Christopher Ruddy
Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2003

Hillary keeps denying she is running for president.

Why deny something you already denied?

Despite the denials, columnist Richard Reeves says Hillary is convening her top advisors this weekend to decide about her plans to run for president.

I agree with Carl Limbacher, as he details in “Hillary’s Scheme: Inside the Next Clinton's Ruthless Agenda to Take the White House," her efforts so far are geared for a 2004 run, not waiting until 2008.

Hillary is the rock star of the Democratic party, but she didn’t anticipate the rise of Howard Dean. She may have to act sooner than later to stop a stampede for Dean.

Howard Dean’s Smile

Politics aside, Dean seems like the most affable and likeable of Democrats.

The eight other dwarves seem like the morose dwarves. Look at the mug on Kerry, Gephardt and company. They seem so angry.

But Dean glows and looks like a regular guy who is having a ball running for President.

I sort of admire his enthusiasm. Still, if I was a Democrat there’s no question Sen. Lieberman is the best choice. He’s a centrist, can win independent voters, is the best qualified, and the most sensible when it comes to national security.

50-50 Chance of Keeping the White House

As it stands today, George Bush only has a 50-50 chance of winning re-election in 2004.

That could change if the economy picked up. While economic numbers are trending up, two factors could kill off the recovery.

First, gas prices are hitting all time highs. Oil is a cross cutting commodity that affects prices for many products and services. Thus, higher prices at the gas pump and for other consumer goods mean less cash for you and me.

My guess is that the White House needed gas at $1.25 a gallon this summer to create a boom for next year and re-election. They missed it big time. (The Saudis are not helping the White House with increased oil production.)

Second, long term interest rates are trending up, reducing home refinancing and the housing boom. I believe the housing boom has kept the whole U.S. economy afloat.

In hindsight, Bush should have pushed for bigger tax cuts that should have taken effect sooner.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Problems

Arnold’s statements to a men’s magazine in the 1970s is much to do about nothing.

I am much concerned about his public policy positions, his qualifications and who he is today as a person.

Still, many Christian conservatives may be influenced by these disclosures. Mike Reagan told me he thinks that the Democrats will wait to the week before election day to release dirt on Arnold.

His advice to Arnold: “Whatever problems you’ve had, begin talking about them now.”

Who to Pick: Arnold, McClintock, Ueberroth?

It looks as the choice among Republicans is down to three candidates.

So far, only one has indentified himself with the Reagan wing of the party, that’s Tom McClintock.

Arnold so far has been less than re-assuring.

His political schizophrenia is apparent to any visitor to his office. He displays a bust of Ronald Reagan along side an oversized portrait of Vladmir Lenin. Mass murderer Lenin?

It makes me wonder what Arnold really believes.

In an interview, he gave some answers to radio host Sean Hannity about his policy positions. Some answers were good, but many were bad.

Republicans like David Horowitz tell me that a conservative Republican can’t win in California, so we need to support him to win.

He may be right. The jury is still out in my mind.

I can say this, Tom McClintock was very excited about being interviewed by NewsMax this past week.

He is not only qualified for office, he answered every question about his positions just like Ronald Reagan would have answered.

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