It's morning in Iowa and, hopefully, these caucuses are the first step toward a new morning in America that begins on January 20, 2005.
You know, for all the "nine dwarves" trash talk by Republicans (and certain gutless, always-off-the-record Beltway Democrats), this field really has a lot to offer. In talking to Dems, I find that many wish they could somehow create a Lee Majors-esque, composite uber-candidate. You know what I'm talking about: Kerry's Vietnam service plus Clark's Balkan experience plus Gephardt's national domestic record plus Dean's gubernatorial fiscal discipline -- with a dash of Sharpton's quick wit, Graham's folksy twang, Braun's infectious smile and Kucinich's fiery intensity thrown in for good measure. (Sorry, but I'm at a loss to find anything bionic about Lieberman worth contributing to the mix.)
Think about the GOP: Without Bush, the most "attractive" members of their bench are people like Giuliani, McCain and Schwarzenegger. And all have made a name by bucking the right-wing orthodoxy. If it weren't for Bush41's loins, the GOP would be struggling to find national candidates that can attract anyone but the ideological riff-raff on their far right flank. Even Bush has to fake the funk with his "compassionate conservatism" emptiness.
In any case, the Democratic hopefuls are really testing their mettle out here. And I get a sense - nothing scientific, of course, merely a visceral sense -- from some of the diehard campaign staffers (who have the most at stake in their guy winning) as well as volunteers (who have less at risk) that, when the eventual nominee emerges, everybody will dovetail in a shared effort to combat the common opponent, Bush.
And, frankly, though the composite would surely dwarf Bush, the top-tier candidates dwarf him, too.
Remember what Bill Clinton aptly reminded all Democrats was their responsibility: Fall in love with a candidate, but once a nominee emerges, fall in line. Here, here.
So, Dean's my first choice, but if it's Gephardt or Kerry or (my next favorite) Edwards, I'm going to the mattresses. Period.
In that spirit, I'm going to spend some time kicking the tires on these other three guys and their campaigns, to try to get a sense of who they are, what they're talking about, and why the people who work and support them believe their man is the person we need at the top of the ticket.