We Need A TOUGH Politician For '08

I have my druthers, sure. But, unlike some here, I will ultimately vote for the Democratic candidate come hell or high water.

The qualities that person needs to have are political ones. Their specific stands on issues are quite secondary.

- He/she needs to have a killer political instinct. Able to box the opponent into a corner and unrelentingly turn the knife once he/she draws blood.

- He/she needs to fight back, hard, the moment he/she is swiftboated. The American people look at politics as a bloodsport (despite the lies they tell pollsters) and they end up electing the candidate who fights like hell - not the one who behaves like an aloof gentleman/woman.

- He/she cannot be afraid of wedge issues, like stem cells, Terri Schiavo and privacy rights, which can skewer Republicans. He/she must be skilled in organizing surrogates to hammer home wedge issues, day after day after day in the national media.

- He/she has to talk tough, talk in short, understandable sentences, and come across as genuine, frank and sincere. There can be no dithering around with trying to "create an image." The media and the people see right through it. Our candidate must, above all, be genuine and authentic. Americans loves authenticity. They even vote for people they disagree with, as long as they sense they are real.

;)

I know nothing about him. :)

Currently running for Governor vs Doug Duncan (D) with the hopes of challenging Governor Ehrlich in the general election.

I was joking when I threw his name out there. You guys know who I like...

right here :hi:

Oh, my bad! :)

is that some Democrats themselves have adopted the media/Republican meme that Democrats are soft, weak and fainthearted. Some Democrats see "toughness" as a negative trait.

Well, you don't win elections allowing yourself to be smeared as "soft" on anything. Which is why, at this stage of the game, toughness is a prerequisite for us.

1. No one has a better killer instinct than the Clintons

2. Fights back harder and more effectively than any politician I can think of. Just think back to the sleazoid Kline book a few months ago...who came out on top of that one.

3. No problem here

4. Again nor problem here

against the Iraq occupation. That stupid fund-raising poll she sent out the other day (to people who don't even live in NY) did not even mention Iraq, though it asked what we thought were the 10 most serious issues facing the US -- Iraq was not listed. She voted for the IRW and now she won't even talk about Iraq at all, at least until she can figure out what the most politically effective position should be. Nuts to Hillary!

Interesting. Clintons didn't have to lift a finger to fight back when the RW media machine was attacking the book for them.

She's proven to be a total coward on the war. No more DLC.

her political interests got in the way of the Nation's interests and the Dem. Party's interests. Now HRC is just Republican-lite. Her spine has turned to mush.

They all seem to be afraid to say what they really believe! The only one I've heard in a very long time has been Howard Dean and Paul Hackett. All the others are stuck on politically correct, and try way too hard to soften their words!

Most Dems believe Hillary would be a strong candidate and lots of people like her. I have heard talk of Senator Evan Bayh (D-Indiana) also being in the running possibly. Unfortuneatly, living in PA, I know very little of Mr. Bayh, but I think a strong male for vice president may get conservatives to shut up a little when they try to blast Hillary. Sen. Barak Obama (D-Illinois) is without a doubt the new face of the Democratic party, but I don't think he has enough experience on the national level to run for president just yet. A couple more senate terms though and he'll be our man I think.

But for '08, I'd place my bets on Hillary for president and someone like Wes Clark or Evan Bayh vice.

I keep seeing it in the polls, but I've not met any of them - not a one - and I hang out with a lot of Democrats.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

eom.

a Save Us Leader.

Just sayin.

n/t

... To both say what they think is right, and do what they think is right, without fear. Yes?

We sure as hell can use you for the Presidency! :patriot:

The General is # 1 choice.

Kerry is # 2, only because I think he learned to not let them swiftboat him AGAIN!!!

Both of these guys have the killer intinct, we saw Kerry's about 2 days before the elction in 2004, but it was too late then.

I actually would like to see Kerry or the General get into it with you know who - physically!!!

Wes Clark is one tough soldier, from his war hero role in Vietnam while taking 4 bullets, to his leadership both militarily and diplomatically in the Balkans, to his rapelling down a mountain to save colleagues trapped in a burning vehicle in serbia.

Wes Clark called out Bushco on Iraq early on by stating flat out that he heard Pentagon insiders predicting the Iraq War right after 9-11, that it would be a diversion from the real fight against terrorism.

Wes Clark testified 6 months before the invasion against giving Bushco a blank check.

Wes Clark embraced the liberal label.

Wes Clark took the flag for the Dem. Party at the Dem. Convention.

Wes Clark suppoorted Kerry during the campaign like none other.

Wes Clark has consistently been a progressive voice without apology.

Wes Clark has gone into the FAUX News lair and taken apart the likes of O'Lielly and Hannity.

When asked during his campaign about dealing with Rethug smears, he replied, not noticing that the (CSPAN) camera was on him, "I'll beat the shit out of them." When asked afterwards by shocked media if he meant to say that, he (or his aide) said, "No, I meant to say, "I'll beat the LIVING shit out of them."

This man has been one tough hombre. This is the man to lead us.

Wes Clark was the only voice for intervening in Rwanda, at the peril of his own career.

Wes Clark put forth a 100 YEAR plan for the nation which emphasized protecting the environment and affordable healthcare for all.

Wes Clark gave education a priority by correctly putting the emphasis on respecting, training, and encouraging teachers, as opposed to the gamesmanship being run by Bushco.

Wes Clark and Madeline Albright were the primary voices for ending the ethnic cleansing in the Balkans, and were instrumental in getting the US and NATO to intervene. Again at the risk of his career because the Pentagon was against the intervention. They eventually had their revenge by manipulating his early removal from the NATO command as SACEUR (Supreme Allied Commander Europe, formerly held by Dwight Eisenhower). P.S. Clark is the most decorated military person since Eisenhower, and holds Knighthoods or the equivalent from 19 European nations.

Wes Clark had the courage to preempt the Russians in taking the airport at Pristyna in the Bosnian conflict, because the Russians had contributed next to nothing to supporting NATO. He had the approval of both NATO and Washington, until a British General balked and accused Clark of wanting to start WWIII. The Russians were so weak at the time that the Russian soldiers at the airport ran out of supplies and food, and had to be bailed out by CLARK and his forces!!! Clark knew what he was dealing with, and had the cougage to be forceful.

She is a tough SOB, that is one thing for sure in her favor.

his ship was swiftly sunk by the opposition.

In boat terms, we need ballast, clear direction,
seaworthiness, and all hands on deck. Ships are
called "she's" aren't they?

:-)