Are the BIG GOOPERS going to sit this one out (meaning 2008?)...

[Virginia Dare]

Why am I getting the idea that they're content to sit back and let Hillary try and figure a way out of this FUBAR situation?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101602294.html?hpid=topnews

Many GOP Donors Yet to Open Wallets
Even Bush 'Rangers' Are Staying Away


More than a third of the top fundraisers who helped elect George W. Bush president remain on the sidelines in 2008, contributing to a gaping financial disparity between the GOP candidates and their Democratic counterparts.

Scores of Bush Pioneers and Rangers are not working for any Republican candidate, citing discontent with the war in Iraq, anger at the performance of Republicans in Congress and a general lack of enthusiasm. More than two dozen have actually made contributions to Democrats.

[TwilightGardener]

1. They're either going to back Hillary (she of the Fortune 500 cover) or

save their money. No one on the GOPer side who has a prayer of winning is necessarily going to be any more corporate-friendly than she--what would be the point?

[Virginia Dare]

2. There's more to it than that..

the repubs are in trouble right now, and the thinking is that if Hillary wins, that will stir up the rabid hate base again and jump start their lackluster fundraising:

Many Republicans argue that if Clinton is the Democratic nominee, the party's financial woes will disappear.

"We have a handful of candidates that will be acceptable to the 'Hate Hillary' crowd," said Anne Dunsmore, a longtime Republican fundraiser based in California. "You don't see us trying to take her out."

[TwilightGardener]

8. I doubt that--I really do think that business interests and big donors

will continue to line up behind Hillary even after the primaries. People with money gravitate toward winners, ideology aside, because they want to curry favor with the next leader--and she smells like a winner to both parties. I think the rabid Hillary-hate will prove to be overestimated as a race-changing force. I say this not as a supporter or admirer of hers, but as an honest, unbiased opinion of how things will shape up. The one thing GOPers consistently admire is toughness and steely resolve--their hate for her will ultimately give way to a grudging respect for her discipline and skill, even if they hate her stands on the issues and her husband.

[Virginia Dare]

12. Could be a little bit of both I guess..

all I know is, Hillary is looking VERY formidable for both sides. I could see her fundraising abilities shaping up before the race, but I had no idea she was going to be this powerful.

[Skidmore]

9. GOOPERS are counting on Hillary to save their bacon.

They're investing in her now, heavily.

Reason why I won't vote for her. Period.

[Virginia Dare]

3. LOL, I should have included this quote about the "Bush Rangers"..

Some of the top Bush fundraisers have stepped aside from politics for other reasons. There are those who had personal friendships with the Bush family that do not extend to other candidates, those who have tired of repeatedly soliciting friends for checks. Some are in prison or are dead...:rofl:

Pity we can't say that about the "head ranger".

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Kabuki theater

Bush plans to stay in power

Question starting at 30:51

Peter: Following up on a question about Vladimir Putin for a moment. He has said recently that next year when he has to step down according to the constitution as President, he may become Prime Minister, in effect keeping power and dashing any hope for a genuine democratic transition there.

Bush: I’ve been planning that myself. (barely audible chuckle in the room)

Peter: Sen. McCain said yesterday sir that when he looks into Putin’s eyes he sees a “K” a “G” and a “B.” He never would invite..

Bush: Pretty good line.

Peter: He would never invite him to Kennebunkport and he says it’s time we got a little tough with Vladimir Putin. I wonder if you think McCain was right and what would it mean for Russian democracy if, when you leave power, assuming you do, in January 2009, if Vladimir Putin is still in power.

Bush rambels about relationships, when dictatorships are fine, then put the alarm in the room to rest.


Bush: He (Putin) was wily. He wouldn’t tip his hand.

Bush: I’ll tip mine. I’ll sprint to the finish line, and then you’ll find me in Crawford.

http://www.cspan.org /

I'll sleep better tonight.

[Virginia Dare]

5. When you leave power, assuming you do,...

WTF? An American journalist actually asked this question?

BTW, the answer is, Bush doesn't have a problem looking into Putin's eyes and seeing a K, G, B. After all when you look in his Poppy's eyes, you see a C, I, A.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Yes a US Reporter asked that

the mask felll off today

[TwilightGardener]

6. I think McCain stole that "KGB in his eyes" line from Colin Powell--am I wrong?

Seems like just the tough-talkin' bullshit line McCain would love to co-opt as his own.

[Virginia Dare]

7. Didn't monkey butt say something about peering into his soul?

perhaps McCain was giving him a backhanded swipe?

yep, I googled it:

"I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straight forward and trustworthy and we had a very good dialogue.

"I was able to get a sense of his soul.

"He's a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country and I appreciate very much the frank dialogue and that's the beginning of a very constructive relationship," Mr Bush said.

[aquart]

10. Why not? It's only for two years.

Let the Dems drown in Republican-made shit and then campaign as the reborn party two years from now and retake Congress.

They'd be stupid not to. Also, younger Republican hopefuls WANT to campaign as reformers rather than more of the same thing everybody hates. So two years is nothing. It clears out the entrenched incumbents and gives young upstarts a toe in the door they wouldn't have otherwise.