GOP front-runner: NOTA!
AP reports that the leading GOP presidential candidate is…None Of the Above:
The latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that nearly a quarter of Republicans are unwilling to back top-tier hopefuls Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, John McCain or Mitt Romney, and no one candidate has emerged as the clear front-runner among Christian evangelicals. Such dissatisfaction underscores the volatility of the 2008 GOP nomination fight.
In sharp contrast, the Democratic race remains static, with Hillary Rodham Clinton holding a sizable lead over Barack Obama. The New York senator, who is white, also outpaces her Illinois counterpart, who is black, among black and Hispanic Democrats, according to a combined sample of two months of polls.
A half year before voting begins, the survey shows the White House race is far more wide open on the Republican side than on the Democratic. The uneven enthusiasm about the fields also is reflected in fundraising in which Democrats outraised Republicans $80 million to $50 million from April through June, continuing a trend from the year’s first three months.
“Democrats are reasonably comfortable with the range of choices. The Democratic attitude is that three or four of these guys would be fine,” said David Redlawsk, a University of Iowa political scientist. “The Republicans don’t have that; particularly among the conservatives there’s a real split. They just don’t see candidates who reflect their interests and who they also view as viable.”
More Republicans have become apathetic about their top options over the past month.
A hefty 23 percent can’t or won’t say which candidate they would back, a jump from the 14 percent who took a pass in June.
That’s about where I’m at now, alas. How about you?
***
More poll results out:
Zogby: “Clinton Builds Sturdy Lead; Thompson & Giuliani Battle for Top GOP Spot.”
Gallup: “2008 Nomination Contests Holding Steady With Clinton and Giuliani on Top.”
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- And, the GOP frontrunner is….. Who knows? « Volunteer Opinion Journal
- Zogby: Hillary Clinton, Fred Thompson Lead 2008 Race « Volunteer Opinion Journal
- Rhymes With Right
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Fred advisor: He’ll announce “in the coming days;” other advisors “rule out July”
- A Judicial Branch With a Hint of Olive « AcePundit.com
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Categories: 2008 campaign, GOP
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Huckabee!
I quit giving money to the Republican party two years ago! They (yes and I’m adding Bush here) were not moving in the direction I thought they should be moving. Even back then, I wanted control of the borders, they ignored that issue. I wanted less government control, they ignored that issue, I wanted vigorous execution of the war, they ignored that, and allowed our men to be killed from mosques without returning fire, I wanted the MAJORITY Replublican Congress to extend the conservative mandate, they didn’t…now they want the presidency, and they expect us to fall in lock step, well, I’m not a liberal, I don’t jump for any party just because I am affiliated with them. Don’t get me wrong..I most likely won’t vote democrat, since most of their candidates make me sick…but they won’t get my money until they act like true conservatives. Where is Reagan when you need him!? What do we need to do to get these “politicians” off their ass and to do what is best for America? That’s what I’m waiting for!!!!
I’m good with a ticket with Fred and Mitt, with Guiliani as honorable mention. McCain needs to retire to Havasu.
I’d vote for any of them over just about any Democratic candidate.
That said, I think of the 1980 race with two future presidents (Reagan, Bush), one future presidential candidate (Dole), 3 future cabinet members and two very smart Congressmen in Phil Crane and John Anderson.
And then you look today and see – Tommy Thompson? Ron Paul?
Sad. Very sad.
Except for Fred Thompson directly responding to Michael Moore, there is not a single incidence of conservative behavior among the candidates.
Wake up RNC and get off the new tone train wreck!
yeah, i like mitt (POTUS) and FRED (VPOTUS).. guiliani… if i have to. sorry, but if a strong candidate shows up with a history of closing the borders.. he/she is the one..
I’d take almost any GOP candidate over just about any DNC candidate.
Helllloooooooo…….Col Ollie North, can you hear me????? Please toss your hat in the ring!
I like how the news report said “Clinton, who is white,”. Jeez! Like we didn’t know!
