I admit that I'd be tempted to sacrifice the next 4 years to Bush just to see it happen ...
Seriously, though, I cannot describe in words how happy I am that this entire primary mess is finally grinding to a near-term conclusion. I admit that, when I saw the original statements everywhere months ago to the tune of "Our candidate, whomever that is, will emerge from the primary season bloodied and bruised ..." I had no idea what an understatement that would be.
This primary was pretty nasty. Of course, Dean and Clark were the primary targets, but now that Kerry's record is emerging, he is starting to take some heat as well though not nearly as much.
The question now being: what is the ultimate candidate going to do to heal the divisions in the party voters?
This is going to be a bigger problem than some people think. In a general election which may be well about both swing voters and about turning out one's base, I grant that the ultimate Democratic candidate is going to have an immense if undoable task of not only trying to target the swing voters by appearing as Bush Lite but also targeting the furious party base by appearing anti-Bush.
I don't know how anyone can do it. I also know that I will not personally reward a Bush Lite candidacy, and I think that this one is inevitable at this point.
The problem is that liberalism in general has been so demonized in the mass media, so effectively, and for so long, that one cannot appeal to swing voters through any means other than appearing as some sort of right-wing figure.
Again, given the likelihood of Dean being defeated, I look forward to spending the next several months doing some thing of a slightly different nature and ultimately showing up to vote in November for a Senatorial candidate.
Final diary thought: For those of you wearing an "ABB" pin, pray to heaven above that Ralph does'nt do it. If he does, kiss the election goodbye.