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Scoreboard
Brownback | Cox | Gilmore | Gingrich | Giuliani | Hagel | Huckabee | Hunter | McCain | Pataki | Paul | Romney | Tancredo | Thompson
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SAM BROWNBACK
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Name Recognition: For a Senator, has respectable name recognition amongst Catholics and social conservatives, but not much elsewhere.
Electability: Has never lost an election...as a conservative candidate in Kansas, which is relatively not much of an achievement. His extreme right wing stances and bored stage presence don't bode well on a national level.
Issues: Is in the conservative camp on virtually every issue. The only major potential problem is that he is Roman Catholic, which might be a turnoff to some evangelicals.
Organization: Was the first Republican to formally file as an official candidate for 2008, and is surprising some with his abilities to fundraise and build staff in key states.
Campaignability: Has about 10 years of campaigning experience, but a primarily social-conservatism-run campaign is not what America wants right now. His style as a Senator has usually been to run very negative campaigns, which isn't what America is looking for at this point either.
Executive Exp: Six years as Kansas' Secretary of Agriculture, but that's about it. Still, it's more than a lot of Senators can claim (even McCain).
Foreign Policy: Served as an international trade policy expert for a year, served as a noteworthy member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and remains a foreign policy leader in the Senate (especially on Sudan).
Integrity: Relatively clean plate. Once accepted $42,000 from Jack Abramoff, but gave it all away when he found out it was dirty money.
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JOHN COX
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Name Recognition: Virtually zero.
Electability: Finished fourth in primary for Illinois Congress in 2000, finished third in primary for Illinois Senate in 2002, and lost race for Illinois Cook County Recorder of Deeds in 2004.
Issues: According what little information we have about him and his statements, is pretty much a solid Reaganite conservative Republican ideologically.
Organization: Putting forth a lot of effort, but still hasn't been able to really attract any noteworthy backers. Pulls in a couple thousand dollars in fundraising in a good month.
Campaignability: Lost Illinois Cook County Recorder of Deeds race. Enough said.
Executive Exp: Most governmental executive position he's ever held was President of the Cook County GOP. Does have a few creds as a business exec, though.
Foreign Policy: Unclear whether he's ever even been overseas once.
Integrity: Seems clean enough now, but only because nobody knows/cares enough about him to dig up dirt on him.
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JIM GILMORE
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Name Recognition: Very little name recognition outside Virginia. The name id he does have is probably due to the other 2 VA Governors that flirted with '08 presidential runs as well (Mark Warner and George Allen)
Electability: Won Governor in '97 by a comfortable margin in purple Virginia, but that's the extent of it. Not too conservative to be anathema to moderates, but still must overcome pitiful national name recognition.
Issues: Is largely in the conservative camp, but has some slight inconsistencies in affirmative action, health care, gun control, and immigration arenas he'd have to clear up.
Organization: Has an exploratory committee up and running, but is suspiciously noncommital to '08. A Senate or Gubernatorial run look more likely.
Campaignability: Good record as a campaigner in Virginia, but is rarely described as charismatic. Also, Wavering between running for national or state-wide in 2008 is no way to win over solid supporters.
Executive Exp: One successful term as Governor and a stint as RNC Chair is about as much as GOP primary voters could ask of a candidate, but the Governor-lovers are more likely to drift toward Romney.
Foreign Policy: Claims some nice national security creds from membership in many such commissions and think-tanks, but has little noteworthy experience in the way of international diplomacy.
Integrity: Seems like a good honest guy, but will have to get around the Hugh Finn controversy (a case strikingly similar to Terri Schiavo, where Gov. Gilmore intervened to keep him alive despite his pre-stated wishes) and the budget controversy (where his zeal for cutting taxes too much too quick left the state with a major budget impasse that paved the way for Democrat Mark Warner to win in 2001).
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NEWT GINGRICH
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Name Recognition: Has high name recognition thanks to his stint as House Speaker in the late 90's, but that is beginning to quickly fade. He also lacks modern relevance and is seen largely as a relic from the last decade.
Electability: Was able to get re-elected 10 consecutive times as Congressman, but having high name recognition and a poor showing in presidential polls leaves little room for improvement and bodes badly for him.
