Electorally speaking...

[Doctor_J]

If it's Kerry v * in November, which of the following states are FEASIBLE for us?

NC
SC
TN
GA
AL
KY
AR
MO
OK
NM
AZ

Are we sure we want Kerry?

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. Kerry is DEAD in a GE

Bush Campaign Shifts Gears for Kerry
2 hours, 17 minutes ago
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Facing a new Democratic front-runner in John Kerry (news - web sites), President Bush (news - web sites)'s re-election campaign is quietly shifting gears, preparing for the possibility it will confront a war hero and current senator.
But the line of attack is the same: Whether Howard Dean (news - web sites) or Kerry, the Democrats' nominee would be a left-leaning New Englander who wants to "raise taxes" and reverse course on Iraq (news - web sites), campaign officials and Bush advisers say.
"This week's front-runner is very much like the front-runner of two weeks ago: a Northeast liberal who motivates his support based on anger and negativity," said Bush campaign spokesman Terry Holt.
At the same time, there is debate within Bush's administration and inside his re-election headquarters about how hard to strike at Kerry, of Massachusetts, who won the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
Some of Bush's political advisers take credit for successfully tarring Dean as an angry liberal, and are now suffering a kind of buyer's remorse. They wonder whether their criticism fueled the rise of Kerry — a more formidable candidate, in the estimation of some campaign officials.
He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, knowledgeable about domestic and foreign affairs, and has a certain gravitas and strength as a debater.


EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[eileen_d]

3. According to the article you posted, ALL Dems are DEAD in a GE

It's OK that you can't stand Kerry, but the talking points being used against Kerry in that article apply to most of the other Democratic candidates, not just Kerry.

Did you also miss the part where Kerry is called "a more formidable candidate, in the estimation of some campaign officials"?

Kerry's got as much chance as Clark and Edwards IMO.

[Moderator]

5. SmirkyMcChimpster

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
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Thank you.


DU Moderator

[LibDemAlways]

2. If Kerry is the nominee we

might have a slight chance in NM. If Clark was in the veep spot we might also have a chance in Arkansas. And to answer your question, I am sure I don't want Kerry.

[lcordero]

4. Dems had NM the last time out

The Dems barely won it by 360 votes. The Dems are going to have to make a deal with the New Mexico Greens.

TN was lost by 80,000 votes. I hope that it is not as solid a lock for the GOP as Florida is.

WV needs a good look too. Two Dems are Senators and the state goes to Republicans???

Kerry isn't an option, just like Bush*. If he appears on my ballot then I know that it is time to start looking at moving to another country.

[aldian159]

6. MO or OH

n/t

[Adjoran]

7. Of those states

only NM was won by Gore, and that by only 500 votes.

It would be a battleground again, no matter who the nominee is.

Only Arkansas offers much hope of those listed, if Clark or another southerner is on the ticket.

Louisiana is another possible candidate for takeover. Democrats have won the last two statewide elections there. The retirement of the very popular John Breaux makes that more difficult, though.

It is also a mistake to give up on Florida, although that state will be much more of an uphill climb this time.

North Carolina is unlikely to be in play, unless Edwards is on the ticket. Even that might not be enough. SC, GA, AL, OK, TN & KY are probably beyond hope.

A VP candidate like Bill Richardson could help by sewing up NM and California, and appealing to the growing Hispanic populations in states like Florida and Colorado.

[Langis]

8. Who ever it is

AZ is in play next year, I have a good feeling about it. Democratic governer and a lot of people pissed at Bush.