FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
No more front-runner when it comes to the Republican presidential race.
At least that's according to a new poll. The Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey shows Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney tied nationally at 20%. Mike Huckabee is close behind them at 17%, followed by John McCain at 14% and Fred Thompson at 11%.
Just six weeks ago, Giuliani held a double digit lead over his closest rivals. Other polls also show Giuliani's lead shrinking in Florida, one of the states he's been building his campaign around.
Experts say they haven't seen a Republican race so fluid and in such turmoil for more than 50 years. There are several reasons for it, including President Bush's low approval ratings and the fact that this is the first campaign in a very long time that doesn't include an incumbent president or vice president. There's also the aging of the conservative coalition that Ronald Reagan created in 1980. We're now seeing economic, national security and social issues voters all vying for attention.
Here’s my question to you: Why has the Republican race for the presidential nomination suddenly become a free-for-all?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Daniel from Ironton, Missouri writes:
The nomination is tight because there's no clear reason for the Republicans to exist. Iraq is no longer an issue because violence is down and most Americans want to get out. Terrorism has faded from view. Social conservatives have no real candidate they can find. Most candidates are globalists who are soft on illegal immigration. Right now it's more about choosing someone who can win than someone who they agree with. However, most have no idea who really could win, though they should be looking at Ron Paul.
Dunne writes:
Jack, A wise man once said, "It's getting ugly out there." Well, the current crop of Republican saviors is about as watered down as it gets. Giuliani and Romney appear not to be able to decide on whole wheat or rye at lunch, let alone their policies. McCain is just pitiful since the day he sang "Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran" and ever spoke to Kennedy on immigration. Huckabee's an evangelist in Clinton'esque clothing and Thompson's reading his lines from cue cards. My candidate Ron Paul needs to heat it up more or he will fade into Al Gore’s internet and never be seen again.
Tom writes:
It is a free-for-all because none of them stand any chance of winning. A Republican Party member stands as much chance of winning as a Communist Party member. Maybe all these guys think it would look good on their resume, but realistically speaking the Republicans won't be able to get a dog catcher elected in 2008.
Dan from Las Vegas writes:
Let's see, we have a grumpy senator, a dopey doctor, a sleepy part-time actor. Wait a minute, do I detect a theme here? Perhaps the reason there is a free-for-all is that the positions these guys have are in fact… fairy tales.
Robert writes:
The Republican field is like a used car lot full of lemons. None of them is much better than any of the others, and there's little to choose between them. The American voter wants a new car next November.
Maybe Jack will read yours tomorrow.