Question about potential '08ers and the '06 elections

[CarolNYC]

Hearing about the conversation PA’s Patrick Murphy had with Wes Clark when Clark stopped by to meet with him on the way to Kosovo (which Murphy spoke of on AAR the other night) made me wonder.

Murphy told of how when he told Clark he was ready to go for Clark ‘08, Wes told him to not be thinking about that yet. They had to worry about ‘06 and getting Murphy elected. And that is his response when he’s asked about running at appearances or when meeting with supporters. He will allow that he hasn’t ruled it out but he always brings the conversation back around to ‘06 and how THAT’s what’s important now. I believe he told Murphy that 2008 was “irrelevant,” which is a pretty strong statement. And he told us at the Soros fundraiser that he’s more interested in people donating to the campaigns of the ‘06 candidates right now than donating to his PAC. He wants “as little as necessary” so as not to take away from the candidates who are running now. His focus is ALWAYS on ‘06, apparently even in private conversation with folks like Patrick who want to support him in ‘08.

So now I’m wondering, as I don’t follow these other guys as closely as I follow Wes, when the other folks who are being talked about as potential ‘08ers are asked about running, do any of the others do what Wes does and bring it back around to ‘06 and how important these elections are? Does Biden do that, does Hillary, does Edwards, does Russ or Richardson or Warner or Bayh or Gore or Kerry (who I know has been working hard for ‘06 candidates) or any of the others? Or, when asked this question is it all about them and ‘08, whether they’re being coy or hinting at a run or denying they will run or whatever?

And, as I said, I know that Kerry has been out there for the ’06 candidates…How about any of the others? Are they making appearances at fundraisers, etc. or just hiring staff and collecting money and lining up support for '08?

Thanks!

(BTW, how cool is this whole Kosovo trip? A real American hero going to a foreign land where he’s being honored and greeted with flowers and addressing the parliament. As Hotline’s Chuck Todd says “He’s about the only Dem in the race who can travel to (and boast about) a country he saved from ethnic cleansing.”…..

Except he’s not quite ‘in the race’ yet.)

[NYCGirl]

1. Gore was recently in Florida campaigning for Nelson at "the scene of

the crime" so to speak.

[CarolNYC]

2. that's good to hear...

Thanks.

How about when he's asked if he's going to run in '08? It seems like he's asked that question a lot lately. Does he ever bring up 2006 elections and their importance then?

[CarolNYC]

3. So does this mean no?

When 2008 is brought up to all of these others, they don't turn the focus on the '06 elections but keep the focus on themselves and their '08 Presidential aspirations? That's too bad, as these '06 elections are so important, but I guess not unexpected. *#*$*@ self centered politicians! Well, at least Clark is out there reminding folks about the importance of '06 every chance he gets.

[MH1]

4. Well, you mentioned Kerry - he is on '06 big time. As for the others,

I can't speak for them, but it seems they'd be smart to be spreading some chits around to cash in later. What would I know, though.

I will tell you, Kerry has come out big for many folks in PA - including Patrick Murphy. I thought he raised money for both Murphy's (PA-06 and PA-08) before Wes did - I might be wrong, but if I am right then I'm a bit annoyed with Mr. Murphy. I still want him to win though!

BTW has Clark endorsed Joe Sestak (PA-07) yet?

[CarolNYC]

7. Endorsing Joe Sestak...

Not that I know of....In fact, he hasn't endorsed Murphy yet either.

I don't know that Wes has raised money for Murphy yet. I just know he stopped by to talk with him on his way to Kosovo.

I'm not sure what you're annoyed about though. Are you upset that Murphy talked about supporting Clark in '08 even after Kerry had raised money for him "before Wes did"? Is that the way it's supposed to go, that you're supposed to be obligated to support whoever who has raised money for you first in the next election? That doesn't necessarily sound right to me....See, this is what bothers me. It makes it sound as if the only reason the potential '08ers would help someone out who's running now would be to lock in their support for when they run again....It's all about the one who wants to run in '08 and not about the guy who's running now. '08's a long way off....We really really need to win now.

As for Kerry, I know he's been out there stumping for people. I was just curious as to his response when people bring up his running again in '08.

Thanks.

[wyldwolf]

5. I haven't heard any potential 08 candidates talk themselves up

..and there has only been one official announcement.

[CarolNYC]

6. I don't really mean talk themselves up....

just keeping the focus on themselves....know what I mean? There's a difference there.

I don't know, it just strikes me every time I hear Wes move the conversation to '06 whenever '08 comes up. And it struck me again when I heard he'd done it with Murphy too....

Just curious because, I must say, I'm not really that well versed in politics and the way things are usually done and all of that.

BTW, who's the official announcement?

Thanks!

[wyldwolf]

8. don't recall his name. Some other DUer will. Former AK Senator...

..but even Joe Biden, who has mentioned twice he might run, will only give the standard, "i'm thinking about it" reply before changing the subject.

[blm]

10. From what I've heard the work has been for 06 - but, I mostly follow

Kerry, Clark, Edwards, and Kucinich - I heard DK has no plan to run, but, I've been following him since I was in high school, and I'm not about to stop. ;)

[blm]

9. Kerry and Clark have been on the same page on this - I think it's because

they spent alot of time out there all over the country, and know that the Dem infrastructure was weak in too many states. 2008 is NOT going to happen for anybody unless Dems work to strengthen every area and elect more Dems to help make it happen.

I see that alot of the 2004 primary candidates are pretty much acting the same way, because seeing the deteriorated party infrstructure up close the way they did, how can they NOT work to change it for the good of the party and the good of this nation.

I applaud them all - they act more like a team than most. You don't hear them knocking down other Democrats to glorify themself, as if they are the only ones speaking out. You never hear them say that "Democrats are too scared ... or too beholden... or too whatever...." while patting themselves on the back. That's just too blatantly political. And feeds off the media perception that Dems have no plans, or Dems don't speak up. They do. They just get little airplay from the corporate media.