06/03/2002 Archived Entry: "Primaries tomorrow, Dean"
Primaries in 6 states tomorrow, and I'll try and do a running commentary as the results come in during the evening. First off, here's a link to my predictions on all the key races in Alabama, Iowa, New Mexico and South Dakota. Roll Call has a pretty good write-up on the primary races, the AP's more complete list is in the WA Post.
And look, a good write-up on Dean, favorably comparing his candidacy to Carter's, In the footsteps of Carter. I like Witcover's writings, what he doesn't note, is that Dean got into politics with Carters election. Right now, Vermont's governor may seem more a long shot than Jimmy Carter was in 1976. But if his party is looking for a new face who, like Bill Clinton, defies easy categorizing, Howard Dean fills the bill.
The AP chips in with some more exposure on Dean: And Dean's stock is rising. Slowly, but steadily. He received a big psychological boost last week when an in-depth ABC News analysis declared him one of two candidates with ''the only real potential'' to break into the top tier.
What the ABC analysis misses, though, is that Dean is a governor and a doctor - and that both those roles will play well with the electorate. All six in the ABC top tier are Washington insiders; four are U.S. senators; one is a former senator and vice president, and one is a member of the U.S. House.
Four of the last five presidents, including the incumbent, have been governors; few presidents have come from the Congress. And there is always a spot for a Washington outsider in a presidential campaign. In addition, voters feel a special kinship to a doctor, especially when the issues of the day include health care and children.
Replies: 3 comments
Interesting tuesday indeed. I hope the weakest candidate against Torch wins. We cannot afford to have Trent Lott as majority leader again. The New Mexico race on November 5 could have potential coattails..no, not George Bush's coattails. A Richardson landslided could carry the second and may be even the first district for the Democrats. In Alabama, I think Siegelman is the most vulnerable Democrat in the country. Hirono has a much better chance of winning in Hawaii than Siegelman in Alabama.
As far as Dean is concerned, I would not take Jules Witcover seriously. His motives are questionable and he is close to the beltway insiders who think that the GOP are going to win big across the country. Dean is not Jimmy Carter. First, Vermont has 1% minority population and very few blacks. Mr. Dean has not dealt with many minorities. Second, I do not think that Dean is as weak as Jimmy Carter was back in the late 1970s. It may be Witcover's wishful thinking but it is not reality. Yet, Dean may emerge to challenge Bush, and lookout for the GOP to paint him as a northeastern liberal. Of course, they would paint Evan Bayh as one too. But, it would not stick. Bayh never raised taxes anytime during his tenure. If Bayh is ever nominated, GOP is done. But, luckily for the GOP, he is not running in 2004. As
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/03/2002 05:27 PM PST
Are we about to sing the dirge for the GOP in California? Seems like these guys never learn.
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/154/nation/Anti_immigrant_measure_could_tilt_California_race+.shtml
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/03/2002 06:53 PM PST
Interesting story that many people do not relate to elections. If folks do not like what Ashcroft is doing, they do have a chance of voicing their disapproval...on November 5, 2002.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/762432.asp
Posted by G.C. Raj @ 06/05/2002 02:06 PM PST
