Ok...IF * Wins in '04, What Should Our Strategy Be? And Who Wants Hillary?

[liberalpragmatist]

Ok -- I am not being defeatist at all -- I really think we have a strong chance at winning in '04 and I'm going to try my hardest to get the Democratic nominee and even a Democratic Congress elected in '04 (the House'll be tough though).

At the same time, I'm too much of a realist to pretend that Bush can't win -- I think we have to also prepare for the possibility that he will win, even if he loses the popular vote again or has to manipulate the results to do it.

So here's what I think we should plan to do: Mourn for a week and then, focus all our energy on making Bush's second term hell. We offer relentless opposition to every manoever, and play political hardball. We filibuster any extreme supreme court nominees, we launch massive pr campaigns against any Bush initiative, we dramatically increase funding to local community groups, college democrats, activists, and aspiring Democratic politicians. We focus hard on winning the 2005 gubernatorial and mayoral contests, then launch a national congressional campaign in 2006 w/ a distinct national platform, maybe even a national convention. We target all even mildly competitive house seats and run credible candidates in ALL senate races, so to cause the GOP to invest money and time even into safe races.

We launch a liberal network w/ Al Gore, we all purchase the Nation and the American Prospect, we start buying the new American Guardian and maybe even launch other liberal/progressive political magazines.

We launch massive protests against any Bush military intervention (unless, after thought we realize it may truly be necessary -- it probably won't be though). We launch a huge new liberal think-tank. We create brain trusts to devise policy and initiatives, and we spend 2 years creating amazing new ideas, policies, programs, and examining various types of reforms and ways to truly make the American people better off.

We study and we attack Bush in the most coordinated campaign we can. In 2008, we nominate the best possible candidates (whoever those may be) and launch an all-out attack on Frist, who I think will be the Republican nominee. We link him to what by then will have become a very unpopular administration and we storm the WH in '08, recapturing it and establishing a clear Democratic majority.

I see no reason in getting so dejected that we give up and move overseas. A time of opposition can and will be at times unbearable, but if we stay focused and resolute, we will recover, thrive, and triumph in the end. We survived Nixon. We will survive Bush -- even if he tries to destroy the country, American Democracy is too strong for him to wreck it, and there's no way he can possibly wreck it if we DON'T give up, and instead stay focused on the longterm goal, remain firm in our convictions, and fight our asses off.

We will triumph in the end. Let's approach the 2004 race w/ this same spirit I outlined above, united. We have a good chance of winning. But if we lose, let's follow the path I outlined above.

On another issue, all the buzz is that Hillary will be the nominee in 2008. I think it's hard to predict that far in advance, especially for our party, but I wonder what you all think of that. Do you think Hillary would make a good nominee by then? Do you think she'd make a good President? If not her in '08, who else would you like to see as that year's nominee, IF we lose in '04?

[cjbuchanan]

1. I understand your thinking but

I don't think we should talk about this until next November. If, and only if, Bush finds his way into a second term should we start talking about 2008.

Let's get ride of the corporate whore in 2004.

[liberalnurse]

2. Lets try and organize today!

I think we are diluting our financial pool to fight *. Too many candidates in the pond. The repugs have plenty of money to wear us down......The time to be strategic is now. Lets pic our learder by October.

[Upfront]

3. Agree

We need to get it down to one.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Here's my strategy:

[GreenArrow]

6. LOL!

It's a beauty way to go.

[UrbScotty]

12. Invade Canada?

Or simply move there?

I see no reason in getting so dejected that we give up and move overseas. A time of opposition can and will be at times unbearable, but if we stay focused and resolute, we will recover, thrive, and triumph in the end. We survived Nixon. We will survive Bush -- even if he tries to destroy the country, American Democracy is too strong for him to wreck it, and there's no way he can possibly wreck it if we DON'T give up, and instead stay focused on the longterm goal, remain firm in our convictions, and fight our asses off.

By 'overseas,' he means 'outside the US.' Canada, in this case, is 'overseas.' It would be tempting to move to Canada, but this paragraph outlines why we must stay in the US.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

5. Hilary would make a crappy nominee

I saw a poll once that said 55% of Americans would not vote for her for president under any circumstances. I personally think that Feingold would make a great presidential nominee, but hey, what the hell do I know? I would have loved a Wellstone/Feingold or Feingold/Wellstone ticket for 04 or 08. :(

[BayCityProgressive]

7. I agree

Hillary wouldn't be worth the trouble of electing her. Feingold/Dayton? Feingold/Durbin? I also think Feingold/Sanchez would be an amazing ticket. HAHA can you tell I favor Feingold?

