Sensing a misstep on the military question, John Kerry launches into Howard Dean, his most potent rival in the New Hampshire primary. For their part, the Dean camp counters by accusing Kerry of Gore-like evasiveness. Meanwhile, on another front, Harold Meyerson of The American Prospect suggests Dean is using the Gore playbook in his attacks on Gephardt’s health plan. I still run hot and cold on John Kerry, but I must say, hiring Gore flunky Chris Lehane as his campaign spokesman clearly goes in the minus column…he may be good at his job, but Lehane still exudes Gore’s insincerity. At any rate, with less a week until the first debate, it’s definitely on.
3 thoughts on “The Battle of Concord.”
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Scully: As the most vocal Dean supporter around these parts, I’m curious as to what you think of this. (I’m still undecided as to my horse in 2004 – True, Dean seems Bradleyeque at times, but Kerry hasn’t completely lost me yet. And there’s still seven other candidates in the shadows…)
Dean won’t get the nomination, despite the hopes of leftist Dems living in Fantasyland. You don’t really think that the DNC will nominate a progressive do you? Can you say “Eugene McCarthy – 1968”? I knew you could.
If Kerry gets the nod than Bush is probably a mortal lock in 2004.
So, who’s the nominee going to be? Duh. John “Clinton Mk. II” Edwards. He’s brilliant at fundraising, good looking and has more charisma than the rest of the Democratic pack put together. That’s what gets you elected, like it or not.
I’ll be voting for whoever the Greens nominate; easy to do since I live in a state (NC) that gets more rabidly Republican by the day.
I guess my vote won’t be counted again. Oh well.
My take is that Kerry’s people are desperate, Kevin, and that their attempt to paint Dean as weak on defense is sad and just shows the level of in-fighting in the party. And as long as the Dems are fighting amongst themselves, the Republicans will make gains.
Also, as The Post pointed out today, Dean isn’t the first person to suggest that we plan for the days when we aren’t the only superpower:
“This is a unique moment in U.S. history, a brief moment in history, when the U.S. has preeminent military, economic and political power. It won’t last forever. This is just a period, a few decades this will last.” — Bill Clinton
Doesn’t sound anti-American, or anti-military, or anti-security to me at all. It sounds like a realist speaking to me. I think Dean is another straight-talking realist too.
Personally, I think the Dems’ problem is that the people that can win the nomination (Kerry, Edwards) are the ones who can’t win the general election. I hope I am wrong. I still think Dean is the best person for the job (of those running, of course). He is a John McCain type, who speaks his mind and not the party line. Since I am a registered Dem who hates the party, I appreciate that.
I also believe that this presidental election cycle is going to be even wackier than the last. I even wonder if candidates will choose their VP nominees earlier than usual.
Sorry the above is not better written and cohesive 🙁