Didn't 2007 just begin? Politicians throughout government have set their hopes on 2008, leaving 2007 as nothing more than an obligatory waiting period. I've decided to discuss the chances of some of the key candidates who have announced their candidacies as well as those who are "considering" a bid for the White House.
Currently, in my opinion, only two candidates from each party have any chance at getting the votes. Let me elaborate.
Hillary Clinton: For the first time in the history of our nation, a woman stands a viable chance of holding arguably the most powerful position in the world. Even though I personally do not support Sen. Clinton, I believe she has the most to lose in this election. Chatter of a Hillary Clinton presidential campaign began shortly after -- if not during -- her husband's eight-year White House occupation ended. Hillary must not make the same mistake Al Gore made in 2000 if she really wants to win that election. What mistake you may ask?
Hillary must keep Bill Clinton by her side. Bill is a campaign machine, who I believe is her biggest and most needed asset in her bid for the White House. Gore distanced himself from Clinton in 2000, and look where that got him (minus the Oscar, of course). In order for Hillary to even begin thinking about occupying the Oval Office, she first has a big hill to climb: getting the Democratic nomination.
Barrack Obama: Obama is perhaps the most interesting candidate in this election. He is a young, energetic candidate who has a natural charisma that most candidates could only dream of having. He supposedly reminds people of John F. Kennedy. Not such a bad torch to carry if you ask me. However, with Ms. Clinton as such a fierce competitor, Obama cannot rest easy. Another thing Obama cannot do is believe he has wrapped up the black vote. Bill Clinton was labeled by some as America's "first black president" because several of his appointments were African American and he appealed to that demographic. Having been a very active part in her husband's presidency, Hillary will definitely be counting on that distinction as the black vote is vital to this campaign. I believe that Obama is aware of this fact and has knowingly targeted some of his campaign toward this demographic. I also believe Obama should shift a lot of his focus toward younger voters in the college level.
According to statistics gathered by the U.S. Census from the 2004 election, only 47 percent of those ages 18 to 24 voted. If Obama's campaign can inspire young voters to exercise their rights, he may surprise everyone, including Hillary Clinton.
John McCain: McCain has a long and strenuous battle ahead to even think of gaining a nomination. As an adamant supporter of President Bush's troop surge plan for victory in Iraq, McCain has faced a lot of criticism and opposition -- some from members of his own party. However, the same thing that threatens his campaign could actually be the same thing that wins him the Republican nomination.
McCain is a POW from the Vietnam War, thus positioning himself as a wealth of knowledge in a time of war. I don't believe that announcing his candidacy on the Late Show with David Letterman did him any favors. McCain needs to appeal himself to the conservative right in order to stand any chance of success.
As much as I believe that it's the conservative right who win elections for the Republicans, I believe that one candidate could prove me wrong.
Rudy Giuliani: Giuliani is the candidate a lot of people have been waiting for since his legendary handling of the Sept. 11 attacks. He turned New York City around from a crime-ridden city to one of the greatest cities in the world. He's kind of the like the Batman of New York City. Giuliani's problems arise when his social issues are put in the spotlight. Giuliani is a pro-choice, anti-gun, pro-gay rights Republican. Those things do not help him in his attempt to gain support from the conservative base. Giuliani has promised to appoint judges that would be "strict constructionists" in the style of Justice Scalia and Chief Justice Roberts.
For a conservative such as myself, Giuliani has made me an offer that is almost hard to refuse. Few can argue with Giuliani's credibility as a leader whose abilities outweigh some of his downfalls.
I know there are a plethora of other candidates running and even more who are rumored to be running. Currently, I feel that only the aforementioned candidates have any conceivable chance of the nomination. That could, however, change in an instant as there is no sure thing in politics.
Granted no other serious candidate joins the race for president, I truly believe Rudy Giuliani is the man this country needs.
Socially, Giuliani highly appeals to the left, while commanding attention from the right. I still believe that the Republicans need a hard-edged conservative candidate. I also believe that Giuliani is a too strong of a candidate to ignore because of some minor conservative downfalls.
His interview on 20/20 with Barbara Walters made me believe that, despite his multiple marriages and non-conservative social views, Giuliani is a man with strong convictions and true leadership capability.
In past elections where many felt the American public to be short-changed in having to choose between two evils, I believe that Giuliani is finally the choice we have been waiting for.
