SamSaid!

RUDY
Rudy Giuliani beat me to it. With the amount of time and money he spent in Florida, most observers felt that he would draw substantial support. It must have been a major disappointment to see the lack of support from Florida Republican voters. He really didn't have much alternative than to withdraw from the race. I figured that he would pull out, but he certainly didn't waste much time. Several thoughts come to mind.
First, he may have overplayed his 9/11 reputation and heroics. Time has a way of dimming those memories. Second, in his personal life, he carries heavy baggage, especially in southern climes. But maybe moreso, he conveys the image of a New Yorker — a north eastern Brahmin — and that just doesn't play that well in the south. Just as the Southern vote may be termed provincial, the northeastern vote can be comparably assessed. Sorry, Rudy. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong message….. and wrong strategy.
He withdrew from the race before I had a chance to recommend that he do so. Can't be all bad!

EDWARDS

At this point, I think he is just along for the ride. His class warfare only goes so far. He made a ton of money from class action law suits and wants to spend it on his personal missions. He should know by now that his message is falling on deaf ears. If he stays in the race, about all he will get is a couple more TV spots on the Sunday AM talk shows. Sorry John, no waves — only ripples.

HILLARY

Mrs Clinton had her eyes on the Presidency some time back. Little doubt about her aspirations. Absent that long range goal, she probably would have dumped Bill in between girl friends before Monica. No question, Hillary carries baggage. She has hard core supporters who will not abandon her. Likwise ahe has entrenched foes whose oppostion wil not flag. No polls needed to verify these voting blocs. As far as the “in betweens” go, Hillary can be her own worst enemy, and Bill may not be helping her cause. It is hard to imagine Bill Clinton playing second fiddle to anyone.

Some of the pundits have it right. It is the “Billary' campaign. South Caroline made that very clear. My guess is that Hillary's negatives will outweigh her left wing support, and in the long run, Bill will be an anchor around an ankle. Becoming the nominee may be her high water mark.

She had it all figured out — and then along came Obama.

ELECTION 08
Now that we are essentially beyond the preliminaries it is time to take a closer look at our Presidential nominees. They all have given us a good look at what they have to offer.

First, OBAMA.
Mr Obama is a youthful energetic, bright guy. He is handsome, well spoken, generally knowledgeable, ambitious, and street smart. Time will tell whether he is glib, articulate,or eloquent. That is always a concern since we have very recently experienced a President whose eloquence downgraded to glibness. Like, maybe, “It depends upon what the definition of is..is”.
A concern about Obama is depth. Sometimes articulation can conceal real knowledge and understanding. Problem is that his background and experience are very shallow indeed. THere is litle doubt about his character and personal attributes. However, I have trouble imagining him face to face with Putin or the Chinese or the self centered Euros at the UN. And that is to say nothing about the in fighting inside the beltway. Also, his managerial skills are very much in doubt — to say nothing about international financial know-how.

When I think about Obama, I think of a very talented 1st Lieutenant who aspires to be the Commanding General is one big jump. Sorry, Mr Obama — not now.