Political pundit says Lieberman, others need to focus (Carville)

[Khephra]

(Farmington-AP Nov. 14, 2003 1:15 PM)_ The man who helped Bill Clinton win the presidency says the current crop of Democratic presidential candidates needs to focus.

James Carville, in Connecticut for an appearance at a conference, says the Democrats running for president aren't focusing on big ideas, such as health care.

He says they should also be taking President Bush to task for the war in Iraq.

snip........

He says people want the truth about Iraq, but bush is going to win if the Democrats don't rise to the challenge.

more.........

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1525474&nav=3YeXJ7v8

[LeftofU]

1. Carville for prez...now!

[Khephra]

2. The main problem there is

that he starts sputering when he quickly speaks. ;-)

[PassingFair]

4. Ohhhh HELLLLLL NO!

That would make Ms. Matalin the first lady. I heard her talking trash on the radio today. Any man that would mate with her has got a screw loose.

[PassingFair]

5. Or should I say...

screwing loosely?

[Khephra]

3. Political pundit says Lieberman, others need to focus

Associated Press

November 14, 2003


FARMINGTON, Conn. -- The adviser who helped Bill Clinton win the presidency says the current crop of Democratic candidates needs to do a better job reaching voters with their message.

James Carville, co-host of CNN's political debate program Crossfire, said the Democrats must concentrate on major issues that resonate with voters or else President Bush will win a second term.

The rising cost of health care and improving diplomatic relations with foreign nations are among the major issues everyday voters care about, said the political pundit, keynote speaker at the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits annual statewide conference.

more...........

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-14165016.apds.m0977.bc-ct--carvnov14,0,7441178.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire

[xray s]

6. Jim has the right diagnosis, wrong patient

I think most of the candidates for president are trying to focus on big ideas and challenge Bush. Has Jim been to their websites or seen any of their speeches? Granted, it is hard for the public to focus on the campaign, with nine running.

It is the House and Senate where we really have a problem of vision and focus. Case in point, Bayh's scolding of Rockefeller over the Intel memo, as noted by Will Pitt.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/111503A.shtml

The worst problem is the Democratic Party, that loyal opposition which is all too quick to be embarrassed by revelations that they actually oppose the Bush administration. Senator Evan Bayh, Democratic Senator from Indiana and member of the now-defunct Intelligence Committee investigations, stated publicly that Rockefeller should admit drafting the memo was a mistake. "I think the tone of the memo was unfortunate," said Bayh.

How about this, Senator Bayh? "What is unfortunate is the fact that members of this committee who are committed to finding the truth about the development of the Bush administration's argument for war have to go outside the normal process, because the normal process has been corrupted by partisan Republicans who abuse their positions by blocking legitimate areas of inquiry. We have pages and pages of statements by administration officials that have turned out to be wildly false. There is plenty of evidence that the American people have been lied to in a process that has gotten a lot of good people killed. Why is the White House hiding? Why is Senator Roberts whitewashing this investigation? We apologize for nothing, and demand that this inquiry be widened to any and all areas that can bring us answers to these important questions."

So Jim, aim that cajun rage at the real problem in the House, Senate and the DLC.

[w4rma]

7. New Lieberman Ad Takes Swipes at Dean (probable context)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Lieberman-Ads.html
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=219664

[AP]

8. Re Dean, not a done deal that he'll get the nod

Carville is not backing one particular Democratic candidate until after the nominating convention. He said it's not a done deal that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will capture the party's nod.

Carville did not rule out Connecticut U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's chances, calling him "a very effective politician."

"Probably among nine candidates, because he's a little soft-spoken, it's probably a little harder for him to get heard," said Carville.

But he said Lieberman's voice may "resound with a little more resonance" as the number of Democratic contenders narrows.