I kinda like the NOTA scenario. We need a dynamic new candidate. A draft could do that. Who should we draft??? Well, you know.
Look for us at the Texas straw poll and the Midwest Republican Leadership Conference.
At this point I would rather have Fred! being a bit slower, wiser and conforming the the Constitution than a faster non conforming Guiliani.
I believe in the brilliance of the founders and that governments and people still follow the same rules of operation that were discovered thousands of years before the framers used the best of that ancient wisdom to create the greatest Republic in history.
Our highest law is not a manipulative instrument.
Humans are no different now than in historical times and the rules for success are no different.
We have a well laid out road map, nearly all of our problems can be laid at the feet of those who have arrogantly refused to follow it.
I’m with you Michelle, none of the above.
Spending most of my life in Florida, I am partial to Jeb Bush for the nomination. He’s a clear thinker, has a stout heart and is a man of God. Alas, I do not think he wants the job…
I’m not sure I trust that poll. In my circle…conservative, Christian…I think Thompson is a clear favorite. Not perfect, but what candidate is? With the exception of McCain — so I’m glad to see it looks like he’s on the way out as a possible candidate — I’d vote for just about any of the Republican candidates in a heartbeat compared to what the Democrats are offering. I don’t like Rudy’s social liberalism, and his record on gun control, but with the right VP candidate and a promise to keep his word on what he’s said so far to woo social conservatives, I’d vote for him. Mitt is a bit too much the politician for my taste, but better by far than Hillary or Obama. I just wish Thompson would make it official. Then watch the polls.
Thomson, of course.
Huckabee is a good choice, too, but he shouldn’t even been trying; thanks to the idiotic swing voters, no one named Huckabee is ever going to lead the free world. 
I meant Thompson; oopsie.
On July 17th, 2007 at 1:31 pm, zorro said:
Florida man here and Jeb has one big problem… his last name.
Still waiting for a true conservative. Alas, should I run?
I’ll vote for the Independent Conservative: Tom Tancredo.
“He doesn’t have a chance,” they claim, but I have to be honest with myself.
I have to vote for the candidate whom I am comfortable with, and whom is closer to my beliefs and principles, notwithstanding his stand in the polls.
I am not Sean Hannity or Bill O’Reilly.
This is the summer of 2007 not the summer of 2008. It is hard to get interested in anybody running for the Presidency and, frankly, none of the candidates in the Republican field are without problems. I remind the naysayers here that Ronald Reagan was divorced and was even a Democrat at one time before seeing the light and then becoming one of our greatest Republican conservative Presidents. The situation will clarity in September and solidify after the truly off year 2007 elections in places like Virginia.
I agree that Thompson/Romney/Guliani are possible choices. However, ref Jeb…even if he walked on water I don’t think I would ever, ever, ever again vote for a Bush. G.W.’s lack of common sense and his absolute adherence to his own ‘values’, proven wrong time after time, indicates to me that the Bush family has serious issues with management and governance. Brown, Miers, The A.G. etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. Borders, etc, etc, etc. Must be in the ‘genes’ . No wonder gene investigation is a bush no no.
Newt Gingrich needs to jump into the water. He’s got great ideas and solutions.
Newt and Fred, enough said.
#16 I’m with you…Tancredo and Hunter among a few of the lesser knowns that are actually better presidential material, in my opinion of course. Rep’s are closer to the people for 1 thing, not elitist like a lot of senators that have made a career inside the belt. If one looks close at the name players you’ll see lots of reasons for backing off…Fred and his affection for nepotism and cronies in Washington with deep pockets does not make a president, Mr. Bush is a good example of that.
I agree. Newt would be my preference over all others.
It’s way to early. Relax. It is going to be OK.
This entire Presidential race is being driven by talking heads, pundits, and talk radio. And yes, to a certain extent by us bloggers, too. To wit, Political Junkies with a serious ‘jones.’ It is feeding on itself and becoming … monstrous.
