I'm puzzled by the weak slate of Republican candidates

[End Of The Road]

Considering how the current administration has disregarded the Constitution, somehow castrated Congress, and gone unchallenged on a long list of questionable (read: criminal) actions, I am truly befuddled by their apparent lack of interest in grooming an heir apparent to carry on their "legacy". I'm not suggesting that Bush & Cheney have no intentions of stepping down, although that thought does cross my mind occasionally. But the Republican Party fielded a slate of candidates that even the Republicans can't stomach; a democrat is sure to win in November, alot of dems will win at the state level as well, and I assume this will mean a roll-back of the worst of the Bush/Cheney policies.

Giving up the fight this easily is not typical of Neocon behavior. I don't get it. Are they planning on taking a four-year break to regroup and re-strategize since their approval ratings are so low, with the idea of coming back stronger in 2012? Or are they just old and tired and ready to call it quits?

Anybody else worried about this, or shall I go back to the Lounge?

[Monty__]

1. What about '96?

Dole was a pathetic candidate.

[Adsos Letter]

2. Personally...

I don't think they want to be "at the top" when Bush's dam of consequences bursts over the next 4 years...

[mwb970]

3. I've wondered about this too.

Was the idea to make extensive changes to the way the government operates and then just slink away?

[End Of The Road]

11. You've stated it better than I.

Doesn't make sense, does it?

[kimmerspixelated]

4. My theory is

that McCain is really a neocon,or at least the one that is making a deal with them.. and that they have every intention of stealing the election again. His non-caring attitude at the start seemed to imply that he wasn't particularly worried about winning,(becuz they told him they'd do some "math" for him) so he didn't have to work so hard. Appearances are not always what they seem. OR, maybe the neocons are tired as you say, hell, they've made millions, and so have their Exxon buddies, so they probably think their deals are done.

[Adsos Letter]

9. I believe it to be a combination of your second scenario....

and their unwillingness to be in the driver's seat when the consequences come 'a crashin'

[BuyingThyme]

5. It was supposed to be Bill Frist.

But that didn't work out.

[babylonsister]

6. I don't think the rethugs have anyone worthy to run, honestly. The

brighter bulbs over there are jumping ship, either retiring or getting other jobs lobbying. I think they know how tarnished their party has become because of the current dim son.

[End Of The Road]

10. Maybe, but...

I've never felt that Bush was chosen because he was worthy. They felt he was electable and he could be the front man for their agenda. All they need is somebody who can feign intelligence (not hard after Bush) and continue to run things behind the scenes.

Perhaps there is just not enough money left for them to be interested.

[Wanet]

7. I think there are four possibilities:

1. They are planning a nuclear "terrorist attack" next Fall, and then declare martial law and suspend the Constitutions and elections.
2. An assination will take place that leaves the Republican candidate an easy winner (e.g., Wellstone).
3. They want a Democrat to win, to deal with the disasters they've created (e.g., Jimmy Carter), and then Jeb can come roaring back in 2012 to usher in permanent Republican rule.
4. They have made a deal with all the Democratic and Republican hopefuls that no one from the Bush Admin. will ever be prosecuted and the Neocon agenda will be continued. John Edwards dropped out suddenly because he wouldn't agree to the deal.

-- Wanet

[CJCRANE]

13. Good summary.

It's going to be an interesting year to say the least.

I hope the Dem leadership are doing everything they can behind the scenes to ensure #1 and #2 can't happen (although they didn't do much after Bush-Cheney allowed two airliners to home in on Washington on 9/11 and also let the anthrax mailer get away).

[kimmerspixelated]

14. Your number four stands out!

Hadn't thought of that one!

[Virginia Dare]

15. I think number three is a distinct possibility..

I've been thinking about how suddenly Mittsy folded his campaign. Money was never an object for him, and McCain certainly wasn't crushing him in these contests, so that isn't what it was about. Perhaps Mittsy tried to make a pact with Hucky and Hucky wouldn't play, so Mittsy decided to take his ball home and try again another day.

It was strange how Mittsy folded one day, Jeb endorsed Grandpa Johnny, then Mittsy endorsed Grandpa Johnny. The whole think seemed like some sort of psyops game to me.

[End Of The Road]

18. Perhaps they made a deal with McCain

about his running mate? Or his cabinet? I also was shocked at the abrupt departure of "Mittsy"!

[Virginia Dare]

19. I just can't see the two of them being able to work together..

they can barely stand to be in the same room. But then again Ronny Raygun and Poppy Bush were the same way, so who knows? McCain has sold his soul to so many people now, he's probably lost track.

[Olney Blue]

8. The next generation of young republicans has no one to inspire them,

and the Reagan groupies are now old or middle-aged. Bush has not only hurt the current crop,
he has stiffled the pipeline. Instead of permanent majority status, they risk permanent minority.
We can thank Rove and Bush for dividing and polarizing their party.

[nomorewhopper]

12. Bush destroyed the party. Seriously n/t

[CK_John]

16. It's simple, Cheney will send out the real candidate at their convention, J Roberts. n/t

[underpants]

17. I was supposed to be George Allen

but those fateful 62 seconds of youtube did him in...that and his campaign was a horrible mess and of course Jim Webb