For the Political Types: A Contest

by **Jac Coyne** on Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:24 pm

Since everyone who has been posting about politics on this board seems to have everything figured out, I thought, Why not get it in writing and make a little game of it? The winner of this game, explained forthwith, will receive a brand new mousepad, and maybe even an umbrella, compliments of your friends at US Lacrosse. And I’ll also throw in a feature story about your MCLA team or player of choice on our website (yes, I know that’s not a big deal) next winter. The only thing it will cost you is constant ridicule for the next four years. (Kidding).

So there are five candidates left on the Democrat side (I’ll miss you Bill Richardson) and seven on the Republican side (with all due respect to Alan Keyes). Rank each party’s candidates from lowest (the candidate that will next leave the race) to the highest (the nominee) and you earn those corresponding points toward your score (only if they were in the correct position).

Also, if you accurately predict the nominee and VP candidate you receive a 10-point bonus for each party. If you then predict the correct POTUS (with correct VP), you get 20 more points.

My picks:

5. Clinton
4. Obama
3. Edwards
2. Kucinich
1. Gravel

7. Romney
6. McCain
5. Guiliani
4. Huckabee
3. Paul
2. Thompson
1. Hunter

D: Clinton-Richardson
R: Romney-Thompson

P/VP: Romney-Thompson

(Please save critiques of selections until yours has been posted)

**Sponsor**

by **laxfan25** on Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:40 pm

Sounds like fun!

My picks:

5. Clinton
4. Obama
3. Edwards
2. Kucinich
1. Gravel

7. McCain
6. Romney
5. Giuliani
4. Huckabee
3. Paul
2. Thompson
1. Hunter

D: Clinton-Edwards
R: McCain-Huckabee

P/VP: Clinton-Edwards

Actually I was jsut coming on to the forum to post this link...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22577977/

Imagine if Michael Bloomberg actually enters the race, and the other nominees are Clinton and Giuliani - current mayor of NYC, former mayor of NYC and current Senator from NY. There's some geographic diversity for you!
If MB did decide to run, does he have a chance? Who does he help/hurt?

by **Ravaging Beast** on Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:51 pm

5. Obama
4. Clinton (forgot to switch the two when I copied and pasted)
3. Edwards
2. Kucinich
1. Gravel

7. Romney
6. McCain
5. Huckabee
4. Guiliani
3. Paul
2. Thompson
1. Hunter

D: Obama-Edwards (though I would like to see Richardson as VP)
R: Romney-Huckabee

P/VP: Obama-Edwards

by **Zeuslax** on Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:54 pm

This is going to be good. Good stuff Jac!! Quick question, when they leave is that equivalent to conceding if it comes down to the end? If we have a split convention we'll go with the person that gets the most delegates?

Darn it Laxfan, now I'll have to create a new list!!

by **Jac Coyne** on Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:59 pm

Zeuslax wrote:This is going to be good. Good stuff Jac!! Quick question, when they leave is that equivalent to conceding if it comes down to the end? If we have a split convention we'll go with the person that gets the most delegates?

Yeah, if it comes down to the convention, we'll go down by delegates (or the second-to-last count before everyone throws their delegates behind the winner). If candidates declare on the same day before the convention, we can reach some sort of board consensus. Sound okay?

by **Zeuslax** on Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:49 pm

Almost forgot about this......Anyone want to include these candidates as well? :lol:

Green Party Candidates:

* Cynthia McKinney
* Elaine Brown
* Kat Swift
* Pat LaMarche
* Rebecca Rotzler

Libertarian Candidates:

* Alden Link
* Bob Jackson
* Christine Smith
* Dave Hollist
* Doug Stanhope
* George Phillies
* Jim Burns
* Kent McManigal
* Mike "Jingo" Jingozian
* Robert Milnes
* Steve Kubby
* Wayne Allyn Root

Constitution Party Candidates:

* Alan Keyes
* Chuck Baldwin
* Dale Thompson
* Jerome Corsi
* Jim Clymer
* Jim Gilchrist

Independent Candidates and Candidates from Other Parties:

* "Average Joe" Schriner (Independent)
* Arthur J Regan (Independent)
* Ben Thompson (Independent)
* Bob W Hargis (Independent)
* Cris Ericson (Marijuana Party)
* Daniel Imperato (Independent)
* Frank McEnulty (Independent)
* Gene Amondson (Prohibition Party)
* Gene Chapman (Multi-Party)
* John Taylor Bowles (American Nazi Party)
* Jonathan "Impaler" Sharkey (Vampires Witches & Pagan Party)
* Lanakila Washington (Humanist Party)
* Orion Karl Daley (Balanced Party)
* Rick Williams (Independent)
* Steve Adams (Independent)
* Tee Barkdull (New American Party)
* Vinnie Ferrari (Independent)

My picks:

