Sen. John McCain (Republican-AZ) will officially open his 2008 presidential exploratory committee today, becoming the first of what I call the "top tier" candidates - of either party - to do so.
The 2006 election results haven't even been certified in many places yet but, as I mentioned two weeks ago, Sen. McCain has already sold his soul to the devil in his quest for the Republican nomination. For the man who replaced Barry Goldwater to suddenly embrace the hate-filled rhetoric that spews from the fascist wing of his party...well...the real maverick from Arizona (Mr. Goldwater) would be disappointed.
Although, at this early date I have no idea who else the Republican Party would turn to. Jeb Bush? I highly doubt the American people want to see the Bush name on a ballot anytime soon. Rudy Guliani has started his exploratory committee, but I don't see how he gets close to the GOP nomination. The former New York City mayor isn't even a second tier candidate in my opinion, but rather a third tier.
First off, the Republican primary voters will probably reject him because of his rather liberal stance on social issues (a woman's choice, equal rights for gays, gun control). But I can't imagine that the foreign policy wonks within the party would support a Guliani candidacy either. Granted, he stepped up to the plate in New York in those weeks following 9/11, but that aside his foreign policy credentials are zero. Not exactly what the United States will need come 2008.
If we've learned anything from the presidency of George W. Bush, it's not to put a foreign policy novice up for the highest office in the land...especially in this day and age.
