Why Gore, Kerry, and Edwards Should Run in '08

[liberalpragmatist]

Please note, I don't want this to become an '08 flame war or a flame war between Gore '08 and Kerry '08 people.

I've heard various people dismissing John Kerry, Al Gore, and John Edwards as candidates in 2008, saying they've lost once and they're going to lose again. I respectfully disagree.

That's not to say I'm necessarily backing any of them. I'm keeping my options open - it's pointless to declare a candidate 4 years in advance b/c so much depends on how the next four years work out. If a week is a long time in politics, four years is an eon.

I'm looking forward to a strong field in 2008. I'm willing to consider any Democrat who runs whether that be Wesley Clark, Mark Warner, Evan Bayh, Russ Feingold, yes, Hillary Clinton, and the three who "lost." What's wrong with a big field? They'll all bring their own perspectives to this thing and Gore, Kerry, and Edwards, having run national campaigns, may have experience and learned lessons that the others will not have. Again, that's not to say that I necessarily want any of them to win the nomination, but they have a right to run and I'm willing to hear what they have to say.

It's way too soon to write ANYONE off, and that includes Gore, Kerry, and Edwards. We are lucky they all seem like they're really acting all revved up. Edwards is heading that new center for poverty alleviation, Kerry is taking an extremely active role in the Senate, Gore is setting up INdTV - I respect all of them, I'm glad they're in our party, and I wish them all the best.

[stray cat]

1. They all should be effective leaders in the next 4 years.

We need them all active and we will see what happens in 2008

[cestpaspossible]

2. You may get your wish.

What's the latest on INdTV, anyway?

[mattclearing]

3. I think the winner will be stronger for it.

I'd like to see Wesley Clark and John Edwards come out of the primaries, now that Dean is likely out of the running, but I think our chances are excellent with whoever we end up with.

Even the media is already showing signs of buyer's remorse with 4 more years.

Anyone see Letterman Friday night? It was brutal. They had Al Franken on talking about how Condi was going to be a "Terrible, awful" Sec. of State.

It's going to be a long four years...

[Top Lizard]

4. A New Type of Triangulation

While this probably wouldn't be practical from a fundraising standpoint, it would be remarkable if all three vowed to compete (even if they weren't necessarily legitimate candidates for the long haul). Imagine what that would do, with almost all of George III's former rivals constantly reminding the country of what could (and should) have been done better during the Bush years. In my view, it would be a powerful indictment of W's reign, and one of the most effective ways to counter the So-Called Liberal Media's tendency to bend over backwards in favor of His Fraudulency.

[49jim]

5. Remember Nixon lost in '60

but came back in'68......so anything can happen!

[Clarkie1]

6. There's only one negative about too big a field, and that's the debates

Hard to have a debate with a lot of people running. Of course, debates aren't very meaningful either if most or all the candidates agree on basic policy. I thought that was a problem last year. Still, I think the positives of more people running outweigh the negatives. Best to get as many ideas and as much discussion out there as possible.

I'm hoping people vote for who they perceive as the most effective leader, not their favorite policy nuance. I think we got that mixed up last time.

Also, please do consider that general election voters are not the same as primary voters, whoever the candidates are.

[DemDogs]

7. Lots of spokesmen, a tough primary

That's what we need. Then we need a candidate to emerge who can really reach our base and the people who should be voting for us. Someone who can speak directly to those the Rs are leaving behind with the policies.

[marcologico]

8. It would be nice if Dems could get behind somebody before they tear

each other's eyes out in Iowa (or wherever), but I'm not counting on it.