Bob Herbert: A Nominee? Or a Debacle?

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/opinion/01herbert.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

A Nominee? Or a Debacle?

By BOB HERBERT
Published: March 1, 2008


When does a dandy fight become an ugly brawl?

For the Democrats, perhaps on Tuesday.

snip//

The danger for the Democrats is a standoff steeped in rancor. The Republicans, assuming Senator Obama will be the nominee, are already having a field day. Those claiming the high road are mocking his foreign policy positions while the lowlifes are making sport of his name, suggesting he is unpatriotic, inferring that he is a Muslim and trying to drive a wedge between him and Jewish voters.

Mr. Obama seems at the moment like someone standing alone against the attacks. Since he hasn’t secured the nomination, he doesn’t have the biggest names in the party rallying to his defense. His supporters are busy battling the Clintons. (The same would be the case for Senator Clinton if she were the front-runner but hadn’t wrapped up the nomination.)

A further complication for the Democrats is the possibility that the results in Texas — which has a ridiculously complex primary-caucus setup — will be unclear. If Senator Clinton wins Ohio and there’s a battle royal in Texas (both sides are prepared for a legal fight), the McCain forces will pop the corks on another round of Champagne.

Democratic voters are tremendously excited about this presidential election. In addition to the obvious concerns about war and the economy, voters in both the Clinton and Obama camps believe that some of the fundamental values of the United States are at risk. They are worried, for example, about the undermining of governmental checks and balances, the erosion of civil liberties and the makeup of the Supreme Court.

Tuesday’s elections may decide the nominee. But if they don’t, the wisest heads in the party will be faced with the awesome task of preventing a train wreck that would ruin what was supposed to have been a banner year.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. It should still be a walk for either candidate.

It's hard to figure out how McCain, or any other candidate with an (R) after their name, could possibly beat any Democrat in the GE.

But, the Democrats have a real knack for running a candidate that offers little real change even when the public is eager for it.

Politics as usual.

:shrug:

[Window]

2. Please let it be over on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s elections may decide the nominee. But if they don’t, the wisest heads in the party will be faced with the awesome task of preventing a train wreck that would ruin what was supposed to have been a banner year.

This article is concise and to the point.

Thanks for sharing.


Peace:thumbsup:

[LWolf]

11. I assume that your prayer for it to be "over"

includes conceding all of the votes in the GE of those you'd like to exclude from having a voice in the primary?

[Pirate Smile]

3. There is no way for Sen. Clinton to win without it being a disaster for the party

other then her winning the rest of the states by 65%+ margins. Otherwise, she can only win by overturning the pledged delegates through superdelegates and seating FL and MI which were never supposed to count.

It would be a disaster. Hopefully, Texas and Ohio will end it as easily as possible.

[BlueManDude]

5. I agree. She's so damaged that the nomination is really worthless for her.

I will absolutely not vote for HRC in November.

[gristy]

8. OK, I'll bite

And if Clinton is the nominee you'll vote for McCain instead? Or you won't vote at all? Or you'll vote for what's his name? Do I have this right?

[BlueManDude]

10. I'd never vote for McCain

but I won't vote for HRC. If she gets the nom I probably won't vote at all since there will likley be no contested or in doubt elections in my part of the world - Boston, MA. That includes the prez election since Hillary will get smoked in Massachusetts by McCain.

I like HRC. I think she's the most quslified candidate out there - but she can't win the election. I prayed she wouldn't run because she will sink the party.

Her campaign is a selfish act in which she puts her own ambition before the needs of the country and the party.

[VotesForWomen]

9. clue: not everybody loves O, and the number is rising every day. nt

[IDemo]

4. "When does a dandy fight become an ugly brawl?"

Somebody send Bob a link to GD-P.

[Window]

6. LOL!

[TwilightGardener]

7. I sincerely hope the good people of TX and OH understand that we can

END THIS NOW, and have a strong nominee. Even if they're inclined to vote for Hillary, because she's a woman, because she's married to Bill, because her health care plan has more mandates--I sincerely hope they give a thought to the fact of what their vote means for our party, at this point. We're not in New Hampshire anymore--this race COULD be wrapped up, and we COULD start strategizing against the GOP. Good article.