Republican hopefuls

Representative Tom Tancredo (CO) - has represented Colorado's 6th district (Southern suburbs of Denver including Littleton and Aurora) since 1999. Tancredo is mostly known for his fight against illegal immigration, and his campaign has essentially been entirely based on that issue. My take: Tancredo is a little too right-wing for my liking. His crusade against illegal immigration has overshadowed any other plans he has as president. I think he is running simply to bring the issue into the national spotlight. However, he failed to call out McCain's and Guliani's views toward immigration. For a firebrand politician, he was too subdued in the debate to attract any attention. Interestingly enough, both sets of his grandparents emigrated from Italy.

Other Democratic presidential hopefuls

Senator Barack Obama (IL) - the freshman senator is amazingly popular and poised to take over Clinton in the polls if trends continue. He has been an outspoken critic against Bush and the Iraq war, but has failed to provide any alternate solution. (I think even he knows his cut-and-run strategy won't work, but it sounds good to get votes). He has been a champion for health care reform. My take: Obama is simply presidential, he looks like a president, he's a great powerful speaker, he's optimistic, smart, and a natural leader. He played it safe in the debate (maybe too safe) but I believe he'll only get better as the election gets closer. I like him. The big question: Will people not vote for him simply because he's black? (well, half-black)

Former Senator John Edwards (NC) - one-term senator (1999-2005) was John Kerry's choice for VP in the 2004 election. He's well known and has positioned himself as the most left-leaning of the "Big Three" candidates. He has apologized profusely for voting for the war in Iraq as a Senator, and is continuing his campaign despite his wife being diagnosed with cancer. My take: Edwards is doing well in the polls in Iowa (the location of the first primary), and is a Southerner, an area of the country that the Democrats have not done well in since Carter ran in 1976. However, it doesn't seem Southerners really care for him. I love his populist, common-man message, but his actions speak louder than words. ($400 hair-cut! Come on!) When he was asked about that in the debate he came up with some lame story dealing with how poor his family was as a boy and his father couldn't afford anything on the menu at a restaurant. Frankly, he just comes across as a politically-motivated, slick, trial lawyer. (Coincidentally, he is).

Senator Joe Biden (DE) - long-time senator (since 1973) from Delaware was a candidate for president back in 1988 (but ran into some trouble when he plagarized a speech first given by a British politician) Anyway, Biden is the chairman for the Senate Foreign-Relations Committee. He is a distant fourth in most polls. My take: Biden is a staunch centrist, and is the only Democratic candidate who has a solution/plan for dealing with Iraq. His patrition plan is not ideal, but is practical and realisitc. I think he did very well in the debates and I like him the most out of potential Democratic nominees. Even if he isn't nominated he would be a wise choice for Secretary of State.

Governor Bill Richardson (NM) - former Secretary of Energy (1998-2001) Richardson was elected governor of New Mexico in 2002. He is just under Biden in most polls. Represents the right-wing of Democrat party on most issues, except the war on Iraq (of which he is an outspoken critic of. My take: Richardson is the only governor in the race (which should bode well for him), but he is not well-known outside of home state. He is also the most conservative Democrat running. I like him, but his campaign lacks fire, he appears to be running for the VP slot.

Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH) - former Mayor of Cleveland (1977-1979) has represented Ohio's 10th district since 1997. Kucinich ran for the Democratic nomination in 2004, he never had a chance in that primary election, and he doesn't have much chance this time around either. My take: Kucinich is one of the most liberal candidates in the running, he has been against the Iraq war from the very beginning, and as called for impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney. I like is no-nonsense approach to politics and he always speaks his mind and stands where he stands. Unfortunately, that "Give him hell, Harry" Trumanesque spirit is no longer present in today's politics. Furthermore, history is against Kucinich. No person has gone directly from House of Representatives to White House since James Garfield in 1880.

Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) - served as Connecticut's Senator since 1981. Has been a long-time champion for liberal causes and accused Clinton of being too "conservative" during his presidency. Since then, Dodd has become somewhat more moderate. My take: Dodd's campaign has the unique feature of the "Dodd Pod" (instead of I-Pod) but he done nothing to distinguish himself from similar candidates (like Hillary Clinton or Edwards) Frankly, he doesn't have a remote chance of winning the nomination or being selected as VP. (Connecticut is not a swing state).

Former Senator Mike Gravel (AK) - Senator from Alaska from 1969-1981. Was a thorn in Nixon's side when he released the Pentagon Papers in 1971. He is also known for his efforts to end the draft during the Vietnam War. My take: Yes, we all know Gravel has as much chance of winning as George W. has of repealing the 22nd amendment and getting elected for a third term, but he is entertaining. He is even more far-left than Kucinich, calling for immediate end to Iraq war, legalization of marijuana, same-sex marriage, abortion, etc. He was very blunt and straight-forward during the debate. He's fun to watch so it's a shame he is not allowed to participate in the New Hampshire debate in June. (he is consistently polling less than 1%)

Democratic Candidates: Clinton

Here's how things are shaping up on the Democrat side for 2008:

Senator Hillary Clinton (NY) - Hillary is clearly the front-runner among the 8 Democrats officially running for president. The former First Lady is well-known and as raised the most money (admittedly, Obama is very close behind) Ms. Clinton is an extremely polarizing figure in America today. She entered the national spotlight when she was selected to head the Task Force on National Health Care Reform (which failed to reach its objectives). Her decision to remain with Bill after he admitted cheating on her with Monica Lewinsky was seen as courageous by many, but to others it seemed she stayed to remain in a position of power and ride her husband's coattails to ensure her election to the Senate. She was elected to the Senate in 2000 and re-elected in 2006 by wide margins. Despite the fact that many of the American public view her as liberal, her voting record in the Senate has been mostly moderate or left-moderate. She voted for the war in Iraq and lately has refused to apologize for it (evoking criticism from John Edwards and liberal Democrats). Her lead in the polls has decreased, but she still leads against all Republican candidates (but by smaller margins than Obama or even Edwards). She would be the first woman president.

My take: She did well in the first Democratic debate but she appeared a little too rehearsed and static to me, like she was afraid to make a mistake, so she spoke in vague and over-simplified platitudes (as is common in early debates). Her Senate record is admirable and she has shown to be willing to work and compromise with Republicans. However, she is the consummate politician's politician and too much of a polarizing figure in the nation. Furthermore, it's time for a fresh face in the White House (no more Bushes or Clintons).

Welcome to the House of Paul-o-tics

Welcome to my blog site dedicated to American political figures of the past and present. Already, 2008 is shaping up to be one of the biggest presidential campaigns in recent history. We're going to look at the candidates and follow the polls, electoral college predictions, etc. Furthermore, this blog will also feature biographies and other interesting facts about past presidents, presidential hopefuls, interesting Senators and Congressman. Enjoy!