Dear John: It's time to get back in the game
Thu May 01, 2008 at 10:32:34 AM PDT
It's time to suit up, John.
Remember, you've only "suspended" your campaign. Elizabeth may be chomping at the bit to get you to endorse, but you can end the indecision by getting back in. Sure, you only have two dozen delegates or so, so what? Even pledged delegates aren't required to vote for the candidate they're pledged to. And the supers would love to be able to support a candidate not named Hillary or Barack. I know a "dark horse" candidate hasn't won a nomination since 1952. But only two senators have ever been elected president without serving as vice-president, and one will be elected this year.
Clinton is unelectable. Her nomination would alienate African-Americans so that they will stay home (or vote for Cynthia McKinney) and not only doom her candidacy, but possibly those down ballot as well. Not to mention many white progressives, who will cast their lot with Nader.
Obama's electability is hanging by a thread. He let himself get rolled by Clinton and the Republicans, and his response was to go crawling on his hands and knees to Faux. It's becoming apparent that he'll be 2008's version of Dukakis and Kerry should he win the nomination. His nomination wouldn't be as bad for the party as Clinton, but he could end up being a drag on the ticket as well.
And as much as a lot of people don't want to hear it, you know that there have only been two or three African-Americans elected as senators and governors in U.S. history. And now people are hoping that this country will elect a black as president? A tall order no matter what the polls show (over to you Tom Bradley).
John, the environment couldn't be better for your candidacy. The economy has deteriorated since January, and the economy is your issue. If you hadn't been up against two media darlings, the nomination would have been yours for the taking. Now that they've chewed up and spit out the two stars, they are no longer so enamored with them. The only thing the Republicans can use against you is your McMansion. After what they've thrown at Obama and Clinton, that's lame, and a public treated to far greater smears will be immune to it.
Sure, raising money will take time. But a party worn out from the Clinton and Obama battle will be grateful for your entrance and begin to shower you with money. It was a smart move not to endorse because now you're free to jump back in.
Which is what you should do. Especially if Obama loses North Carolina. The media and Obama and Clinton partisans may mock you for doing so, but I venture that most superdelegates and millions of Democrats looking to win the white house in November will be delighted. Grab a lions' share of the supers, and let Obama and Clinton deadlock on the first ballot. Then the nomination will be yours. And you'll come out of Denver with a unified party, and a bust of momentumn that will leave McCain gasping for air.
Go for it, John.
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