Too bad things went the way it did last time. He should be pres. right now.
lee at 6:48PM on May 19th 2007