Don't worry about McCain's clout. Find somebody on our side with charisma.

[Deja Q]

With Kerry or Hillary running against McCain, it's obvious who will win. (Americans are sexist for one thing, Kerry was clearly weak candidate despite his countenance (never mind shoehorned in by a fickle media) and the simple fact is, they hate only Bush. This does not mean they hate all "R"'s.

If we want a good candidate worth voting for (no more of this "lesser evil" crap), we need to find somebody who will relate WITH to people, yet has enough intelligence to know what is proper for America.

[sasha031]

1. I think it should be Gore

if he would run

ya mccain got charisma all right

[Deja Q]

3. Been 8 years and since dropping out of politics he's really grown up.

Trouble is, will he be as feeble when returning TO politics (which suggests it's not his personal views but who his sponsors are that made him meek in the first place...)

[saltpoint]

9. Not a bad suggestion. He's a tall drink of water and that water is

pure and refreshing these days.

I could see him putting the hurt to McCain in the debates.

[karynnj]

51. There's a taller drink of water available, just as refreshing

who was by FAR a better debatre than Gore. (Hint: Yale debate champ, won 3 debates with Bush hands down - totally himself in each one.)

[SeaBob]

31. Gore

Gore would be good. maybe he can get rid of this state of fear the current administration is mired in.

[CatholicEdHead]

2. Realisitically, "Lesser Evil" means "Lesser Election Funds"

As you do need money to run, sad but true. Elections will be about who can raise the most money for the forseeable future. :(

[Deja Q]

5. Which means there's no point TO vote.

All bought and paid for by the same folks pulling the strings.

THAT is why "there is no difference between republicans and democrats". We all know the ideals are different. But more often than not, they've all allowed the corporate elite to usurp power.

[blm]

10. Yeah - so vote for the guy who advocates public financing of campaigns

and has for 20 yrs and refused corporate pac money.

[Mass]

4. Kerry was just that in the previous election, whatever you think.

I would worry about McCain, particularly if Democrats continue to push him (Note to Biden, Obama, Feingold).

Gore, Clark, or Feingold would be good as well.

And you cant dismiss the media. Sadly, they will play where they want: they played Dean up for months before they decided to play him down. for example. They would have done the same thing to Edwards if he had been the nominee.

[Deja Q]

12. And yet the media stuck with * despite other 'R' candidates. Worst of all,

why can't people think for themselves? The media presented Dean's downfall, but nobody bothered to ask questions; they blindly accepted it. Something seemed hokey when Kerry came up from nowhere in such a short period of time too...

[Mass]

14. It was because he was the second choice of many people

and when people for whatever reason (the media) decided against Dean, they turned to their second choice.

Also, people who were reporting from IA were saying that people were liking what they saw in Kerry (and Edwards) a lot more than the Inside the Beltway crowd was reporting.

It has been a comment that most people who have net with Kerry have told me. He is not at all what the media reports (no more probably than Dean is what the media reported, particularly at the end). Unfortunately, the media is very much inside the Beltway and does not seem to see what was happening in the states during this campaign).

[karynnj]

50. Also, look at what was happening in the last weeks before Iowa

Even sitting in remote NJ, the news one day from Iowa was:
- Kerry being reunited with Rassmann, whose life he saved. This was a made for TV moment, if there ever was one. Rassmann, a former policeman and Republican, had picked up "Tour of Duty", where his name was misspelled (he was a marine and in the Navy records there was a slight misspelling) - he contacted a local Kerry office to volunteer mentioning his connections. The national office was called and he went to Iowa and met with Kerry at an already scheduled event. It was a real "feel good" moment, when the two men embraced each other. That Kerry's response was an almost bashful "any body would have done it" was the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile
- The Dean story was an angry Dean yelling at a heckler who was an old man and telling him to sit down.

If this was played on cable channels and the networks - I'm sure it was even more intense in Iowa.

