Politico: Conservatives Favor a Hillary Re-run

Hillary Clinton's supporters aren't the only ones who are ready for her to seek the 2016 nomination: Conservatives are also looking forward to another campaign from the "overconfident, inevitable nominee," says Matt Latimer, a former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, in a column for Politico on Monday.

"Hillary Clinton learned so many lessons from her surprising 2008 defeat that she’s repeating each of them all over again," Latimer writes. "Once more she is running as the overconfident, inevitable nominee with safe speeches filled with mush and a bloated campaign staff that already is leaking against each other in the press."

But still, Washington insiders are so certain Clinton will win, they are already working to get their invitations to her White House events, said Latimer.

"It’s always fascinating how many people in D.C. believe they can project how conservatives across America will vote without ever really talking to them," he said.

But in fact, Republicans are excited about retaking the White House, which has led to a bumper crop of at least 18-20 people who are exploring presidential campaigns.

Almost all of the potential candidates are people of quality and means and have realistic shots at the nomination, said Latimer. There are some who are saying they're running to build their brands, he writes, and then there is the "never-gonna-happen" Donald Trump campaign, who Latimer accuses of making his "declarations conveniently timed for new seasons of 'The Celebrity Apprentice.' "

There are several myths surrounding this election season as well, said Latimer. One is tat former Republican nominee Mitt Romney will run again.

But while Romney is leading in many polls, he's also a "cautious and practical man" who "didn't make his millions by purchasing lottery tickets and waiting for lightning to strike," writes Latimer, and the risks far exceed the rewards for the former Massachusetts governor if he launches a third try for the White House.

"Lose the presidency twice — and you’re unfortunate," said Latimer. "Lose a third time and you’re a national joke. Forever."

It's also a myth that there is a Republican front-runner, said Latimer.

Many believe former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will get the GOP nomination, but to people outside Washington, many people do not want a re-run of the 1992 Bush vs. Clinton election.

According to a Rasmussen poll released last week, Americans fear an "unofficial group of royal families" may be forming in the United States, and are not enthusiastic about the possibility that Bush may seek the presidency.

The Rasmussen poll, shows that just a third of Republicans surveyed believe Bush — the son of former President George H. W. Bush and the brother of President George W. Bush — should seek the nomination.

"Are these two families really so singularly special that we honestly can’t find anybody else?" said Latimer in his column. "Or are the voters just that lazy?"

Bush may be getting the media attention, said Latimer, but he still has not gained 25 percent of the polls, meaning at least 75 percent of voters prefer somebody else, and that number will likely get worse, said Latimer.

He also wrote that it's a mistake to discount the tea party, as many Republicans are hungry for change that moderates won't bring.

"If anything, they’re more fed-up with the moderates in Washington — which is how they think of almost every Republican in the nation’s capital — than ever," said Latimer, noting the base is more excited by people like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

It's also too soon to rule New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie out, said Latimer.

While there are many insiders who say the scandal over the George Washington Bridge closures damaged Christie's presidential hopes permanently, Latimer believes that most people in places outside the capital would "think you're referring to tires" if they hear the word "Bridgegate."

Christie could have other problems if he enters the race, but the bridge scandal won't be one of them, said Latimer, as "he'll start on the right and surprise a lot of people who counted him out."

Last, it's a mistake to think all of the large cast of candidates will not sort itself out until the Republican National Convention, as the GOP will settle on the candidate that will be their standard-bearer, said Latimer.

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