One of the things that drives me nuts about way too many Democratic Party insiders is their negativity. One big example: every time somebody picks a presidential candidate, they spend most of their time explaining their choice by telling you all the reasons the other candidates can't win. A woman can't win and nobody likes Hillary. Obama's too inexperienced, the country will never elect a black man and what a funny name. Edwards has no experience and is too populist. Blah, blah, blah...
Has anybody checked out the Republican candidates lately? The philandering of McCain, Giuliani and Newt? The tempers of McCain and Giuliani? The phoniness and flip-flops of Romney? The inexperience and lack of any real accomplishment from Thompson?
Oh, and then there is this little thing called the Iraq war. And the stinking pile of scandals that seem to keep growing exponentially... and the 28 percent approval rating of the Republican incumbent.
Folks, no race is ever a lock or easy to win and every candidate has some flaws. But can we get over ourselves? Hillary Clinton is a tough-minded, substantive woman who was at the center of her husband's two winning presidential campaigns. Barack Obama is smart and appealing, a once-in-a-generation political talent. John Edwards is an incredibly appealing speaker and leader with a powerful message. Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden are all great speakers with resumes that would blow anybody away.
Yeah, the Democrats could blow this race. But right now the odds are in our favor and I think any of our candidates are likely to beat any of theirs. So when you tell me why you've picked your presidential candidate, tell me why they are great, not why everybody else is a loser.
Mike Lux is the president of American Family Voices, an issue advocacy group sometimes described as the "free safety" of the progressive movement, and consults for progressive organizations and donors through his consulting firm, Progressive Strategies, L.L.C.