Issues: Is a traditional conservative in almost every sense of the word. However, he will have to calm Republicans' fears after his close association with Sen. Hillary Clinton on health care issue, and will have hard time convincing conservatives he can be a spokesman for sanctity of marriage with two affair-ridden divorces on his hands.
Organization: Unwillingness to jump into the "organization primary" is probably his biggest downfall for '08. No exploratory committee, staff hires, or fundraising isn't a recipe for winning the nomination.
Campaignability: Almost 30 years of campaign experience has made Newt an excellent speaker, thinker, and motivator. His ability to captivate is his strong point.
Executive Exp: Experience as Speaker of the House and his roles on numerous policy-making committees and think-tanks gives him some nice executive experience, but not enough to compete with Giuliani or Romney, per se.
Foreign Policy: Tenure as Speaker of the House and membership in countless foreign policy geared groups, as well as his outspokenness on modern international issues does make him a force to reckon with on this front.
Integrity: His Achille's Heel. In the 90's, had 84 ethics charges filed against him on everything from accepting dirty money, to using a college course for political purposes, to using his PAC as a slush fund. His two divorces and adulterous love life don't help either.
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RUDOLPH "RUDY" GIULIANI
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Name Recognition: Only ones who haven't heard of Rudy Giuliani are those who have developed Alzheimer's since 9/11, those who have come of age politically post-9/11, or those who have been living in a cave for the past decade.
Electability: Has this to his advantage. He wins the nomination in virtually every primary poll, and beats his Democratic opponent in virtually every general election poll. For all intensive purposes, he is the closest thing GOP has to an "unstoppable nominee."
Issues: Views on social issues may yet prove to be his downfall, but seems to remain astonishingly popular despite the media onslaught over them. Needs to comfort conservatives on issues like abortion, gun control, gay rights, and illegal immigration, but tough stances on national defense, fiscal discipline, tax-cutting, and conservative constructionist judges does wonders to pick up the slack.
Organization: Top tier organization candidate for sure, but will begin to disappoint supporters if he doesn't catch up to Romney and McCain soon. However, leaks from campaign indicate he intends to do just that. Just have to wait and see.
Campaignability: If getting elected the first Republican NYC Mayor in a quarter century, winning a second term, then passing the office off to another Republican (unprecedented in NYC) wasn't proof enough of campaignability, then speech to the '04 GOP Convention was. Fantastic campaigner, just needs to start doing more of it.
Executive Exp: Serving two terms as Chief Executive of a city whose population is bigger than 40 out of 50 U.S. states makes Rudy the equivalent of a big-state governor, for all intents and purposes. Managed one of the largest budgets, education systems, economies, etc. in the world.
Foreign Policy: As Mayor of the most diverse city on earth (NYC), has learned how to deal with foreign persons and cultures. His city also hosted the U.N. and his post-mayoral career has taken him all around the world, but still lacks some polished foreign policy creds. Too bad he dropped out of the Iraq Study Group.
Integrity: Has remained surprisingly clean-looking despite two divorces and rocky marital life. Controversies from mayoralty (allegations of police brutality under his administration, freedom of speech suppression, and his police commissioner Bernie Kerik's closet skeletons) aren't putting much of a dent in his campaign yet. Reputation as a crime fighter and the "9/11 Mayor" help immensely.
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CHUCK HAGEL
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Name Recognition: Only name recognition is garnered from association with McCain's '00 campaign and constant criticising of his own party's President.
Electability: Has an amazing electoral record in Nebraska, especially for a moderate in the reddest of red states. However, looks extremely unlikely to win the nomination, though his political centrism might help him in the general election if he were to be nominated.
Issues: Would be party standard bearer if not for his extremely liberal stance on illegal immigration and the Iraq War. Unfortunately, those are two of the biggest hot button issues of today, and they overwhelm his conservative stances on all the other issues.
Organization: For one so unknown by America and disliked by his fellow Republicans, we'd expect to see more hustle, but he shows no signs of organization building or fundraising.
Campaignability: An 83% re-election victory in 2002 would normally say it all, but Hagel is showing no common campaign sense in his refusal to accomodate pro-war/anti-illegal immigration conservatives. Still, reports about him being a fantastic campaigner buoy his campaignability rating.
Executive Exp: Former CEO of a major corporation, which, while more than some '08 contenders, still pales in comparison to many other candidates.
