Is there a leader who could unite the leftist and centrist Dems

[leftofthedial]

under populist pro-worker themes?

Who?

[ulysses]

1. would centrists

unite under pro-worker themes behind anyone?

If there is such a person, I'd love to see him or her.

[leftofthedial]

14. you don't think middle-of-the-road dems are feeling the pinch

on jobs, the economy and the financial future of the middle class?

I believe his strong pro-labor positions are the main reason Kucinich is viewed as "unelectable," so it may not be a solvable problem

[ulysses]

17. I think they are

but I also think Clinton sold them on NAFTA-style trade agreements.

[leftofthedial]

24. I think the unemployment problems and falling median income

make it almost a no-brainer to kill the "free-trade" lie

[ulysses]

25. well, yeah.

I'm 100% in agreement with you. I just don't think that common sense will easily overcome the perception of anyone who criticizes these agreements as some kid with weird hair who lives in Seattle, and is therefore "not like me".

[Radical Activist]

2. Edwards had support from Kucinich near the end.

If someone from the south who has a populist message and support from moderates can get the support of someone as liberal as Kucinich and his supporters, then I'd say that is your answer. Edwards had some of the most powerful populist, pro-worker themes in the last primary. I believe he would have won in '04 had he been the nominee and I can't think of any better name to answer your question.

[Bobbieo]

5. Centrists and Leftists

Edwards was my choice in the last election but I still mourn the death of Jackie's son. He was the one who could have done it!!!

[Bobbieo]

8. Centrists and Leftists

Make that Clark and Edwards but JFK Jr. was the one man who could have pulled it all together.

[leftofthedial]

16. Edwards is the closest I could come

he was the only non-marginalized populist on the stage in 2004.

[laststeamtrain]

3. As long as you're talking themes and not actualities I have hopes for a...

Gore/Edwards ticket in '08.
A real populist leader may be out there and we don't even know their name.
The need to raise vast sums of money almost completely preclude a genuine populist.
Where would they get the money for the 'media buys'?

[longship]

15. How about Gore/Sibelius or Gore/Napolitano?

We need a minority or a woman on the ticket. I'd suggest Gore/Obama, but Obama I feel strongly that Obama needs a few more years in the Senate so he can mellow out.

Kathleen Sibelius is Gov of Kansas, a wonderful person, and an astute politician. I helped on her campaign for KS Insurance Comissioner when I was a district and state delegate.

I don't have to say much about Janet Napolitano. Arizonans already know how good she is.

Either one of these women would add substance and credibility to any ticket.

If I thought they could win at the head of the ticket, I would be advocating that, too.

[leftofthedial]

26. why do we need a woman or minority on the ticket?

I'm not disagreeing, just interested in your thoughts about it.

[longship]

27. Because it's about time that the Dem ticket reflects the populace.

This country is just over 50% women. A substantial minority of its citizens are non-caucasian.
Don't you think it's time to stop putting only white men in the top ticket?

There's no excuses for this. None.

Plus, I happen to think that these two women are particularly well qualified and would add substantially to the ticket. Both would be excellent Presidents.

I mean, really. Don't you more or less agree with me on this?

[leftofthedial]

28. I think we need the ticket with the best chance to win

if that ticket includes a woman or a person of color or both or neither, I'm all for it

[longship]

30. Check out Sibelius. She's very cool.

She works very well with the totally lunatic KS Repug party, getting tough with their extremist positions while encouraging moderate views. She's a popular Dem governor in a very red state. She is very charismatic.

BTW, Kansas has a long history of moderate governors from both parties. Until recently, their Senators have included moderates as well. Do you remember Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum(R-KS)? I crossed party and voted for her twice, this while I was a Dem party delegate. If only there were more Republicans in office like her now. We might not be in the pickle we're in.

I'm a fierce liberal, but I recognize the need to appeal to people of all political persuasions. The secret to winning is to not try to put up a seemingly ideological wall between the candidate and the voters. The top ticket should, to the best of our abilities, be balanced.

I'd like to hear from others on other possibles on the 2008 ticket. Still a little early, but it's fun to speculate.

