I know that most of us are liberals/progressives, but there are some moderates and unclassifiable libertarians here too, maybe even some disenchanted conservatives. Anyways, while I am a liberal/progressive/libertarian (a Bobby Kennedy/Eugene McCarthy/George McGovern liberal), I do not hope for a liberal government within the next few years. I do not expect it to happen. Most of America will simply not stomach it. Some liberal policies are now enshrined in law, such as policies to end racism, and for that we can be proud. And environmental protection is mainstream, though our environment is under massive threat. The movement toward alternative energy is completely mainstream, and we were way ahead in making this happen. But we cannot expect a liberal government any time soon, and efforts to elect a liberal are doomed to failure in my view.
Though I am very unhappy with the Democratic leadership and the DLC, and see the DLC as a complete failure, I also believe that liberal Democrats are unlikely to gain control of the Congress or White House for at least another decade, and maybe for the next 20 years.
Thus, I would argue that a moderate such as Mark Warner is most electable in 2008, and that we should not expect liberals to win the White House. Ralph Nader is responsible for the defeat of Al Gore in 2000, and perhaps of Kerry in 2004. Too few people here realize what a disaster the Nader candidacy was.
If Al Gore runs, bless his heart, he is mainstream enough to win. He will govern from the center. But Gore is about as far to the left as we can possibly hope for. If it isn't Gore, it sure as hell isn't going to be Feingold unless I am completely misreading the American political scene.
What is the point? We shouldn't try to turn America into a liberal paradise. Defeat Joe Lieberman if possible? Of course! He's from CT, one of the most liberal states in the nation. But let's not delude ourselves into thinking that we can elect a liberal Dem as President, not unless it is Al Gore! Gore would have a hell of a time winning any red states, but so would any other Dem, save Mark Warner, who could win the Presidency in a cake walk.
A lot of folks here may not like Warner's moderate/slightly conservative political views. But Mark Warner would be one HELL of a lot better than Giuliani/McCain/Allen/Huckabee! And, right now, the Republicans will be strongly favored to win the Presidency in 2008, skew the SCOTUS even further to the right, unless we nominate someone who can win.