If not Hillary Clinton as president, then who?

[praxiz]

I'm interested in discussing what alternatives to Hillary Clinton there really are in the Democratic Party at this point. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to me. Everybody knows who she is, those who already love her won't bail out on her and in two years, why wouldn't people have gotten used to the idea of a female president?

I don't think Dean could win a nomination again, and I don't think he should run either. He's too vocal for presidency, but he's definetly needed in the DNC.

Maybe Kerry, but that's a big maybe.

And for those who support the idea of Clinton running in 2008, who do you think should be her runningmate?

[StatsBabe]

1. How about John Edwards?

He's smart, experienced, well educated, articulate (I love to hear him speak!) and has progressive ideas. Why not John Edwards?

:hi:

[bowens43]

2. It's still a bit early for this.

Who had heard of Bill Clinton before the 1992 primaries?

Time for new blood.

[katmondoo]

3. Al Gore

[hiaasenrocks]

4. Gore '08

[demnan]

5. My family have been discussing this one a lot

Actually, Mark Warner, out-going Governor of Virginia would be a good choice. He is not against guns, from the south and a man, therefore, electable down here. Also Virginia is the most fiscally sound state in the nation, and it had been ruined by a Republican loony prior to Warner getting in. Even the Republicans liked him, enough, I guess to elect the Democratic Lt. Governor as the next Governor. Mark has coattails, and coattails are so important.

I like Hiliary mostly for the piss-off factor, but I have to admit, Mark Warner stands a better chance, once he gets his name out there in the popular consciousness.

[karynnj]

16. It will be interesting to see how he improves on foreign policy

and on issues with the national government. He has time to learn, but from the initial interviews, I'm not impressed. I also was very put off by his comment on both the Republicans and Democrats being too partisan in Congress. Having watched Democrats on CSPAN trying to pass even common sense legislation it's clear that they are reaching out to anyone willing to work with them.

Having seen John Kerry and his staff quickly write an emergency relief bill for small businesses hit by Katrina (where even the head of small business administration agreed to most of it when grilled by Kerry) only to have it slowed down every step of the way. There were also games - the bill started with Kerry as sponsor, then Kerry-Landreau, then when combined with some of her provisions it was Kerry-Snowe, then Snowe-kerry (where Snowe still credited Kerry as author). AS IT WAS VOTED on it became Snowe-Vitter. Then it passed 96-0 (Kerry obviously agreed to remove his name to gain passage.) The house version passed with similar margins.

All of that would be obnoxious, but not dysfunctional. The bill then had a hold put on it because the Bush administration disagrees with a small number of elements. So this bill to provide emergency relief is still not out 4 1/2 months after the hurricane.

So, Warner can cavalierly say that he worked well with Republicans in Virginia and Congress should too - but it makes him appear either poorly informed or oblivious to the real barriers that people are facing there. It sounds pompous to me.

[SharonRB]

6. Al Gore

After yesterday, he's proven he's the best choice. We just have to get him to be willing to run.

Hillary cannot win -- she's too divisive within the party, leave alone with the rest of the population.

[madokie]

11. Al Gore President and whoever he wants as Vice-President

We already know that Al is one smart cookie. not to mention honest

[SharonRB]

15. Exactly!

Although I'd like to see Clark, Boxer, or Feingold as VP. Kerry would never do it, but he'd be okay in my book, too. We'd then have two presidential-caliber people who were both previously elected, but never got to serve. Sort of like a co-presidency.

[txindy]

22. I find myself agreeing with every one of your points

Well said. :toast:

[SharonRB]

31. Thanks, txindy! n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

24. Al Gore!

Clark or Edwards as VP (we need Boxer in the Senate)

[SharonRB]

32. I like Clark, but I don't think Edwards has enough

experience.

[MemphisTiger]

18. I agree 110% with you

he's already won once. I say pick Clark or Richardson as his VP.

[sandnsea]

7. Lots of good choices

Clark, Kerry, Feingold, Edwards, and even Kitzhaber if he could be persuaded to run. Whoever it is, it would be a dang sight easier if we were laying the groundwork for a new vision of America between now and then, figure out how to eliminate the objections on abortion, guns, unions, taxes, low income programs, etc.

[BlueEyedSon]

9. Yeah, lots. No more dynastic presidencies, please!

[Armstead]

8. Edwards, Clark Feingold or some unknown quantity

Of the current usual suspects, I think either Clark or Edwards or Feingold could offer viable alternatives.

I like Kucinich, but IMO he'd be more effecitve as a leader of the progressive movement of Dems than a presidential candidate.