The scary thing is that talk about this race began the first Wednesday of 2004. I had been insulted by that and it has been insulting to Pres Bush. He hadn’t even begun his second term and already the chattering class (that’s us) were talking about 2008.
Nearly every interview with any politician who showed up on a National Media outlet was asked whether they were going to run for President in 2008, and that began in December of 2004 a full month before Pres Bush’s second inauguration.
Full disclosure – I tried to resist but each time I tried to step away they kept pulling me back in. Pulling with every silly question, every pundit opinion, every blog post, every editorial, every late night television show. I tried, but ultimately couldn’t resist, because – Hello, I am Zyzzyg … and I am a Political Junkie.
Well, let me tell you something. Tom Tancredo isn’t Presidential at all. If he were the nominee, you can forget the White House in ‘08 and probably ‘12 also. He’s a decent congressman, good on immigration, but a President he is not. It’s just not in the guy. He should stay where he is and fight the battles against the House Democrats.
If you’re a one issue immigration voter, Duncan Hunter is a better choice, IMHO. However, I don’t think he can win either. Hunter can lead the charge on the fence, and his defense experience and contacts could serve the next Republican President well, as maybe DHS or DOD secretary, or he could keep fighting the good fight in the House as well.
I’m leaning toward Fred Thompson heavily, but I won’t firmly commit for some time yet. It’s way too early still, and that’s part of why I like Thompson, because he’s sticking his finger in the eye of all these politicos who started the campaign on Nov.3,’06. You don’t have to follow the herd if you’re a leader, do you?
I want to see real debates between the serious candidates that shows more substance than that silly gameshow format with also-rans wasting everyone’s time. It should be on FNC, so it’s not a gotcha festival run by Screwball Matthews. Good Lord, I can’t stand that idiot. Real questions, real answers.
Wait, I forgot the Kucinich of the Republicans! RonPaulRonPaulRonPaul!
Hear me now, believe me later, Huckabee is going to crack the top three in due course, funny name and all!
George Will (Newsweek June 18) turned me off on Thompson.
Newt has some good qualities, but does he have ability to govern like Mitt and Rudy have? Does it feel like 1988 to anyone?
Thompson (not Tommy, sorry Gov!) is where I lean toward. He has actually said more about relevant issues even though he hasn’t announced officially.
Huckabee would be a great VP choice for any of the top contenders!
Rudy is not a republican.
http://95theses.wordpress.com/2007/06/01/something-about-rudi/
Hussein is dirty. Clinton is a commie; a dirty commie.
The only talking my language even a little bit is Fred Thompson.
Yup, MM is supporting no one. No one quite meets her ideological purity test. Because, the politicans running, actually had to make hard decisions and compromise with people who don’t agree with them. But, MM is from the infant school if a law or policy is not 100% what you want, then disrupt, whine, jam phone lines, etc. And she always says liberals are immature.
But now that we’re at it: The only true conservative in the race is Ron Paul. He didn’t get MM’s memo that the 4th Amendment was recalled after 9/11 and that our great military should not be used for foreign (mis)adventures to remake Third World countries into Jeffersonian democracy through force of arms.
The infowar for control of the US proceeds apace.
Today’s Message: the fact that the Dems have candidates who are either widely mistrusted or empty suits is good. The fact that the Repubs have a number of viable candidates with more likely to enter the race is bad.
This refrain is designed to obscure a simple fact: pretty much any of the Republican candidates would beat any of the Dems if the election were held now!
The MSM strategy for Dem victory is two-pronged:
1. Keep telling Republicans how dissapointed and demoralized they are, to get as many as possible to stay home on voting day.
2. Keep digging for dirt and floating rumors on the Republican candidates and studiously ignoring and covering for Dems, to take attention away from the fact that Dems have some serious negatives like Hillary’s scandals, Obama’s nutball church and islamic roots, and Edwards air-headedness and obscene wealth agined through contrived lawsuits against healthcare providers.