5. Clinton
4. Obama
3. Edwards
2. Kucinich
1. Gravel

7. McCain
6. Huckabee
5. Romney
4. Giuliani
3. Paul
2. Thompson
1. Hunter

D: Clinton-Edwards
R: McCain-Kay Bailey Hutchison

P/VP: Clinton-Edwards

by **TheBearcatHimself** on Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:49 pm

5. Obama
4. Clinton
3. Edwards
2. Kucinich
1. Gravel

7. McCain
6. Huckabee
5. Romney
4. Giuliani
3. Paul
2. Thompson
1. Hunter

D: Obama-Edwards
R: McCain-Giuliani

P/VP: McCain-Giuliani

If McCain wins the nomination he will be unstoppable in a general election. Don't know if I'd be a fan, but America would. Ra! Ra! USA!!

by **TexOle** on Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:38 pm

I like Duncan Hunter, but I have to admit he is probably no longer in the running. I also thought Bill Richardson had a shot at winning the whole election if he could get by the primary.

Republicans
9) McCain
8) Huckabee
7) Romney
6) F. Thompson
5) Guiliani
4) Hunter
3) Tancredo
2) Paul
1) Others

Democrats
5) Clinton
4) Obama
3) Edwards
2) Kucinich
1) Gravel

R: McCain and Gov. Tim Pawlenty from MN
D: Clinton and Richardson?

The VP candidate will likely not be a big name. The Democrats are showing they cannot work together at any level. Edwards can will stab everyone in the back he can. Obama is too young. Clinton is just hated. I know people that want Bush impeached and would vote for him over Clinton.

McCain will likely win. The Democrats just don't have a candidate that can win. They key to winning this election could come down to the VP.

by **Sonny** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:53 am

I have no idea who is going to win either nomination... But McCain has zero chance of winning the overall GOP nomination. Zero.

He is a fine American who proudly served his country. But he is on the wrong side of the issue of two big issues with conservatives - illegal immigration and campaign financing.

Don't believe the polls just because the some of the left-leaning media is cheerleading for McCain and a handful of independents in New Hampshire voted for him last week. They are wrong. Just like they were wrong on Hillary losing NH.

by **Jac Coyne** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:41 am

Tex, Tancredo pulled the plug on his campaign about a month ago, throwing the considerable might of his political machine behind Mitt.

It appears this election cycle will follow the time-honored American tradition of the winner being the candidate who is disliked the least.

I won't change it because I started the thread, but I'm starting to think Hillary will tab Wesley Clark as her running mate if/when she gets the Dem nod. Richardson came off as kind of a dolt in those debates.

I'm kind of bummed the Dems are not involved in a Michigan primary, if only because Chris Matthews won't be able to lob any grenades at Clinton, although I read on every left-wingers favorite website that Dems are going to turn out and vote for Romney because they feel he is the most unelectable. Be careful what you wish for...

by **laxfan25** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:02 am

Well that is what I wish for, and how I voted. My daughters both voted for Huckabee. I also hope that Sonny is right, that there's zero chance for McCain to get the GOP nod - but I think he'll be proven wrong. If he's got enough delegates how can he lose?

by **TexOle** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:21 pm

I am not a huge McCain supporter. I think he does have the best shot of winning at this point. Huckabee has to get to the Southern states to have a shot. I think McCain's shining light will be his VP candidate. He might also go with a Huckabee type person.

by **Zeuslax** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:49 pm

The good thing for McCain is the shrinking Republican base is heading to the center or registering Indy. I hear the talking heads screaming about McCain's issues on the immigration, his support of Bush for the war, and campaign finance reform, but I wouldn't say that he's not viable at this time.

I'm kind of bummed the Dems are not involved in a Michigan primary, if only because Chris Matthews won't be able to lob any grenades at Clinton,

He's lost his mind.......The guy is making stuff up about everyone and comprises every sentence with some fact that is loosely associated with reality. He uses his fast talking to trick people into believing he's some type of professor in political intelligence. I loved hearing Dan Rather just absolutely blast him out of the water when NH votes were rolling in.

by **Dan Wishengrad** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:52 pm

If we are going to consider ALL the potential candidates and prospective Presidents, Mike Bloomberg's name needs to be added to the mix. He's just sitting there with his billions itching to jump in -- especially if Hillary appears likely to win the Democratic nomination. Reports are only the prospect of an Obama nomination will keep Bloomberg from entering the race, with a "big name" former Senator as his running mate, possibly Chuck Hagel or Sam Nunn.

by **GrizLens** on Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:56 pm

Will someone provide me with the anti-Thompson argument? Seems to me like he's got the most solid Conservative credentials, despite being a "Hollywood Type." I mean, look at the other options: Governor of Liberal Mass? Pro-abortion Mayor of Liberal New York? The Maverick? The Socially Compassionate Everyman? I thought you guys were looking for the next Reagan. Why not Thompson?