Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
Yesterday was a good day to be a Democrat as our brethren in the so-called red states grabbed their lunch pails and beat up on some Republicans. A big thank you and congrats goes to all who were involved.
The southern Dems made major gains in Virginia and Mississippi and recaptured both Senates. In Kentucky, Governor-elect Steve Beshear understood the power of culture, got into a "values" battle with "devoid of values" incumbent Governor Ernie Fletcher and beat the hell out of him with what the Republicans have used as a wedge. As a southern Democrat, I am not ashamed to admit that there is no high like beating the hell out of a Republican in the south with their own stick.
I think yesterday answered one huge question concerning red state politics. Will the Reagan Democrats who left our party in the eighties continue their return? When a Democratic candidate can get through the red state culture as Steve Beshear did in Kentucky, the answer is a resounding yes. However, if a Democratic Presidential candidate can't get through the culture, or worse, hits the cultural wall head-on, a Democrat can't win. The science is literally everywhere.
I know people say "trust me", and then you think they must be lying. But as a red state Democrat who has been fighting these Republicans for a long time, just trust me this one time when I tell you that John Edwards is the only Democrat who understands and can get through the red state culture and psyche.
That is one of two reasons I am with John. He can head to a red state, connect with the people, and look like he was born on that stump. The absolute truth is with the eminent coming of the Republican onslaught in '08, John is the only electable Democrat. And believe it or not, the Republicans are coming with the fury of Hell. For those who think the Republicans are done for, we must never, never, never forget they are like a cornered animal and will do anything next year. A snake can still bite you until you cut off its head.
Besides his unrivaled electability, the other reason I'm with John is simple. Money has now completely taken over our electoral process and government. It's nuts. Somebody has got to do something and now. We need somebody who is mean enough and not afraid to fight the incredible money and power of the huge corporations and special interests. John is perfectly suited for the tough job that lies ahead, and I promise you, there will be a fight to get our government back. John will fight them. Of that, I am sure.
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Keep in mind that big media: television, newspapers, the internet, are owned by just a few major conglomerates who dictate what is spewed on the air or in writing. The employees of those conglomerates either "spin" the information to the bosses' pleasure or they look for another job.
Hillary and Obama have big donations because big corps know that those two and the top republicans will play the game of status quo. In other words, if elected, those two and the top republicans will talk a TOUGH game; perhaps even create a few, but worthless, high sounding programs that will not benefit the American people that much but will keep the money of big business flowing.
Why? Because big media is owned by about eight major conglomerates around the country. As I said, Edwards knows how they think and operate. He didn't earn millions upon millions of dollars over what is actually a short period for a trial lawyer (20 years), by being stupid and unprepared.
When "wordboaters" speak, many talk about the two H's: house and hair as if he were the only candidate who owned a big house or paid big money at times for a quick, reliable haircut.
Edwards, is the most unpretentious candidate alive. Edwards could care less that you know he was born to a two-room shanty in South Carolina, or that he owns a an 8,000 sq ft house with another 20t sq ft of other recreational facilities for his children: a place where they can have friends over. A SAFE place for his children, who are prime candidates for a kidnapping
John Edwards has only been married to the same woman for thirty years. So there has to be SOMETHING wrong with him. He ooks too perfect, sounds too perfect, cares for people, has made his own way, without speeches to get him there. Well, maybe that's who we need as a president. Someone accustomed to hard work and telling the truth and loving his family. Sounds like a role model to me. And if not Edwards, maybe Ron Paul.
Look at who is supporting HRC and BO - urban, sophisticated, college-educated. These people already vote Democratic. In order to win you have got gain voters outside this demographic. It is dangerous naivete not to recognize this.
Edwards is the only electable Dem. It's not because of race or gender. It is because he is the only one who is down-to-earth. Unpretentious. BO and HRC just cannot relate to the ordinary working person. Especially Obama with his head in the air, all fluff phoniness.
Since when do southern Democrats enjoy politicians who fly their hair dressers in to get their hair done...16 times? 1250 dollars for one of those fresh cuts. Southerners love personal injury lawyers? Hey, he now takes public financing after he originally said he wouldnt...
I have been supporting Edwards for a while-He is the only candidate that is working on SOLUTIONS for the serious problems caused by the current administration-his solutions are so valid that Hillary is always usurping them because she isn't interested in doing the homework to find answers-the last debate truly showed the difference between these two candidates-Edwards represents the future and change and she is the waffler-a political animal who will say whatever someone wants to hear and then pursue her own agenda-which is exactly a description of President Bush.
You seem to be saying - trust me, us southern democrats won't vote for a woman or a black. Reagan Democrats are not going to vote for Edwards. Edwards has veered way off to the left, and one of the hallmarks of Reagan Democrats is that they are more conservative than than the northern liberals. Not because Reagan was white or male.
Reagan democrats are not coming back into the fold to vote for Edwards. They would more likely vote for a pseudo ass kicking Giuliani.
Hear, Hear.
There are several polls out there, which show that Edwards is the ONLY (of the top three) candidate who in ALL the southern states, beats the top three republican candidates.
You are right they feel comfortable with him in the south, a good looking, white male with a southern accent. I hate to say it but he doesn't scare them, the way a woman or an african american man will.
Thank you for writing this, because I think it is a VITAL issue for Democrats to understand if they want to take back the White House in 08!
I will vote for the first one that will PROSECUTE. I do not want someone who will not follow up and prosecute on all the wrongdoing in elections, price gouging, ANTHRAX, soaring debt, etc etc etc etc.
Anyone that said that they will not because they might tear the country apart is full of shit and will not get my vote.
We need someone to pay and pay dearly for the misery they have caused all parties.