Foreign Policy: Vietnam service, and service on Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congressional-Executive Commission on China give him credibility, but he's out of GOP mainstream on Iraq and that hurts him.
Integrity: While unpopular amongst fellow party members, still seems to be a good, honest person. May have to answer allegations about the allegedly faulty voting machines his company produced, and his affiliation with a party he so noisily disagrees with casts doubt on his authenticity. Overall, pretty dirt-less.
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MIKE HUCKABEE
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Name Recognition: Was on the rise nationally up through the summer of 2006, but rising star seems to be stuck. Still has very low name recognition apart from his several books.
Electability: Rose to Governor of Arkansas by default after his predecessor resigned over a scandal, but was re-elected afterward. After all of his efforts, still polls very poorly. Thick Southern-ness is not a plus in the general election post-Bush.
Issues: Major questions over Huckabee's fiscal record (raising some taxes) and toughness on crime (made a lot of pardons), yet at the same time, won't seem to do anything about infamous West Memphis Three case in which 3 clearly innocent men have not been pardoned for crimes they clearly did not commit. Being a leader in the Southern Baptist denomination is a plus for evangelicals though.
Organization: One of the slowest candidates to make moves in the realm of organization and fundraising, and as one who started out on par with Romney, seeing how far ahead of him Romney is only makes it less likely he'll be able to catch up.
Campaignability: Very good campaign skills. Concise, charming, and likeable. Anyone who can do the Colbert Report as well as he did has to be good.
Executive Exp: One of the executive gorillas of the race. Experience as two-term governor and chair of the National Governors' Association help immensely.
Foreign Policy: A weak point for sure. Backwater governor with very little foreign policy experience, and who speaks out very little on international issues.
Integrity: For a Christian leader, has a startling number of integrity issues. Would have to face accusations of nepotism from his wife's race for AR Sec of State, of favoritism for appointing many of his Southern Baptist friends to high places in his admin, and of greed for his accepting of lavish gifts for a wedding that took place 30 years ago.
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DUNCAN HUNTER
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Name Recognition: Announcing presidential bid pretty much the only thing he's known for. Was House Armed Services Chair and helped author the Border Fence bill in the House, but no one really pays attention to the House to be honest.
Electability: Came to office on Reagan's coattails and most Democratic areas were cut out of his district afterward, dimming the glory of his election as a GOPer in liberal San Diego. Has shown little reason he would do better in the general election than Dick Cheney. Probably running for VP or, more likely, Sec Def.
Issues: Solid conservative straight down the line, but opposes free trade, which the mainstream GOP now supports.
Organization: A+ for effort. One of the very first Republicans to announce, but still is nowhere near Giuliani, McCain, or Romney.
Campaignability: Holds up very well under scrutiny, criticism, and attacks, but hopefully he shows a better ability to branch out from the military/fair trade trunk he's been clinging to.
Executive Exp: Probably gleaned some leadership skills from time in Army, but very little if any good executive experience to speak of.
Foreign Policy: His tenure as House Armed Services Chair gave him a lot of insight into Iraq and he definitely spends a lot of focus on international issues, especially trade and immigration, but seems to be somewhat of a firebrand in an America that's increasingly wanting to be more multilateral and diplomatic.
Integrity: Still can't seem to quell controversy over suspiciously low taxes paid on his Alpine home as well as the Cunningham Scandal, where ADCS (a defense company that donated to Hunter's campaign) was awarded a Pentagon contract after Hunter's intervention. Hunter has not been charged with any crimes or ethics violations, however.
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JOHN MCCAIN
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Name Recognition: Has near universal name recognition thanks to a noteworthy presidential run in 2000, and thanks to his media darling status the past several years.
Electability: The second most electable Republican candidate in current polling, slightly behind Giuliani. Usually comes in very close behind Giuliani for the nomination, and usually does about as well as Giuliani in general election polls.
Issues: All over the board--worthy of his nickname "Maverick." Has mixed and confusing records on affirmative action, gay rights, values-teaching in public schools, health care, taxation, illegal immigration, defense spending, and alternative energy amongst other things. Definitely a major pitfall to be overcome as far as conservative primary voters are concerned.
