The 10 GOP presidential candidates
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Doug Gibson
Commentary
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here are 10 Republican presidential candidates for 2008 so far. The following is a snapshot look at the candidates:
l Rudy Giuliani: The former New York City mayor is the current front-runner. Strengths: He inspires confidence and trust during the war on terror. Weaknesses: Past liberal positions cause base conservatives to distrust him. He also is having a difficult time articulating a consistent position on abortion.
l Sen. John McCain: The Arizona senator is "next Republican in line" to run for presidency. Chief strength among Republicans is his support for the war in Iraq and ability to criticize the administration with legitimacy. Weakness: His position on immigration reform is more liberal than base conservatives'; social conservatives distrust him on some issues.
l Gov. Mitt Romney: Former Massachusetts governor's strength is his competence. He has a reputation, earned during 2002 Winter Games, as a tough executive. Weakness: His switch from liberal to conservative on some social issues is greeted with skepticism; Mormon faith could be a problem with religious right.
l Sen. Sam Brownback: Kansas senator is seeking to be the "religious right" candidate with hard-line stand on social issues. Weaknesses include low name recognition, and his effort to oppose Iraq war flopped among base.
l Gov. Tommy Thompson: Former Wisconsin governor's strengths were his efforts to reform welfare. He touts his managerial skills and conservative credentials. Weaknesses include being part of crowded field and low poll numbers.
l Gov. Mike Huckabee: Ex-Arkansas governor touts his religious right credentials. Personal history is appealing: lost 110 pounds, runs marathons today. He is a conservative. But he has low poll numbers and low fundraising.
l Gov. Jim Gilmore: Former Virginia governor was defeated for re-election. He is running as the tax-cutter among the candidates, claiming he cut taxes by $1.5 billion in Virginia. He is a long-shot.
l Rep. Duncan Hunter: Californian is running as a base conservative, touting his opposition to abortion, gun control and illegal immigration. Name recognition low, little money raised.
l Rep. Tom Tancredo: Stopping illegal immigration is his main focus. Colorado representative is famous, or infamous, for his stance, depending on a person's viewpoint.
l Rep. Ron Paul: Texan is the odd candidate. Former Libertarian Party presidential candidate is focusing most of his efforts opposing Iraq war, maintaining isolationist foreign policy. He has a more secure future in talk radio than politics.
l Others: Former Sen. Fred Thompson has garnered a lot of buzz, running third in GOP polls behind Giuliani and McCain. Former Rep. Newt Gingrich might run. He has polled in the high single digits. Anti-war Sen. Chuck Hagel has flirted with running, but appears to have no base of support in the Republican Party.
Gibson is the Standard-Examiner's assistant editorial page editor. He can be reached at dgibson@standard.net.
