2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

Mapleleaf, after giving as much thought to the remark as i am capable of "because he's not afraid to lose," it makes sense in that perhaps Dean can say what he really thinks rather than what would get him elected. just a thought

Driving and voting are very similar.

It's easy; to go forward, you put it in 'D.' To go backwards you put it in 'R.' :wink:

PDid, How about "N?" c.i.

Nader, of course.

Those battling to nab the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 2004 include Joe Lieberman, John F. Kerry, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt -- and Dennis Kucinich?

After making stirring speeches across the country and emerging as Congress' liberal answer to the Bush administration, one of Ohio's congressmen is starting to be mentioned as White House material.

Kucinich, 56, is best known nationally as being Cleveland's "boy mayor" in the 1970s. However, since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the increased attention on the inspection of Iraqi weapons, Kucinich has become a national voice for civil liberties and peace.

He plans to spend five days in Iowa this month. Still, the three-term congressman has skillfully dodged questions about his political ambitions. He told Wolf Blitzer on CNN this week to "stay tuned."

"I have been hearing from people all over the country who are asking for my voice to be added into the debate," Kucinich said.

Kucinich Running for President?

If everyone did this we would elect leaders instead of politicians.

"If everyone did this we would elect leaders instead of politicians."
what a concept!

If as politician told the raw truth and what he thought he could do about it he/she would never get elected. People don't want to hear bad news.

yeah really, what was i thinking, the concept of electing to public office on the basis of honesty is just too bizarre to contemplate. Must have been the poet in me high on drugs again.

dyslexia
If a candidate after assessing the situation said when I get elected we will increase taxes. Think he would get elected. The city of NY as are most is in dire financial condition. Bloomberg has had to raise taxes not by choice but absolute necessity. They are ready to lynch him. Anyone with half a brain knows there is nothing he can do and that the problem is not of his making. Were he running for office now he wouldn't stand a chance against someone who was running against him saying if I am elected no new taxes?
People want to hear good news even if it's a lie.

au, It seems your conclusions are the correct ones. Look at GWBush? He's promising the world, and most are 'buying.' c.i.

au1929 i know i know but in my heart there is always the glimmer of hope

Keep hope alive. I heard that somewhere.

I think that phrase came from some shyster con man who's always playing the race card, and is only out for his own aggrandizement. Or at least, that's what the talking heads at Faux News say.

We've all been to job interviews, and some of us have even conducted them, and there's basically two questions involved: 1) whether or not you think the applicant can do the job, and 2) whether or not you like and trust the applicant.

Democrats think that on issues, they have the upper hand against George W. Bush and the Republican party headed into 2004, the weak economy being first and foremost. But what gives Matthew Dowd and other Bush advisers such confidence that the American people will choose to rehire Bush for another four years is the strong support he has amongst Republican loyalists, combined with the fact that, particularly after September 11, a lot of people, including a seemingly sufficient number of swing voters, trust and like him.

Which brings us to the latest Los Angeles Times poll, the second batch of which gets released today. There are indications that maybe people are trusting President a little bit less on the issues, which just might give the Democrats a wedge into the hearts and minds of the American people.

"The share of Americans favoring President Bush's reelection in 2004 has fallen below 50%, while Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts have emerged as the leaders for the Democratic nomination," Brownstein writes.

Bush Support for 2004 Dips below 50% (reg. req.)

PDid, Completely different scenario between voting for a pres and a job applicant for a specific job. In most professions, we can test all the applicants to see how their knowledge meets expectations. Whether you "like" the applicant is not a consideration. As for "trust," you can always to a background check on the applicant. In some career fields, that is mandatory. The president might be elected because the party leaders may select who they think has a chance of winning, not because they have the best experience in politics. Look at what we have today, and you'll know exactly what I mean. c.i.

Here's something interesting if you're following the money:

Most of the Democrats who can help raise serious money were with Clinton-Gore in the recent past, and many who had expected to raise money for Al Gore or sit out the cycle if he ran are now up for grabs.

Regarding John Edwards' recent foray to Playerville (last weekend in New York): he met with many well-connected folks, and came away with some big names.

Among those Edwards signed up were Laura G. Ross, finance chair at one time for Senators Schumer and Clinton, and national chair of the Women's Leadership Forum at the Democratic National Committee. She spent part of Saturday with the Senator from North Carolina. She told The Note he has the "fire in the belly" to run hard and win. "I think Edwards stands out from the Six Pack for three reasons: he is the future; he was able to communicate a progressive message in a conservative state; and he has an energy and a drive that galvanizes fence-sitters onto his team," Ms. Ross said.

Another Edwards' pick-up is Strauss Zelnick, who, according to his Nexis press, is young and fabulous. At 41, he became president of BMG. He (collectively, not personally) was once lambasted by Senator Lieberman for his company's ostensibly dirty lyrics. Now he runs his own firm, ZelnickMedia.

FEC records show he seeded dozens of political campaigns with his thousands of dollars. Public records show that his name is often misspelled. He appears to live an unlisted life in Darien, CT.

ABCNews.com's The Note

There has been considerable talk of Kerry dropping the Federal Matching funds and breaking the bank wide open by having is wife (heiress to the Heinz fortune..) fund his primary campaign. That would eliminate any complications he might have with worrying about fundraisers..

I doubt that tactic will play well with the public though.

fishin, I agree; I don't think it'll make any difference with the electorate. It'll only show he has millions to burn for his campaign. It didn't help Simon in California. c.i.

c.i
I disagree, whether you like the individual meaning he displayed a favorable image is very much a part of an interview. People do not hire people they are uncomfortable with or for some reason dislike.