April 2, 2004

PELOSIFICATION:

Pelosi Tells Kerry Pick Running Mate Soon (ERICA WERNER, Associated Press)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has some advice for presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry: Pick a running mate — sooner rather than later.

The California Democrat suggested that Kerry make May 1 his deadline for deciding on a vice presidential candidate, well before the party's national convention in Boston in late July.

"It's very important to have another person on the field who is part of the presidential ticket," Pelosi told a round-table meeting of reporters Friday. "I don't want to see John Kerry debating with Dick Cheney in the press, I don't want to see him debating down. I want him to be debating the president of the United States."


This is just an awful idea, for reasons recited in the past: no one's paying attention; no drama left in the campaign afterwards; you're basically designating a hatchet man; etc.. But one thing you can't help but notice is that the Party has cultivated almost no new leadership since the 1994 debacle. The presidential field this year was stunningly weak, though they did at least have more than two candidates this time (unlike 2000). If Tom Daschle loses they turn to Harry Reid, who could lose his seat too, and then to who? Ms Pelosi has been a fairly useless Minority Leader in the House and unable to recruit enough viable candidates to even have a hope of retaking the chamber. Recent presidents--Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton--have negatives too high to be of benefit. Recent losing standard bearers--Al Gore, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale--are punchlines. Their governors are supposed to be the Party's hope, but Gray Davis is gone and, other than Bill Richardson, you hardly hear anything about the rest.

Where are the adults who have big time experience and can stand up and talk Kerry out of doing stupid things? The only one who even comes to mind is Leon Panetta and he's likely too moderate to be listened to in today's Democratic Party.

For a party that no longer has a governing philosophy to not have any leadership either would seem to be a deadly combination.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 2, 2004 8:26 PM
Comments

Well, you sure nailed that one good. I used to be a staunch democrat in the old days. Can't abide that liberal philosophy anymore.

I do think the conservatives are making a huge mistake though. I would suggest moderation in dealing with Kerry at this particular phase of the election. I smell a rat that says if the exposure continues the dems will be forced to pull a switharoo. Let kerry go on and become the annointed one for the dems. Then, pounce like mad. Thanks for everything, Tom

Posted by: Tom Wall at April 2, 2004 8:56 PM

Who would they bring on? I first term Senator who couldn't win reelection and couldn't beat John Kerry? A small state governor who scared himself silly thinking he might possibly win? The most hated woman in America, who has made clear she doesn't want to face Bush?

My favorite of these ideas is the Kerry/McCain would be unbeatable riff, McCain's only qualification being that he's unelectable for the nomination in both parties.

Posted by: David Cohen at April 2, 2004 9:12 PM

Sounds like Nancy is fishing. But she needs different bait.

Posted by: jim hamlen at April 2, 2004 11:00 PM

David:

I wish they would nominate McCain. Then we would be rid of him here in Arizona and could finally elect a real republican.

Posted by: jd watson at April 2, 2004 11:27 PM

What Wall and Watson said. I think Kerry is so disposed; but as O.J. implies the short list is very short.

Posted by: genecis at April 3, 2004 11:30 AM

"Where are the adults who have big time experience and can stand up and talk Kerry out of doing stupid things? "

The "adults" are all hiding in bunkers, because nobody short of Jesus Himself could "talk Kerry out of doing stupid things." It's in his nature.

Anyone with sense (like Senator Clinton) is waiting until 2008. The last thing anyone who wants a real future in politics needs is to become involved in 2004's moonbat-driven race to the left.

Posted by: ralph phelan at April 5, 2004 7:25 AM
« THE BUILDER: | Main | BETTER, IF YOU'RE EUROPEAN: »