Potential Presidential Power Poll

Delayed a day or two so we could all recover from the mixture of ham & egg nog, enjoy this week’s Potential Presidential Power Poll.

First, I want to thank Politics Unplugged for the link. We’ll get you blog-rolled this week. I’ve also received a number of questions on the poll. In case anyone else has the same question, let me answer them here.

1) These rankings are the way I perceive them, NOT my own opinion. Although I haven’t decided on 2008 yet, I’m much more likely to support Kerry, Edwards, Rendell, possibly Bayh (still not convinced yet) and others over Hillary. I’m just accepting the fact that she is the front-runner.

2) Most of the other questions I’ve received are of the “why isn’t so-and-so on the list?” variety. To quickly answer a couple: Dean isn’t in the Top 10 because I don’t like him (kidding, I just don’t think he’s going to be the nominee - and stay tuned for developments in me liking Dean more); Mitt Romney is a joke; Elliot Spitzer is the future of the Democratic Party, but he’ll need to start running the day after he’s sworn in as Governor. But the most common question was “Where’s Obama?” Now, I’ll admit that I don’t have the undying love of Obama that everyone else does (and I really like him, some of you people are just going over the top). But the primary reason he’s missing is because a State Senator from Illinois does not belong on this list. Let him build a record in the Senate, and we’ll talk.

Now, as there was no movement this week, let’s peek inside everyone’s Christmas wish list to see what Santa brought our contenders.

The Republicans

#1 Gov. Bill Owens - Colorado (Last Week: #1 Weeks on Chart: 3)
A wider national profile, so I’m not the only one talking about him as a Presidential contender.

#2 Senator George Allen - Virginia (LW: #2 WoC: 2)
A chance to execute a mentally retarded, African-American, gay, poor 15-year-old to gain street cred with the Republican base (and since he's a Senator, that'll make this real interesting).

#3 Mayor Rudulph the Red Nosed Mayor - New York (LW: #3 WoC: 3)
With his one wish, instead of taking away his marriage infidelity, removing Bernie Kerik from the face of the earth, or a more conservative stand on the issues, Rudy wastes it on tickets to a Yankees game. Good job Rudy.

#4 Governor Jeb Bush - Florida (LW: #4 WoC: 3)
A different last name. Say hello to Jeb Reagan.

#5 Senator Bill Frist - Tennessee (LW: #5 WoC: 3)
A pair of testicles, so he won’t be Harry Reid’s whipping boy for the next two years.

#6 Senator Lindsey Graham - South Carolina (LW: #6 WoC: 3)
A comp room at the Des Moines Hyatt.

#7 Senator Chuck Hagel - Nebraska (LW: #7 WoC: 3)
Nebraska gaining another 10 electoral votes.

#8 Senator John McCain - Arizona (LW: #8 WoC: 3)
A cure for all known diseases, so 72 isn’t that old.

#9 Governor George Pataki - New York (LW: #9 WoC: 3)
Elliot Spitzer not kicking his ass in two years.

#10 Senator Rick Santorum - Grinchville (LW: #10 WoC: 3)
The rise of the American Nazi Party, so he can run for their nomination.

The Democrats

#1 Senator Hillary Clinton - New York (LW: #1 WoC: 3)
To not be hated by a third of the electorate.

#2 Governor Mark Warner - Virginia (LW: #2 WoC: 3)
For the Democratic Party to remember that a Senator hasn’t been elected in 44 (by then 48) years.

#3 Senator Evan Bayh - Indiana (LW: #3 WoC: 3)
A copy of the Anarchist’s Cookbook, to earn street cred with the Daily Kos wing of the party.

#4 Senator John Kerry - Massachusetts (LW: #4 WoC: 3)
Bob Shrum’s head on a platter (that’s a gift we can all enjoy).

#5 Governor Tom Vilsack - Iowa (LW: #5 WoC: 3)
Iowa to keep its “first in the nation” status.

#6 General Wesley Clark - Arkansas (LW: #6 WoC: 3)
An elected office - somewhere, anywhere… head of the Pelicans Lounge, anything!

#7 Senator John Edwards - North Carolina (LW: #7 WoC: 3)
The perfect opportunity to stay in the public spotlight - lead prosecutor in the next OJ Trial (coming Spring 2006).

#8 Senator Joe Biden - Delaware (LW: #8 WoC: 3)
His own speeches (and about ten more electoral votes for Delaware).

#9 Governor Ed Rendell - Pennsylvania (LW: #9 WoC: 3)
A new leg for TO, Pat’s Steaks to move to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to be the first primary, a less obstinate state legislature, a chance to whoop on Lynn Swann in two years, an Eagles Super Bowl victory, Democrats to remember that Governors are the best candidates, and some socks (remember, he gets eight crazy nights of presents!)

#10 Governor Bill Richardson - New Mexico (LW: #10 WoC: 3)
A recount in New Mexico that shows he wasn’t useless at helping John Kerry carry the state.