Democratic Presidential Primaries 2008

[kn]

John King showed on CNN that neither candidate can win this thing outright, even if he or she sweeps the remaining states. This will go to the convention. Another interesting question is whether Michigan's and Florida's delegates will be seated.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

there's a big difference though in campaign tactics for a presidential election vs a primary. as much as Clinton and Obama are fighting each other, they both work for the same side. and with McCain the clear republican nominee the Democratic party wants to get this over with so they can concentrate on the big election. i have no doubt they'll instruct all their superdelegates to back the public vote winner simply so they'll have a better shot at beating McCain

The fact that Obama had to make a speech asking that the superdelegates endorse the popular winner, suggests that it is anything but cut and dried.

Sure Democrats know that it's in the party's best interests to vote along with the popular winner but when it comes down to it, people often follow self interest. Like which candidate can I work with, which is a euphemism for who's going to give me the most.

It looks like both candidates may closely split the regular delegates, so the super delegates will decide. Bad news unless the two candidates really work together and don't burn any bridges.

[Slava]

I tend to agree with you here Vulcan. Anyone think that a Clinton/Obama (or vice-versa) ticket can beat McCain/Romney?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Slava

I tend to agree with you here Vulcan. Anyone think that a Clinton/Obama (or vice-versa) ticket can beat McCain/Romney?

Yes. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that McCain/Romney would be in some trouble in the current climate. McCain has some liabilities as a candidate, but he should stay far away from Romney.

[Azure]

Looks like the KKK is supporting Obama.

http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?c=117&a=1227

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Azure

Looks like the KKK is supporting Obama.

http://www.dailysquib.co.uk/?c=117&a=1227

You might want to advertise that it's a humour piece before someone that doesn't read it blows up the thread.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by rubecube

You might want to advertise that it's a humour piece before someone that doesn't read it blows up the thread.

Shhhhhhhhh!

[HotHotHeat]

Has anyone found a clip of the altercation between Bill Clinton and the Obama supporter?

[MelBridgeman]

Obama...that sounds like Osama....

[Nehkara]

Wisconsin primary and Hawaii caucus today.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Yes. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that McCain/Romney would be in some trouble in the current climate. McCain has some liabilities as a candidate, but he should stay far away from Romney.

Romney would be a terrible VP attachment to the McCain camp.

The Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal - a visible minority of East Indian extraction - is suddenly the darling of Rush Limbaugh, which might salve some of the egos on the radical right, and is a genuinely impressive guy. McCain/Jindal, which was speculated about on the weekend, would be quite an interesting ticket. Great orator as well.

Colin Powell recently showed up after disappearing for a while. It's a longshot but not unthinkable that he might attach himself to McCain.

Both would be far more interesting as VP candidates than Romney.

It would be hard to believe McCain, the number one enemy of earmarks, and Romney, the guy most likely to be bought, could actually function together.

Cowperson

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Romney would be a terrible VP attachment to the McCain camp.

The Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal - a visible minority of East Indian extraction - is suddenly the darling of Rush Limbaugh, which might salve some of the egos on the radical right, and is a genuinely impressive guy. McCain/Jindal, which was speculated about on the weekend, would be quite an interesting ticket. Great orator as well.

Colin Powell recently showed up after disappearing for a while. It's a longshot but not unthinkable that he might attach himself to McCain.

Both would be far more interesting as VP candidates than Romney.

It would be hard to believe McCain, the number one enemy of earmarks, and Romney, the guy most likely to be bought, could actually function together.

Cowperson

Actually, either of those would be very interesting choices. Jindal is a future star in the GOP, and loaded with charisma. He addresses McCain's liabilities really well and would be great on the stump. Powell would add a veneer of experience in foreign affairs, but may share the "Iraq taint" that might be a problem for McCain.

Either would be a far better choice than Romney, who as you say would be a brutal choice. Not least because he's not a good campaigner: he's prone to gaffes, and outspent McCain by a huge margin to very little avail.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Romney would be a terrible VP attachment to the McCain camp.

The Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal - a visible minority of East Indian extraction - is suddenly the darling of Rush Limbaugh, which might salve some of the egos on the radical right, and is a genuinely impressive guy. McCain/Jindal, which was speculated about on the weekend, would be quite an interesting ticket. Great orator as well.

Colin Powell recently showed up after disappearing for a while. It's a longshot but not unthinkable that he might attach himself to McCain.

Both would be far more interesting as VP candidates than Romney.

It would be hard to believe McCain, the number one enemy of earmarks, and Romney, the guy most likely to be bought, could actually function together.

