There's been a lot of talk about Dean's electibility (and that of the rest of the candidates, and Democrats in general). But there's one thing we've been ignoring, for the most part.
Bush's electibility.
Sure, he has a lead right now. But where does he go from here?
If we play our cards right, he goes nowhere.
Bush has no "winning vector", as I like to call it. There's no direction they can realisticly take the debate that will actually increase support for them. In fact, there's enough losing vectors that they should be extremly worried at this point.
Economy:Forget the large GDP growth, that's being lost in increased productivity. Jobs are down, and people are being forced to take a step down the ladder. As well, corporate profits have mostly maintained themselves, which will add even more fuel to the fire.
Iraq:Bush keeps on making HUGE policy mistakes that keep on making things worse. Take for example, barring the handful of countries from receiving contracts on Iraq. Just a little thing. But Bush at the same time is looking for help from them. Just one rather small (Although IMO it's huge) example of a larger problem.
They really have no plan past power and ideology.
And that takes us to "War on Terrorism". Believe it or not, this is a loser for them as well. There are huge holes left in domestic defense, and the current administration seems very slow to pick up on them. Increased funding for security at ports and various "soft targets" (petro-chemical plants, to be precise) havn't been done as needed. As well, pointing out that Iraq has nothing to do with 9/11 will be a serious hurt for Bush.
However, there are three potential winners for them.
#1. Civil Unions/Gay Marriage. The thing is, I don't think very many people even know what this means at this point. They think that it's a meaningless symbol, and that it hurts nobody to protect the "traditional marriage". Point out exactly what rights it gains you, and I think that the CW will change FAST.
#2. Taxes. Everybody likes lower taxes...right? Well..not if they raise your taxes in other areas, or raise how much you are paying for goods+services. People, especially in the middle class, want improved education and health care over decreased taxes. Very consistantly. It's not a winning issue. Especially when explained the deceit and incompetence surrounding the last round of tax cuts.
And that takes us to the biggie. #3. The way Bush came close in 2000. The one way alone.
Because he's a good ol' cowboy.
We have 3 years experience with this folks. There is a negative resume a mile-long on how this guy is a corrupt, decietful, incompetant scumbag. If we can't get that out..in a very positive way, then we'll never win. Period.
We ARE restoring "honor and dignity" to the White House. For real this time.
(Actually, my dream campaign ad is his "honor and dignity" ad then run with a bunch of his lies and text underneath it of the truth.)
It's not a matter of IF we'll win. We will, with a properly run campaign. It's a matter of how much we'll win by, and better yet, how much damage we'll do to the right-wing machine.