I would also point out that Obama is fundamentally changing the electorate, adding to voter rolls hundred of thousands of young people, the previously politically apathetic, and previously unregistered African-Americans. I read an article that reported that there are estimates that over 600,000 eligible African Americans are unregistered.
I would tentatively agree that the American electorate is center-right. But that will likely not be the case after this election.
Originally posted by xmarksthespotYeah I see what you mean. I still think he'll win, but not so much now.
In that the Democratic Party has a penchant for nominating people who, while they may have support of the more activist party base, have limited broad appeal in a country where the majority of the electorate is center-right.The only two Presidential candidates the Democrats have been able to get into office in the last 3 decades have been candidates that have been able to project a centrist image. When the candidate was perceived as "liberal" or "too liberal" the candidate lost, generally by large margins. Kerry didn't do badly compared to the others, but he did so in the political environment of a polarizing incumbent Republican, the Iraq war and a deteriorating economic mood.
Obama is ideologically of a similar mold to the Democratic losers, however he has the advantage of a similar but intensified political environment that Kerry had, and it seems he may have the ability to project a centrist facade to the broader electorate. Without Bush's disapproval ratings, wrong track ratings, a tanking economy and the Iraq War, I don't think it's a stretch to say Obama would be unelectable, and despite all those factors that should allow an opposition candidate to coast to victory he is still within reach of McCain.
Originally posted by StrangeloveIt will still be an electorate where being on the wrong side of "god, guns and gays" will largely result in electoral defeat. And I'd wager that many of the politically apathetic are still politically apathetic; and are drawn rather to the personality than the policies.
I would also point out that Obama is fundamentally changing the electorate, adding to voter rolls hundred of thousands of young people, the previously politically apathetic, and previously unregistered African-Americans. I read an article that reported that there are estimates that over 600,000 eligible African Americans are unregistered.I would tentatively agree that the American electorate is center-right. But that will likely not be the case after this election.
The youth vote is notoriously unreliable, while the senior vote is as sure as the sun rise.
The case against will be posted on the same blog Friday.
The Case Against Hillary
Originally posted by xmarksthespotA moderate democrat from a red state would make the ticket seem less liberal.
A relatively unknown one-term congressman from a ruby red state, that offers no particularly sterling credentials on any major policy issues is a good VP candidate election-wise?
And he's a 2 term congressman.
Bring the list of "no's" to 3, now:
Gov. Ted Strickland (OH)
Fmr. Gov. and Senate candidate Mark Warner (VA)
and now Sen. Jim Webb (VA) has taken himself out of consideration...
And with Wes Clark now highly unlikely (if not an impossible pick), the pool is shrinking....
Originally posted by dadudemonBayh is a moderate democrat and is very popular in the probably swing state of Indianna.
Why Bayh? (I'm not unknowing for justifications, I'm just interested in your justifications for the sake of discussion.)
Looking at his Wkipedia article, he has good policies and voting record. I would prefer him to Hillary.
The Case For Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.