If there's any justice and sanity in the process, the Democratic nomination will go to the candidate who best makes the case the they can:
Unite the party and defeat George W. in '04.
From this Kid's view, Dick Gephardt is that candidate.
(Can I also reveal, SHOCKING, I actually like Dick Gephardt, don't agree with him on everything...but, you know, he IS likeable. So, I welcome all comments on the much neglected...."likeability" factor....)
Here's my logic:
Dick Gephardt has always been about bringing the different wings of the party together. It was his job.
Dick Gephardt fights fair. When Dick Gephardt debates another Democrat he debates not alienates.
Dick Gephardt is liberal enough, moderate enough, & conservative enough to appeal to every constituency of the Democratic Pary. He's from Missouri, he has to be.
Dick Gephardt has a domestic and economic agenda that gives us Democrats something to be for, and something to be hopeful about. Health Care, Pensions, and Free Trade reform have broad appeal: in the party and nationally. Ultimately, you can't unite if you are not FOR something.
Dick Gephardt is a Democrat first, foremost and to his dying day. His career might have been easier if he had wobbled, or changed sides. But he didn't. And he won't. I don't agree with everything he's ever done; but it's easy to forget that he stood up against impeachment when that was not an easy or expedient thing to do.
Uniting the party is not something that just happens when you rack up some "good" poll numbers....
or run to one side with a pure message that appeals to half of the party but not the other...
and it's not something you can do if you never really were a part of the party in the first place...
the candidate who seizes this moment, and crafts a message of unity that broadens instead of narrows, gives hope in place of negativity, and reaches out for every single Democratic vote, should win this nomination...
Call me crazy, I still like Dick Gephardt....