Political thoughts

[yendi]

I haven't really posted my thoughts on the Democratic primaries and candidates.

It should go without saying that anyone but the current Nixon/Agnew 2 combination currently in the White House would satisfy me.

And it should probably be said that, in the end, I don't think anyone will beat Nixon/Agnew 2 (aside: My reasons for using that name are A) Cheney is cut from the exact same model of corruption that Agnew was, Dubya has used foreign affairs to justify a horrendous domestic front, and the 'Pubs committed another Watergate-style pointless break-in a while back). For all sorts of reasons, including inertia, corruption, and the fact that, much as some of us would like to not admit it, a lot of folks like these sort of leaders (theferrett had an excellent post on this subject which I can't find right now). And no, it's not because a large percentage of our country is evil or ignorant (the ignorant ones don't vote at all, and the evil ones, well, okay, they vote Nixon/Agnew 2, but that's irrelevant, since good people vote for them, too).

Then again, I bet that no one could beat Aitch Dubya back in '92, either.

Back then, I was still registered in New York. This made my vote almost irrelevant, as the primaries were just about done by then. I was a huge Harkin supporter (still am -- he's one of the few good men on Capital Hill), but he was long out of the race by the time I could vote. I was crushed (I was 19 at the time, and a little bit naive after helping lead a coup of the Emory Young Dems), and thought that all hope was lost.

Looking back, I can't be more happy that Tom didn't get the nomination. Because he would have gotten his ass kicked.

Am I cynical? Maybe. But I'm also not a partisan. I don't just want someone because they can win. If the Democrats somehow nominate Lieberman, I'm outta here (even though he could probably mount a decent campaign and syphon away a lot of Bush Democrats). I want someone who shares most of my ideals (I don't expect anyone to ever share all of mine, unless I somehow win the surprise nomination). But I want someone who can also win.

Looking at the candidates, I'm not upset with how things are going. Yeah, I share a ton of Dean's ideals. But he's running his campaign like Nixon in '60, frankly. And it's painful to witness. I do think that he's capable of more, and I love what he's done to build up grass roots support and anger over the bullshit loss of lives in Iraq. But I don't think, at this point, that he's capable of winning any more.

Which isn't a bad thing. He's still very valuable to the Dems (and hopefully realizes it), and if he plays his cards right (and if the Dems pull off a victory somehow), he can not only help them, but end up with a significant position with the party or the administration. And he could really help rally some of the more disaffected members of the party.

Personally, I'd like to see Edwards make a push. He's got the inexperience tag, but, well, so did the scumbucket currently sitting in the White House Throne Room Oval Office. He's got good positions on most issues, he's from the South (don't ever underestimate how important this one is) and actually remembers it (see Gore, Al, for someone who blew his own fucking home state, and thus the election), he's charismatic, and his sound bites are good. Oh, and he talks to the dead. Gotta love that. ;-)

I wouldn't be upset with Kerry either. But it's hard to call him the front runner yet. I mean, yeah, he won Iowa, but Iowa's relevance has slipped over the last two decades. And New Hampshire should be his by default. But if he takes those victories and manages to win the nomination, he could run a good campaign. And frankly, I think he has the potential to be like Clinton, in a good way (willing to make some unpopular but good decisions, but not likely to get blowjobs from interns).

Other than those three, I honestly don't think anyone else stands a chance of scoring the nomination at this point, although the last few years have been fucked up enough that I'd never rule anything out.

But yeah, count me firmly in the Anyone But Nixon Bush camp. In the words of Wilford Brimley, it's the right thing to do. Otherwise, we get four more years of Lynn Cheney and her hubby playing Hide the Strap-On on government property.

Comments

[sirinek.livejournal.com]

he's from the South (don't ever underestimate how important this one is)

And don't overestimate it either. If the Dems take back either Ohio, Arizona, or Indiana (which shouldnt be hard if they keep railing on the number of jobs that get exported to cheap foreign countries) they dont need a single state to win. :)

I'm assuming they keep all the states Gore won in 2000.

Picking a nominee or VP just because he is southern is pandering and I don't think will work. If the best choice is Southern, then great, but I think people overemphasize geography.

[sirinek.livejournal.com]

That should read "dont need a single southern state to win" :)

[yendi]

Actually, the reason I don't think they'll take back any of the states Bush won (or "won") comes down to Diebold. In the end, even the best campaign can't overcome that advantage.

But as far as the southern thing goes, I don't think he should be picked because he's from the South; I think he's a good candidate regardless of state of origin. I think that being from the South does help, nevertheless. Or would, in an open election.

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

I might like to see Edwards & Dean on the same ticket. I hope that Edwards could take some of the South but like you, I'm nervous.
I think Dubya is going to win. It's scaaaaary.

[demetria23.livejournal.com]

Those are my top three candidates as well. Did you catch the debates?

[allroads.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering how Wesley Clark (http://www.clark04.com) keeps getting pushed to the back.
If anything he could help with the situation in Iraq, reestablish foreign policy, and reexamine the Patriot Act (which if you are a patriot you shouldn't support)
He would most likely make a great Vice President, Defense Secretary, or Secretary of State.