Who Will Save The Democrats?

May 7, 2003

Pay attention, folks.   The next year and a half will be an interesting history lesson for us all.   This upcoming campaign year is eerily shaping up like 1992.   We have a President Bush coming off a successful war in the Gulf.   He seems invincible with poll numbers near record highs.  

Meanwhile, the serious Democratic contenders have bowed out, fearing no chance of triumphing over a popular president.   Al Gore has withdrawn his name from consideration.   What’s left is a comical assembly of presidential wannabes who fall all over each other trying to outdo the other in Bush-bashing.   They sound the same old liberal alarms of mediscare and social insecurity if the Republicans remain in power.

John Kerry, who was thought to have the best chance, has turned out to be nothing more than a rehash of old, stale ideas.   Instead of establishing his own vision for America he has borrowed from the very worst of the liberal ideals, sounding more like Walter Mondale than Mondale himself.

Senator John Edwards, with his boyish good looks, was expected to at least elevate himself to vice-presidential consideration.   Instead, his wooden delivery is reminiscent of Al Gore.  

Senator Bob Graham of Florida is the Paul Tsongas of this campaign.   Rebounding from cancer, he’s setting about the task of convincing everyone he’s healthy enough to hold office.   While focusing his attention on the current president, he understands he must also take swipes at the Democratic frontrunners in order to stay in the hunt.

Joe Lieberman is as he was in the 2000 campaign; a decent man with minimal personality and just enough moderate views to make him wholly unpalatable to the Democratic hierarchy.  

Al Sharpton, the only one of the lot with any personality, is engaging in the manner of a carnival barker.   His appeal is along the lines of a terrible highway accident.   It’s hideous but you just can’t look away.   You feel as though you’re being shaken down just watching him.

But don’t feel sorry for the Democrats.   Public opinion can turn on a dime.   One person who understands that is President Bush.   He is keenly aware that wartime popularity can evaporate overnight.   He understands that people vote based on their financial perceptions and he’s busy doing something about it.   He has proposed – over and over again – tax cuts that will stimulate the economy.   Still, the Democrats, and even some in his own party, refuse to learn the lessons of the Reagan administration where the tax rates were cut and revenue almost doubled during the 1980s.  

What this president is not counting on is the wild card on the Democratic side.   Once the public tires of the Babbling Nine vying for the presidency, one candidate will show up to save the party.   No, not Al Gore.   Not Jesse Jackson.   Please.  

The Babbling Nine evoke the memory of the Clinton presidency every chance they get.   They pine for the good old days of a sound economy even though the economic upturn of the ‘90s began 18 months before Clinton took office.   If the Democrats want Bill Clinton, why not give them the next best thing?   The candidate in whom the desperate Democrats will place all of their hopes and dreams will be Hillary Clinton.   Not in Oh-Eight.   In Oh-Four.