The only way we will heal is to know that if a corporate dictator (want to be )tries to rear his head again and bring America to its knees in the name of globalization, his or her head will be chopped off.
PROSECUTE FOR TREASON. I do not want 5 year sentences. Prosecute the Supreme court.
Personally, I feel this blog fails to take many things into consideration, and I believe that other than Hillary Clinton, all of the Democratic candidates are extremely electable. Particularly if, as expected, Rudy Giuliani obtains the Republican nomination. This man is literally hoping that Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, because he knows she's the only one he can beat. But I'll give you one point - Edwards is more electable than most. But he's definitely not the only electable one.
According to your blog, it seems that southern voters vote only on the accent of the candidate, because of all the candidates on the Democratic side, John Edwards seems to be one of the least in line with conservatism. So I don't buy that he's all that more electable than either Joe Biden or Chris Dodd. In Biden's case, I'd say Edwards is less electable. Biden has a gigantic record to run on, and does have a history of of crossing the aisle. In fact, Biden has alluded that should he gain the nomination, there are several republicans he will consider as running mates. And a debate between he and Giuliani would be an absolute slaughter, given equal time to speak, which Biden is not afforded now. His foriegn policy expertise would highlight Giuliani's inadequecies, and in my opinion, the inadequecies of any Republican candidate other than John McCain.
Perhaps you're saying Edwards is the only electable candidate when compared to Clinton or Obama. In Clinton's case, I'll give that to you, simply because of the disdain many southern voters still house for her. But Obama's greatest strength is connecting to voters.
All in all, your argument only holds water if the Republican nominee is neither Rudy Giuliani nor Mitt Romney - two very hard sells to their own party.
Personally, I think all three of these
Lou Dobbs said two nights ago that we need someone new. An Independent. Larry King then asked Lou, "you mean like Bloomberg?" Lou replied, "Yes, or someone like that." He thinks NONE of the Dems or Repubs will really address the issues which most engage Americans now, the foremost being the "border" and amnesty.
Watching some of the congressmen who talk on Dobbs' show, I can see that even some of these little- known (outside their own districts) people are more forceful in dealing with these issues than any of those running for President now. In this I agree with Lou.
There is an interesting contest developing among those on the Christian "right." Some are coming out for Ron Paul, others for Huckabee, very different in their policies and temperaments, but both "pro-life.
This group, l8% of the electorate, will have something to say about the election.
Thus, it is at this point majorly hard to discern where this will go.
I like Dodd pretty well and can accept Edwards. I would prefer Huckabee to any other Repub candidates, after looking carefully at where he actually stands.
I wish Lou's Independent would emerge. I have always voted Democrat except when I voted for Independent John Anderson. Anderson WON in my district of Washisngton state, and I was one of his workers.
I am one of those "Lou Dobbs voters." And if he endorses someone I will be very interested. So far, see nothing definite.
Today in my inbox I found the following message, I will include a fragment of it here. It gives me hope that Al Gore will get in the race.
Dear Fellow Al Gore Supporter,
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
- Mahatma Gandhi
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine just after he won the Noble Peace Prize, Al Gore was asked what he had to say to those of us who are working to bring him into the race. Here is a part of his answer: "If I do get back in the political system in the future – well, keep that energy stored up and let's have a go at it then." A few days before, Gore's Chief of Staff, Roy Neel, said that Gore has not ruled out a run in the future and then defined "future" as "after today."
I want Al Gore in the race. I like his defense of the Constitution. He spoke out before the war. The environment is important and may well be what get's our economy going again. Environmental friendly products are going to be the products of the future for America and the World. America needs to lead on environmental research and industry. We need to be led by a President that understands, oil is not America's future.
Al Gore's book 'Assault on Reason' say's what others are unwilling to say. America needs to hear his 'Voice of Reason'. We need facts, not spin. All the spinning by mainstream media has made many Americans dizzy.
Edwards is the most electable what are they going to beat him up with his hair. Hillary will keep them very happy and busy up till election day. I would vote for Edwards over Hillary in a second. If the choice is Republican or Republican light I will not vote for the presidency. This is not a vote for a Republican it is a no vote. No to the same rhetoric.
I think Edwards probably is the most electable person the Dems have. Anyone who thinks the country would vote for a dog before a Republican is possibly not in touch with what people in the middle of the country and the south are thinking. I'm afraid most average people just don't like Hillary and think Obama is just too inexperienced and wishy washy. It seems to me that Edwards is at least palatable to people who've voted Republican forever, and since we can't afford any more Bush crap, if we can't have Ron Paul, at least give us John Edwards.
Nothing disturbs me more than hearing that a professed Democrat won't vote for the Democratic candidate if it's someone he/she dislikes, like HC. If that's the case, you might as well hand your vote right over to the republican. This is truly an ideological struggle to save this democracy, and any Democrat would be better than a republican. Frankly, I'm not thrilled with our choices because I have deep concerns about their electibility, but you better believe I will be support and vote for the Democratic candidate. The fact is big business and lobbyist are part of the political culture. You can't be president and simply shut them out. And unfortunately, to survive in politics takes big money. I actually think Hillary Clinton would do a decent job, and certainly better than any of the Republicans. She's had to walk a political tight rope for years. And being a woman makes it that much harder. She's tough, smart, and experienced. And while some of you may ideologically be in love with Kucinich, he is NOT electable. It's naive and absurd to say you'll only vote for the guy who's not electable. Grow up. That's why Republicans win. They fall in behind, not necessarily in love with their candidates.
I don't know anyone who wants to see the GOP back in the WH. On the same hand I don't know anyone who wants to see Hillary there either.
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Posted November 7, 2007 | 02:28 PM (EST)