In the aftermath of this election, the Democrats must pick the best public advocates possible. Currently it looks like Harry Reid of Nevada is on the
fast track to being picked as Senate Minority Leader, without any real discussion of who would be the best face for the Democratic party.
I think Reid would be a very weak choice. He knows Senate procedures, but he is not a powerful or telegenic advocate for our side. He is not well known, and he has many of the same deficiencies as Tom Daschle, who was always too mellow to stand up to the thugs. And when you are in the minority, as we are, you need put your strongest face forward.
I nominate John Kerry for the position. First, John Kerry is the best known senator we've got. He just received 55 million votes nationwide. He has the confidence of half the American people and a clear alternative vision to Bush's world. He has credibility, strength, a solid blue state backing him, and the ability to wag his finger as Bush fucks everything up.
We are all upset that Kerry lost the election. But it wasn't his fault. He said all the right things, he won three debates, he showed himself to be a smart, honest, inspiring man. The religious right simply overwhelmed us, along with millions of delusional morons suckered in by the media to think Bush will be a good, strong, moral leader. Nitpick all you want, but I bet every one of you would cut off a limb to get Kerry in the White House right now. I know I would.
I can think of nothing more ironic than forcing Bush to deal with John Kerry for the next four years. The election's over. So what. Kerry still whipped Bush's ass in the debates and will whip his ass with filibusters from here to Crawford.