[saltpoint]

6. I heard Rev. Lowery speaking on C-Span at Coretta Scott King's funeral

and don't think we have too many mentioned candidates in his oratorical league.

Warner is a great guy but not terribly exciting as a speaker. Evan Bayh is intelligent but programmed and mechanical. Edwards is appealing but is at his best when he's speaking in a small room, and not especially to large crowds. Senator Clinton is the media's darling right now but her voice tends to drone in a monotone. Biden always sounds exasperated.

I agree that we need someone to make that emotional connection. What are your thoughts on who it should be?

[napi21]

16. I don't know who. I've been eagerly watching for someone like that!

Kerry is a very smart man, and I think he would make a great Pres. BUT even now, I heard him as a guest on Ed Schultz (I think) in the last day or so. I don't know why, but when the man gets a mic in his had, he can't speak the way you and I converse! Our candidate MUST be able to do that! I watched Gore's daughter as a guest on some program yesterday, and I kept asking "Where did you get your personality from? Does you Dad have any of this?" She was extremely intelligent, and handled the tough questions from the interviewer beautifully! The very last question was "What did you think about that passionate kiss between your Mom & Dad on Nat'l TV?" She said "Oh, think Mom was surprised! Didn't she seem surprised to you?"

That kind of spontanaity just wasn't there with Gore during the campaign, and for those of you who say he's changed....I can introduce you to a lot of women who thought the same thing about one guy before they got married! Guess what! He didn't change!!!!!

Feingold seems to have potential, but I want to see him fielding public questions a lot more than I have so far. I'm a bit afraid that there are many voters who would be afraid he would side to much with Israel though. I don't agree with that, but I'm trying to be realistic here.

Hillary is a fast thinker, and I think she also would make a good Pres. Her problem is that sooo many people hate her because her name is Clinton, and a % of the rest don't want a woman in the WH!

All I can say is that I'm still watching the field. Maybe someone else will pop up in the next year!

[saltpoint]

18. Hi, napi21. Good post.

I'm not giving up on our candidates -- far from it -- but I would like to have one who could speak as JFK could speak.

That's asking a lot, I realize.

I think Gore has the fire now that he did not have in 2000. (Maybe Lieberman depressed him so much he couldn't rouse a crowd!)

[jbnow]

42. I'd like to see more of Feingold too

He is so bright, thoughtful and clear speaking in Senate hearings. I like everything I know about him, but like you would like to hear him fielding questions.(I'd even like to see him on Sunday shows)
He is a man we could trust. Would that come across?

Hillary would be a good president, but not that good a candidate.

Kerry would be a great president...but the same issue of how he comes across not connecting. I think many of us could speak for Kerry more clearly then he can speak for himself.

Whoever we get I will do all I can for them...but I am hoping someone clearly comes to the forefront.

[blm]

7. I disagree. McCain has vulnerabilities that only a few Dems can exploit

Read McCain's book and you'll see what I mean.

Kerry and Clark are the two best to beat McCain and I have no doubt about it. But it does take reading McCain's book to get it.

This is all contingent upon the GOP control of media and the voting machines being exposed before then.

[karynnj]

38. If it's Kerry,

He should simply send copies of McCain's book to every person in the media asking them to read the chapter on their work on the POW/MIA committee. This is McCain's version and probably one of best arguments why one man(Kerry) would make a fantastic President and the other simply has the wrong temperment.

If I had any doubts about Kerry before, this book would have dispelled them. Kerry's ability to lead a group of prima donnas to agree on a statement on a very volitale and difficult issue was amazing and McCain concludes that no one but John Kerry could have done it. On the work itself, he was diligent, involved, an excellent diplomat,methodical and incredibly hard working. He was also compassionate enough to be able to quietly provide McCain with the emotional support to keep him from exploding. (for which McCain thanked him in the book ...but stabbed him in the back in 2004.)

