Presidential candidates already catching eyes, though still early
(Ninth in a series)
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
From Ron Paul to Mike Gravel, prospective presidential candidates -- announced or not, forthright or coy -- still seek to catch the eyes of influential politicos and the "Big Mo'" that could lead to their party's nomination.
With that in mind, the Mobile Bay Times contacted a number of local and state opinion leaders to assess the lay of the presidential campaign in the here and now.
"Haven't fully decided. I did have lunch with Edwards today in Montgomery and he handled the issues very well."
-- Roger Bedford,
State Senator, D-Russellville
"I'm supporting Rudy! I really like his stand on taxes and how they effect our economy.
He did a fabulous job of turning around NYC by reducing taxes, not a simple job. I can only imagine the pressure to not go in that direction after years and years of higher and higher taxation mentality which was firmly in place when he took office.
He cleaned up a failing city and got the crime stats under control. No simple task as well, no doubt. Returned $10 million to the Saudi Arabian government after 911 saying that he didn't want their blood money. Can't think of too many mayors that would turn that kind of money down! A man of conviction who you will always know where he stands. Being straight forward, he even says if you don't like his position on an issue than don't vote for him. I've always said that any politician that wants to make everyone happy needs a net over their head! You can't possibly agree with everyone 100 percent of the time. He also has a knack of cutting through to the problem and solving it and he is a great communicator -- what wonderful talents to have as President!
I will be pleased to have him in the White House in this time in our country's history. "
-- Bess Rich,
former Mobile city councilwoman
"There's so many exciting candidates out there (some announced - some not) that I haven't completely decided yet who I will support personally.
Clinton, Obama and Edwards all offer intelligent, creative and refreshing ideas that give me great confidence in them. I still think Gore could be a formidable candidate as well. All, I think, are well prepared to lead this country."
-- Vance McCrary,
Mobile attorney
"I have decided to support former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. I am most impressed with his track record of success as mayor of New York City.
During his tenure, his tough zero tolerance approach in dealing with crime reduced the City’s homicide rate by around 60 percent. He is also a proven fiscal conservative who is dedicated to lowering taxes and reducing the size and cost of government.
I also believe that he is highly capable of providing the strong leadership that our country needs in fighting terrorism and handling national security issues."
-- Connie Hudson,
Mobile city councilwoman
"I am not there yet. I have been hoping to hear more from General Wesley Clark. This year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Presidential candidates and I intend to meet everyone that comes to Alabama. So far I have met three and had in depth conversations with two. I heard another make a speech but did not get to meet him. Both that I talked to were very impressive. We have not heard yet from the General about his plans and the former Governor of Virginia declined to go further two weeks after our conversation. It promises to be an exciting couple of years."
-- John Tyson Jr.,
Mobile County District Attorney
"As with many G.O.P. activists, nobody has really caught my eye yet. I was somewhat attracted to Romney, until I investigated the 'flip flops.' Huckabee and Hunter are probably philosophically closer to my thinking but are real long shots. I am interested in Thompson but with a history of cancer I don’t know.
I am really surprised at some of the conservatives (Lathans) supporting Giuliani. He is the closest thing to a Republican liberal, especially on the life issue. He could not beat Hillary in N.Y. for senate (and withdrew) so how could he beat her nationally?"
-- HCR,
Republican official
"I have chosen Rudy Giuliani for several reasons. First the reasons, then the detail and why.
- 1. Winning is paramount, and Rudy is the most likely Republican to win. In fact he will win by a margin that I hope will tone down the bitterness of the past 15 years.
- 2. Rudy is exactly right and a solid conservative on the vast majority of the issues that matter when choosing a President.
- 3. The areas where we differ are real, but when you evaluate what he will do to "govern" as President, and apply objective analysis of the real effect you can only conclude that his personal view on abortion and gay rights will not harm the status quo (no further to the left). Arguably he will help bring about some of the reforms (or prevent bad changes) that most concern Social conservatives.
Rudy's appeal to the "middle of the road" voter is unmistakable and greatly exceeds the appeal to this moderate voter that other candidate might claim. Rudy's well earned reputation as a firm decisive reformer in the Mayor's office and his near hero status following Sept 11 cement him as a unmatched figure on the American political stage in our time.
Rudy's appeal to the middle simply translates into an Electoral College victory. He will win every Bush "red state". Ask yourself which of those states would prefer Obama, Hillary Clinton, or any other Democrat over Rudy. Now think which Democrat "blue state" Rudy will or might win. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are almost certain to switch to Republican. Then look at New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington all are possible for Rudy to win, and the Democrats would have to spend enormous efforts just trying to hold on.
Rudy will win big. No other Republican can claim this mantle or even get close. McCain is slipping among Republicans. Romney might catch on, but why take the chance. Newt is divisive (and not yet running), and Fred Thompson is far from a proven national figure, so again why take a chance (and he, too, isn't yet running).
- Second Issue What do we agree on?
Nearly everything! Economic policy; Tax policy; fighting growth/reducing government; Military policy; War on Terror; Fighting to win in Iraq; Reducing welfare and increasing work; Appointment of jurists who are restrained and conservative; Education reforms; School vouchers and school choice; Immigration reforms; China and trade policy; standing down Iran and Islamic militants; Crime and Punishment; Drugs; Medical reforms and Competitive Health Care; Health insurance reforms to expand coverage; Social Security reforms to insure it's long term solvency ...
Rudy is a proven conservative who is right on nearly every issue.
Rudy is not pro-abortion. He is anti-abortion. I differ with him in that he thinks choice may mean a women has a right to terminate a pregnancy. Frankly he is just wrong on this issue.
But more important is what will he do in this matter?
The single most important thing a President does on social issues is the appointment of judges to the federal bench. It is the federal bench that first saw a 'right of privacy,' and then reaching even further saw a 'women's right to choose' and therefore in the narrowly and wrongly decided Roe v Wade case (5 to 4 split) first legalized abortion.
The federal bench is the source of our problem with prayer in school, religious symbols in the public square, bizarre 'rights' of prisoners and so many issues that are offensive to the large majority of Americans.
Rudy Guiliani simply will not appoint liberal activist judges. So in the most practical sense, it is far more important what he does in this regard than some nuance of what he personally believes."
-- Jerry Lathan,
GOP official, Theodore roofing contractor
"Secretary Chapman has not made an endorsement in the Presidential race."
-- Cindy Hamilton,
spokesperson, Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman
