Are dealmakers Republican front runners in 2008?
E-mailInterestingly, a growing number of conservative bloggers are suggesting an all dealmaker Republican ticket in 2008. At least two blogs are suggesting a Rudy Giuliani-Mitt Romney ticket.
Most Dealscape readers already know that Massachusetts Governor Romney helped launch Bain Capital, but some may not realize that former New York mayor Giuliani, who not only cleaned up the city but oversaw it amid one of its darkest hours, is currently a dealmaker. After leaving city hall, Giuliani started Giuliani Partners, a firm that advises distressed and bankrupt companies.
| Presidential odds The Las Vegas odds of these Republican candidates for President winning the 2008 election. |
|
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
Sen. John McCain Arizona |
6-1 |
Sen. George Allen Virginia |
10-1 |
Sen. Sam Brownbeck Kansas |
10-1 |
Rudolph Giuliani New York |
10-1 |
Gov. Mitt Romney Massachusetts |
15-1 |
Source: Sportsbook.com |
|
At first thought, the idea of the two seems rather unlikely considering there are at least three other serious Republican contenders: Sen. George Allen, Sen. Sam Brownback and Sen. John McCain. However, the odds for the dealmaker combo taking the White House have improved this week following Sen. Allen's appearance at a campaign stop for his re-election in Virginia where he used a racial slur to describe a supporter of his rival who was in the audience (see video from YouTube). Slate's John Dickerson seems to think that in the era of blogs and YouTube the gaffe more or less killed Sen. Allen's presidential aspirations — it could even effect his re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Thanks to the faux pas, Governor Romney will probably move up in the Vegas odds for winning the presidency in 2008. Gov. Romney stood at 15-1, while Sen. Allen stood at 10-1 along with Giuliani and Sen. Brownback. Sen. McCain remains ahead of the others with 6-1 odds. But after reading a number of the conservative blogs, one has to wonder how realistic the Vegas odds are.
After all, bloggers have a growing sway over the electorate as seen by political neophyte Ned Lamont's victory in a Connecticut Democratic primary over Sen. Joe Lieberman. The common assumption is that bloggers led the debate in that race swaying voters to oust the incumbent. Consequently, the wishful thinking of conservative bloggers suggesting an all-dealmaker ticket could ultimately become reality. —Matthew Wurtzel
See post from Wizbang
See post from The Wide Awake Cafe
See opposing view from Human Events
See related story about Sen. Allen from Slate
See earlier posts from Dealscape
