But just because there will probably be a backlash doesn't mean the Republicans can't win. (see eg: Election of 1988) Besides, all of Bush's closes allies (Cheney, Frist, his brother Jeb) have explicitely promised to NOT run, meaning the most likely nominee will be a moderate (Guiliani) or a staunch conservative not affiliated with the party leadership (like Sam Brownback). Either way, the Republican candidate in 08 will probably be somebody who can put some distance between himself and Bush's less favorable policies, so that any potential for backlash is minimized.

Rudy was introducing himself to hardcore Republican primary voters and letting them know he was a team player. From the crowd's reaction, Rudy has more than a fighting chance.

My take back then on the link.

This place is a TOTAL mess, with corruption and fraud. Let him to for this state, what he did for NYC.....

Dear Mr. Bush:

I really have no expectations in writing this letter, other than to vent my spiritual and emotional frustration. I am a 52 American/Italian, who just happened to become disabled at a young age. I have had 3 Major Back Surgery's, the last one was at The Wonderful Cleveland Clinic in November, where my whole lower back was fused.

I was raised as a very unprejusdice person, by a wonderful man, My Father, who loved and respected this country so very much. I am just glad that he is no longer here to see what has become to his beloved "New Home."

Having lost two people in The World Trade Center (I lived in NY at the time) My Landlord was one. My Friends up north, plus My Doctors and Therapists here, cannot believe how the system here fails those of us who worked and paid taxes all our lives to end up with the struggles and hardships I am enduring.

While I know and respect your alliances to the Latina Culture, it is grossly unfair that The state of Florida has forsaken those who's ancestor's have help build this country, when it was nothing more than Potato Fields as Long Island was.

Having never been convicted of a Felony, nor was/I a recovering Alcoholic, Drug Addict or HIV Positive, or having not worked and automatically receive SSI and the Max in Food Stamps Plus, get Section almost immediately. I have been on the list for nearly 2 years now, I am number 5 on the Non-Hollywood Residents....It seems they have stalled at number 84 on The Hollywood Residents List. I must endure begging for food and other necessities the last two weeks of every month.

My Disability Check is for $800.00 monthly, My Rent is $650.00, I have phone for medical purposes, have to pay reception connection fee from Comcast...I can't afford their package (even though, I am homebound 95% of the time) and without the Internet I would go completely out of my mind! And I ONLY receive $48.00 a month from food stamps, Tops Car Service is $2.00 each way, which is beyond my financial reach. Which, My Doctors think is totally ludicrous, because I suffer from High Blood Pressure/High Cholesterol and desperately need to lose weight because of the extra weight's effect on my lower back. Let's be realistic, shall we, food donations are heavily saturated in everything that is unhealthy for weight loss.

Of Course, there is always the necessities of Hygiene Products and Laundry and Misc. Items from the Drug Store that are not covered by Medicaid. But, the most serious affliction is the total loniness, as I have been told that by my Mental Health Providers, that other than my Medications, These other Social Programs are not for me. Many have very serious forms of Mental Illness, and my heart goes out to them, but, My Depression is more or less related to my physical pain and problems that I have suffered from since I was 35, which I worked until I could not take the pain any more and opted for Surgery.

There are no programs or organizations that provide any social and intellectual stimulation for the many like me. How sad is that?? Do I just wait to die, before I ever truly lived...I have taken care of people all my life, and it seems, my government won't give me the chance to take care of myself with some dignity and pride. Remember who Jesus came for the poor and oppressed.

A Great Man Died on Saturday, Pope John Paul II, and I fear we will never see the likes of him again...He was wise and insightful way beyond his then years when he visited Miami in 87,' when he remarked how materialistic it was to the Latina Monsignor.

While I did go to some of these programs in the beginning, I became more depressed and angry from over heard conversations and discussions among other patients who go Dr's and get paid cash for providing their Medicare, so the Doctor can "Milk" for services NOT rendered. I am just an average person with no political connections or the salaries that they make. But, you have to be totally greedy and spiritually blind to allow this kind of injustice being done to the American People.

Everyday I pray for that my Spirituality to survive, what reality in So. Florida has become. If our Leaders cannot stop the hypocrisy and injustice, then who can??...Why can't we have A "John Paul II" among our Leaders.???

All I ever wanted was "A Quality of Life." I can't even get a part time job, because of some of my physical limitations. My skills do not have many P/T positions that are available, plus, it's who you know...I can't even afford Broward County Tops...$2.00 each way trip is beyond my affordability.

All I can do, is wait, pray and try to be worthy of Jesus and be ready and hopefully in A. State of Grace when he send for me.

Please consider "Us" who fall through the cracks, because we are truly worthy and truly American...

Sincerely,

Maria C. Ignagni
712 NE 7th Street
Hallandale, FL 33009
954-454-6840

P.S.: Medicaid just switched their Transportation Provider to Logistic Car Service, which contracts out to other Car Services, So, far I have not been able to get to an appointment on time, because the Car Service Drivers don't speak English for the most part and do not know Broward County.
My heart goes out to the Elderly and Handicpped people because we are totally powerless against system that is truly in need of a more thorough investigation. The Only people who benifit from Medicare are the Fraudulent Doctor's and Agent's...If I have heard about them, then you are sure Our Government knows and is looking the other way.

Oh, and Hillary will NOT be the Democratic nominee. Mark my words. She polls high because of name recognition only. But few Democrats really like her. I wouldn't start predicting Democratic nominees until after the '06 race because that will be the first test of the Dean-run DNC. Depending on how the House and Senate races go, new figures will likely emerge. Look for Mark Warner, Brian Schweitzer and Evan Bayh to make hay as "red state" Democrats. Feingold would have been a top candidate too but he just had his second divorce (which makes him like Giuliani, in fact).

What is it, Rudi, rule of law or rule of judges?

Um, you (and some other commenters here) taking this just a bit too seriously.... if the election was this november, sure, I can see that happening. But the election won't be this november, or the next one. It's 2005, folks. We're not even to the beginning of the campaign season for the 2006 Congressional races yet, guys... speculating on the 2008 Presidential campaigns is strictly recreational and not at all to be taken seriously.

Relax just a bit, guys. Please. You're taking the fun out of it.

Also, remember than Bush the Elder had always been pro-choice, but evolved on the issue. Everyone sort of knew he probably really was still pro-choice in 1988, but when it came down to Bush or Dole for the GOP nod, Bush had been more loyal to Reagan while Dole had spent the last 8 years criticizing his policies from the Senate, sort of the way McCain has done to Bush.

Rudy could easily nuance most social issues by embracing social federalism. This would both provide cover for his social liberalism and jettison one of Bush's biggest deficiencies: that he's a big government conservative. Rudy could talk small government: states should decide marriage and gun laws, they know best how to run schools, cut spending to reduce the deficit, etc. He'd be automatically trusted on terror. The only problem is abortion. States' rights on that means overturning Roe, which scares the suburbanites, and promising to uphold Roe angers the conservatives. I don't know how he gets around it. But who knows, maybe there's a way.