[formernaderite]

38. considering the democrat party receives a super majority of the minority

vote each time...don't you think we should have more minorities representing the party? It's pretty disgraceful if you ask me.

[leftofthedial]

40. corporations apparently don't want to be represented

by women or minorities

[leftofthedial]

18. are you saying no mainstream Dem could be a populist

due to corporate influence on campaign financing?

[laststeamtrain]

29. I guess, yes I am saying that.

There's a basic absurdity to it.

Kucinich to DOD contractor corporate entity:

"Hi, I'm DK. Would you like to contribute to my campaign. I'm planning on creating a permanent cabinet post and dept. devoted to non-violent conflict resolution and world peace."

DOD entity to DK: "Ah, thanks for stopping by. We'll get back to you on that."

If one's politics are such that they put 'people above profits', how are they to get the enormous amount of money necessary for a full out campaign?

I heard Gore Vidal say years ago that there should be no campaigning until a week or two before an election and then there should be nothing but campaigning. On all networks, all the time, no alternative to a discussion of substantial issues.
Unless we get the money out of campaigns I can't see how we'll ever get a true progressive candidate. Only symbolic candidates and discussions of such vital issues as flag-burning and what other people do in their bedrooms, etc.

I'd love to hear a new new deal candidate, but where would I hear them?

The neocon/big oil policy of 'projecting the American hegemon' makes the ruling/investing class too much money. That's who establishment politicians serve.

[Lefty48197]

4. Russ Feingold

He's clearly a liberal, while also being quite pragmatic, and he never sounds excessively emotional. I think he will play well in front of a national audience. He's definately running.

[Barak And Roll]

7. Amen

Feingold is a freethinker who can unite many of the fractured elements of society.

[Lefty48197]

11. Which brings me to my next point...

Feingold/Obama

[0007]

21. That sounds good.

[leftofthedial]

22. would that ticket alienate centrists?

[guidod]

10. Another amen...

[leftofthedial]

20. that will be welcome

[Mojambo]

6. Centrist Dems or DLC corporate shill democrats?

One I can work with, the other... not so much.

[jonnyblitz]

9. is there a difference? nt

[MercutioATC]

12. Yes, there is.

I consider myself a centrist Dem, but I'm certainly not a DLC supporter.

[jonnyblitz]

31. I probably wouldn't consider you a centrist.

I guess it's all subjective.

[MercutioATC]

32. I'd agree...it's very subjective.

I don't see "centrist Democrat" as a bad thing, though....just a middle range between "way liberal Dem" and "way conservative Dem".

[jonnyblitz]

33. i think i label centrist as conservative, i would probably

consider you a moderate. when i think of centrist i think of the whole political spectrum, not the center of just the democratic party spectrum. that could be why i view the label differently. interesting.

[MercutioATC]

35. I think it's how one emphasizes "centrist".

I read your post as "centrist Democrat"...as in one who was in the center by Democratic standards.

I see that it could also be intended as describing a Democrat who stands in the center of the WHOLE political spectrum.

I'd agree that, by your definition, "centrist Democrat" takes on a less positive connotation.

:hi:

[leftofthedial]

13. I mean rank-and-file centrists

not the DLC. Only the repukes and the corporations can work with the DLC.

[AtomicKitten]

19. Al Gore. n/t

[leftofthedial]

23. he has been talking like that guy

in his rare recent speeches

[thatsrightimirish]

34. On the top of my head

Schweitzer

[Armstead]

36. Maybe.....Clark, Edwards, Dean, Feingold spring to mind

These are peope who could be considered mainstream moderates, if the Democratic poo-bahs could get get beyond the Media/GOP spin and instead start recognizing that liberal is actually mainstream and middle of the road.

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. sincerely now, I believe Al Gore would provide the most unity followed

by John Edwards.

As a someone of the democratic-left they both hold positions that I am not comfortable with. But dispassionately I do believe they would provide the most unity.

[Catchawave]

39. Edwards is working on the

state minimum wage initiatives now. That should cross party lines !

http://www.oneamericacommittee.com/minimumwage/