Next time someone talks about you right to know, remember that they are leaving the words “just what I want you to know.” off, but they do indeed intend just that.
The scene is a press conference held by the man who will eventually become the Republican presidential candidate for 2008 and subsequently, the 44th President of the United States. The candidate points to a (impartial and unbiased) reporter for the next question…
Reporter: Mr Republican Candidate, what is your plan to deal with 12 to 20 million undocument workers currently suffering because of their inability to obtain legal status in this country as so many immigrants have in the past?
Republican candidate: My plan starts with secure borders. Everything we should do and can do is dependant on securing the borders of our great country once and for all. No other immigration issue is soluble without secure borders in place.
Reporter: But what do you plan to do about the plight of 12 to 20 million undocumented workers who are not enjoying the same basic human rights as citizens of this country who just happen to be here legally?
Republican candidate: I’m going to provide them with secure borders so that anyone who wants to come to this great country can do so in an orderly and legal fashion to enjoy the blessings of being here legally.
Reporter: But Mr. Candidate, that doesn’t answer my question about what you will do to relieve the suffering of 12 to 20 million undocumented workers in this country. What will you do for them?
Republican Candidate: I will see to it that our national borders are safe and secure so that both citizens and legal immigrants as well as visitors who come here by legal means can prosper in safety.
Reporter: Mr. Republican Candidate, I feel you are being evasive on this issue.
Republican Candidate: I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be evasive. Let me try to clarify this for you: Secure borders first, then we can talk about immigration issues in the context of secure borders. Is that clear enough for you?
Giuliani loves Michael “Serpenthead/Lettucehead” Chertoff, per Debbie Schlussel:
“He lauded Chertoff endlessly and said that Chertoff had been his deputy as U.S. Attorney in New York.
That’s bad news–very disturbing. Would Giuliani re-appoint Chertoff to head up DHS (along with his gang of incompetent cronies, like The ICE Princess)? Who knows? Would Giuliani appoint Chertoff to some other important national security role in a Giuliani Administration?”
I like Newt, but I don’t think he can appeal to enough of the center to win.
It’s unfortunate that our voting system forces us into a position where you must vote for whom you think can win vs who you really want to win. Maybe some would argue otherwise.
If we could only switch to a voting system like Acceptance Voting( No, I am not a troll), we would see a more accurate reflection of The Peoples will.
I think there is value knowing the outcome of the ‘also rans’ in the context of the entire field of candidates( vs a primary system ) when it comes to building support for candidates further on down the road.
What has a better chance: revamping the tax code or changing the voting system?
I won’t hold my breath.
You are pathetic, MikeB.
It’s too early to make up my mind. Besides where’s Fred!?
MikeB: Tell us how you really feel.
Dream ticket.
Jeff Sessions/Tommy Franks.
Hey Mike B…..Ron Paul’s a true conservative?…..hey, homeboy…Ron Paul is crazier then you…he’s no Conservative…he’s more of a weird libertarian…
Jferg–no one is crazier than me!
Fred isn’t a leader. On anything. He’ll be the last man entering the race with the least experience and the lowest chance of winning. The only reason he has traction now is he hasn’t had to do anything but tour the country going “hey, you know, I was on Law & Order.”
Fred is a born follower. He’s never lef anything in his life. Washington insider, irrelevant Senator. His most well known role is actor, and that speaks volumes to his credentials: He has none. He’s an essayist no different from any conservative blogger out there.
MikeB said:
Jferg–no one is crazier than me!
I am.
I have been holding back.
Conservative blogger for President? Sounds good! Real good!
Thompson/Malkin ‘08!
Funny how Fred has no chance of winning while leading the polls before entering, huh, BKennedy?
By the way I don’t trust too many Kennedys anymore:)
Nota is the only one I’d feel proud to vote for.
I’m with amerpun #7. Most of the GOP candidates are also preferable to W.
Before any of us get too excited about Huckabee – best do some reading about him and his wooing of Mexico for a consulate in Little Rock. Too much influence for even V.P..
