Satire (Mostly?)
The following is only partly tongue-in-cheek.
The individuals who have put themselves forward for your consideration as the next President are by-and-large less than attractive. Some are downright scary and most are obnoxious. These latter are found entirely on the Republican side. Details can be given.
For now, here is a list, with abbreviated observations, of some persons you may not have considered, but who would be at least theoretically possible. I include some advantages and disadvantages for each.
Republicans
Warren Rudman -- a true uniter. Put together an effort just short of a new Union party. Disadvantage would be age.
Charlie Crist -- a dream candidate for the Republicans, but they don't know it. The little matter of his flying the coop to the Democrats could easily be repaired by an "oops" moment and a return to the Republicans. Another former Florida governor (now deceased) has already done this -- Claude Kirk
(see also Democrats)
Olympia Snow -- the simple fact that she was one of the last moderate Republicans in the Senate qualifies her for consideration at this point
Theodore Roosevelt -- yes, that Theodore Roosevelt. He was the original environmental President, long before George H. W. Bush. Disadvantage -- he no longer walks the earth. I admit this is a major disadvantage but I am running out of living Republican possibilities
Democrats
Al Gore -- he already won the most popular votes once and could do so again. Disadvantage -- a divorce, but that didn't stop Ronald Reagan
Charlie Crist -- A dream candidate for any party. Good on the environment and social issues. Former state Attorney General as well as governor. Disadvantage -- foreign policy credentials unknown but this can be corrected
Sam Nunn -- another centrist uniter. Disadvantages -- lacks a certain charisma -- and age
Gary Hart -- wherever he is, he has to be better than almost any of the current Republican candidates. Disadvantage -- past season of scandals
Tom Harkin -- A prairie populist. Great with people, strong supporter of farmers, good on nuclear weapons issues, and has already run for President. Disadvantage -- age
Chuck Schumer -- Bright, loquacious, has "attitude" in a good way. Can run a campaign distinguished from Barack Obama because of Iran position. Disadvantage -- rather too "New Yorkish" for many
Jerry Brown -- One of the smartest, most practical Democrats around. Has terrific background with his more than three terms as governor of California. Would have an impressive Electoral College head start. Disadvantage -- age
Jimmy Carter -- the best ex-President in the history of the world! Has learned from mistakes. Real passion and smarts on Middle Eastern affairs. Disadvantages -- started the de-regulatory craze even before Ronald Reagan; age. Mitigating factor: If he can survive one surgery already and deal with his new diagnosis with tremendous courage and aplomb, he should be able to handle the demands of the office at the level exerted by a George W. Bush at the least. Would have been a great candidate in 1992 but it was too early for a come-back. Next year might be the year.
I leave it to the reader to decide what is serious and what is not in this piece. The amazing thing is, these candidates offer some real appeal. As for Theodore Roosevelt, can't we just say the results of the election of 1912 were a mistake?
The following is only partly tongue-in-cheek.
The individuals who have put themselves forward for your consideration as the next President are by-and-large less than attractive. Some are downright scary and most are obnoxious. These latter are found entirely on the Republican side. Details can be given.
For now, here is a list, with abbreviated observations, of some persons you may not have considered, but who would be at least theoretically possible. I include some advantages and disadvantages for each.
Republicans
Warren Rudman -- a true uniter. Put together an effort just short of a new Union party. Disadvantage would be age.
Charlie Crist -- a dream candidate for the Republicans, but they don't know it. The little matter of his flying the coop to the Democrats could easily be repaired by an "oops" moment and a return to the Republicans. Another former Florida governor (now deceased) has already done this -- Claude Kirk
(see also Democrats)
Olympia Snow -- the simple fact that she was one of the last moderate Republicans in the Senate qualifies her for consideration at this point
Theodore Roosevelt -- yes, that Theodore Roosevelt. He was the original environmental President, long before George H. W. Bush. Disadvantage -- he no longer walks the earth. I admit this is a major disadvantage but I am running out of living Republican possibilities
Democrats
Al Gore -- he already won the most popular votes once and could do so again. Disadvantage -- a divorce, but that didn't stop Ronald Reagan
Charlie Crist -- A dream candidate for any party. Good on the environment and social issues. Former state Attorney General as well as governor. Disadvantage -- foreign policy credentials unknown but this can be corrected
Sam Nunn -- another centrist uniter. Disadvantages -- lacks a certain charisma -- and age
Gary Hart -- wherever he is, he has to be better than almost any of the current Republican candidates. Disadvantage -- past season of scandals
Tom Harkin -- A prairie populist. Great with people, strong supporter of farmers, good on nuclear weapons issues, and has already run for President. Disadvantage -- age
 |
| Sen. Charles Schumer |
Jerry Brown -- One of the smartest, most practical Democrats around. Has terrific background with his more than three terms as governor of California. Would have an impressive Electoral College head start. Disadvantage -- age
Jimmy Carter -- the best ex-President in the history of the world! Has learned from mistakes. Real passion and smarts on Middle Eastern affairs. Disadvantages -- started the de-regulatory craze even before Ronald Reagan; age. Mitigating factor: If he can survive one surgery already and deal with his new diagnosis with tremendous courage and aplomb, he should be able to handle the demands of the office at the level exerted by a George W. Bush at the least. Would have been a great candidate in 1992 but it was too early for a come-back. Next year might be the year.
I leave it to the reader to decide what is serious and what is not in this piece. The amazing thing is, these candidates offer some real appeal. As for Theodore Roosevelt, can't we just say the results of the election of 1912 were a mistake?
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