GOP Dark Horses that can come out of nowhere, and win big

[Moooooo]

"The Republicans don't have "dark horses" and "insurgent" candidates.

Wait, let me rephrase that: They have them, but they just never win the nomination. With Republicans, the nomination always goes to whichever party leader's turn it is. That's why Nixon beat Rockefeller, Ford beat Reagan, Bush I beat Dole, Dole beat Buchanan, and Bush II beat McCain.

My guess is that it's Frist turn in '08. He is Senate Majority leader, after all. And being stiffer than a board left in a New Hampshire snowdrift didn't seem to hurt Bob Dole or George Bush I any." - james

[Moooooo]

Here the best Dark Horse though Representative Jim Nussle. He is virtually clean from all scandals, is independently wealthy, and is a fluent speaker. Once he becomes Governor I hope he is considered for the Vice Presidency if not the Presidency.

I wouldnt say Nussle is "clean".

Nussle can be tied directly to the ballooning federal budget deficit. He is the chair of the budget committee.  He also has intern issues, he divorced his wife after an affair to marry one.

PBrunsel, what do you think about Republican Bob Vander Plaats?  Ive heard that he may run for Governor in 2006.  Some say he could do pretty well.

[Moooooo]

Interesting response from another board regarding Nussle running for Governor in 2006...

"How has Nussle been able to win in a Democratic leaning district? He appears and behaves as a moderate in public and at public forums. His newsletters sent out at taxpayer expense talk about what he is doing for his constituency (and he does get pork for projects in counties where he needs Democrat or no party votes - Dubuque/Clinton/Scott).

If his divorce didn't hurt him in 1996 and his marriage to a lobbyist in 2002 didn't hurt him in 2002 they're not going to hurt him now.

He's never shaken that young thoughtful nice boy that would never harm a soul image. People vote for him because he seems like a leader, a nice guy who will represent their best interests.

It doesn't matter who we put up against Nussle in 2006. He will have a whisper campaign out about all of our candidates during the primary - never traceable back to him. He will be cute at debates and make people chuckle but never truly answer the hard questions.

He is slippery, he is smart, and he will be well funded.

Don't think for a second the Governor's office is his last stop.

Jim Nussle is running for President.'

[Moooooo]

I think Taft's approval ratings are in the 30's.