Of our prospective nominees, who runs strongest against Bush next fall?
This is structured like a regular Cattle Call, but it is NOT about nomination prospects, though I've confined it to the six plausible contenders. The question is, which of these guys would be most likely to beat Bush - in what will probably be a close election, whoever we nominate and whichever way it goes.
(Note: The indention is not an editorial comment - I just can't make it go away.)
1 - Clark: up arrow. Takes national defense / War on Terra - supposed to be Bush's ace in the hole - and puts it in our hand. No domestic record, but Gen. Eric Democrat can beat Bush on domestic issues. All that leaves Rove is Shelton's "honor and integrity" ... and Clark showed on Russert yesterday that he can handle that one without breaking a sweat.
-- Tie --
- a - Dean: down arrow. Strength is so much voltage it fries the circuitry, plus megabux. SIEU + AFSCME = not just for the latte' set any more. Weakness is liberal stereotype (sticky in spite of record), and tendency to step in cow patties. Still worries lots of Dems, a worry in itself.
- b - Gephardt: up arrow. He's the last of the Old Democrats, and at least in theory doesn't resonate much beyond the base. However, he has shown strength in the debates, and doesn't make mistakes. In spite of current labor split, solid union boots on the ground in the general. Especially strong in Midwest swing states.
----
- - Edwards: down arrow. Arguably the most attractive package in the bunch, and the trial lawyer thing won't really hurt him - can you say "Erin Brokovich?" But in the primaries he's the girl everyone thinks is cute but no one asks out for a date, which makes you wonder whether he gets traction in the general.
- - Lieberman: Hated in Blogistan, but has his own core, and can run well with social moderate-conservatives. His problem is that when you test him with the voltage meter, it doesn't even twitch.
- - Kerry: down arrow. Has JFK's initials, but not his sizzle. War-hero contrast to Bush was long ago and far away. The GOP will paint him as liberal liberal liberal, just like Dean, and he hasn't shown the voltage to fight back.
-- Rick Robinson