GEPHARDT

George Will argues that Dick Gephardt, whom he says as “the Democrat who would be the most formidable candidate against President Bush” and “the most plausible president in the Democratic field” is also the candidate likely to emerge on top. I still think the sober, moderate qualities that Will sees as Gephardt’s strength are precisely why he won’t be very appealing to the Democrat nominating electorate. We shall see.

FILED UNDER: 2004 Election,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. joy says:

    Well the Dems (as a party) need to realize that bringing in a candidate who does nothing but criticize the other guy isn’t going to win them votes either.

    Personally, I find the cries of “no more Bush-lite” tiresome because those supporters of Dean, Kuchinch, et al. are failing to realize that you need to have crossover appeal to win an election.

  2. James Joyner says:

    True. But I don’t know how strategically primary voters think. They likely won’t vote for an obvious loser, but they’re not necessarily going to vote for the most plausible general election candidate, either.

    I heard Elinor Clift yesterday on McLaughlin Groupshe thought Dean was going to take it. Granted, she’s a shrill idiot. But the idea of the Dems nominating Dean sends Republicans dancing in the streets.