demjoke
05-08-2003, 08:16 AM
Based on the 2000 census, Bush-Cheney has already gained 7 electoral votes. By holding its convention in New York, the GOP hopes to make New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania competitive (43 votes). By going to Boston, the Dems might put New Hampshire (4 votes) into play.
Now some GOPers hope for besting their 1984 slamdunk. Unlikely, but 268 electoral votes looks easily attainable for this administration.
GOPERS BELIEVE THEY CAN TAKE NIFTY 50 STATES
By DEBORAH ORIN
May 8, 2003 -- ANYONE who watched the dreary first 2004 Democratic debate Saturday can see why some Republicans are dreaming and plotting how President Bush can do what even Ronald Reagan couldn't do: win all 50 states in 2004.
After all, polls now show Bush could win California, beat Sen. Hillary Clinton in New York, and whip 2004 wannabes Joe Lieberman (Conn.), John Edwards (N.C.) and Bob Graham (Fla.) in their home states.
There's no post-war poll yet in John Kerry's home state of Massachusetts.
Republicans note Ronald Reagan won New York twice as they talk up the 50-state dream - and even if it's only a dream, it has strategic use because fat cats are more likely to cough up bucks if they think Bush will stump their home state and it also helps recruit House and Senate candidates.
"Just the notion that the president will go after all 50 states has a huge impact on recruiting - if you know he'll stump by your side, that might help convince, say, an Arnold enegger to run for Senate in California," says GOP strategist Rich Galen.
Every Republican wants to touch Bush these days - so it's no surprise that GOP sources report a bit of sharp elbowing around plans for the Republican 2004 convention in New York and what some claim was a power grab by Mayor Bloomberg.
That got other Republicans such as Gov. Pataki nervous, sources say, because they recall that Team Bush had hesitations about bringing the convention to New York because of what were seen as high-handed Bloomberg tactics over the Sept. 11 commemoration.
Bloomberg was pushing his guy, Harvey Schiller, to head the GOP host committee - with the mistaken idea that the committee would run the convention show and not just raise money.
"Pataki wasn't pushing anyone in opposition to Schiller, but wanted it to be clear that it has to be the president's guy running the show and [former Mayor Rudy] Giuliani backed up Pataki," says a GOP source.
"The White House had to step in," adds the source, saying political director Ken Mellman made it clear that national GOP staffer Bill Harris is in charge as convention CEO and Republican veteran David Norcross heads the GOP arrangements committee.
After that, sources say, everything was hunky-dory.
Bloomberg aide Kevin Sheekey insists: "We haven't had any problems."
Now some GOPers hope for besting their 1984 slamdunk. Unlikely, but 268 electoral votes looks easily attainable for this administration.
GOPERS BELIEVE THEY CAN TAKE NIFTY 50 STATES
By DEBORAH ORIN
May 8, 2003 -- ANYONE who watched the dreary first 2004 Democratic debate Saturday can see why some Republicans are dreaming and plotting how President Bush can do what even Ronald Reagan couldn't do: win all 50 states in 2004.
After all, polls now show Bush could win California, beat Sen. Hillary Clinton in New York, and whip 2004 wannabes Joe Lieberman (Conn.), John Edwards (N.C.) and Bob Graham (Fla.) in their home states.
There's no post-war poll yet in John Kerry's home state of Massachusetts.
Republicans note Ronald Reagan won New York twice as they talk up the 50-state dream - and even if it's only a dream, it has strategic use because fat cats are more likely to cough up bucks if they think Bush will stump their home state and it also helps recruit House and Senate candidates.
"Just the notion that the president will go after all 50 states has a huge impact on recruiting - if you know he'll stump by your side, that might help convince, say, an Arnold enegger to run for Senate in California," says GOP strategist Rich Galen.
Every Republican wants to touch Bush these days - so it's no surprise that GOP sources report a bit of sharp elbowing around plans for the Republican 2004 convention in New York and what some claim was a power grab by Mayor Bloomberg.
That got other Republicans such as Gov. Pataki nervous, sources say, because they recall that Team Bush had hesitations about bringing the convention to New York because of what were seen as high-handed Bloomberg tactics over the Sept. 11 commemoration.
Bloomberg was pushing his guy, Harvey Schiller, to head the GOP host committee - with the mistaken idea that the committee would run the convention show and not just raise money.
"Pataki wasn't pushing anyone in opposition to Schiller, but wanted it to be clear that it has to be the president's guy running the show and [former Mayor Rudy] Giuliani backed up Pataki," says a GOP source.
"The White House had to step in," adds the source, saying political director Ken Mellman made it clear that national GOP staffer Bill Harris is in charge as convention CEO and Republican veteran David Norcross heads the GOP arrangements committee.
After that, sources say, everything was hunky-dory.
Bloomberg aide Kevin Sheekey insists: "We haven't had any problems."