2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

Hi unknown, WELCOME to A2K. c.i.

I'm thinking Kerry will have a good day tomorrow.
Edwards will do well enough to hang in. Lieberman will get out Tuesday night; Clark may, also. Kuchinich and Sharpton are running on ego rather than money. They just want the opportunity to speak at the convention.
Dean? He's laying back, pretty crippled right now, but hoping that the new press scrutiny of Kerry's record will turn up some fatal flaw. Dean has pretty much conceded tomorrow's contests.
-rjb-

I think Dean screwed himself over when he started apologising for his screaming. A lot of Deaniacs love the fact that Dean is such a strong person, and the main reason he had so much support was because he was so outspoken in the beggining, while it took the other Dems a while to catch up.

The first thing that attracted me to him, was the fact, that he stood out from the rest of the crowd, and as he said before, represented the far right of the Democratic party.

But this new Dean that suddenly decides he needs to say he's sorry for things he did that aren't nessicarely wrong, thats just wrong. When Dean made the famous "confederate flag" remarke, it took him a while to back down, and thats what is needed when taking Bush on.

All the other candidates go with the flow, and make speaches on what the people want, and do what the people want to hear. Dean does and says what he thinks, you don't see that in a politician very often.

I don't understand the American political process. I thought it had something to do with voting, but it has more to do with genes and divine right.

http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/04/01/int04001.html

People who rely on BuzzFlash for information usually end up thinking lots of strange things.

Howard Dean's perfect storm turned out to be a prairie fire, somewhat easily contained and tamped out.

He is already a classic historical footnote.

Check out this T-Shirt:



There's also a really cute "Trannies for Dean"camisole, a "Dykes for Dean" wife-beater (which may be the same thing as the camisole) and a couple of other memorable slogans such as "I see Dean People", and "I scream, you scream, we all scream for Howard Dean".

No link. You'll have to find it yourself. :wink:

I want one of them tshirts. And I shall order one immediately after receiving delivery of the farmer's coveralls illustrating a lustful smirking donkey behind a bent over, pants-around-the-ankles Carl Rove with caption "Rove Screams For Me".

And here's a piece from the Guardian on how the Catholic vote may be a critical help to Kerry... http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1137835,00.html

Interesting take re The Mackerel Snapper Vote. I wonder, though, what wii be the effect if and when Kerry comes out strongly on behalf of reproductive rights and gay rights. The Church's position on both is unequivocal, and there has been growing mention on the part of The Church that Catholic politicians are required by The Faith to oppose actively any initiatives favoring legislation contrary to the teachings of The Church, at risk of Excommunication. Further, Catholics themselves, as voters, will be importuned forcefully from the pulpit to withold support for candidates at odds with Church Doctrine. This likely will be a major issue not just for The Election, but for The Catholic Church in America, with much input from The Vatican and from conservative American Bishops (which are just about all of them). Kerry may face a very different attitude from Catholics as this develops, as surely it will.

Exit polling in today's primaries, from the National Review:

AZ Kerry 46, Clark 24, Dean 13

MO Kerry 52, Edwards 23, Dean 10

SC Edwards 44, Kerry 30, Sharpton 10

OK Edwards 31, Kerry 29, Clark 28

DE Kerry 47, Dean 14, Lieberman 11, Edwards 11

If these numbers are accurate, and hold, it would be big for Kerry and Edwards, and bad for everyone else, including Clark, who simply must have a win in OK to remain viable.

Edwards seems to be doing as I expected in OK. I was surprised to see him lagging in the earlier polls there.

Why is Oklahoma Edwards country fishin'

I don't know that it is per se but there are a lot of ties between people in OK and people in the Carolinas. I knew a lot of people in OK who came there from NC for example. OK is also big time Bible belt country and I don't think Kerry fares as well with the Southern Baptists.

I expected OK to go Edwards, Clark and then Kerry but I figured Edwards and Clark would be way out in front there.

Steve's quote, "I don't understand the American political process. I thought it had something to do with voting, but it has more to do with genes and divine right." And most of the world thought the UK was one of the last countries in the west with 'royalty.'

Good analysis fishin' - you were close, btw.......

I went around the block over the past 8 months several times finally deciding to go with my original pick about 5 miles from the polling location

The WA caucuses are this Saturday. Usually not much more than an afterthought every four years, these could be relatively important. I plan to attend (my first since '84). Not sure whether to go with Clark (who I like for some reason) or go with the flow and support Kerry...

D'art, Support for Kerry is the best choice, because he has the momentum to carry him through to beat Bush - according to recent polls. Go Kerry!

I'm inclined to agree, c.i.

Lieberman is out.
And Dean cannot keep on "downplaying" states, can he? He's almost out, IMO.

It certainly looks that way, fbaezer. If he doesn't do well in Washington, he might as well bag it...

Dean should bow out at this point for the good of the party.