[xkenx]

8. Wes Clark can flip red states

2008 is all about flipping a few red states into our column. Hillary certainly can't do it. Wes Clark is a progressive wolf in military uniform sheep's clothing. Many Republicans who didn't care for Bush, still couldn't vote for Kerry. Clark was the only Dem. they could consider. Clark has had more EXECUTIVE leadership roles than any Senator by virtue of his military commands where he had responsibility for the lives of hundreds of thousands of servicepeople and their dependents--the whole range of housing, education, training, healthcare, social services, sometimes in a dangerous spot. When Clark was Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Eisenhower's last military position), he had "Head-of-State" status, meaning that he dealt directly with prime ministers/presidents, not underlings. And Clark was virtually the only voice urging help for Rwanda. And Clark and Madeleine Albright were the ones who convinced Clinton to take action against the ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, where Clark carried out the military action w/o the loss of a single American life. In this he stood up to the Pentagon brass who wanted nothing to do with "saving Albanians." And it was Clark who served for more than 30 years AFTER getting shot up and winning hero medals in Vietnam, when he could have gone for the big bucks in private industry. Try Swift Boating this guy--the smackdown will be heard around the world. Clark is all about duty, honor, country. When Clark's American Dream/American Hero story gets out to middle America, watch how many red states flip. And the beauty of Wes Clark is that HE IS A REAL LIVE D-E-M-O-C-R-A-T, with a progressive agenda equal to anyone.

[wishlist]

19. Yes, Clark can best reassure voters Dems are strong on defense

Unlike phony, hypocritical chickenhawk Bush, Clark is a true straight shooter who is honest and ethical with charisma and competence. A big plus is that unlike all of the Senators, he does not have a 'liberal' voting record from being a politician that can be turned against him but he has has plenty of Federal executive management experience, foreign policy and military expertise.

[ruggerson]

21. He doesn't have the personality to do it.

Sorry. But you don't learn how to be charismatic. You either have it or you don't.
I like the guy, but he's not the down home charmer we need in '08.

[xkenx]

22. There is no Bill Clinton about to run, but Wes Clark inspires like

no one since Bobby Kennedy. If you've ever seen Clark in person, or in venues other than where he gets 30 seconds to soundbyte, you wouldn't be saying that. His speech, reclaiming the flag for Dems. at the Convention nearly took the roof off the building. Elizabeth Drew wrote during the primaries that she attended a Clark rally where the intensity, the loyalty, the response to Clark's words, were unlike anything she has seen since RFK. This guy doesn't have to be a down home charmer--he's himself, which is all about duty, honor, country, and plain talk in easy-to-understand-language. He recently coined the phrase, "Two foot rattlesnake in a box" when referring to not needing to give a priority to going after Saddam Hussein. This guy gets it and has it.
I was a Kerry supporter prior to Clark's entry into the race, for all the usual reasons--Vietnam vet, good Progressive, lots of exprerience, etc. I felt he was doing well in early debates, but my wife said "Not so fast; Kerry sounds like he's lecturing, talking over people's heads, just not connecting with people." Once we started to notice Wes Clark, it turned to "OH MY GOD! THIS MAN HAS IT" (the indefinable "IT" that you know when you see it). The absolute clincher was Clark's first town hall meeting in Heniker, NH right after the first debate that he was in. That meeting was shown only on CSPAN, and it is since gone from the archives. The man was amazing, a political neophyte handling and connecting with the crowd like Bill Clinton. Answering any and all questions with sincerity, knowledge, compassion. I'll never forget a very hostile question from a woman, now retired from the military, who said that she was a victim of abuse in the military and nothing ever happened to the perpetrator, and what would he, General Clark, do about that? The woman was so upset and hostile, she was shaking. Instead of being defensive or blowing her off, he looked her in the eye and apologized for the military for what happened to her. He asked her if she used the chain of command for redress. She said "yes, but," and Clark said "Didn't work, did it?" "No." Clark went on to explain how they worked very hard in his commands for equality of opportunity, equal treatment, no abuse, etc., but understood that there were still problems, and that, as president, he would work hard with the military to correct the deficiencies. He also volunteered to speak privately with the woman after the meeting to learn more about her situation so that he could help. The woman melted before our eyes! I found out afterwards that Clark met privately with her for 20 min. after the town hall and that her complaint was serious--she had been raped. Instances such as this have convinced me that Wes Clark only needs sufficient exposure to have the following to be elected President. Once people get to know this man's intelligence, character, compassion, integrity, and depth of real world experience, they become dedicated Clarkies.