Organization: Undeniably has the best organization and staff hires of any candidate right now. Strong presence in key states and consistent media exposure help immeasurably.
Campaignability: Constantly appears tired, pale, and downward-looking and has a very feeble-sounding voice during speeches, but that means little when you have the best speech writers and strategists in the race. Must keep his anger issues and crude jokes under wrap successfully for the next year.
Executive Exp: Has very little apart from heading up a small Senate office and PAC. Definite weak spot, especially in comparison to someone like Romney.
Foreign Policy: Has very little of this too. Involvement in Vietnam affairs a decade ago now seems outdated and irrelevant. Travels very little and has few if any official foreign affairs creds. His entire foreign policy credibility may lie in the success of the Iraq Troop Surge that he has been pushing for for so long.
Integrity: Ask 10 people about McCain's integrity and you'll get 10 different answers. Portrayed by mainstream media as bluntly honest "straightalker," but portrayed by many grassroots conservatives as an insincere opportunist. Will have to account for his 91-92 POW/MIA Committee behavior, the Keating Five scandal, and his messy love life and divorce, as well as his conservative-unpopular "McCain-Feingold" legislation and the "Gang of 14."
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GEORGE PATAKI
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Name Recognition: Gained some national prominence from his handling of the aftermath of 9/11, but Giuliani's performance pretty much stole the spotlight.
Electability: Has never lost an election in his homestate, but his awkward campaign style and even more awkward political stances back up many poll results that have shown Pataki would be a poor vote-getter on a national level.
Issues: Pataki doesn't have the Great Leader persona or wild popularity to cover up his moderate stances on the issues like Giuliani does. Therefore, expect his positions as pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-gay rights, liberal on health care, pro-gun control, Iraq, and mixed record on taxation to make him a non-starter in the primaries.
Organization: Once a top-tier organization candidate but fall-out and lack of initiative on his part has corroded that down to the bone.
Campaignability: Wasn't a terrific campaigner to begin with, but acting apathetically toward a presidential run and telling your supporters it's O.K. to endorse someone else (while you're still in the running) is no way to campaign.
Executive Exp: A strong point. Ended tenure as nation's longest serving governor at that time. Relatively quite successful as an executive.
Foreign Policy: His only claims on this level is that he governed a border/coast state that housed the very multicultural NYC (home of the U.N.), though he was not nearly as intimate with NYC as Giuliani was.
Integrity: Fairly clean, except for a few minor controversies, such as the Niagra Falls Casino Money Fight, his delayed budgets, and his failed promise that NY would go to Bush in 2004.
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RON PAUL
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Name Recognition: Is the darling of the libertarian right thanks to his run for President as the Libertarian nominee in 1988, which makes him more prominent than most Congressmen, but has a lot of work to do on this front.
Electability: Stands in all the wrong places to be elected President as a Republican candidate in 2008. Yet, from his record of getting elected in Texas, shows an uncanny ability to get elected despite the odds.
Issues: Has all the wrong stances on the issues to be a viable candidate in 2008. Has very mixed records on abortion, values-teaching in public schools, health care, school vouchers, gun rights, illegal immigration, free trade, defense spending, and Iraq, which is never good--mixed records only serve to turn both sides off. Also, is unwaveringly against alternative energy, which both parties are now accepting with open arms.
Organization: Just popped out of nowhere to create an exploratory committee. We'll have to wait and see what kind of organization he can put together.
Campaignability: Good campaigner who has waged a presidential campaign before (albeit for a third party and nearly 20 years ago). Can run effectively on small grassroots donations and support that comes from outside his primary constituency.
Executive Exp: Really has no real executive experience other than running a weird third party campaign back in '88.
Foreign Policy: Is somewhat outspoken on foreign policy issues, but just doesn't really have the solid experience or qualifications to back it up yet.
Integrity: Not much to report here. His biggest controversy is probably his sole vote against awarding Pope John Paul II, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa the Congressional Medal of Honor, but that was done not as a statement against those leaders, but as a prinicpled move against the supposedly unnecessary costs of minting such medals (costs that he didn't like falling on the shoulders of tax payers). Might also have to answer challenges that he has run/is running as a Republican just because it's the easier route, not because he actually believes in GOP principles.
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MITT ROMNEY
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Name Recognition: Skyrocketing in this area ever since launching his very powerful and successful presidential pre-campaign.
