If Republicans had their way this would be the ideal Democratic candidate for President in 2008
He's white, he's male and not so affluent that he can't speak authoritatively about poverty. He's not an "insider", definitely an "outsider" and has no baggage, literally or figuratively. He has no agenda to speak of and is clearly not influenced by unions. He's a self made man, not beholden to any special interest.
© Greg Flynn, use permitted with attribution
I've gotten tired already of Republican attempts to define Democratic candidates. The latest is the South Carolina GOP's pre-emptive attack on John Edwards:
Critics blast Edwards, miles away at the time
Even though presidential candidate John Edwards was miles away, S.C. Republicans eager to criticize his recent comments on taxes issued a statement lambasting him Monday.
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Edwards' campaign said it was taking the criticism in stride. "I guess the misguided policies that leave hardworking American families behind aren't the only things that are off the mark at South Carolina GOP headquarters," [Kate] Bedingfield said.
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other candidates are all being subjected to this early campaign of attrition designed to clear the field of viable Democratic candidates to leave a straw man sleeping through a Republican victory in 2008.
© Greg Flynn, use permitted with attribution
Democratic candidates must get tougher and tougher with their positions on progressive issues and not wither in the face of this campaign of attrition. Please, please don't let them move to the center.
Maybe there's hope, as the tables are turned on Republicans by right-wing extremists. Tom Tancredo is trying hard to define Republican candidates:
In a fundraising email sent out by Townhall.com just today he writes:
You've probably seen me on FoxNews or other TV in the past few weeks, since I formed my Presidential Exploratory Committee.
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But the other side has recently been encouraged by the election of the new Democratic majority. Pelosi and Kennedy, and their ally enthusiastic ally John McCain are planning to push through illegal alien amnesties and sharply higher immigration.
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Most Republican Candidates for President actually agree with Pelosi and Kennedy, working for millions more immigrants, for amnesty after amnesty.
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Don't believe it? Think about a President John McCain. He co-sponsored a bill last year to DOUBLE legal immigration. McCain scorns the defenders of America's borders. He hates the border fence.
How about a President Sam Brownback? A good man, we all agree. But Brownback never met an amnesty he didn't like! He wants all illegal aliens to be made citizens.
So maybe you think Mitt Romney is better? Romney REFUSED to support Ramos and Compean, those persecuted Border Patrol agents who were recently sent to prison for wounding an illegal alien drug dealer.
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I'm sure you don't want amnesty supporters Rudy Giuliani or Chuck Hagel getting the nomination! These men are hardly conservatives!
My friends, I've just about gone through the entire list of Republican candidates! Will the banner of immigration reform be waved? Will we have a truly conservative nominee? That depends on me getting your support.
Alarmed at the Republican Party's steady drift to the LEFT? So am I! Let's stop it!
Alarmed at the Democratic Party's steady drift to the RIGHT? So am I! Let's stop it!