Dean, Kerry, Clark and Gephardt. Lieberman and Edwards won't last very long. If Kerry and Gephardt get knocked (and don't assume they will) then enter Al Gore (not Hillary). Clark might be allowed the nomination but my instinct tells me not. Therefore, it is up to Kerry and Gephardt now to stop dean.
I repeat, the majority of Dems, centrists and the leadership will not let Dean capture the nomination. Dean has a good lock on the far left 15% and a few unions but last time that voter block was allowed to nominate someone we got Dukakis. We saw how he fared against a Bush. Even though Dukakis once led in the polls he went down to a landslide defeat. You can try to say Dean is no Dukakis, but for all intents and purposes when it comes to political character/image assasination, he is. Bushies know exactly how to dispose of Dean. They can't wait for the opportunity. It may not be fair but it's realistic. Politics is a very tough game and idealism and grass roots appeal doesn't get you very far. In the end, it's the power of the machinery, a few key issues and the candidate's image. Deep-down, Americans want a macho man as their "tribal" leader, not a doctor or school teacher. That is especially true during times of war. Bush may be a phony macho man but that is his image say 60% of Americans. The strong hawkish leader. A dove cannot beat a hawk, but an eagle can. Kerry and Clark are both eagles. |
