Several current Republican Presidential candidates are considering General Tommy Franks as a running mate, reports Bill Gertz for The Washington Times:
The choice of Gen. Franks as vice president would be a direct affront to antiwar Democrats, who plan to make opposition to the Bush administration's handling of the war the main plank of their campaign platforms.A staunch Republican, Gen. Franks hails from Oklahoma but considers Texas his home state. Having him on the ticket would boost Republican prospects in the must-win Lone Star state.
The sources, who are well placed in Republican circles, did not identify the campaigns that are considering Gen. Franks. They said Gen. Franks' consideration also is based on his potential to draw votes in the South, and his role as an eloquent spokesman for winning the global war against Islamist extremism.
Read the whole column at the above link. Sorry, I'm not buying it. For one thing, Franks is closely identified with the "old" pre-surge strategies and former SecDef Donald Rumsfeld, so his candidacy would invite criticism of those plans.
Secondly, if Republicans need any help to shore up Texas, of all states, we can kiss the election good-bye. Ditto for "help in the South." Even Giuliani, the consummate New Yorker, should be able to beat Hillary Clinton in the South without any help. Giuliani, Thompson, Romney, and McCain all seem fully able to articulate the need to win the war on Islamic extremism, as well.
General Franks deserves respect and honor for his service, but I suspect the Veep talk is just that. Many names will be floated around by both nominees, and most of them will be intended to please various individuals and/or constituencies, not as seriously considered candidates.
Hat-tip to Jim Geraghty of The Campaign Spot for pointing to this story.
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2008 Presidential Race, Republican
Tags: presidential campaign, Republicans, vice presidency
Comments (6)
I read his autobiography a ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by LenS | August 31, 2007 3:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I read his autobiography a few years ago. It was interesting but the end left a sour taste in my mouth. His retirement came across to me as someone ducking out on the troops just as the tough part of the war began. His reasons just didn't sound convincing to me and I feel that he took the glory of the Iraqi and Afghan conquests and then ran away to preserve his legacy.
Which, come to think of it, probably would qualify him for politics.
1. Posted by LenS | August 31, 2007 3:57 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2007 15:57
2. Posted by Zebra | August 31, 2007 6:40 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I agree. No way GOP needs Franks to help the ticket. What's needed is a social conservative as Veep if Giuliani is nominated not a military guy -and/or- somebody from a purple state not someone from Oklahoma or Texas
2. Posted by Zebra | August 31, 2007 6:40 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2007 18:40
3. Posted by yo | August 31, 2007 8:07 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
"and his role as an eloquent spokesman for winning the global war against Islamist extremism."
Did we win that, already?
3. Posted by yo | August 31, 2007 8:07 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2007 20:07
4. Posted by kim | August 31, 2007 9:16 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
I'm more than a little amused that no one is heaving the shit Powell's name into the ring.
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4. Posted by kim | August 31, 2007 9:16 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2007 21:16
5. Posted by Flint | August 31, 2007 10:16 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Won't happen - Franks is too associated with Rumsfeld and Bush - and all the GOP folks running today are distancing themselves from Bush.
5. Posted by Flint | August 31, 2007 10:16 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on August 31, 2007 22:16
6. Posted by kim | September 1, 2007 10:49 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I think it is not impossible that the successful Republican candidate will get into office making the case for Bush that Bush doesn't seem able to make himself.
The economy is great, the war is over, the globe is cooling. Could any Democrat do as well?
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6. Posted by kim | September 1, 2007 10:49 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on September 1, 2007 10:49