In the moment the Democrats should be poised to attack, their own leadership is in question. I don't care what anyone tells you, when the Governor of a major "blue" state refuses to heave her picture taken with Governor Dean the chair of the Party you know we are in trouble. The democrats need to acknowledge 5 key things to win in 2006 and ultimately in 2008:
The democrats need to acknowledge 5 key things to win in 2006 and ultimately in 2008:
1.Bill Clinton is a Rock Star he should be the leader of the party. The problem is of course the perception that Hillary will run. See number 2
2.Hillary should not run. This pains me as a woman and as someone who has had the pleasure of meeting her. She is really a lovely and warm woman. Unfortunately that is not how she plays or is perceived in America. As many people hate her as like her and even fewer love her.
3.In nearly every poll on the "issues" the Democrats poll more favorably across the board especially domestically. We need to win the National Security argument, as Russ Feingold, Senator from Wisconsin said on Bill Maher "we need to show the American People that we can and will fight terrorism smarter" We need to commit to Iraq. I don't agree with the why, but we are there. If we pull out, our children will still be fighting this war.
4.We need to seriously pursue other energy alternatives and not just for cars. Hello anyone else have to sell their soul for utility bills?
5.The Environment. Enough said.
The party should ultimately look at the following candidates seriously as front-runners. The future of the Democratic Party depends on it.
1.Joseph Biden, Senator from Delaware. The only member of congress that I think can win in the general election. He is the democratic version of McCain and is beloved by those who work for him and around him. He is tough as they come and they would be hard pressed to push him on any personal skeletons. The man lost his first wife and daughter in a car accident; he has never been implicated in any serious scandal. He is smart, funny and sexy. Sex sells and he seems very presidential. You can see him in the White House.
2.Mark Warner, Gov. Virginia. A democrat in this "northern" southern state. He is a wunderkind in the party and has effectively run the state for multiple terms. He is telegenic and young, but not too young. Here are the highlights from the official Draft Mark Warner site: www.draftmarkwarner.com
· Turned a $6 billion deficit into a $544 Million surplus
· Eliminated or merged more than 70 duplicative or unnecessary boards and commissions and eight state agencies
· Salvaged Virginia's threatened AAA bond rating
· Double-digit unemployment has plummeted in 12 of 13 of the most distressed counties
· 2nd lowest jobless rate in the nation
· 97% of all eligible children enrolled in heath care
· Single largest investment in K-12 education in state history
· Second largest increase in college and university funding in the nation
· Highest math SAT score increase in the nation
· The Council of Chief State School Officers Most Prestigious 2005 Distinguished Service Award
· 700 miles of broadband connecting nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses
3.Wes Clark, former Supreme Commander of NATO. Wes Clark ran in 2004 for the nomination of the Democratic party, many people with in the party thought he was jockeying for a VP slot. (can you imagine how strong a Kerry/Clark campaign could have been?) Since 2004 he has formed WesPAC, (www.securingamerica.com). A political action committee that is doing more to raise money for congressional races over the country, specifically in places where the red & blue have combined to make purple. He has laid out a 100-year vision that is as impressive as it is scary. Attacked by party big wigs in 2004 for coming to the party late. He can fight a good fight and I highly encourage you to read his 100-year vision.
4.Bill Richardson, Governor, New Mexico. Bill Richardson has a long history with the national Democrats, he has a solid organization behind him. He is Hispanic and from the Southwest. He has accomplished some great things as governor and he is a former cabinet member under Bill Clinton. He served 3 terms in Congress, he was the Ambassador to the UN and for Energy Secretary. He is the chair of the Democratic Governors Association.
5.John Edwards, Former Senator, North Carolina. Some people think and I would count myself as one of them that John Edwards 2004 campaign was really about 2008. There where plenty of Democrats that never bought into the Kerry/Edwards ticket. The problem, John Kerry never seemed very presidential. John Edwards did. I still think that this progressive democrat from the south, needs a little more experience before being taken seriously in national politics. However he has stayed very active and has been quietly fundraising. He has a rapid base and it is quietly growing. He may make a great President someday, I would suggest he run for Governor first, if he can carry North Carolina in a statewide campaign that would go a long way to shoring his future.
And the big Elephant in the room?
6. Al Gore, Former Vice President. Al Gore should be wrapping up his second term. But not being one to stick in the past, I say he should be a contender for the future. Like Nixon ahead of him, he has had the opportunity to quietly make his case. He has loosened up, he has ventured out. And he is very quickly being proven right about the environment. Of all national politico's he truly believes what he says about the environment. He is a staunch critic of the Administration with out ever sounding bitter. Some speculated after the election debacle of 2000 that he would sit back and wait in the wings and infact lead a true opposition. He smartly got out of the public eye, and solidified his positions. Consequently when he has leveled criticism at the President it has carried that much more weight. I have a friend who compares Gore to Nixon and believes that he will run, be elected and be impeached. I hope he is wrong about the impeachment, but I would love for him to run again.