I will not support anyone that does not firmly stand against illegal immigration, a decrease in H1b visas, failure to address the correct interpretation of the 14th Amendment, a penalty on earnings for companies that outsource, revamp our schools where students will actually be competative in a global economy, and admit we are involved in a war with no end – that we may just have to say out loud the name of that group that hides behind the current label of terrorist.
So far, I’ve not seen anyone step up with those qualifications. Actually, I’ve not seen anyone running, Dem or Repub, say anything on any of those points. State supported medical care matters not a twit if you’re dead.
On the latter point, you’d be condemning an entire clan of Scots and Irish. You might as well start distrusting people named Smith.
On the first, its all Law & Order and hype. Fred hasn’t been in any debates, he hasn’t shown any initiative. He hasn’t even declared. I bet Jesus Christ would win in 100% of polls, even beating out Fred, but JC isn’t a candidate either.
In short, Fred is living off of hype and charisma. He’s the Obama of the right.
You watch, so soon as he declares and takes questions from people other than Leno and Hannity, he’ll plummet like a stone.
You can’t win an election if you aren’t a candidate.
C’mon! It’s waaay too early to declare, and he’ll get in soon enough. Just because Fred hasn’t debated yet, doesn’t mean it’s all over by any stretch. There is plenty of time for this to shake out, and he might turn out to suprise you. I think he’s proving a point that this all started too early, and you don’t have to jump in a race the day after the current cycle. He’s going to shake things up big time when he does declare officially, and he just might be waiting for the sinking of the good ship McCain to give his talented staff somewhere to go. There’s more than meets the eye with this Thompson campaign. I think he’s being very clever and strategic. But that’s just my opinion:)
I was just teasing you a little, BKennedy. I’m Irish-Scots-Dutch, with a dash of Cherokee for flavor. Smith is in my family too:)
I have to go with Thompson. He seems the lesser of the evils we will have to choose from.
You know what turned me off Fred Thompson, aside from his bait-and-switch toolery?
His explanation for why he wanted to be President, “Because I want to do things only a President can do.”
Brilliant. From the sound’s of it, he’s just doing it to do it. He’s long on conservative talk and short on conservative action. Every single article I’ve ever seen on him discusses what he believes or some negative aspect of his undistinguished Senate record.
Thats all Fred is. An amalgam of conservative beliefs with no action to back it up. He doesn’t have any experience, he won’t appeal to non-conservatives (Yes, shocking I know, liberals and moderates vote too), and he has nothing which would make me choose him OVER anyone else.
My beef with Fred is solely in the primary. If he wins the primary I will vote for him. However, in the primary I want to strongest candidate to get elected, not the so-called “most conservative.” Anyone can do what Fred does: talk. I want to see records and actions. As of right now Fred is just fiddling his siren song to conservatives and expecting us all to play dead.
The only reason Fred! is getting ANY buzz is because conservatives don’t like any of the choices. Conservatives don’t know anything bad about Fred! so until they do, he seems to be the guy.
I’ve said for a long time that the best Conservative Candidate for LEADERSHIP in America today is NEWT GINGRICH.
Four years ago I’d have given Newt about as much a chance of winning the election as Hillary Clinton – ZERO. Seeing Hillary as frontrunner gives hope for a Gingrich candidacy.
But aside from Newt’s personal baggage, and penchant for saying the wrong thing (it just means he says what he thinks) – Newt has some VERY good ideas for America.
Newt is the ONLY potential or current candidate with a POSITIVE message about the GREATNESS of America. Newt talks about solutions to some of America’s problems without bashing America.
All the Democrats do is say America is bad, and the choir sings Halleluia.
