Q&A Friday #61: Why Are We Seeing So Many Senators Running In 2008?

Question: “I realize that since you’re consulting for the Hunter campaign you don’t like to talk candidates but I hope you can shed some light on this subject. The last time we sent a senator to the white house was Kennedy in the 60’s, at least as far as my memory serves. Since then we’ve seen little more than VP’s and governors. Why is it in this election cycle we’re seeing so many senators?” — advrobw

Answer: I don’t have to beat up on any Republican candidates to answer this, so it’s not a problem.

Normally, in a presidential election, there’s a “chosen one” who stands way out above the field and the moment that person gets in, everybody else is basically treading water. Normally, on the GOP side, that’s either a veep or a high profile governor from a big state.

But, Cheney isn’t running and the top tier governors aren’t getting in either. Rick Perry in Texas would have the potential to be an impact player, but he isn’t running. Jeb Bush could be that “chosen one” I mentioned earlier — well, if his last name wasn’t Bush and his brother’s approval rating wasn’t mired in the thirties. Then there’s Ah-Nold, who’s a RINO, and not eligible to run because he wasn’t born here. Additionally, most of the cream of the crop 2nd tier governors, who at least had the potential to move up into the top tier, like Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford, and Haley Barbour chose not to get in.

So, with a wide open field, it’s no big surprise that senators, congressmen, and even a high profile mayor have jumped into the race.

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