GOP voter discontent allows new entrants for '08

The Republican field swells to 13 presidential candidates, official and potential.

from the March 13, 2007 edition

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Polls also typically show former Speaker Gingrich running third, even though he has not even launched an exploratory committee, and ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. Governor Romney is raising big money and has hired respected political talent but remains unknown to many voters.

In short, with a presidential race that has started unprecedentedly early, the polls on nomination preferences are not as meaningful as they will be, say, six months from now. Polling right now reflects name recognition and first-blush impressions, analysts say. Giuliani's signature feature is his image of leadership, centered on his performance in the aftermath of 9/11.

But among party activists, there is an unease afoot that the current field of candidates does not contain a trustworthy and true conservative.

Mr. Romney, who some party regulars expect could still catch fire, given his executive experience and wholesome family image, remains questionable to some activists, because of his recent shift to the conservative position on abortion, gay rights, guns, and stem cell research.

"The problem for the Republicans is they have a ton of candidates, and very few really credible ones," says Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. "The top three candidates – and I'm not counting Gingrich, despite the polls – all have such serious flaws. That's why over time you'll see each one go up and down and up and down."

That's why a respected former senator like Thompson, who qualifies as a true conservative, may well look in the mirror come fall and say, "Why not me?"

When asked by a TV reporter after his Sunday comment if there really was a place for him in the 2008 race, he replied: "Oh, sure, there's always room for one more."

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