Newt Gingrich is the best conservative candidate hands down. Whether or not he runs, or whether or not he’s electable, only time will tell.
http://www.newt.org/backpage.asp?art=4667
Here’s a link for you #46. Newt addresses the issue. “FED EX Vs. Government Bureaucracy.” LOL
Thompson isn’t a conservative, but he played one on TV…still sticking to my guns: Ollie North. I know where he stands on the issues; he’s a no-nonsense man; and the terrorists are scared sh**less of him. Who could ask for anything more??? C’mon people, it’s time to strap em on!
Thanks John,
I guess that crushes my positive America stance.
Although it strengthens his case as a conservative for LESS government and MORE private enterprise.
It also shows he’s on the right side of the immigration debate – though he likely thinks the American government CAN uphold the law with illegals – if they want to.
But it was a funny link, thanks:)
I was leaning towards Newt… but then he went off the deep end on global warming. He lost me. Looking towards Fred now.
Awww…and Newt was my pick for Ollie North’s running mate…make’s me sad that he fell for that …meanwhile I’ve solved global warming…next time you have a chance have a look at the giant glowing ball outside…it’s called “the sun”…amazing…now can we get back to business???
I think you will agree with me that George W. Bush was not, and is not “Presidential at all,” whatever that means.
The Look and the Image don’t make a President, at least not for me.
Yes, Tancredo and Hunter will make an excellent ticket.
Newt is a Global Warming Kool-Aid drinker?!
as for all the guys in the running, I heart Huckabee..
It seems like all the Pajamas Media bloggers pretty much think Ron Paul is a “bircheresque crank”. I know because I frequent pretty much all of them. But Ron Paul is my choice. The Constitution is what matters…Rudy McRommneyson will give us exactly what we’ve had 7 years of in W. A Republican in Name Only.
No thanks, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
I’ll take the bircheresque crank with more money in the bank than McCain please.
Ron Paul! Ron Paul! Ron Paul!
Ron Paul is a nutjob who thinks the US is at fault for 9/11. He blew his entire leg off below the knee at the first Republican debate when he let his “Troofer” beliefs slip out. BTW he is currently polling a whopping 0% in the polls.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/07/usatgallup-poll.html
Luxterman-
Yeah, that’s exactly what he said. 9/11 is our fault. Take a look again (I’m not sure, but you can probably find the clip on youtube).
This thread is about why all the GOP frontrunners suck because they aren’t really conservatives (which is absolutely true, Giuliani wants a National ID card? Come on.).
So regardless of his standing in the polls, I’m going with Ron Paul anyway. It’s a principled conservative vote. I know for sure that any of the other candidates that we put up there will lose to Hillary/Obama/whoever. I also know that with 10 terms in Congress his voting record is flawless. At this point, with the recent scamnesty bill having to be defeated AGAIN, I’ll take Ron Paul and his consistency.
My candidate must be anti-police state, pro market, anti war, and christian right. I see no candidate like this Michelle.
bless your little heart…none of us are “pro-war”…we are, however, in favor of defending our nation…think Jim Carrey said it best in “Liar, Liar”: “where would women of the world be if tina turner had rolled over and said ’smack me again ike and this time put some stank on it!’”…same idea, just change it up a bit: “where would the US be if GW had rolled over and said ‘hit us again osama and this time put some stank on it!”…get w/the program people……..
lets see… Ron Paul is a truther being supported by our local kos troll…
doesn’t exactly make me want to jump on that bandwagon.
I want small government, more law inforcement. I want freedom of speech and freedom to bear arms. I want closed borders with immigration reform to create more LEGAL aliens. I want the illegals who have commited crimes OUT. I want CAIR prosecuted… oh wait right.. this isn’t a Christmas list… nm..
I’m not up for picking a president yet… way too early.
So true, we have a long way to go. Fred has some work to do, Newt has a lot of bad press to turn around and some of the others needed the early campaigning to get some name recognition. Mitt sounds good and so does Rudy at times. I think our overall group is very good. If you are excspecting any candidate to agree with every thing you believe, then that particular candidate will never exist.
But just like sherlock suggest, the MSM is going to do their best to make you believe none are worthy,,,,,,,,,, beware.