Giuliani and McCain, if they live long enough, can and probably will eat up two terms each. That's 16 years. Colin Powell may run in the future and could win; someone like Tommy Franks would beef up any ticket. I think the Republicans have many options, and enough to hold the White House for the next three or four terms. Especially since the Democrats have Hillary Clinton who cannot win, and the young Arab guy Obama or whatever. John Edwards maybe could get some following again. That's it. They can throw those resources out there to be exhausted and then they're deep in the cellar.

The voters can be a fickle mistress and it will only take a modest change to swing the balance back toward the Democrats. The popular vote for Kerry/Edwards and the narrow victory for Bush is a pretty good indication that the voting public may not be completely satisfied with Republican leadership.

Bill Clinton was an unknown governor without a national profile when he ran for president in 1992. Some have argued that Bill Clinton's victory wasn't so much a vote FOR the Democrats as it was a vote AGAINST the Republicans.

If we don't solve Iraq pretty soon, if we don't get out of Afghanistan, if there is a terrorist attack in the States, if the economy tanks, don't think for a minute that the voters won't hold the entire Republican Party accountable. Anything that happens will have occurred on their watch. There's a "tipping point" in politics that could sway the voters another direction regardless of who the candidates are for either party.

tony b.

Exactly.

Now YoTony, if McCain couldn't beat Bushie, HOW would he win in 2008?

Hell, I honestly doubt Guilliani or McCain actually winning the nomination in 2008.

What about Condi Rice?