Reply #9: Who could have beaten Bush/Cheney in 2004?

[Clark Bayh 2008]

Does anyone really think the election turned on anything except Iraq, terrorism, & national security?

Does anyone really think that a northeastern dem could be elected anytime in the next 3 electoral cycles? With all due respect, the last northeast Democratic president was FDR & he would not be a big vote getter in vital red states today. Finally, no incumbent U.S. President has EVER lost during a perceived time of war.

Of the Dems that ran in 2004, only 4 had any real military or national security experience: Kerry, Graham, Lieberman, & Clark. Sam Nunn didn't run & Edwards was a first term senator. Lieberman would have added little to the ticket since he's from a completely Blue State. Kerry was a northeast liberal war protester at heart.

Once Kerry was nominated, hindsight dictates that he should have picked Graham or Clark for VP after being rebuffed by McCain. But only McCain would have given Kerry 51%. If the country picked Bush over Kerry after those 3 debates, nothing would have changed the outcome.

For the 2004 election, we would have needed to go back to the smoke filled rooms to put up the only logical figures, just as the Republicans did in 1952. Ike & Nixon were military and national security figures whose patriotism could not be questioned in a time of war.

We needed someone like Nunn, Clark, or Graham. The primaries leaned left & when that happens, Dems lose. If Hillary runs in 2008, she may raise issues, but she will lose. I don't think you have to be a wonk to assert that.

The only logical Dem ticket in 2008 is one which includes a military figure or national security veteran, along with a Red state star. Lieberman, Nunn, & Graham will be too old; Kerry & Hillary too liberal; Obama & Edwards too inexperienced; that leaves only Clark & Evan Bayh from Indiana.

The Dems should start to coalesce early around Clark & Bayh if they actually want to compete in 2008. If they prefer symbolism, Hillary is a fine martyr.

CLARK/BAYH 2008