It's my belief that the Democrats best chance to take this thing is with a unity ticket and an integrated national campaign. That means having local candidates "on-message" and supporting the national effort and vice-versa.
I also think it means having relatively solid cabinet-level "candidates" marked out shortly after the convention. Is this possible?
One of the main chinks I see in Team Bush's armor is the motly crew surrounding the still somehow "likable" Bush. I'm specifically thinking about Ashcroft, Rumsfeld and Cheney, but with some of the things Condi (and others) have said on the record, and on tape, they might also become weights on Bush's neck. We will also need someone who can neutralize the "credibility" of Powell.
My suggestions (and yours) as to how this might work on the inside.
VP -- Cheny is one of Bush's biggest potential liabilities. He's not photogenic, he's on record saying all sorts of untenable things about Iraq, and it's pretty hard not to see how he's being compensated by Halliburton at the same time. Having someone of unquestionable integrity to put up next to him will be key. We should also be wary of an October surprise that puts someone like Rudy Guliani on the ticket.
Defense -- Rummy's mojo is on the wane, and putting up someone who seems more forthright and honest as an alternative might make the eventual Democratic ticket more attractive.
AG -- Ashcroft sets off alarm bells all over the place for many Americans. Who is the modern day RFK we can offer to voters come November?
State -- In spite of the fact that his "masterful" presentation before the UN has been proven to be nothing more than stagecraft -- a cut above you averease salesman's powerpoint for sure, but no more related to the facts -- Powell retains a certain level of credibility with the electorate. What can we counter with?
Others -- Other opportunities would be going after Condi (who looked pretty bad trying to justify the lack of WMD on Meet the Press), Ridge (who's pronouncements are nearly 100% content-free), Bremer (who's track record speaks for itself), and perhaps even the likes of Wolfowitz and/or Rove himself.
Is this a dumb idea? It seems to me that there are a lot of rogues in the current gallery of state, and that by running against them all we can increase our chances. Any thoughts?