The best democrat candidate?

[Gustaf]

I vote for Edwards. I don't think he will actually beat Bush, but he would have the best chance. He is different enough, good-looking and has the Southern accent as well as the poor background.

[Gustaf]

Gustaf. Yes he will!

Well, one can always hope, I guess...

[Gustaf]

OK...who voted for Sharpton?

[Gustaf]

I'm voting Lieb, but Edwards could be close. I like Sharpton because he connects with most average Americans on issues like not having a clue what the Federal Reserve is. Also, the dems haven't run a racist for president since 1972 (when Wallace ran before he was shot). Nice to hear that stuff treated with respect by the Democratic party again.

If you couldn't tell, this post was sarcastic. Could you tell?

I could. Wallace ran in 1976 as well, in a wheel-chair, and actually got 3rd place in Masschusetts, beating Carter! He lost to Carter in Florida though, and then in North Carolina and had to drop out. He did win MS and Alabama though.

[Gustaf]

The more I think about it the more Kerry ties with Edwards in electability.  I think Edwards is a sort of Clinton figure but without Clinton's intelligence and depth of knowledge, and with the Trail Lawyer stigma attached.  On the whole I'm not sure he'd be any better than Kerry once Bush gets his campaign going and starts negative ads.  Kerry is left wing, but then again so is Edwards.  Edwards wouldn't win any southern states accept WV if you count that as Southern.  And I think Kerry would do just as well as Edwards in WI, MN, IA, OH, and PA, which is where the election will be decided.  Ok I'll include MO in that line-up though I really think it is securely Bush.  

The only thing Edwards has going for him is the Southern accent and the attractive appearance.  He is definitely not confidence inspiring, which will I think be even more important than inspiring a 'feel good' response.  The Clinton slimy but likeable appeal worked better in an era of peace and prosperity - I don't think Edward's Clitonesque strategy will work as well in an era of threats and anxiety.  Kerry seems reliable, and that is important right now with 'independents'.

I'd say these are the liabilities with Edwards, but Kerry is an ugly robot! Sorry, I just have to say that...I don't know if Americans vote for that, but apparently they may. Edwards has an out-sider, poor Soutnern boy appeal that might work. But Edwards is a risk strategy that might work, but could fall flat, Kerry is more of a safe, generic Democrat.

[Gustaf]

Well Bush had no foreign policy experience in 2000 and allowed himself to be surrounded by ideologues, but that doesn't seem to have hurt him. He also had basically no political experience before running for Governor in 1994, and that wasn't even a national office like Edwards has, plus he didn't (maybe still doesnt) know what Slovenia was, so he really didn't know very much either.

How many Americans know what Slovenia is?

[Gustaf]

and really how many care?

Well Bush had no foreign policy experience in 2000 and allowed himself to be surrounded by ideologues, but that doesn't seem to have hurt him. He also had basically no political experience before running for Governor in 1994, and that wasn't even a national office like Edwards has, plus he didn't (maybe still doesnt) know what Slovenia was, so he really didn't know very much either.

How many Americans know what Slovenia is?

Most people don't care about anything, hence most people don't know anything, but that isn't really that relevant. Is it OK for me to be ignorant, b/c I don't care?

Now, you will say that Slovenia is not the world's most important country, and that's correct, but it still doesn't make it completely OK to not know stuff.