[mndemocrat_29]

8. Totally agree on unity

And we should have a backup plan in the back of our minds. However, we need to focus on electing people for the 2004 elections. We have some very good candidates running. I do think that we should cut down on the number of candidates (which would make the remaining candidates look more serious). We also need to recruit some more candidates for House races. I've heard we have excellent candidates in IN-8 and GA-12. What about GA-11, AZ-1, and NJ-7? All very winnable. The Senate is going to be hard, but I think we've got a good shot at taking it back. Andy Young or Michelle Nunn would both have great name recognition in Georgia, and Inez could help keep SC. The upcoming state elections in Mississippi, Kentucky, California, and Louisiana will be an early test of our strength. All DUers out in those states, please help to bring out the vote! We can win back the country!

[NewJerseyDem]

9. NJ-7

I live in NJ-7 and I know of nobody who is running or considering a run. Ferguson won comfortably here and the district leans republican but is moving slightly to the left. It can be won however if there is enough money and a good candidate. I heard once that St. Senator Joe Vitale was considering a run back in 2002 but he didn't run. He would probably be the best candidate.

The bipartisan commission that makes the congressional redistricting tried to protect incumbents so it is hard to pick up seats in New Jersey.

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Sometimes I Think The Clintons Want To Sabotage 2004

That might just be residual left-wing paranoia, though.

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[election_2004]

11. if Bush gets another four years....

Here's the best person to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee:

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln

[TheDonkey]

13. Gore/Clinton in 08' if Bush steals it again.

I think a Gore and Hillary Clinton could clean up the extensive damage Bush would let out on America.

Let's just hope this stays hypothetical and a Dem wins in 04.

[mot78]

14. This Is Not Something I Want to Think About

But, half of what you just said should be our strategy, regardless of how we do in '04. Even if Bush is deposed, the Repukes will still controll the media, and at least the House (DeLay would blame Haster for the loss, and stage a Coup to become Speaker), if not the Senate. At least they would still have a way of getting their message out, unlike us when we're out of power, because of these reasons. We need to work on making Dems competitive in the South, and taking back the media. We also need to figure out how we're going to keep our factions united and prevent Progressives from going Green, and to get rid of the DLC without alienating Moderates.

But hypothetically, if Bush manages to hijack the Supreme Court again, these are my list of Dems I think WOULD DO WELL, assuming they're still strong contenders in '08:

Al Gore-Maybe he will pull a Nixon. Would do better against a non-Rovian candidate, and against more balanced media.

Rep. Harold Ford, Tenn (assuming he doesn't run against Frist. He's a Centrist, and he's articulate. He's also a Mulatto, so he'd be the first Black President.)

Sen. John Edwards (if he wins reelection. 2004 is not his time, because he's in trouble in NC.)

Gov. Rod Blajioivich (SP?)-I've heard he's a good speaker, and he has done well with both Dem factions. Also from Illonios, which will be helpful with swing voters.

Gov. Janet Napolitano-Pulled off suprise upset in Arizona. If she wins reelection in '06 by a comfortable margin, she would be strong.

Sen. Russ Feingold- A Progressive in a Wellstone-esque manner.

Gov. Mark Warner-I think VA is treading Blue, and if he wins reelection in '06, he'd be strong in '08.


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Possible Repukes:

Jeb- Heir to the throne would easily get nomination, because Rove will try to muscle out other candidates.

Giuliani- Too Liberal for Southerners, but if he faces off with Jeb in a bitter primary, Northern and Midwestern delegates would likely go to him. Whoever wins in a "Jeb-Rudy" bout may alienate enough supporters of the other candidate to create Third-party election(Libertarians would likely be the spoilers). Could have a better chance of getting the nod in 2008 if Shrub looses in 2004, which would cancel out Jeb.

Frist- Only if Shrub loses in 2004 (PRAY IT HAPPENS!!!!. I'd love to see his sorry butt in a debate against a President Clark, or a President Dean. He'd be the Bob Dole of 2008.

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Anyway those are my predictions (I HOPE FOR CLARK V. FRIST IN '08)

[election_2004]

15. 2008

My prediction for 2004:

U.S. House: Republican
U.S. Senate: Democrat
White House: Democrat

But again, let me give another shout-out to Blanche Lincoln for the Democratic nomination in 2008, along with Tom Vilsack and Loretta Sanchez as other possible nominees.