Very nice analysis. It will be an interesting 18-19 months with many possibilities. I wouldn't be surprised to see a "dark horse" emerge from either or both sides. I, for one, have "candidate fatigue" with many on both sides. I like Bill Richardson and he certainly has the credentials to be elected. From the Republicans, Huckabee looks like an intriguing "dark horse" type of candidate.

The liberal mainstream media is already relentlessly trying to discredit each potential Republican candidate.

Rudy in 08!!! The only candidate on either side of the aisle running on his record of accomplishment. The only candidate on the right with any real vision.

Rudy is also the only candidate on the right supporting the use of federal funds for abortion. Running Rudy is going cause many of the fundie voters to stay home (praying that the Dems don't win) and away from the voting booth on election day.... but I agree that Rudy represents the best shot Republicans have.

I look at the entire field and get weary as well. Seems like the same old people, pandering to the same old other people. No candidate on either side gives me a vision of FDR, JFK, or Reagan.

I find presidential elections anything but predictable. I don't think we can assume that the frontrunners in the primaries of either party will win the nomination. Frontrunners often stumble and they certainly don't seem unbeatable this time.

With today's scrutiny, any candidate can be eliminated almost any time with a "gotcha"--either some significant slip or problem in his/her past, or a not-significant one which still gets traction in upsetting voters.

A third party candidate often swings a close election. If so, that's probably in the Republic Party's favor (I would guess) because only Nadar seems like a possible spoiler this time.

With no spoiler, it might be close yet again...in which case the winner might be the one who can take the most votes from the opposing party...or at least independents. That, I think, might fall to the Democrats advantage, because to win the Republican nomination requires, I think, a narrower focus than in the Democratic Party. (Guiliani----the Republican with the widest appeal, I think, will probably not win because he's too liberal for the Republican base...)

Of course, this is all speculation. Really, I think the only thing I feel fairly confident to say it that this election seems unpredictable.

Of course, the big issue may be the war in Iraq; I suppose if the surge works (whatever "works" means in this context), that would help Republicans--who uniformly support the war and the president. If it goes badly (as much of the war has), then that would help the Democrats.

Who the heck knows? I just hope we get someone good...

Federal funds for abortion? How about federal dollars for breast implants? Botox injections? Federal bucks for facelifts would be a good idea, too.

Brian claims that Rudy is the only candidate running on his record of accomplishments. Give me a break. The only thing Rudy is running on is 9/11. And quite frankly, that might have been less of a disaster if he hadn't made some pretty poor decisions prior to that - like placing the OEM (Office of Emergency Management) in the World Trade Centers AFTER the first attack on them a few years previous.
Look, as a New Yorker, I thought Rudy made a good mayor by NY standards, but presidential material he aint. Go Mitt!

Lee stop spinning your falsehoods-

Here is what Giuliani said verbatim-

Giuliani to social conservatives: Take it or leave it

Watch Giuliani's comments on abortion at a Columbia, South Carolina press conference Thursday.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rudy Giuliani's message to social conservatives: If you don't like my views, don't vote for me.

The Republican presidential frontrunner Thursday reaffirmed his support for federal funding for some abortions, a position which puts him at odds with many conservatives. During a press conference at the State Capitol in Columbia, South Carolina, he said he didn't expect to win over 100 percent of the voters.

"If that's real important to you, if that's the most important thing, I'm comfortable with the fact that you won't vote for me," the former mayor said.

Although Giuliani said he is does not like abortion, he said he would not change the standing law. Specifically, he said would not change the Hyde amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion to cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

"I'm against abortion, I hate it, I wish there never was an abortion and I would counsel a woman to have an adoption instead of an abortion," the former New York mayor said. "But ultimately I believe it is an individual right and the woman can make that choice."

Giuliani also said this to CNN's Dana Bash in an interview Wednesday.

The current law also leaves the decision up to each individual state and Giuliani said he agreed with that. South Carolina is in the process of passing a law that would require pregnant women to see an ultrasound before having an abortion.

CNN interview with Giuliani

If social Conservatives are going to toss Rudy out for maintaining the STATUS QUO Hyde amendment which allows for federal funding of abortion in the case of RAPE, INCEST OR LIFE OF THE MOTHER-than it is these types of hypocritical Social Conservative absolutists that need to be jettisoned.

Don't tell me if YOUR DAUGHTER was RAPED you wouldn't consider abortion for her.

Disgusting-I swear if men were raped and had to go around for nine months....and then deliver- we wouldn't even be "discussing" this "issue".

Additionally you could pass STATE laws -remember you are supposed Federalists to override the Hyde amendment at the state level.

Remember though how that worked out for Social Conservative extremists in South Dakota that wanted to abolish abortion eveneven in cases of rape and incest and they did that this last election cycle which probably cost Republicans nation wide due to the media attention it received....

How did that work out for the extremists?

It FAILED in SOUTH DAKOTA.

That being said-Rudy most likely won't make it past the primary, the media will "discover" weaknesses of Thompson "suddenly" but only after the primary and we will end up with a-

Democratic, Senate, a Democratic House with Hillary at the Helm.

Heaven help us.

I agree on several points. However, I would add that the democratic party will fall back on Hillary, additionally because they won't allow a black man on the top of that ticket. But She may well choose Harold Ford as VP.
He can take Tennessee easily. Just my opinion. Clinton Ford .... Although it rings of Clinton Gore, doesn't it? But it won't matter with the field we have. Aren't we all waiting on the one who will unite us to get to the polls. Those 3 don't come close. I would say it is easy sailing for Hill and a rough sea ahead for conservatives.

When the Thompson Robots buzzed this site last week, I gleaned an interesting link from them:

http://www.speakout.com/VoteMatch/
It's pretty darn accurate viz personal convictions; candidates match: maybe). Take the test and then press "analysis". I agree: I'm a populist-leaning conservative. Good site!
(The Thompson Twins were confused though; image/reality paradox maybe.)

I have no doubt that someday I will vote for a woman or an African American for President. But '08 is not the year. Hillary or Obama neither one have the ability to guide us through tough times.
I am beginning to believe that Moveon.Org and the media will determine the next president unless people begin to put some independent thought into their choice and learn to weed out the propaganda.

A sound analysis.

I can't help but wonder what you mean by "re-unify the Republican Party"? Neal Boortz blames "the fundies" for the party's disarray and lack of broad support. I say Republicans are suffering because of the liberalization of the party. Far too many Republicans fancy themselves as independent and are willing to stray off the reservation - most often for the favorable attention such a move garners from the insincerely fawning MSM. If we do not get back to first principles of conservatism (both socially and fiscally speaking), the party is doomed IMHO. The disenfranchised will continue to feel that they have no place left to go and will simply opt out of both parties, giving an automatic win to the Democrats in the process.

Incidentally, Giuliani is probably not one who is going to accomplish the foregoing unification.

With the absence of any bona fide Southern Governors, 2008 is shaping up as a new kind of race model where an Italian American, an African American or a woman all have a decent shot at ultimately winning, best reflecting the growing diversity in America and the shrinking societal clout of the WASP male.

Whether 2008 ultimately turns back to a more traditional election model in the end remains to be seen, giving wilting hopes to the Fred Thompsons and John Edwards.