This is topic Dems in 04? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=017211

---

Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
 
I have to say that a few months ago, I (personally) felt we were inevitably doomed to another Bush term. The race for the Democratic presidential nomination started off looking more like an 8 or 9 ring circus than an actual campaign. As Bush's approval ratings slip, though, and people begin to question his reasons for invading Iraq, the prospect is becoming a bit brighter. Especially as a strong leader emerges in Howard Dean. I didn't know much about him a few weeks ago, but I was thrilled to find a candidate I feel I can support -- someone who is a strong advocate of environmental protection, fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, and women's rights.

So it looks like in November, Howard Dean will likely receive my first vote, in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary.

First, what do you think Dean's chances are of winning the Democratic nomination?

Second, what do you think the chances are of any Democrat winning the presidency in 2004?

[ July 31, 2003, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: Kasie H ]
 

---

Posted by Potemkyn (Member # 5465) on :
 
Mondale, McGovern, Carter in '80, etc.

Gen. Clark on the other hand might win...if he would run.
 

---

Posted by Head Ditch Digger (Member # 5085) on :
 
So what happens when Hillary throws her hat in the ring?
 

---

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
She won't, despite all the Republicans who really wish they would -- because, of course, they're starting to really HURT for reasons to insult the Clintons nowadays.
 

---

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
 
I don't think she'll want to risk it, HDD. She's better off letting Bush go in for a second term, and making a stronger case for herself in 08. I assume that's why Bill Clinton backed Bush on the whole Nigeria thing. If Bush goes in for a second term, it's less likely the Republicans will win in 08. Giving Hillary a much bigger window of opportunity. The main risk in waiting, for her, is her re-election bid in 06. But as the incumbent, I don't think she'll have a problem. I think she'll view running in 04 as too risky.
 

---

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
 
Hilary's record so far as Senator gives me every reason to believe that she will not throw her hat in the ring now, and almost certainly not next election either. She's been focusing a lot on being a good senator for New York.
 

---

Posted by Duragon C. Mikado (Member # 2815) on :
 
Kasie, there are some things he support that might give you pause too, I know they did to me and I don't want to vote for Bush.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Howard_Dean.htm
http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=CNIP0634

He feels that the 'war on drugs' should have greatly increased funding. And he bases this upon his view that drug use is immoral.

He's opposed to allowing patients to sue HMO's.

While Governor he was more than happy to massively increase the budgets of state prosecutors, prisons, and police, while cutting the budget of the public defenders office and firing any effective Defender Generals.

some stuff I saw on Ornery
See this: http://www.talkleft.com/archives/003739.html#003739

"I was a public defender in Vermont during part of Dean's tenure. He was openly hostile to the defense function. He once addressed a meeting of defense attorneys by stating that "my job is to make your job as difficult as possible." He is a man of his word, at least on this campaign promise. He did not want to fund public defense."

Dean himself: http://soleft.blogspot.com/2003_07_13_soleft_archive.html#105820432861087592

"My view is that the justice system is not fair. It's not fair. It bends over backward to help defendants and is totally unfair to victims and to society as a whole."
 

---

Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
 
Duragon -- how do you feel about John Kerry?

Or, which Democratic challenger do you support most and why?
 

---

Posted by Duragon C. Mikado (Member # 2815) on :
 
I think Kerry is the best. He will go for a solid economic approach, depending on the economy. (Full Keynsian in recession/depression, mild monetary in good times, instead of this half and half junk that Bush is doing). He's socially liberal, which means more jobs and good riddance to things that restrict civil liberties. He's against drugs, but thinks the War on them is useless if people do not undergo personal value shifts and thinks the government shouldn't get as involved as it does. And he, unlike Bush, has solid plans for putting money back INTO education instead of making unfunded mandates like Bush and taking money from regular secondary education and funding wars with them.

I honestly thought Kerry would be the most popular, I think if people knew all these things about Dean, then Kerry would come to the forefront.

[ July 31, 2003, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Duragon C. Mikado ]
 

---

Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
 

quote:

---

He feels that the 'war on drugs' should have greatly increased funding. And he bases this upon his view that drug use is immoral.

---

quote:

---

The nation’s Governors urge the President and Congress to fully fund drug and alcohol abuse education, drug courts, treatment, prevention, and law enforcement efforts, including the initiative to combat and clean up methamphetamine production laboratories, at the state and local levels of government.

---