2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

Tartarin - What specifically makes the current war in Iraq "illegal" and "unjust" as Mr. Cortright labels it? (Since these are very different concepts, I'm hoping for two distinct answers. Thanks.)

Tres: Read Cortright and find out what he means!

Are we drifting into another topic for a separate thread?

Mapleleaf -- If you're referring to the Cortright piece -- and responses -- I take it as an agenda suggestion for Democrats as much as anything.

Has Bob Graham made a campaign speech/appearance yet?

I have googled him, and find nothing but this lame fundraising story. Wish he'd talk somewhere. Like to know his views.

Posted on Tue, Apr. 08, 2003

Late start leaves Graham far back in money race
BY TYLER BRIDGES
Miami Herald

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham raised $1 million during the first three months of 2003 for his presidential campaign, a figure that a spokesman was quick to say he collected during only three weeks of phone calls and almost entirely from Florida donors.

The first-quarter figure of $1,050,000 released Monday put Graham far below the other major Democratic contenders for president, but he got a late start because of heart surgery, so analysts said it's too early to assess his effectiveness as a fundraiser.

''He picked up the low-hanging fruit,'' said David Axelrod, a Chicago-based political consultant. ``What's on the upper branches is the question. He'll have to put a nationwide base into effect.''

Graham will begin raising money outside of Florida as early as next week. His campaign on Monday was nailing down the details of planned trips to California, New Hampshire and perhaps Iowa, said Steve Jarding, the campaign's new spokesman.

''He knows national fundraisers on a first-name basis,'' Jarding said, noting that Graham served as the chief fundraiser for Senate Democrats in the 1993-1994 cycle.

Graham held his initial fundraiser on Friday in the Orlando suburb of Winter Haven, after the close of the first quarter reporting period. His campaign hoped to raise $150,000.

Insiders are paying enormous attention to how much each of the candidates raised during the first quarter because it is one way to measure the candidates head-to-head. Plus, the more money a candidate raises, the more he can convince donors of his electability.

''Dollars beget dollars,'' said Stuart Rothenberg, publisher of a Washington-based political newsletter.

Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has won favorable attention for raising the most money in the first quarter, $7.3 million, which is more than insiders expected.

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, deemed by many to be the early front-runner, followed Edwards with $7 million. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri has raised $3.6 million; Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, $3 million; and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, $2.6 million.

Along with Jarding, the Graham campaign announced Monday the hiring of David ''Mudcat'' Saunders as a strategist, Jamal Simmons as press secretary, Cindy Dwyer as scheduler and Steve Bouchard as the New Hampshire campaign coordinator.

Simmons worked most recently for the failed reelection campaign of Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia, while Dwyer worked as a scheduler for U.S. Sens. Tom Daschle, Bob Kerrey and Tim Johnson, and Bouchard worked for the 2001 election campaign of Virginia Gov. Mark Warner.

The hiring of Jarding and Saunders has attracted the most attention because they played a key role in Warner's surprising victory and have since won notice for pushing the notion that Democrats have to pitch themselves better to rural voters. They most recently worked for Edwards' presidential campaign.

Sofia - I get the feeling that Graham is watching and waiting. Below is a link to a bio of him, which I think offers some hints as to what he may do. People I know who know him say he's much tougher than he appears, and - usually important - knows where a lot of bodies are buried. Also, his nephew heads the Washington Post, which links him even more. His brother was the husband of Katherine Graham. And Howard Dean has, apparently, been meeting some success in his town-hall things across the states. Deliberately keeping it small, but beginning to make waves. He's meeting with people in small towns, etc. And Graham has always been able to make contact with the rural areas.



http://www.bop2004.org/dtaweb/bop2004/default.aspx?SECTION=CANDIDATE&CID=3

Thanks, mamaj.
Will use the link.
I have also heard that Graham is very tough. They say strong in education, but I haven't looked into his voting record, yet.

Looking forward to the debates and speeches. Love political season!

I will bring back the link that gives credence to Dean. Can't remember the paper/mag. Think it may have been The National Review. But they say he has been underestimated, and is a real player...

Tonight, April 9th, Governor Howard Dean, M.D. will speak at the Children’s Defense Fund Forum in Washington, D.C. in the first major event attended by all the Democratic presidential candidates. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and runs until 9:00 p.m.. (C-SPAN will be at the forum. If the House and Senate finish their sessions by 7:00 pm the Forum will air live.)

I saw that, Mamajuana (email) and wonder if it will be shown on CSpan online video. I keep forgetting about CSpan (don't have it on TV) -- it would be interesting to actually SEE Dean! Particularly to hear what he may have to say about our "victory."

mj,
Pursued the Graham link...effectively written bio.

I'm not asking what he thinks. I'm asking what you think. But hey, it's okay with me if you don't care to support your own point of view. I was just asking.

Perhaps it wasn't my point of view, Tres! You know what I think -- I express it quite freely here!

You're right, Tart. I was just asking because I like to waste my time, of course I already know the answer to the question.

I am forced to wonder why people come to a forum designed for debate who are unwilling to engage in it...

Heavy exasperated sigh

tres i do believe you would use a shotgun to swat flies on the ceiling.

LOL!

You might want to consider backing off on the side commentary. If memory serves (and it does) it led us down a rather unpleasant road before.

I suppose it depends on the flies.

But did you have a point on topic, or are you spoiling for a fight?

Watched the democratic candidates for president tonight on C-span2, sponsored by the Childrens Defense Fund Forum. (Tartarin -we get tv, and here in the NY area we get an amazing amount of stuff, most of which we don't watch, but I'll be happy to report on things for you if you want, as long as you accept that you get it from this jaundiced view.)

First time I'd heard Dean, and I think he sounded good. So did most of the others, with the exception - to me - of John Edwards, who spoke in generalities and cliches. Everybody else had specifics. Edwards sounds inexperienced and untried, and has that same unfortunate habit of using a pointing finger, just like Bush. he is cute, though.

Al Sharpton came off good. Had some pointed things to say, was well received, and should not be overlooked, although I strongly doubt he'd make the cut. Graham had ood presence, and good things to say. The most commanding was Kerry, who sounds and looks the part.

In general, the war was not mentioned at all, which was a smart move. It somehow lessened the importance of it while stressing things like health insurance, education, the Supreme Court, the Michigan U case, and other subjects. They came across as strong and united, and no one candidate attacked the other, which left the strong impression that whoever gets the nod will be backed by the others. They did, however, get after Bush. Brought up getting into school by legacy, jobs - all the real, everyday stuff.

I imagine that you can find transscripts or a precis on the C-span2.com site. I strongly doubt there'll be any write-ups, but it was very worth while. A group of nine adult people discussing real issues.

Hey snood - sigh, sigh.