Whoever Wins the Nomination, the Dem Candidate Will Run a Stronger Campaign than Kerry ran in '04

[El Pinko]

Obama and Clinton both WANT it. They have the fire, the hunger. I never felt like Kerry had it, even a little bit.

I was mystified when he got the nomination over more inspiring figures like Clark, Dean and Edwards.

He's a fine senator, but not a great national campaigner.

I'm glad the next candidate is going to be in it all the way.

I'm much more optimistic about our chances this year than I was in '04.




But I'm much less optimistic about the economy going forward, and nervous that the new president won't be able to repair all the devastation left by 8 years of Bush in time....

[Unsane]

1. With the way things are looking, our GE timeframe will last only 3 mos.

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

3. Less time for 'dirt' to be dug up by the otherside.

[joshcryer]

4. The candidates stump speeches, generally, are akin to GE stump speeches.

They're already running for the GE with the small exception of the sniping that is done (usually Obama against Hillary; saw both of their victory speeches, she didn't even mention him).

[TheDonkey]

2. Kerry did a very good job and is a great American.

People forget how Bush had terrorized most Americans to vote against their best interests. Kerry took a lot of heat (much of it unfounded) and unfortunately couldn't break through. He would have made an excellent president.

[sandnsea]

5. Kerry inspired plenty of people to support Obama

If he hadn't stood up after NH, I doubt anybody else would have and Hillary would have it all wrapped up by now. Clark, Dean, Edwards and Kerry are all decent people with good character. One was never more inspiring than the other and the proof of that is in the vote.

[robbedvoter]

6. Kerry won. I hope the 2008 candidate doesn't let the victory go like Kerry did

[O.M.B.inOhio]

12. Neither of our candidates stood up with Boxer to challenge the theft of Ohio.

[TexasObserver]

7. Obama will. I doubt Clinton will.

I don't think the Hillary supporters realize how thoroughly despised she is in most of America. We have a long history of nominating candidates who can manage to get a majority of the party voters in the primary season, but can't get a majority of the voters in the general election.

Because her name at the top of the ticket will likely hurt many states' down ballot Democrats, expect those Democrats to refuse to be seen with her or campaign for her. In the south, southeast and southwest, there will be contingents of "Democrats for McCain." Blue Dog Democrats will run against her, not for her. Texas is in play in the general for Obama, but not Clinton. She cannot win Texas or Florida. Obama might.

Since Obama appeals much more to the middle voters, he'll win big if he's the nominee. If it's Hillary, she may eek out a win, but the cost to Democratic candidates in congress and the state houses will be great. She will have negative coat tails.

[Unsane]

8. Your post embodies the singular reason why I oppose a Hillary Clinton nomination

[TexasObserver]

9. No one is talking about the down ballot impact.

I have voted for the Democratic nominee for president for the past 36 years, and I have supported the nominees in the state house and in the congressional races across the nation. If Hillary is the nominee, we are gutted for the Fall elections. We will have 20% of the Democrats running against Hillary and 10% of the typical Democratic voters vocally supporting the other ticket.

Anyone who has lived through the carnage of Mondale and Dukakis knows we cannot afford to put up candidates that pull the ticket down.

If she wins the nomination, it will shatter down ballot support for Democrats.

[El Pinko]

10. Those are well-thought-out points.

Although I don't disagree, I think it's sad that she's so hated by so many for so little reason.

If she does get the nomination, here's hoping she can overcome her negatives and make it happen.


PS- as a Texan, I disagree that Obama or Hillary have a chance in hell here. My county is red, but most of the state is so dyed-in-the-wool blue that it would almost have to be a very right-leaning, white, Texan male for a dem to take Texas (IMO)


I think both Hillary and Obama would have a good shot at Florida. There are a lot of northern, liberal voters on the east coast who would turn out in droves for either of them. Florida has been hammered by the real estate crash and I think Floridians are fed up with the GOP at this point.

[TexasObserver]

13. Texas is in play because Obama has several good demos

He will be huge on the college campuses, which will not turn out for Hillary.

He will be huge among blacks, who will not turn out for Hillary since her campaign's shady conduct.

He will be huge among transplanted Republicans and indies who find him appealing.

She will motivate more negative voters than he will.

[BlakeB]

11. I couldn't agree more...

I'm a big Obama supporter, I feel like he's a once in a lifetime kind of candidate who can bring about real progress; plus, I think Obama is much more electable in the GE than Hillary.

However, if Hillary does come out on top in the primary I will be more than satisfied with her as the candidate. She's a pretty spectacular candidate herself, even if she lacks that transcendent quality Obama possesses. I feel like, even though Hillary is a polarizing character, that she will run a strong and ultimately winning campaign.

...And with Barack on the ticket she'd be even tougher to beat.