Jan 7th meeting at Univ of Oklahoma is more important than Iowa or NH

[CK_John]

and we seem to continue to tear up each of our candidates in some child like ritual, defended by "it's the primary campaign season". Did we learn anything from 04, except how to whine louder and be more nasty.

We are too myopic to look around and see just what is going on. They are carving up our blue states and are going to seize the biggest opportunity of this century.

Look at this graphic and tell me not to worry.(link posted by Truth2Tell)
<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3118673&mesg_id=3118738>

Link to what is happening on Jan 7th.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/29/AR2007122901476.html?hpid=topnews>

[TwilightGardener]

1. No, I think Iowa and NH are more important, because those results

will help determine how big of an impact Bloomberg and his merry little band will have.

[CK_John]

2. Just the announcement will(should) have a big impact in Iowa and the meeting itself could overshadow

NH.

[sandyd921]

3. They're targeting a populist, anti-corporate uprising

and particularly someone like Edwards who has the potential to pull it off and scuttle their apple cart. Makes me mad as hell, as it should the majority of folks on DU who understand that this country has come under the bedrock control of a corporate oligarchy. :grr: These people aren't looking for moderation, they just want to ensure control by corporate and money interests. Unfortunately, a vast swath of people will be fooled by this because they don't understand the real agenda of these corporatists in the disguise of "moderate non-partisans". :puke:

[TwilightGardener]

4. I don't think this is a "corporate" thing. Corporations have nothing

to fear from anyone except maybe Kucinich, and he ain't gonna win. I don't buy Edwards' spiel for a minute--he certainly wasn't much of a threat to the status quo as a Senator, and I don't think anyone fears now that he might somehow "up-end" the system on the rare chance he wins the nom. I think this is just Bloomberg wanting to legitimize his run by having some former big-name politicos behind him. He won't get Congressional backing and endorsements from currently elected folk (except Hagel), because they all belong to the party system and must support their parties' candidates, or they'll be marginalized and seen as traitors. So, Bloomberg is mining smart, well-known people with good reputations who no longer have to align with their parties, and they will help him establish a national reputation as a "quality" guy, not a crackpot like Nader or Perot. Bloomberg is a very shrewd man.

[sandyd921]

5. I agree with part of your post

Bloomberg is nothing, if not shrewd. But I don't buy the idea that this has nothing to do with fear of a populist uprising. The timing of this is just too suspicious. Also, while there may not be overt backing by those in Congress, those in the corporate wing of the Democratic party and the non-wing nut, non-theocratic, purely corporate side of the repubs (like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins) will send out signals indicating implicit support, even if they don't openly endorse Bloomberg or whoever they put up.

[TwilightGardener]

6. There's no "timing" to it--this isn't sudden. This has been in the works, at least

in part, for a while now. Unity '08 was formed last winter. Bloomberg has been speculating about running since this time last year. Hagel has been saying nice things about Bloomberg since last winter. Bloomberg didn't switch to Indie last June on a whim--the timing was deliberate. Broder wrote about Bloomberg and Hagel pairing up last August, and Carl Bernstein has brought it up a million times--even with Bill Maher. None of this is a "reaction" to anything. Bloomberg is a long-range planner and strategizer--you have to be, to be successful as he was in business. He knows how to forecast trends and gather info and develop a plan--nothing is an accident or a spontaneous reaction here.

[Inuca]

9. I definitely agree it is not sudden

and should not come as a surprise. But I also think that the timing of the announcement and the meeting is interesting.

[Inuca]

7. Nice analysis n/t

[KingofNewOrleans]

8. Oh it is not more important

Bunch of old retired politicians getting together to yap. Whoop-de-do

[Inuca]

10. What you said PLUS

one very astute multi-billionaire.

[knight_of_the_star]

11. The worst part is

It poses more of a threat to us than the GOP, the most disaffected voters are most likely to go with Bloomberg's run as opposed to us since they would see both parties as one in the same.