Political Power Rankings for Super Tuesday
It took me awhile with my busy schedule to do another one of these, and a few things have changed. First of all, the Republican Field has narrowed from Seven Dwarves to Four. Giuliani, Thompson, and Hunter have since bowed out to make room for a more clear and decisive Super Tuesday. The Democrats have their field narrowed to two... big surprise there... which makes for an exciting, albeit inconclusive Super Tuesday.
Just a Few Thoughts:
-Republicans will have a nominee after Tuesday
-Democrats won't have a nominee
-Giuliani set himself up for VP if McCain wins by endorsing him
-Edwards set himself up for VP by NOT endorsing anyone
-I had said Florida would decide the Republican nominee... I stand by that
-California will decide the Democratic nomination
Republicans
1. John McCain- Sen of AZ- He won Florida, and possibly with it the nomination. With endorsements coming from all over, especially from former front-runner Giuliani, he is looking good going into Tuesday's contest. Can he survive the firestorm from Conservative talk show hosts like Limbaugh, Beck, and Hannity? If he can, he's in the clear.
2. Mitt Romney- Fm. Gov of MA- He's won Michigan, showed up well in South Carolina and Florida, and looks good going into Tuesday despite the McCain surge. He'd be in trouble if it wasn't for his deep pocketbook. He might be able to pay his way to victory, which would make McCain regret his limitations to campaign finance laws.
3. Mike Huckabee- Fm. Gov of AR- He's come from third tier to first tier, and now back down to second tier as McCain and Romney run away with this thing. But Huckabee has shown resiliency by staying in the race with no free media (like McCain), and without a lot of money (like Romney). If he can carry the south, keep reinforcing the social conservative wing in his camp, and keep the other candidates from running away with it, he's got a shot... but a long one.
4. Ron Paul- Cong. of TX- His R3volution is really something I've never seen before, but its more of a joke to the party establishment than anything else. He's got no chance to win a State on Tuesday, but don't tell his supporters that. Maybe if he had tried to appeal to the Republican base a bit more or come a little closer to center as he garnered his far-Right support, he might have had a shot.
Democrats
1. Hillary Clinton- Sen of NY- She's been accused of being weak, racist, a puppet, unfit, too liberal, and a liar... but she's risen above it all to continue to lead in the national polls, and looks good going into Tuesday. Republicans beware, she'll be more fit to take on a general than anyone else because of all the flak she's gone through to get this far. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
2. Barack Obama- Sen of IL- He's been right in the thick of the mud-slinging and stayed clean. Is that because of his race, or his charisma? I think a bit more of the latter, believing that he transcends race, and that makes him a dangerous candidate. The endorsements from the Kennedys help a ton, solidifying the JFK heir persona. Win the majority of races on Tuesday, and I think he wins.
