Have the silent candidates disqualified themselves?

[jgraz]

This from KO's commentary tonight. Biden's right out, IMHO (as if he were ever "in"), but what about the candidates who have said nothing about the Iraq Collapse? Have they shown themselves to be unfit to lead?

[MADem]

1. Other: If you think ANYONE will remember this shit in October 08, you're dreaming. NT

[jgraz]

2. You're wrong. The base will remember.

And the base will stay home. Hello Rethug majority.

[MADem]

8. I dunno. I find "the base" has short memories when it suits them.

And I don't see voter demotivation as an issue for the Democrats. For the GOP, sure. But things will have to go batshit upsidedown before the Dems stay home. They're more than ready for a Dem president, even if Bozo the Fucking Clown ends up getting the nom.

Hell, plenty of GOP are ready for a Dem president too, though they might not admit that to their fellows....

[jgraz]

13. You must be thinking about a different base than I am

I'm talking about the left-wing "base" that usually sits out the midterms because no one is speaking to their needs. The "base" that came to the polls this time because they thought it was so freaking important to stop this war. They won't forget. And they won't be there in 2008.

[MADem]

14. That isn't a base. That is a wing. And they'll be there. Along with the base, which is comprised

of primarily moderates and centrists, and even a cadre of conservative Democrats, who don't withhold their votes when they don't get their way on every issue. They're old, over 40, certainly, over 60, lots of them, and they make it a point to vote.

In times like these, we can lead, follow, or get out of the way. I think the first two are the way to go, and anyone who can't deal can take option three.

The few "my way or the highway" people who have no intention of voting in the upcoming (NATIONAL, PRESIDENTIAL) contests because things aren't going the way they want them to really DO need to get out of the way, so those of us who are working for change can do what we need to do to secure a meaningful Democratic majority that is large enough so we can actually GOVERN.

Immature people who stomp their foot and take their ball and go home can't be counted on in any event--they're unreliable; and I personally think you're ascribing an unfair and false characterization to the entire left wing of the party in a rather broad brush fashion.

Maybe your set of friends are feeling that "My Way or the Highway" attitude, but I don't think most voters, liberal or otherwise, are as eager as you to give up on the process at this early stage. Anyone who is threatening to withhold their vote at this point in the process is probably an unreliable and undependable voter anyway.

[Greyhound]

16. LOL! You're so funny... n/t

[Greyhound]

15. I'd gladly take Bozo over the likely nominees. n/t

[splat]

Really, remember the tortoise and the hare

Permanent campaign fever is not the way of most voters. This is insider sport. Too many events lie ahead, and there are twists we cannot foresee that can elevate or sink any of them.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

3. Absolutely

If they don't have the courage to lead on this they are not fit to lead the ship of state through the troubled waters the next president will have to navigate as a result of the damage Bush has done.

[rucky]

4. The showdown has been postponed until September.

whether we like it or not. There's still a (small) window for redemption.

[ValiantBlue]

6. This is true

But as of now that silence is worrisome to me. :(

[rucky]

11. Welcome to the DU!

:hi:

[illinoisprogressive]

5. i just posted saying obama told reporters he wanted to read the thing first

he did not want to say anything until he saw the bill. then he would comment.
he likes to have his information first. So, we will see what goes tomorrow.

[jgraz]

7. Why does he need more information at this point

Has he not thought through his position yet? How can Edwards and Dodd speak with authority on the subject while Obama still needs more time? Is he a slow reader?

[MADem]

9. Because he's no fool. He may have his plane break down if he has to.

Politics is politics. Bitter reality is bitter reality. Who's funding him? What are their priorities? How many defense industries are located in his home state? How many of those folks are supporting him?

All I can say is, when ANYONE tells you how they "would have" voted, take that shit with a grain of salt. The telling tale is how people actually vote, and how they explain how they've voted, and why.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

10. Focus grouping takes time?

Kerry, Feingold, and Kucinich have also come out against capitulation.

[Tellurian]

12. Oh, yeah-

Obama's last statement after a meeting with McConnell and Bush was they had negotiated a compromise, "Benchmarks"!

Whoop-teedo!