Preface: none of them excite me. Several have admirable backgrounds and are (so far) without public sin.
Hillary: your ad quoting Barack Obama out of context (on the Republicans as the party of ideas) is the reason you have such high negatives. How on earth could approve such a bald-face distortion? Every news show on the planet showed your ad and then Obama’s full quote, thereby making you into “Slick Hillie”. Where’s the change? You have been, by all accounts, an effective senator willing to cross the aisle. You’re able to lead, although we don’t need to hear you telling us every five minutes; the question is, where would you lead us? You’d make a terrific Vice-President.
Mike: you’re another glib Arkansas politician. If I know any more about your faith than your denomination, you’re off my list. Yes, the words “under God” permeate our political history; I note the founding fathers didn’t have anything to say about Jesus. It never fails to amaze me that so many Christians hear God whispering in their ears telling them to hate. We have plenty of secular problems-let’s get them fixed first, and then the voters will decide if America should become a theocracy.
Barack: you have a message of hope and you speak of change. Your record, while distinguished to date, doesn’t give us much to extrapolate from. How about naming (with their consent) individuals you’d bring into your administration? Everybody thought W was terrific until he started naming his runnin’ buddies (or his father’s runnin’ buddies) to key positions. Prove to us that you have better taste and more smarts. No, I’m not setting a high bar here.
John M: you are the real deal, a war hero with a long family history of service to America, and we thank you for your sacrifice. 100 years in the Middle East? Don’t know much about economics? Sheesh-read the Teleprompter for a change. “Agents of intolerance”…boy, did you hit that one out of the park! Make nice to the Right if you must, but no ass-kissing. Dr. James Dobson: he’s a creep and a hatemonger; make a point of blowing him off. Here’s the bottom line: you’ll never be conservative enough to win all the wingnuts, so don’t waste your time on them. Go moderate: you’ll pick up more independents and conservative Democrats.
Mitt: we can’t argue with your success in business. But you’re a political empath: you change yourself into whatever is most attractive to your audience. If you can change yourself into an Episcopalian, you’ll do better next time. Otherwise, the “Christian” right will tear into your faith and mock many LDS practices generally unknown to all but Saints and Evangelicals.
Rudy: too much 9-11. I like you social positions and your candor with the wingnuts but we needed to see you in a bigger context. You’ll make more money and not have to deal with press scrutiny of your personal life if you stay where you are (which looks like it’s pretty freakin’ comfortable).
Ron: I saw you with Tim Russert, and if you can’t answer his questions with rational explanations, you’re toast. You’re toast.
Dennis: you have some interesting ideas but negative charisma. Better luck next time.
John E: this isn’t the year for populists. Elizabeth is something special-I wish you many long and happy years with her; your family has already suffered enough.
Republicans and Democrats: the sooner we have a meaningful 3rd party, the better off the U.S. will be.
It’s too bad Arnold isn’t available. I wonder if Dave Chappelle is interested?
