What does "electability" mean in 2008?
I think perhaps some people will scoff at this, saying triangulation and pandering is all that can come from such a question, but I disagree. I think it is necessary to admit the realities of our society at this point in time. I further think that narrowing the field using a broad (yet current) definition of electability will help us tremenously. After all, if we can't get our idealogically pure candidate elected, we'll be stuck with someone much much worse.
Electability should, in my estimation, be the first filter through which to pass the field of candidates. Therefore, it should be a broad filter that reflects a candidates' ability to sell his/her ideas and experience as a package with broad appeal.
Electability is often a term used by moderates to keep the party from going too far to the left, but I think that is a misuse of the term. After all, the Republicans do not moderate their far-right candidates. What they do, however, is sell those candidates and their ideas using language which serves three functions - to vilify the Democrats, to interest the center, and finally there must be code words included that assures the right that their interests will be watched after. It's quite a tightrope to tread while appearing earnest, proficient, and likable at the same time.
This is a question of charisma, of being able to sell oneself. Let's face it, as gifted as advisors are the candidate must have the raw material.
All of this must be considered in the context of the times in which we live. We have been misled into war. Government corruption is rampant. The presidency constantly misleads the country about the state of affairs in Iraq. The presidency has wiggled out of real remedies for global climate change and has actually edited science on this issue and many others. An undercover CIA has been 'outed' by the VP's office.
All of this has been done, meanwhile the White House has looked into the camera in earnest, and sold itself successfully to too many of us.
Look at who are the frontrunners for the GOP: John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. Whether we buy it or not, they have reputations for no-bullshit. It remains to be seen whether the GOP will see the wisdom of choosing a no-bullshit candidate.
So I argue that in 2008, in addition to the other factors I outlined in electability, our candidate must be able to withstand a VERY SKEPTICAL electorate.