2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: THIS is who they want to put in the Whitehouse? Really?!? [View all]strategery blunder
(4,225 posts)The 2004 election was the first presidential election year that I was old enough to vote. At the time I was disgustipated at how easily and readily the Democrats kowtowed to Bush. Not just on foreign policy, but domestic issues as well. I was a Howard Dean supporter.
Then the Dean Scream happened. Or rather, the "Dean Scream" happened. We were told endlessly that Kerry was the "strong" candidate, the war hero, the one who could defeat Bush. He was respectable and electable! Unfortunately, he was also a don't-rock-the-boat candidate who voted for IWR. By the time I got to vote in the primary (MO at the time), Kerry was all but a shoo-in for the nod.
I volunteered for Kerry and canvassed for him in STL in the general. But ultimately, where did the safe establishment candidate get us? Meh turnout (and don't blame me, I not only voted, I volunteered for the Dem). Another four years of Bush.
Moreover, Kerry and McGovern both ran against incumbents. This is an open election. Hillary is, like Kerry, the candidate of meh, for reasons that JDPriestly has already stated.
I think it's time to get over McGovern.