Here at the ‘Grok, we have covered the ’08 prez campaign from the viewpoint of the ordinary person living and working in Central NH, giving our thoughts and observations as we see ’em. While a fair amount of time has been spent campaigning here by many of the announced and presumed candidates as they attempt to gain notoriety and momentum that they hope will translate into votes, there are several others that quietly sit by biding their time.
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Even though the primary vote is still a ways off, the campaign has already seemed long and some folks are already weary of the wannabees of both parties. I know more than a few people that, despite the fact that both the Dems and the Republicans have a fairly diverse and quality field of candidates, are left looking for more… that magical candidate that will swoop in on his/her white horse and save the day. Enter Newt, Fred, and AlGore…
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Newt Gingrich
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AlGore Fred Thompson
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In some campaigns during my lifetime, the energy and excitement over third party candidates, a reaction, in some part, to candidate fatigue, was seemingly strong and threatening to the two major parties’ nominees– until the election. John Anderson, Ross Perot, and Pat Buchanan, while adding some excitement and diversion from politics as usual, never really met even the minimal expectations at the ballot box. Lot’s of hype, yet in the end, nothing.
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This year, it’s the same story, but with a slightly different twist. The alternative candidates are all toying with, not a third party run, but instead late entries into the Republican and Democrat contests. This could get interesting as we move beyond summer. Newt Gingrich is in town early next week, not to run for president, (of course) but to promote his new book and make a couple of speeches. (Because we like Newt in general, we’ll be there to see what’s up.)
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As the weeks unfold, we’ll be adding our thoughts about the "non" candidates. Skip and I think that this week’s amnesty vote for illegal aliens has shaken the dynamic of the race, at least on the Republican side. The votes and opinions of the candidates on this issue of illegal immigration are going to have an impact for some who might have been otherwise settled on their man (or woman). As prospective voters’ eyes begin to collectively wander, could one of the men pictured above gain their attention? Stay tuned…