If Dems had Strong Nominee, GOP would be Toast in ’08
If I were a Democrat, I’d been gnashing my teeth right now. Just months ago, it seemed all but certain that the party of FDR would recapture the White House this fall. Now, the smart money is on a man who, less than a year ago, looked dead in the water. If John McCain doesn’t get too cockyand wages a smart campaign (by respond quickly and effectively to MSM & Democratic attacks and putting forward an upbeat conservative agenda), he should keep the presidency in Republican hands.
It’s that the two remaining Democratic presidential contenders don’t seem very presidential. Tenacious, intelligent and disciplined though she may be, Hillary Clinton doesn’t come across as an optimistic and confident leader. Plus she seems to want to fit the past into the record she needs to appeal to whatever audience she addresses in the present.
Her opponent, on the other hand, has the gifts of presence and passion she lacks, but has her husband’s skill of answering tough questions with fancy (and often inspiring) rhetoric.
Had the Democrats picked a candidate who could unite their party while appearing to moderate and other independent voters, we might be looking at a Republican wipeout that would make 1932 look like a cliffhanger. That is why, until New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s meltdown, I most most fear his nomination. He can argue with Republicans, criticizing their points without engaging in name-calling or appearing condescending.
He has governed effectively in a “purple” state without raising taxes. A man with a record of leadership who shows respect for his political adversaries could lead a divided nation.
I wonder if Richardson now regrets tacking left during his presidential campaign. Then, he sought to appeal to the party’s angry base. But, had he run from the center-left, the place where he stood when in the Clinton Administration and where he governed as the chief executive of his state, he might have succeeded in his party as did John McCain in the GOP, by winning large enough pluralities to catapult himself to frontrunner status. Disgruntled Democrats might have turned to him as a consensus choice who could win in November.
Richardson isn’t the only Democratic governor who would have made a compelling nominee. Yesterday, Glenn Reynolds mentioned his governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat who addressed Tennessee’s budget woes with “9% across-the-board spending cuts” and who, like his New Mexico counterpart, held the line on taxes.
Democrats who cut spending and hold the line on taxes? Sounds like men who could appeal to voters who favor the fiscal conservatism Republicans ostensibly espouse.Â
Many indicators favor the Democrats this year. Polls show a generic Democrat easily beating a generic Republican in the presidential contest. But, generic human beings don’t run for office in real elections. And neither of the real Democrats left standing appears particularly presidential. One wonders how different things would be if the Democrats had put forward a sensible governor with a record of leadership and accomplishment.
Their failure to do so has given Republicans a chance that, given the party’s record these past few years, many believe we should be denied.
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If John McCain doesn’t get too cocky and wages a smart campaign…and putting forward an upbeat conservative agenda), he should keep the presidency in Republican hands.
However, if he keeps up today’s BULLSHIT of blanket accusations of torture, the nuclear castration of America, submitting to a "Global Test", global warmism, closing Club G’itmo and conferring U.S. constitutional rights on those murderous bastards etc., he could go home empty handed.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 27, 2008 @ 1:55 am - March 27, 2008
We don’t tolerate the tyranny of global warmism from the liberals, why in the hell should we put up with it from McCain?
Because he served in Vietnam? That wasn’t a good enough reason to put up with Kerry’s shit. Or because he’s a one-trick pony in his support for the war on Islamo-fascism. That doesn’t get it either.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 27, 2008 @ 1:58 am - March 27, 2008
I agree that things are looking better for Republicans holding the WH than they did, if only because no matter who wins the Demcoratic candidate will be an inexperienced boob, but I don’t know that McCain has as clear a path to the WH as you suggest. The Dems look to have a whole lot more money, I think despite some polls, they will unite behind their candidate, the press will be going balls out for them, and as his speech today showed, McCain runs the risk of gaining independent voters at the expense of turning off the conservative base, and that’s not a formula for victory.
Comment by American Elephant — March 27, 2008 @ 2:39 am - March 27, 2008
The Dems look to have a whole lot more money,
Reminds me of Screamin’ Howie.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 27, 2008 @ 4:10 am - March 27, 2008
Can I asak a question about "all this money". I’ve held back making my typical donations to the Republican party and it’s various entities. Because at first didn’t have a solid preference. When I hear the Democrats have gotten almost a billion dollars in donations from their peeps I really wonder how much more there is to be had on their side. I am poised to send in a lot more money in one fell swoop to defeat Barack or Hillary. How many Democrats have that much left to give to defeat McCain?
The conventional wisdon that the Dem candidate will continue to haul in large donations I think may be faulty.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — March 27, 2008 @ 11:38 am - March 27, 2008
How many Democrats have that much left to give to defeat McCain?
No idea. How many mobsters are there in China who can keep funneling thousands of dollars through busboys?
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — March 27, 2008 @ 12:28 pm - March 27, 2008
Anyone notice how Bill Richardson has Mexicaned himself up by frytaning a little too long and growing that ugly goatee?
Comment by Vince P — March 27, 2008 @ 8:17 pm - March 27, 2008
Good to hear! I hope thats the case among most Republicans. I fear a lot of conservatives will withhold or cut back donations because they aren’t very excited about McCain or don’t support him at all. I’ve also read that most of the Democrats money has come from small donations which would mean their donors are also poised to send in more. I don’t know. All I’m saying is it could still be tough keeping the White House… and with something like 25 retirements on our side, congress could become much worse.
Comment by American Elephant — March 27, 2008 @ 11:02 pm - March 27, 2008
and how many Buddist monks are yet untapped?
Comment by American Elephant — March 27, 2008 @ 11:07 pm - March 27, 2008
Well if the economy sucks so bad and we’re in a recession, as Orgasma says, how/why in the hell are people sending money to him? Besides, I thought liberals were all poor as dirt.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — March 28, 2008 @ 1:34 am - March 28, 2008
[...] If Dems had Strong Nominee, GOP would be Toast in ‘08 [...]
Pingback by GayPatriot » Neither Dem Presidential Contender Fit to Lead — March 28, 2008 @ 12:55 pm - March 28, 2008
If you have anything more to offer to this thread, you may want to add here.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — March 28, 2008 @ 12:56 pm - March 28, 2008
I agree.If the Dems had a strong candidate,it wowuld be an easy win.But they have two candidates who wre ,in effect empty suits.And while I don’t like a lot of ‘Mav’s’ politics,it’s hard not to admire him as a person.That goes a long way.
Comment by Corwin — March 29, 2008 @ 8:41 pm - March 29, 2008
I think it would such a dishonorable disgrace to our military if we voted in Obama or Clinton as their Command in Cheif.
in fact if that happens, i’ll be very mournful.
Comment by Vince P — March 30, 2008 @ 10:30 am - March 30, 2008
[...] nothing. . . . Â Obama stands for Obama.” Â I’ve already pointed out (e.g., here) that Hillary stands for whatever she needs to stand for to win accolades from the audience she is [...]
Pingback by GayPatriot » McCain’s feistiness in ‘08 like Truman’s in ‘48 — April 28, 2008 @ 2:47 am - April 28, 2008
[...] While my Mom and I do differ on politics, we both agree on the Democratic contenders, her views in accord with my view that if the Democrats had a strong nominee, my party would be toast this year. [...]
Pingback by GayPatriot » Disgruntled, Divided Democrats — May 11, 2008 @ 3:42 pm - May 11, 2008