Why is no one giving the Dems a chance in '08?

[David Floyd]

I'm curious. I didn't want to threadjack the Election Predictions thread, so I figured I'd post my own.

Anywho, in that thread, it seems as if most of the posters are predicting a Republican victory. A lot of people I've talked to think the same thing.

That seems odd, given the current cluster**** in Iraq (among other things).

Are the Democratic candidates really that weak? Personally, I think their only real candidate is Edwards, but I don't think he has a shot in hell at being nominated. Hillary is seen as too liberal to win, and although I don't feel this way, a lot of conservative Democrats (read: Southerners, especially religious ones) may not vote for her because she's a woman. As for Obama, I think his name is going to kill him among the undecideds, in the sense that millions of people will probably go to the polls with no clue, and they aren't going to vote for someone named Barack Obama. Yes, American voters are that stupid. More substantially, though, he is seen as a foreign policy lightweight, when foreign policy is going to be crucial. Also, he's black, which will probably also hurt him - realistically, it will. Sad, but true.

I don't think the Democrats have a shot in hell. What do you guys think?

[Seeker]

Is there really much difference between Hillary Clinton and Giuliani on US foreign policy? Both are equally maniacal warmongers.

That hurts the democrats, not being different, that and demonstrating an utter lack of spine in the US Congress on issues of principle.

I think the usual forces of 'wasted' vote-ism/why bother-ism will boil it down to the two establishment candidates.

Good people will be largely too disgusted to vote in the general election. Giuliani will corner the large Idiot and Armchair Warrior vote, and win.

[Krill]

I give them a chance. It is just alot smaller than 1...

[David Floyd]

From that POV, it just proves that the American electorate is, by and large, stupid.

I see a glimmer of hope, though, in the sense that Ron Paul is doing quite well. He is about as far removed from a traditional candidate of EITHER party as you can get. Not that he has a chance, and not that a lot of people agree with ALL of his positions, but I think a lot of what he has to say is striking a chord with voters.

[Theben]

The only reason the Republicans win elections at all is b/c the only people they have to beat are Dems...

[GePap]

Wow, this is sure a premature thread, given the small and skewed sample set in the other thread....

[Admiral]

I would be very surprised in the GOP retained the presidency in 2008. Well, maybe not very surprised.

[DaShi]

Well, poly is hardly a microcosm of the US. Also, most of the people here predicting a republican win are either professed conservatives (republicans) or in denial.

Frankly the Republican candidates are extremely weak. So much so that an underfunded nobody is now taking the lead in Iowa. Lack of trust is the big issue they have. Romney suffers from massive flipflopping and insincerity. Giuliani have been caught making up more data than Lou Dobbs. And McCain, the most likable of them all, is a trainwreck. All of this leads to Huckabee coming out on top. However, I doubt that he'll be able to carry an election given his position on immigration and lack of position on everything other than religion. I doubt that he'll have the connections that Bush did to stea. . .um . . .dang. . .steal the presidency.

[Krill]

Underfunded =| Unelectable.

[DaShi]

I didn't say he was unelectable because he is underfunded. He's unelectable for a slew of other reasons.

[Krill]

true enough

[DanS]

Just looking at the facts, the Dems have a great chance to win this one.

However, history is not on the Dems' side in that few senators have managed to win presidential races in the past. I have my opinons about why this is so, but in the end we don't know why being a senator is such a poor springboard to the presidency.

[Krill]

Because no one hates establihed politicians?

[Flubber]

Originally posted by DanS
Just looking at the facts, the Dems have a great chance to win this one.

However, history is not on the Dems' side in that few senators have managed to win presidential races in the past. I have my opinons about why this is so, but in the end we don't know why being a senator is such a poor springboard to the presidency.

It is odd since they should have a better chance to have a national profile than governors for instance

[SlowwHand]

Re: Why is no one giving the Dems a chance in '08?

Originally posted by David Floyd

I don't think the Democrats have a shot in hell. What do you guys think?

Ditto.