[Clark2008]

44. You're of that opinion, but anyone who's seen him live disagrees.

Told you that on another thread, I believe.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. Clark just needs to start EARLIER for Chrissakes, so he can rip off one or

two EARLY wins so the media could NOT ignore him like last time. Oklahoma was way too late.

[Ilsa]

34. Amen. And I don't have to be in total agreement

with him on every issue. He has the heart to do the right thing by our citizens and military and the world. I think he drafts dump trucks of charisma every where he goes. HE's himself: an intelligent, well-read leader, not a faux Christian. I'll be happy to work for him again.

[DanCa]

37. My money is on Wes. (nt)

[Mass]

11. We need somebody who can turn both blue AND red states.

There is no point to choose somebody who will turn the red states if he does not turn the blue states either. When I hear some Democrats going after the blue states as if they were Republicans, I just wonder why I should vote for them,

[gator_in_Ontario]

13. I got charisma!

just ain't got no money

[SeaBob]

29. Charisma

I had it as a kid, but mom took me to a doctor and he gave me a shot for it... i think, I havent seen my shot record in forever

[sandnsea]

15. It's the "liberal label"

We either attack the "liberal label" right in the heart of red states, or settle for a string of southern DLC style Democrats as President. It's really that simple.

[NanceGreggs]

17. We've already got someone who fits the bill ...

... Russ Feingold. Charismatic, articulate, plain-spoken but intelligent, familiar with all of the issues, etc.

[ruggerson]

20. Brian Schweitzer

If it's charisma and a down home way of relating to ordinary folks that we're looking for, he's the man. And his credentials as a one term governor do not matter in the least when it comes to presidential politics. He has the brains and the PERSONALITY to beat McCain.

No one else on this thread who has been mentioned could beat McCain. not Gore, Hillary, Feingold, Kerry, Warner or Clark. McCain would soundly slaughter all of them.

[napi21]

27. I just read some web postings on Schweitzer. He's GOOD!

For those of you who don't know him, and for sure that includes me, check out this web site posting by David Sorota.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0412.sirota.html

Brian seems to instinctivly know how to hit the jugular of the Pub opposition.

I just wonder if he would ever want to leave his beloved Montana to go to a complete opposite place like Washington???

[ruggerson]

35. that's a good read, check this out, too:

http://www.saveamericanjobs.us/CNN_Lou_Dobbs_NotThePartyLine_050524.wmv

[napi21]

36. Great interview! Again I like him! But it sure doesn't sound like

he wants to spend his days bathing in tomato juice! (At least that's what I heard is the best thing to use tio deoderise your dog from skunk spray!)

As much as I think Brian could be our ideal candidate, I'm more convinced after seeing that interview that he would NEVER consider moving to Washington!

[ruggerson]

39. If he sounds enormously anti Washington

until the moment he announces, it's all good.

Hopefully, if he runs, he will keep up the anti DC rhetoric. He's good at it, it's authentic and it has huge populist appeal.

This guy is the real deal.

[napi21]

40. I assume you live in MT. Are you fairly sure he would be willing

to scrap with the sharks in Wash?

I think you're right (if he's even thinking about running for Pres) that he keep it as quiet as possible for now. We really do need to focus on 06, and he can get all the MSM attention in 07 that he could possible hope for. Just listening to him, he sounds like he really doesn't like it there at all!

