Let's Hope * Doesn't Pull An LBJ And Quit The Race.

[stopbush]

I was living in NJ in 2002 when the Robert Torricelli scandal hit. He was running for re-election to the Senate when it came out that he had accepted gifts illegally (among other things). Diehard Dems in NJ were very conflicted: we wanted to support the party, and we were ready to hold our noses and vote for Torricelli, but those less-diehard people were more than ready to cut bait, if not to vote R, then to maybe skip the vote.

We were spared this choice when Torricelli dropped out and NJ political institution Frank Lautenberg came out of retirement and saved the day.

I see parallels with bush's situation. The country is turning against him and he is going to lose, big time. I think many Rs realize this, and with each emerging scandal, they may be thinking of alternatives. Were they to run Colin Powell, for instance, many dis-affected Rs would feel good about voting for him, rather than staying home or voting for (gasp!) JK.

In actuality, I think that smart Rs are writing of the WH this year, distancing themselves from shrubco and looking to hold onto the Congress so they can make it hell for Kerry.

[Bleacher Creature]

1. No chance

The idiot has these delusions that he was chosen by God. Let him stay and take what's coming to him in November.

[blackcat77]

2. Bush has no rivals within the party

Remember that LBJ quit because of the division in the *party* not the nation. When McCarthy did well in NH and that inspired RFK to enter the contest, LBJ knew he was toast. So rather than fracturing the party right down the middle, he removed himself from the contest.

Tragically, RFK was killed and the party split anyway right there on live tv at the Chicago convention and the party didn't recover for almost a decade.

One thing you have to say about the Pubs -- they don't let things get out of control. They might shut all the "common people" out of the decision making process, but you never see any of that sloppy democracy in their political apparatus.

[Ishoutandscream]

7. Yes, no Kennedy's or McCarthey's to challenge Bush

I guess I should have worded it as strong candidates on the Republican side. Who in God's name would be a "strong" candidate on the Republican side, other than Bush? I really believe we've got them on the ropes.

[RafterMan]

3. I wouldn't mind it

For me, a solid repudiation of Bush is probably 80% of the battle. Having him leave in disgrace would be sweet.

And I'm not convinced that the Republican's chances would be increased by such a move, or if it would simply expose their disarray.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Better to see him lose in a landslide.

He'll be a maytr to the RW cause. Better for the American public to vote overwhelmingly to repudiate him, then to let the revisionists in the RW begin to reform him the day after he leaves office by blaming a few commie liberals for his downfall.

[RafterMan]

8. Oh, sure -- landslide would be ideal

I'm just saying that I'll be cheering his exit, however it may come.

[Old and In the Way]

15. Indeed.

The more humiliating, the better.

[cosmicdot]

12. if he goes, fine ... why take any chances ...

... the GOP will come forth with someone to follow in the goosestep of their 'inspiring' leaders: Nixon, Ford, Ray-gun, Bush1, Bush2 ...

horrible legacy that

[WI_DEM]

5. he won't

that is one thing we don't have to worry about.

[JayS]

6. Draft Ron Paul!!! :) n/t

n/t

[dolstein]

9. Two reasons why it would never happen

First, this is somebody who doesn't think he has made any mistakes. So it would never even occur to him that deciding not to seek re-election would be in the best interests of the country.

Second, withdrawing from the race at this stage would leave a giant power vacuum in the Republican Party, one that the most popular Republican in the country -- John McCain -- would step in and exploit. Bush HATES John McCain. He'd seek re-election if for not other reason than to deprive McCain of a shot at the White House.

[radfringe]

10. not enough time

the GOPers picked 9-11 for convention date, that just leaves 2 months for a campaign if someone other than bush* gets nominated to get their act together, raise money and run...

plus there are no "hints" or speculation that this may happen and no GOPer-in-waiting

Nov. is 6 months away, alot can happen between now and then, but bush* dropping out is not something I think will happen

[Larkspur]

11. He won't, but he may pull a coup to keep himself in power

His contributors have too much riding on his Admin to not use every trick in their Machiavelli books to stay in power. Bush will fight viciously to the end.

[rebellious woman]

14. Need a derrick to drag his a** out of the wh.

[AP]

13. Unlike Dean, who ran a campaign that was all about Bush,

I think Kerry runs well against any Repulbican.

I think, in fact, perhaps moreso than Edwards.

I think Edwards was the perfect matchup with Bush (without, of course, definining himself as the anti-Bush, the way Dean did).

[Gothmog]

16. Not going to happen

Unlike LBJ, Bush does not care what happens to the country or what is best for the Country. Everything is about him.

I also agree that Bush thinks that G-D has appointed him to be president and that Bush will never believe that G-D will let him down.