No handwringing but...would an anti-war Gep had been a perfect candidate?

[mrgorth]

First, I'm not trying to say someone else should have been nominated because I believe there are too many variable to consider. That said, we are trying to see what went wrong and where to go from here. I couldn't have voted for Dick Gephardt because of his support for the war and the whole rose garden thing. Lets think for a second if Gep had voted against the war ala Bob Graham. I think Gep has a good personality and is more common-man-ish. More importantly he would have offered a clear alternative to Bush as far as economic populism. What say you?

[Skidmore]

1. We'll never know now, will we? Gep kinda screwed that

scenario up.

[TexasSissy]

2. No. There was no "perfect" candidate, in the first place.

And even if there had been, it would not have been Gep. I don't think the numbers would have been any better, but even if they had been, they wouldn't have been much better. Gep is strongly linked with labor, anti-environmental issues, and other things that do not have either broad-based appeal OR strong Dem. Party appeal.

[Leaning_Right]

5. Gephardt, a hard working guy with a lot of passion

I am a political junkie from the right. I loved to listen to Dick Gephardt talk. He was always very passionate about his beliefs. He is a true believer with deep core values and a great communicator. The congress of both sides must miss him. It was a sad day to see him leave.

[Skittles]

19. how can you possibly support ANYONE on the right

they are DISGUSTING and they are TRASHING AMERICA

[JohnKleeb]

9. hes actually pretty good on the environment

he was against drilling in Alaska.

[bullimiami]

3. No.

I would have worked and supported him just like I did Kerry though.

[zann725]

4. I always thought he was the best V.P. choice for Kerry...

I think he and Kerry would've made an excellent 'team.' For even despite their slightly different personnas, they're still on the 'same page' in terms of integrity and belief in Democratic ideals. Plus they've known each other for a very long time, and appear to be quite close. In fact, I always got the impression that Gephardt was Kerry's REAL first choice. Plus, given the combined government and foreign policy experience of both, they would've been formidable.

But I guess that's all hindsight now...

[okieinpain]

6. bush would have handed gep his head on a platter.

[eridani]

7. Seemed awfully old and tired to me.

Missed 90% of his votes in Congress, indicating that politics is seriously boring him at this time.

[JohnKleeb]

8. he sure did have some of the best views economically out of anyone

I cant believe people use that one vote and call him a right winger or a DINO or DLC because of that, first off hes not a member of the DLC, second off, if you study his record, you'll find its quite progressive especially on economics. I could have supported Gephardt easily, I dont like that one vote but the guy really does care about regular people a lot.

[Skittles]

10. no

Dick has the appeal of a paper towel.

[intheflow]

11. I never would have voted for Gephardt.

I think he's one of the reasons the left has moved so far right. If he had been our candidate, I would have assumed the Democratic party was DOA at best or in cahoots with * & Co. at worst.

:shrug:

[dazeconf]

12. he lacks charisma but....

My dad, lifelong democrat and social liberal, refused to vote for Kerry and voted for the chimp (long story). He said would have voted for Gephardt (or Joementum, but that's not much better than shrubco). Why? beats me, but maybe Gephardt would have been more appealing than Kerry for one reason or another.

[Radical Activist]

13. Edwards + Kerry would have been much stronger candidates had they voted No

Gephardt had other issues as well, so I don't think he would have been a perfect candidate.

I think Kerry and Edwards could have been much more effective in their criticism of the war in Iraq had they shown better judgment when they chose to vote for the IWR. They could have spoken without hypocracy or the appearance of being flip-floppers. People thought it was the politically safe thing to do at the time, but just the opposite proved to be true.

[hayu_lol]

14. If I didnt know better, I'd think you were all trolls...

Geppy spent the last 4 years with his nose so far up Bush's rectum that he is certifiably a DINO. Doesnt matter what his relationship with labor has been over the years...Geppy is not one of us.

Everything he has done over the past 4 years was self-serving--it certainly was not for the good of the country. Like Daschle and holy Joe and some others...its time to dump Geppy as soon as possible--even if we have to seek out a fighter and support that person to challenge Geppy.

[sadiesworld]

17. What did Gep vote for/against that Kerry did not also vote for/against?

[InvisibleBallots]

18. Who exactly is "one of us"?

For me, Gephardt is "one of us" a lot more than either Kerry (pro-war) or Edwards (pro-war).

[sadiesworld]

15. He was higher on my wish list than Kerry.

:shrug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. No. He didn't get much done as Hill leadership since **, why would I

have wanted him to that the fight to ** in the election?

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/