[ruggerson]

43. I don't live in MT

though about to purchase some property there. And I have no way of knowing if he's running in '08. He says he is not, but that's to be expected at this stage of the game. He will run for President at some point, of that I'm sure. Let's hope it's 08 and let's hope Montanans don't get too pissed off at having to part with him.

[Burning Water]

23. Not to worry.

John McCain maybe could win the general election, but he will never win the Republican primaries. The equivalent would be Lieberman winning the Democratic nomination.

Now there's a match up. Flip a coin to pick your vote??

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. Charisma? I'VE got the man...right here! He OOZES charisma..just look >>>>

[Coexist]

26. yes.... yes he does.

[mia]

32. Clark's on Book TV now!

http://www.booktv.org/watch/

[OneBlueSky]

28. I too think it can be Al Gore . . . but ONLY if he . . .

refuses corporate money . . . that's the only way he can maintain his independence and his ability to speak the truth . . .once you take corporate bucks, you're part of the problem, not part of the solution . . .

[EFerrari]

30. What clout?! McCain is a whore. Nobody takes him seriously

who is paying attention.

He's not in the mob. They won't run him. He's just a shiney thing.

[napi21]

45. Ohhh, you're wrong that nobody pays attention to him.

Try to remember back to the 2000 campaign and the "Straight Talk Express" bus? He had a high following! If it wouldn't have been for Rove and his dirty tricks, it would be President McCain today!

Whatever he's like behind the scenes, he's a very charasmatic guy, and lots of people like him and believe him!

If you really think nobody takes him seriously, you're denying reality.

[EFerrari]

47. I thought I said, no one who is paying attention. :)

I am not in the income bracket that gets to be in denial.

:hi:

[napi21]

48. I don't think it has anything to do with income brackets.

McCain can come across on TV as a very nice guy! If he gets the support of the "Party" he will be their candidate! There are a lot of people who would see him as a really nice guy, very familiar with foreign affairs, and really wanting to be a uniter.

Don't underestimate John. He's learned a lot during his years in the Senate.

The one thing I will say about him, is the same thing I said about the candidates the Dems have been trying to run. The LAST person to be elected directly from the Senate was Jak Kennedy in 1963! Senators aren't usually great winners!

[EFerrari]

49. The image I will never forget is Mr. McCain embracing Bush

after the Bush campaign smeared him and his daughter.

McCain is a whore.

[napi21]

54. Oh, I agree with you, but believe me, a lot of people don't.

I personally really liked McCain when he was running against Shrub! He totally lost any respect I had when he supported Shrub, but most people don't pay any attention to that stuff. Heck, most don't even pay any attention to politics until a short time before an election!

All I mean is, he would be a very challenging candidate, and a hard to beat one.

[FreedomAngel82]

33. If you go to

http://newpoliticalreview.com/poll.php John Kerry is number one in the polls. :) This is from Senators of course.

[upi402]

41. I wish Americans were ready for a person like Kerry.

We have been dumbed-down by the media I fear, and we seem to like mean, hateful, tribalistic mudslinging. And we Americans see civility as weakness -to be taken advantage of.

I don't like this, but I have come to feel it's just the terms of the game now. We can't bring a knife to a gunfight anymore. We have no time.

IMHO

[wisteria]

46. Kerry can hold his own against McCain and then some.

Actually,Kerry had a lot more personality than Mc Cain and he isn't a hot head either.

[president4aday]

52. Cindy Sheehan.

Not afraid to be jailed for her country.

Not afraid to criticize the war on moral, not just pragmatic grounds.

Not afraid of the GOP.

Cindy's walkin' the talk.

Cindy's earned her stripes more than anyone else.

It's Cindy. Hands down.

[Digit]

53. Charisma = John Edwards

I am impressed that he has taken on the fight against poverty.
He is a man I can truly stand behind.

[Sugarcoated]

55. Russ is the perfect guy

in every way.

Or Wes. Or Russ/Wes, Wes/Russ.