We'll know in November whether the long drawn-out primary actually helps the Dems (by registering millions of new voters and increasing turn-out in the General) or hurts them (by alienating a good chunk of the party's traditional base).
Howard Dean is very savvy. The party establishmen scoffed at his "50-State" strategy in 2006, but it is now credited with putting the Dems back into the majority in both the House and the Senate, and it probably played a part in the Dems picking up a couple more seats in special elections earlier this year. I think Dean sees value in letting the primary battle go on, and I am reluctant to second-guess him.
The pro-Hillary protests at the DNC R&B Committee meeting were just a side show by wing-nuts. I'll bet a good portion of the "Hillary supporters" in the crowd were really Republican ringers. Remember how much attention Ron Paul got on the Internet? Remember the impact that had in the nation's voting booths?
I enjoy reading your comments, they are always very well thought out.
I can see both sides as well, but I tend to lean towards the argument about it reducing the dems chances in Nov. There is more than the alienation factor to consider. You also have the moderate independent voters looking at how the dems ran their primary as an indication of potential competence. The chaotic infighting, the problems with fl, mi and screwed up caucuses in texas don't exactly build confidence.
The republican PACs can run endless ads using clips of Hilary supporters attacking obama on all that crazy crap. Ads that say "what do other democrats think of Sen. Obama?", can have an affect on the swing voters who were not paying much attention during the primary.
and I love
"just a side show by wing-nuts"
Sorry to hear about the rough move. Hopefully the next one will have more helpers and go smoother.
I would also like to point out that, in 2004, the Democrats avoided a long, drawn-out primary battle because they didn't want to tear the party (or their nominee) apart.
John Kerry was annointed with very little examination, and without having to face any serious challenges (or answer any questions with a simple "yes" or "no"). He was utterly unprepared for the nastiness of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and had no clue how to respond.
If nothing else, this primary battle has given the Obama campaign a crash course in damage control.
Comments 5
Howard Dean is very savvy. The party establishmen scoffed at his "50-State" strategy in 2006, but it is now credited with putting the Dems back into the majority in both the House and the Senate, and it probably played a part in the Dems picking up a couple more seats in special elections earlier this year. I think Dean sees value in letting the primary battle go on, and I am reluctant to second-guess him.
The pro-Hillary protests at the DNC R&B Committee meeting were just a side show by wing-nuts. I'll bet a good portion of the "Hillary supporters" in the crowd were really Republican ringers. Remember how much attention Ron Paul got on the Internet? Remember the impact that had in the nation's voting booths?
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I can see both sides as well, but I tend to lean towards the argument about it reducing the dems chances in Nov. There is more than the alienation factor to consider. You also have the moderate independent voters looking at how the dems ran their primary as an indication of potential competence. The chaotic infighting, the problems with fl, mi and screwed up caucuses in texas don't exactly build confidence.
The republican PACs can run endless ads using clips of Hilary supporters attacking obama on all that crazy crap. Ads that say "what do other democrats think of Sen. Obama?", can have an affect on the swing voters who were not paying much attention during the primary.
and I love
"just a side show by wing-nuts"
Sorry to hear about the rough move. Hopefully the next one will have more helpers and go smoother.
Reply
Reply
Reply
John Kerry was annointed with very little examination, and without having to face any serious challenges (or answer any questions with a simple "yes" or "no"). He was utterly unprepared for the nastiness of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and had no clue how to respond.
If nothing else, this primary battle has given the Obama campaign a crash course in damage control.
Reply
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