Cowperson

Yeah, Jindal, Rice and Powell should all be primary candidates for McCain's running mate. I thought Huckabee had the VP all locked up on Super Tuesday, but Crazy Mike thinks he can win the nomination all by himself, I guess.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Ronald Reagan could be John McCain's running mate and it wouldn't make a lick of difference with the Republicans I know, and I live in McCain's home state. A lot of Republicans don't think they can trust McCain and have already decided they will not vote for him. They would prefer to hold their nose and vote Democrat, or not vote at all. McCain could be a stillborn candidate.

An interesting name tossed around on the weekend as a running mate for McCain was Condoleeza Rice. She could tough on all of the demographics that the Democrats count in their base. She's black, she's a woman (sometimes), and she's purported to be a lesbian. That would certainly sway some votes toward that ticket.

I think the best ticket possible would Obama/Edwards. The Vice President has traditionally been a diplomatic position and working on a pet project here and there. I think Edwards would be an outstanding VP, being a solid diplomatic representative for the United States and also being able to carry on the charge for the rights of the poor and blue collar classes. That is a ticket I could get excited about. Sadly, I think Hilliary is going to get the nod at the convention and we're going to see another four years of a bitterly divided nation.

[Cowperson]

Obama is too far left as it is. Adding Edwards to the ticket would shove him even further that way. That would probably be a disaster for the ticket, the equivalent of Romney on the right.

I can't see Condoleeza Rice as a benefit to McCain at all. If anything, she'd be an anchor around his ankles. Brilliant woman though.

We all have an opinion though!!!

Cowperson

[Lanny_MacDonald]

America needs to shift to the left, to align with their allies and the rest of the world. America is so far out on the right at the moment, that if they take one more step they are going to pop up on the extreme left!

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Obama is too far left as it is. Adding Edwards to the ticket would shove him even further that way. That would probably be a disaster for the ticket, the equivalent of Romney on the right.

I can't see Condoleeza Rice as a benefit to McCain at all. If anything, she'd be an anchor around his ankles. Brilliant woman though.

We all have an opinion though!!!

Cowperson

But appealing to the left is going to as effective as the Republicans appealing to the right. It's all about getting your own votes to show up. Democrats are more likely to vote this time out and that's their main advantage. Republicans look like the Democrats of the past fighting among themselves. I'd pander to whoever was most likely to vote.

Although if the Dems take it right down to the convention and then Hillary wins on some backroom deal they could actually blow an election that is tailor made for them to win.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

The thing to remember is that it isn't winner take all. Obama doesn't have to WIN Texas and Ohio if he's already got a lead, he needs to challenge. I can't believe a state as red as texas is going play such a huge role in deciding the democratic nominee.

It's still one headache after another right now for Hillary camp. The press is pressing (ha!) Chelsea Clinton to talk to the reporters. It's ridiculous how she wants to publicly endorse her mom but not defend her moms platform in front of reporters. Of course Hillary thinks this is all just an outrage...

I dont like Hillary and thing it would be one of the darkest days in recent memories if she was elected president but that being said, a daughter should be able to support her mother without having to defend every policy decision she makes.

The media as usual is a ravenous piece of garbage looking for anything to sink their teeth into.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

America needs to shift to the left, to align with their allies and the rest of the world. America is so far out on the right at the moment, that if they take one more step they are going to pop up on the extreme left!

"Shifting to the left" in the dynamic I described means shifting to what would pass for the centre in America, the place where bipartisan conciliation can be achieved.

Obama is on the edge of that envelope already. Jimmy Carter, a fresh face, was thought to be someone who could reach across the aisle as well but it turned out he was radical enough economically, not just weak on foreign policy, that he was unappealing to just about everyone in the end.

Obama/Edwards would be pretty far left of centre for what passes for the centre in America. Adding Edwards might make Obama a more unappealing ticket than he should be already. It would certainly make him more defeatable.

Obama might need the delegates though. We'll see if he takes that risk.

As I said, everyone has an opinion. In the end, we sit and we watch to see what happens.

Although if the Dems take it right down to the convention and then Hillary wins on some backroom deal they could actually blow an election that is tailor made for them to win.

Democrats should win. Even Saint Obama might be able to pull it off. It's set up for them for sure.

The electorate can be a peculiar bunch though.

Cowperson



Cowperson

[Clever_Iggy]

The battle for the Dems nomination energizes the Dems base but the longer the battle is drawn out the further left both Clinton and Obama are going to have to go in order to secure delegates.

Winning over their own party is a necessity for survival but in doing so, Clinton or Obama could alienate moderate voters and even scare Republicans enough to hold their noses and vote McCain because the alternative of not voting is the same as voting for a Dem candidate.

For the Democratic VP - I like Edwards, but I think someone more in the middle of the political spectrum would help entice moderates back to a very left candidate.

For the Republican VP - I believe the opposite is true. To make a strong ticket and entice Republican voters to get to the polls, McCain should look further to his right than he would like. I think McCain is strong enough in the moderates and decent enough in the Republican base to have success, but a strong right-wing VP would solidify his campaign.