Democrats Debate in Iowa

As the area's favorite Knick turned Senator, Bill Bradley, endorses Howard Dean, Gothamist decided to read about the Democratic debate in Iowa yesterday. The Times' David Halbfinger noted the absence of Al Sharpton, "For sheer comedic appeal, the Democratic presidential debate on Sunday was short a Sharpton..." Ah, Lorne Michaels was so on the ball in asking the Reverend to host SNL. Unintentional funniness seems to have come from one John Kerry supporter held a sign saying, "J.K. all the way," which at first seems like "Just Kidding all the way to the caucus," and the name of The Des Moines Register editor who moderated the debate: Paul Anger, who told Dean and Joseph Lieberman "to take it outside, if you need to.'" Ah, there's nothing like missing a boring debate where the Democrats don't come any closer to figuring out who can challenge Dean.

A transcript of the debate. And New York magazine says there's a new breed of Young Republicans in New York.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 5, 2004 3:42 PM

Comments [rss]

Sterling

Seems like every four years New York Magazine, or the Times, or some other NYC parochial publication realizes that there are actually some Republicans living in Manhattan, and profiles them. I've read this "young Republicans in Manhattan" concept at least twice before. Yawn.

ABJ

james has a good point. clarke is the only candidate who can take GOP votes. kerry, dean, etc. just can't. thus, i think a clarke-dean ticket would be a strong ticket.

james

You have to remember, all of the momentum Dean has is from people planning to vote in the primary elections, all Democrats and mostly loyal Democrats. His vehemence will win him few Republican converts, drive away a significant number "on the fence" votes and alienate the Clinton crowd. It won't be enough to be anti-Bush, one of the candidates is going to have to be pro-something.

Christa

In the last election, toppling Bush should have been as easy as saying "Read my lips...(insert ironic comment about the bad old days here)". I cling to the notion that the Dems couldn't be that stupid, twice.

Hoofin

It has to do with the electoral college. Apparently, the belief is that Dean can get a sizeable number of electors, and the real question is could he obtain the balance that he'd need to beat Bush.

You have to remember, that in 1988 Dukakis almost beat George Bush. I think 1/2 a percent overall (or 500,000 votes about) would have put Dukakis just over the top. Richard Nixon wrote an Op-Ed piece in the Times about this shortly after that election.

The popular wisdom out there just sees the chaos of the Democratic primary system and throws up its hands. Fact is, it's been chaos since 1972. The previous method was party bosses and Lyndon Johnson doing the picking.

I think Howard Dean has done a smash-up job in nailing down this nomination well before any of the primaries even began. Contrary to the current view, I think Dr. Dean has been in control all along, with a plan of action. And now it just needs to be seen how well he can sell to middle America.

This one will be very close.

Greg S.

I'm a Republican, didn't get to read the NY mag article yet, but I get teased all the time from my coworkers and friends, in a light-hearted manner though, for my support of President Bush.

I personally don't know too many Republicans though.

Mainly my friends joke with me about how Republicans are evil but they don't hold my being a Republican against me.

I even wear my Bush-Cheney '04 hat everywhere I go and it doesn't cause much notice besides an occasional "How can you wear that?" by some young Democrat.

New Yorkers are mature enough to respect an individual's ideas and political beliefs.

Jake of 8bitjoystick.com

Chris there is no way that Senator Clinton or President Clinton want for more years of MisLeadership from Bush.

Chris

Not sure Dean can win if he keeps picking fights with the Clinton wing of the party. I can't understand why Dems (see Gore 2000) keep refusing to embrace the positive parts of the Clinton legacy, e.g. the economic successes, instead of calling Clintonites the "Republican wing of the Democratic Party".

As it stands, I can't see Bubba or Hillary giving Dean anything but a lukewarm endorsement, if that, hoping he falls flat on his face. A Bush win in '04 helps HRC in four years to swoop in as the "savior" of the party, IMO, running against an open field instead of a sitting Democratic president.

Coolfer

Dukasis probably won a lot of elections, too. Until that last one. Dean, don't go around riding in a tank and you might have a chance...unless there's a Willie Horton in your past.

I fell asleep to a PBS replay of that debate. Sure it was late, but I have a feeling I would have fallen asleep no matter the time. It had its good moments, but the standard dodging-of-the-question and getting-off-topic-to-cram-in-a-few-rehearsed-lines can really kill a good political debate.

Jake of 8bitjoystick.com

In over twenty years of politics Dean has never lost an election. He is the only one who can beat Bush.

james

Dean would get slaughtered in a general election with Bush. Traction in New york is not traction in middle America. The Dems need somebody better - they need credibility.