Alter: Obama only Dem. with chance at GE landslide

[BeyondGeography]

Who Can Win in November?

John Edwards

Pro
Dynamic, disciplined campaigner with general election experience. Taps into economic anxiety. Regional advantage, considering that the only two Democrats elected president in nearly half a century were both white Southerners.

Con
Choked in '04 veep debate with Dick Cheney. A weak record, and pro-business Senate votes make him seem like a flip-flopper. Hard-edged populist message has always been a general-election loser, but if he tacks away from it, he'll get hammered. Trial-lawyer style has shown little appeal among indies.

Bottom Line
Looks safer, but at least as big a risk in general election as Clinton or Obama.

Hillary Clinton

Pro
Battle-tested. The dirt on her is so old it won't stick. Sensing history, women voters will come out in record numbers, including independents and Republicans who thought they never would. Steady debate skills would lessen Democrats' jitters. Restorationist appeal: nostalgia for the 1990s, a third term for Bill.

Con
The only candidate who can energize a dispirited GOP, which has been lying in wait for her. Surprise dirt will emerge, as it always does with the Clintons. Women would vote disproportionately Democratic anyway, offering little advantage. Depth of American misogyny unclear. Many Hillary-haters are the very independents she needs. Distaste for dynasties and a return of Clinton fatigue.

Bottom Line
She can win, but she'll need to run a near-flawless fall campaign.

Barack Obama

Pro
Fresh, inspiring and embodies what most elections are about: the future. Heavy black vote could tip a couple of Red states into the Blue column, while those against him because of race wouldn't be voting Democratic anyway. Teflon potential: Republicans would have to muzzle attack dogs or risk seeming racist. Strong with independents and college-educated men who have recently tilted to GOP.

Con
Untested against Republicans, who would leap to define him before he could define himself. Name, background and lack of experience may represent too much change. Depth of American racism unclear. While polling shows liberal-bashing has lost its resonance, GOP would try it anyway.

Bottom Line
A roll of the dice, but the only one with a decent chance for a landslide.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/82522/page/3

[MasonJar]

1. Isn't Newsweek the pos rag that just hired Karl "Stye" Rove? If so, why should anyone

countenance anything the magazine has to say?

[chimpymustgo]

5. Hmmm - from dicey to landslide? Sorry Alter - that's just nonsensical.

It's so interesting to see the "reporter"s' personal biases completely exposed in these last few days. Few are opting for even a fig leaf.

[Andy823]

6. Rove probably

Got them to write the article!

[City Lights]

8. I have a lot of respect for Alter. eom

[peoli]

16. Because something isnt perfect shouldnt we hate every fucking thing about it?

Is that your argument?

[Carrieyazel]

28. Alter needs to stop smoking the bad stuff. He's out of his mind.

Obama in a landslide???!!! That will never happen.

[AtomicKitten]

2. I want to win in November.

Gobama.

[alteredstate]

3. K & R!

[sniffa]

4. no way! Hillary wins all 50 states!

or so i amusingly read sometimes.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Man...Oprah's lookin' weirder all the time

[sniffa]

10. she has that "disease" that Jacko has

[Kahuna]

21. Lol. That's a good one isn't it..

:rofl:

[comradebillyboy]

24. Sniffa, this time I think you are right nt

[sniffa]

25. good

i think it's quite laughable too. :hi:

[MalloyLiberal]

9. God what are they smoking. America is racist you know, he has no chance

They will vote for Romney the mormon over him

[Cha]

15. Nah, it's not like

that. I think the Dem is going to win..we just have to get the best one for our country in there.

[Inuca]

26. There are many racists out there

I agree. They usually do not vote democratic in any case.

[Prophet 451]

11. Disagree

A couple of Obama's drawbacks are bigger than the article suggests. I think America is too racist to elect a black man in the near future. I'd like to be proved wrong but that's the current situation as I see it. His lack of experiance is a big drawback and one that means I think he'd make a better VP pick this time around (thus giving him experiance and making him the natural successer) than he would a president.

[BluegrassDem]

27. The increase in black voter turnout will blunt the racist impact

If Obama's the nominee, there'll be an unprecedented black turnout like never before that will basically ensure Obama's victory and blunt the racists.

[niceypoo]

31. Imagine the republican reaction to that!

If Obama is the nominee, we will see disenfranchisement of Black voters like never before. The republicans would go berserk in a racist frenzy. The right would implode as they desperately try to stop blacks from voting. African Americans would be so pissed if republicans attempted to stop them from voting that they would run them out of their precincts with torches and pitchforks. It would be interesting to see it unfold. In the end the republican party would be severely damaged goods, much more so than they are already, and a smoldering train wreck.

[annie1]

32. That would be impressive

[Prophet 451]

35. You think so?

I mean, we're both assuming that black voters would enthuasiastically vote for Obama (which is probably a safe bet) but the lengths the GOP will go to to ensure those votes aren't counted is worrying. Unless, of course, the Dem Congress gets involved...

Argh! Too many variables!

[Caseman]

12. Forgot Biden...

...but then again, I figure you want to look like a complete bigot.

[sniffa]

13. please expound. i'd love to hear this.

:popcorn:

[Caseman]

17. After looking up expound on Dictionary.com...

...I've decided you know exactly what I mean.

[sniffa]

22. oh, so BG is a bigot

fair enough. :hi:

[Cha]

14. "Distaste for dynasties and a return of Clinton fatigue."

And that's just giving it a label..there's so much evil that lies beneath, "clinton fatique" and "dyNASTIES".

Alter is simplifying John Edwards' campaign too much. I think Edwards has come a long way since 2004 and he wouldn't choking with whatever gopervert they come up with.

Trail Lawyer, schmile lawyer..BFD..it's about time Lawyers got their due and no one has to fit into the BOX that the media loves to back us into.

I know Alter likes Obama and as Obama said yesterday, "The Real Gamlble"
would be to get the same ol' folks in there doin' the same ol' thing and expect a different result! :think:

[BootinUp]

18. He also said roll

of the dice.

I expect there to be lots of bashing just like what DU did to Bill C! :mad:

[BeatleBoot]

19. A Republican Landslide for Sure.

I predict Michigan going Republican if Obama is the nominee.

Especially if Mitt Romney is the GOP candidate - his Dad was Michigan's Governor.

You can kiss Michigan good-bye.


But, based on recent threads here, I am certain there will be some mouthy Obama supporters that have more knowledge than me.


Pontificate, please...the microphone is your's...

[Kahuna]

20. Can't be because..

he's black..

:sarcasm:

[comradebillyboy]

23. I like Jonathan Alter, but the MSM pundits

track records are not too good, even the guys I like.

[Kermit77]

29. Obama could win in a landslide and have coattails too!

Obama could win in a landslide and also have coattails for a stronger Democratic House and Senate. Hillary might be a drag in the western and southern states for Senators (especially Mary Landrieu).

[suston96]

30. We don't need no steenking landslide........

We just need to have all our votes counted.

[JNelson6563]

33. Ok, sorry but this is really stupid

In case you haven't heard, they're still flying the confederate flag in the south. Anyone who thinks Obama can win in a landslide is out of thier mind, delusional.

Don't get me wrong, it's a happy thought, just not very realistic.

Julie

[Colobo]

36. He will win in a landslide. He will.

[book_worm]

34. He makes some sense.

[Perry Logan]

37. I've heard the same argument used with every candidate, with polls duly cited. So it's obviously BS.

[Zynx]

38. Similarly, Obama could very well get completely pasted.