I also like dean, butI think he has too much baggage at this point, and he is much more effective as an organizer. Would love to see him in the Senate someday, when Lehey retires. (I hope bernie Sanders wins the otehr seat and lives forever.)

[Burma Jones]

10. Mark Warner for President

Hillary Clinton for Distinguished, Powerful and Long Serving Senator.

Warner fixed a big mess in Virginia, he will have a far bigger mess to fix if he gets elected President, but he is definitely up to the task.

[Frances]

20. Agree

If the Dem primaries were held in the next couple of months, I think Warner would emerge as the winner because he is the Dem with the best chance of winning the general election.

Warner is a candidate that I think will appeal to both independents and moderate Repubs as well as mainstream Dems. I think the country is tired of being divided and I think Warner will have Eisenhower like appeal. I think he's someone who doesn't polarize.

[slor]

12. Feingold...

'nuff said.

[jsamuel]

17. viable and from Wisconsin

[Skidmore]

13. Someone outside of Congress or the Senate.

[MemphisTiger]

19. Good point, legislators don't seem to do well

for the WH spot. Pick a govenor or past VP, I'm thinking Gore.

[Clark2008]

14. Wesley Clark

No senate record to get beamed over the head with.
A liberal seen as a moderate who could actually flip some red/purple states to blue.
Experience in war time (and has been 100 percent correct about Iraq).
Masters degree in economics and time served in the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Executive experience as supreme allied commander with NATO.
Respected worldwide.
Is of Jewish heritage, but still respected by Muslims for saving them in Kosovo.
Raised Southern Baptist, switched to Catholic, but attends Presbyterian services.
A gentlemen.
No personal skeletons in his closet.
Has experience via Faux News in speaking the truth to those who have never heard it before (because they watch Faux News).
The worst they've got is some vague general alleging he wanted to start WWIII, but that general was involved in the Bloody Sunday massacre, so who the fuck cares? And that he voted Republican many, many moons ago, which won't matter a hill of beans in a general election.

[nickinSTL]

21. There are lots of alternatives,

and no doubt many will surface before the primaries.

Admittedly, only Biden has declared so far, and between him and Clinton...I might have to go with Clinton.

I'd think there are several better possibilities already, though:

Wes Clark, John Edwards, Mark Warner, Al Gore, maybe Brian Schweitzer...

[malta blue]

23. Okay, I will put the flame suit on....

Hillary would be the worst choice we could make if we want to win. The people who hate her, REALLY hate her. The religious right will never get over the Monica thing, and they cannot separate Hillary from Bill. And, this has nothing to do with the gender of our president. It is a shame that the US has yet to elect a woman president.

If the Democrats want to win, we need to choose someone who can present a UNIFIED party platform. That is the biggest problem we have. Our current leaders are caught up in the "culture of corruption" as much as we hate to admit it. Gore's speech yesterday detailed all of the problems that our current leaders fail to make for fear of losing constituency.

We need someone who is not afraid to go out on a limb.

We need someone who will offer alternatives to the Repuke agenda, not just criticize it, and to date, I have not heard alternatives from Hillary, Kerry or Edwards.

[Apollo11]

25. It's gotta be Gore!

Simply because there ain't nobody who'd make a better President than Al Gore!

He has intelligence, experience, values, principles, knowledge ...

www.algore.org
:)

[SaveElmer]

26. I am a strong Hillary supporter...but I would say...

We have an excellent crop of worthy candidates. I believe Hillary would make the best candidate and President. But I would have no hesitation supporting just about anyone that has been mentioned, and think they would all make fine candidates and Presidents. Other than Hillary I think Edwards and Warner will make a strong run. If Clark gets in he too could be formidible.

[Ilsa]

27. Consider Wes Clark.

Resume includes military service, foreign diplomatic skills, educated in philosophy, economics, political science, etc. A tolerant man who loves our nation and Constitution.

[jsamuel]

28. FOR THE LOVE OF... It is 3 years away... calm down

I am sure there is SOMEONE out of 300 million Americans that could be a good candidate for president and not be named Clinton.

[in_cog_ni_to]

29. Al Gore, Wes Clark, Barbara Boxer, John Conyers, Diane Feinstein

:rofl::rofl::JUST KIDDING with DiFi!:rofl::rofl:

Russ Feingold or anyone from the Black Caucus. I see NO OTHER Democrats who are worthy of my support and vote.

[DanCa]

30. Dick Gephardt - psyche.

The answer is simple General Wes Clark. He can get the votes in both the blue and red states to give us the white house. And dont by the lies that Clark supported the iraq occupation. That's just done by freepers and posers to swiftboat and besmirch this wonderful and noble man's character.