In his/her? recent diary, (
http://www.dailykos.com/...) Madison Ave. Ad Exec Reveals How GOP Wins Elections, Mr Populist declares that:
Today, right now, Karl Rove has already picked his candidate and crafted a strategy he is confident will whomp your stupid Democratic butt. And make no mistake about it: he has ALREADY dug up tons of dirt on the 20 people YOU are most likely to nominate.
I am wondering, just who Rove has selected? We will no doubt learn soon enough after the mid-term elections as Republican money starts flowing to whomever is the chosen one, as their money tends to do. The unchosen will be gone the moment the South Carolina polls close in the Bob Jones University precinct. But who is this? I have my opinion and was wondering what the conventional wisdom is on this matter.
Rove's Strategy for electing a President seems to be quite simple. I have narrowed it down to six principles:
-50.0001%, Who needs a mandate? In 2000, Gore got the mandate, Bush got the White House.
-Divide, don't unite; Do not offer broad appeal; focus on the narrow issues, totally irrelevant to the concerns of most American's, but hot buttons for the Republican base. This brings us to...
-Motivate the Fundies: Use wedge issues (gay marriage, abortion, and especially the Iraqi/upcoming Iran War. In their minds, the war is not a battle for homeland security, but a battle of Christianity against Islam. It is the war, as in the end of times, Gog and Magog. They may represent 20% of the electorate, but 80% of them will vote for the right republican. In a society where only 50% of eligible voters vote, he starts with 16 of the 25.0001% of actual voters he needs. The other 9% come from corporate classes and Reagan Republicans.
-Motivate corporate America; The Republican money tree! The payback would be more tax cuts, elimination of a citizen's right to redress grievances in court (tort reform), estate tax cuts, redirection of social security funds into the hands of corporate businessmen, elimination of health care, importation of jobs overseas to exploit virtual slave labor markets.
-Whatever it takes; Cheating, smears, lies, dirty tricks, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.
- And lastly, Reagan republicans - the long neglected, but ever faithful segment of the Party has become the new "Yellow dogs". They will be tossed a little red meat in the form of immigration, homeland security, blah, blah, blah. They were whipped badly by the previous bunch of compassionate conservatives, but will come back, lapping at the feet of the new, improved " whatever conservatives" with the same naive hopefulness Charlie Brown displayed every time Lucy held the ball for him to kick.
The list: His perfect candidate should be
A. Relatively unknown (and unscarred).
B. A straight down the line, right wing fundamentalist.
C. Someone disciplined and controllable (no loose cannons, and willing to stay on message).
D. Mental Mediocrity; not stupid, but not too bright.
So, we can rule out Giuliani (A, B, C, D), McCain (A, B, C, D) and George Allen (A, C) right away. That leaves...
Sam Brownback - US Senator from Kansas. He doesn't register on the polls yet, but he is very popular with the religious right, already. He should do well in Iowa. Could help keep those `square states' out west on the red side.
Condoleeza Rice - Secretary of State. Brings experience and perceived strength on national issues (including the Iraq/Iran war). Supposedly encouraging the `draft Condi' movement.
Mitt Romney - Governor of Massachusetts. He is a Mormon and knowing fundamentalists like I do, he will never pass muster.
Bill Frist - US Senator from Tennessee. Not necessarily drinking the Fundie kool-aide, but he tries. Probably just doesn't measure up. And his management of the Senate won't sit well with the base.
Newt Gingrich - Former Speaker of the House. I think he and Rove would work well together, but would the religious right accept him?
Mike Huckabee - Governor of Arkansas. Probably meets most of the criteria, but being from the South is only important to Democrats.
Chuck Hagel - US Senator from Nebraska. Not on the radar, yet
George Pataki - Governor of New York.
Other; Tony Snow (they seem to be increasing his profile)?
None - been there done that;. He will concentrate on local races (He considers the Republican invasion of America to be complete and the populace completely under control. Democratic gains in 06 are to be treated as insurgencies, and eliminated wherever they may occur.
Weigh in.