Electability: Clearly any Republican who can give Ted Kennedy the closest run for his money ever, and get elected as Governor of bluest Massachusetts can't be a poor vote-getter. Polls show consistently losing to Democrats in general election, but robust PR campaign will likely improve those numbers.
Issues: Either downfall or greatest overcome obstacle--it is yet to be seen. Positions on issues like abortion, gay rights, English-only education, and campaign finance "evolved" right around the time decided to run for President, and he is now pro-life. Yet, must still explain liberal positions on gun control and wages. Made some nasty comments about Reagan during the 90's that he'll have to pay for as well. Also, is a Mormon, which many evangelicals view as a cult.
Organization: Fantastic organization and fundraising abilities, second only to McCain. Millions of dollars and key staff hires continue to flow into his campaign.
Campaignability: Traditionally a great campaigner--clear, concise, powerful, motivating, charismatic, and intelligent. Thus, it's such a shock that he's struggling so hard to overcome questions over statements he made during the 90's, childish accusations that he knowingly used illegal immigrants to work on his property, or even more childish accusations that he's a racist because he said "tar baby" in reference to the Big Dig.
Executive Exp: Extraordinarily successful executive. Saved the 2002 Winter Olympics from disaster and served a fantastic term as MA Gov, accomplishing much of substance. Being RGA Chair is a nice cred too.
Foreign Policy: Not much official experience here, other than his stint as CEO of Winter '02 Olympics and time as a coastal state Governor. Not much credibility on foreign policy issues.
Integrity: Ironically, had a very scandal-free tenure as Governor (despite ridiculous attempts at blaming him over the Big Dig ordeal), yet still can't put to rest questions over his integrity largely resulting from his flip-flops on issues like abortion, gay rights, and Reaganism.
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TOM TANCREDO
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Name Recognition: Immigration and making dumb remarks are the only things that keep him in the public's eye...and that's only occasionally.
Electability: Consistently wins elections in his homestate but shows no indication of electability nation-wide. Widespread perception of him as a cookie-cutter conservative politician and bad press due to his constant verbal gaffes don't help.
Issues: As right wing as it gets, and in some cases so far to the right that he's actually repelling the average conservative, which ironically plays against him in some cases.
Organization: Showing signs of life on this front. Set up an exploratory committee, and his constant trips to Iowa are good for staff building.
Campaignability: Good issue campaigner and motivator, but needs to get out on the campaign trail more so people know him better.
Executive Exp: Not much. At best, Reagan's Dept of Education regional representative to Denver during the early 80's.
Foreign Policy: Talks a lot about foreign policy and immigration, but not much to show for it. Has done a lot to urge the U.S. to get involved in solving the Darfur crisis. However, he is the ultimate anti-diplomat, on one occasion calling a Chinese leader "stupid," on another stating that America should bomb Muslim holy sites, and on another calling Florida a "third world country."
Integrity: Except for Tancredo's offensive statements and differences with the Bush administration on immigration, free trade, and energy, he has a fair record of personal integrity.
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TOMMY THOMPSON
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Name Recognition: Most of his national name recognition came from being Bush 43's likeable HHS Sec, which gives him an edge over some of the other lesser-knowns.
Electability: Elected Governor for four consecutive terms in blue-hued Wisconsin, but doesn't look terribly likely to make much of a punch on the national level.
Issues: Pretty solidly conservative, but has mixed records on affirmative action, health care, and illegal immigration that he will have to explain. Is also progressive on energy, but that's rapidly becoming widely accepted by conservatives.
Organization: Jumped into the organization game with a very smart strategy. Is quickly building a good team and already making strong ties to key states like Iowa. Is on the up-and-up.
Campaignability: Good leader and speaker, but one has to wonder about the common sense of basing a campaign for President on alternative energy.
Executive Exp: Four wildly popular and extremely successful consecutive terms as a mid-sized state Governor and a term as a top-level Cabinet member can't be beat.
Foreign Policy: Not terribly much to speak of. His high point was when he led a top-level delegation to China in the late 90's.
Integrity: Generally scandal-free, but continues struggling to answer charges that he proposed changes to Medicare that would specifically benefit companies he had a financial stake in.
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9.5