9 Democrats and not a message in sight!
With nine Democrats running for president in 2004 it would seem obvious that a common theme might be evoked by those who seem intent on flicking the current administration out of power. The debates have been yawnable – no, check that – sleepable, and thanks to TiVo I can cut out more than just the commercials.
The "message" as to why this president needs to be beaten seem fuzzy and often changes. For a while, it is "the economy." Then "the war." And when all else fails, "socialized health care for all." The only problem is, at their every turn, Republicans appear to be working harder to do more substantively, and it appears the American public is backing them.
Even a sitting Democratic senator from Georgia, Zell Miller, endorsed President Bush this week, saying, "The next five years will determine the kind of world my children and grandchildren will live in. ... I wouldn't trust any of the nine Democratic presidential candidates with governing during this crucial period. ... This Democrat will vote for President Bush in 2004."
In fact, due to a lack of interest, sometimes the "message" leaves the world of politics altogether.
On Tuesday, Howard Dean, leading in most polls of Democrats, reversed his position in just a matter of hours on the cutting edge issue of whether or not he is a "metrosexual." On that same day, Dean spent the day canvassing the gay- and lesbian-friendly communities of Colorado and came away with all of $50,000. And while his Internet invoice totals certainly beat the other Democrats in the field, they shrink in comparison to the president's war chest that is waiting in the balance – and the GOP faces no primary battle.
As unemployment rates have dropped here in the last three months, the issue of jobs has begun to go away. And when the New York Times is touting the comeback of the economy, you know that the Democratic plans to go with a "see those tax cuts aren't helping things after all" ploy are pretty much dead.
And its not just jobs.
Productivity, new home sales, low interest rates, consumer confidence and better than expected corporate earnings have Wall Street humming. And as reported on Thursday by the Associated Press, the third quarter of this year grew at the feverish rate of 7.2 percent (most experts had expected 6 percent in the closing days of the quarter). This was also the single largest growth for a quarter in the previous 19 years.
In those latest rounds of numbers, consumers boosted spending on big-ticket items by a seismic 26 percent, and on "non-durables" such as food and clothes, the increase was 7.9 percent, the biggest jump since 1976.
In the ever-present war on terror, the Dems side up with positions their party core voters love: "War is bad, Bush is bad, America is bad." For the potential nominee to win the nomination, he/she/it must be decisive against the war. But it is far too extreme for the moderate and independent voters to swallow. Face it: Most Americans actually understand what happened on 9-11, and not only that – we don't want to see it ever happen again! Ever!
Joe Lieberman tried out a "funny" on a few crowds in recent weeks: "I'm running on integrity!" But he's asking for voters to back him even though he is skipping one of the first two primaries.
As is Gen. Clark, who, though he had taken the lead in most polls upon entering the race, has now given up ground back to former leader Dean.
Then there are the social issues.
In recent days in Florida (a populous state), President Bush (a popular president) has sided with his brother (a popular governor) Jeb on the recent issue that got all turned around in the Florida Courts – the Terri Schiavo case. Jeb's stealth acceptance of the legislature's 11th hour action has been received well. Not a single Democratic candidate spoke out on behalf of Terri, and in not doing so come treacherously close to looking like they agree with the Florida courts saying there is a "life not worthy to be lived."
In the president's core voter camp, there has been victory after victory on the pro-life issue, and within days the partial-birth abortion ban will be law – a promise fulfilled from the president's campaign days.
And that was not the only one.
He cut taxes, like he promised. Twice! He passed the "No Child Left Behind" education reform. He has sought to stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. And he has kept us out of dangerous global programs such as Kyoto. All promises made; all promises kept.
Then there is the sticky issue as to why the Democrats in the Senate – and three of them are running for president – are rejecting Latino and black judges for appointments onto the federal judiciary. This makes the "racially diverse" plank of the Democratic platform look downright phony – and voters are getting the message.
There is also the issue of the absurd. Most of the Democratic candidates for president spent some amount of time campaigning on behalf of the most unpopular governor to ever be elected in California. They also all watched as the voters in that state voted 60 percent Republican and swept a new face into the governor's mansion.
If Democrats have a prayer in 2004, some spectacular things have to happen. The U.S. must get crushed by terrorists. The firmly recovering economy must quickly tank. The president that even Democrats say they trust must suddenly start bald-face lying to the American people. And someone on the side of the ballot with a "D" at the end of their name had better figure out what the voters want in 2004.
With no message of their own and a list of promises kept that keeps growing from the administration, it's hard for mainstream voters to rally around the flock of characters that are running for the Democrats.
And being a "metrosexual" or not, if Howard Dean is the man Democratic voters send up to face the president in the general election, get ready for a 48-state landslide – straight into a second term.
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