revrew
01-20-2004, 03:32 PM
After getting blitzed by ads and news coverage, I've had more than my fill of the Democratic front 4 presidential candidates. As a Republican, I have a belly ache. But I thought some might be interested in my analysis after the Hawkeye Cauci. My impressions after watching 1,234 commercials, listening to 14.3 hours of radio coverage, and viewing 138 news broadcasts devoted to the Democrat Front 4.
1. It seems they can be broken into 2 conferences: The old-timey, tax and spend, Washington insiders who slam the Republicans for doing the same things they do: Kerry and Gephardt vs. The "reform" candidates of "new" ideas and young people appeal who rely more on charisma than on any actual platform: Dean and Edwards.
2. Between the two conferences, one has money, the other has enthusiasm and charisma. So it's the old-time Democratic political machine vs. the generally misinformed, popularity-contest voting public. If the old-timers win, Kerry will probably be the man. If the youngsters win (keep in mind, age is irrelevant. It's really about the basic campaign strategy--appeal to long-time Democrats or new Democrats and independents), Edwards or Dean.
3. Kerry's 10-minute long love fest over Gephardt seems to indicate strongly one thing: a Kerry-Gephardt ticket. Am shocked I haven't heard more about this.
4. Dean needs to lighten up his "angry little-man" approach if he doesn't want to come across as the next Fuhrer. My guess is it's all over for him. He might sound good in the ads, but when you see him giving a speech, it's a big turn off.
5. Finally, for my little bit of conspiracy theory: I think the DNC is supporting Kerry right now because his approach is to slam and/or slander Bush in a vigorous negative campaign. They're letting the sacrificial lamb pull Bush's numbers down with a constant barrage of negative advertising. But the conspiracy is, the DNC has no intention of giving the laurel wreath to Kerry. His speech writers are aweful, he lacks charisma, and he only has one plank - "No special interest groups" (By the way, what do you call the teachers unions, the labor unions, the activist groups, and the PACs that support you, Kerry? "UNspecial interest groups?") No, I figure the DNC is just letting Kerry do the dirty work before their "Golden Boy," the charismatic, sweet-talking southerner, John Edwards, steps in and "rises above the mudslinging" with his positive campaign approach. My prediction is this: the DNC will find a way for another sweet-talking southern Golden boy to go up against an uncharismatic Bush incumbent. Sound like 1992? I'm thinking that's what the powers that be in the DNC are hoping for.
Now, fight amongst yourselves...
1. It seems they can be broken into 2 conferences: The old-timey, tax and spend, Washington insiders who slam the Republicans for doing the same things they do: Kerry and Gephardt vs. The "reform" candidates of "new" ideas and young people appeal who rely more on charisma than on any actual platform: Dean and Edwards.
2. Between the two conferences, one has money, the other has enthusiasm and charisma. So it's the old-time Democratic political machine vs. the generally misinformed, popularity-contest voting public. If the old-timers win, Kerry will probably be the man. If the youngsters win (keep in mind, age is irrelevant. It's really about the basic campaign strategy--appeal to long-time Democrats or new Democrats and independents), Edwards or Dean.
3. Kerry's 10-minute long love fest over Gephardt seems to indicate strongly one thing: a Kerry-Gephardt ticket. Am shocked I haven't heard more about this.
4. Dean needs to lighten up his "angry little-man" approach if he doesn't want to come across as the next Fuhrer. My guess is it's all over for him. He might sound good in the ads, but when you see him giving a speech, it's a big turn off.
5. Finally, for my little bit of conspiracy theory: I think the DNC is supporting Kerry right now because his approach is to slam and/or slander Bush in a vigorous negative campaign. They're letting the sacrificial lamb pull Bush's numbers down with a constant barrage of negative advertising. But the conspiracy is, the DNC has no intention of giving the laurel wreath to Kerry. His speech writers are aweful, he lacks charisma, and he only has one plank - "No special interest groups" (By the way, what do you call the teachers unions, the labor unions, the activist groups, and the PACs that support you, Kerry? "UNspecial interest groups?") No, I figure the DNC is just letting Kerry do the dirty work before their "Golden Boy," the charismatic, sweet-talking southerner, John Edwards, steps in and "rises above the mudslinging" with his positive campaign approach. My prediction is this: the DNC will find a way for another sweet-talking southern Golden boy to go up against an uncharismatic Bush incumbent. Sound like 1992? I'm thinking that's what the powers that be in the DNC are hoping for.
Now, fight amongst yourselves...