Eating Our Own Face, -how to lose the White House once again-

[mikekohr]

We as a party have lost 7 of the last 10 presidential elections. We are choosing the low ground once again on the the next battle field. With the most favorable political winds at our backs in 70 years, we are poised to once again to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

And if you think losing 7 of 10 presidential election is pitiful, and it certainly is, consider the fact that Jimmy Carter eked out a victory based on the American public's disgust with the Nixon legacy, and Bill Clinton twice rode into office enabled by the presence of Ross Perot on the ballot. We could have easily been shut out of the White House for the last 40 years.

Senator McCain is no push-over. He appeals to the very demographics that determine presidential elections: moderates and independents. In spite of the prevailing political winds he can win in November given the polarizing and divisive nature of our primary race.

After Iowa, the Clinton Camp had to stop the run-away train that was the Obama phenomenon. The "kitchen sink," campaign was thrown under the wheels of the Obama freight train,but unfortunately for our party, our chances for victory in November may have been in that sink. The "kitchen sink,' campaign has had results and consequences.

It is still mathematically possible for Hillary to win the nomination, but it is increasingly unlikely she can win the GE. Without huge pluralities and big turnout in the African-American demographic and an energized youth vote, any Democratic presidential candidate will struggle in November, and reduce or eliminate any coattails that would benefit the entire ticket.

I know that sounds a little cynical but I remind you of the words of Robert F. Kennedy, "You do not need to be a genius to be in politics but you do need to be able to count." Our party is a big tent. Every pole, stake, and section is dependant on the other to stand up in a wind. Tear one of these parts down and the entire thing falls apart. Division, distraction and subtraction during the primary season is one of the primary reasons we so consistently get our ass kicked in November.

Senator Clinton has trailed from day one, not because of her gender, but because the organization she put together, failed her as a candidate. She remains in the race because of her personal qualities of tenacity, determination, and strength. Her inability to instill her personal attributes into her organization explain why she is behind.

Obama has not been in the lead in this race, from the very beginning, because of his race. He has held the lead because of the superior organization and uplifting campaign he has put together. Senator Obama's organizational success' explain why he is ahead and provide insight as to what kind of a president he would be. But that is not the message American is seeing. All that is being overshadowed by the quadrennial spectacle of the Democratic Party gleefully eating itself into oblivion.

mike kohr

[Catch22Dem]

1. This is a very, very good post.

A belated welcome to DU.

FWIW, I'm an Obama supporter. Don't know if that's relevant.

[shrub chipper]

2. sad

but so true

[LisaL]

3. Maybe you didn't notice, but Obama got problems of his own.

[mikekohr]

5. The Same "Pastor" Problem McCain Has?

In case you didn't notice, Senator McCain has had some crazy comments coming from the religious leaders associated with him. Those loopy comments won't be held up like a bloody flag and waved in the face of America like we are doing in our primary. And that's why McCain is within a point or two of both of our candidates in head to head match ups.

McCain has pledged to run a positive campaign. He can afford to. 527's, and 501c's will do the dirty work for him, aided by our own self destructive desire to pour gas over ourselves and strike a match.

mike kohr

[LisaL]

6. I am not planning to vote for McCain, so what freaking difference

does it make to me what McCain's pastor says?
Jeez.

[mikekohr]

10. Neither Am I

But you and I are going to support the Democratic nominee regardless of who that person is. We need a UNIFIED, ENERGIZED, base and the ability to engage moderates, independents, and reasonable Republicans. If we don't, we lose.

This divisive campaigning will splinter our base, depress our turnout, energize the opposition and turn away moderates and independents.

Like it or not that's the bottom line. Wishing otherwise is like trying to whistle up a dead dogs ass, you will put forth a lot of effort, get no result and in the end wind up with a bad taste in your mouth.

mike kohr

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. Obama is a phoney and a liar...doesn't that matter to you....he lied to us...jesus h christ

what is wrong with you people?

[mikekohr]

7. You Are Making My Point

I decried the self destructive, divisive, polarizing, nature of the politics of personnel destruction, and you replied with an non-specific personnel attack on Senator Obama, calling him a liar and a phony. Then you took the name of the Lord in vain.

Republicans observe the 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not speak ill of thy fellow Republican." We eat our young. And then wonder why we get beat from ring post to ring post, year after year, decade after decade.

Get your cup of gall ready for November. It will be a bitter cup from which we Democrats drink.

mike kohr

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. yeah thanks to Obama

[HuskiesHowls]

8. What has happened to talking about issues??

Where is the news about the vision for the future of this country?

Instead, all we hear about is how bad the other candidate is.

Good way to win an election!!

[mikekohr]

11. I have seen the enemy and he is us -Pogo-

We consistanlty lose because we consistantly repeat the same bitter self defeating tactics.

mike kohr

[BumRushDaShow]

12. This post is absolutely correct.

Clinton's problems are NOT "gender"-related. They are MARK PENN-related - her high-priced, opportunist rip-off artist screwed the pooch royally. And rather than punish him, she punishes her opponent and his constituency and even the party itself. The entire campaign went the lazy route - using an obsolete fund-raising strategy that in this day and time with election reform, maxed contributers out early on and never bothered to go beyond the big donors until relatively late in the process... And the campaign opted for a failed and worn strategy of continually pandering to the states that would vote for them anyway while distancing themselves from and even insulting loyal constituencies in those states, and not even bothering to reach out to new voters and those trapped in repuke states with no support.

Shame on the Clinton campaign!

[OneBlueSky]

13. "I don't belong to any organized party; I'm a Democrat." . . . Will Rogers . . . n/t

.

[mikekohr]

14. Will Rogers Was A Man Of Native American Descent

No other race of people in our nation's history suffered the insults of injustice, dispossession, displacement, suppression and oppression as have Native People. In spite of this legacy, Will Rogers was a man of good cheer, devoid of divisiveness and bitter acrimony. He was recognized as the most popular humorist of the first half of the 20th century. We could all learn a thing or two from Will Rogers outlook on life.

I think Will Rogers would not approve of the current divisiveness and division in our primary. I also don't believe he is surprised by the present foolishness as he listens in from the other side. He's probably laughing at us, just like people used to huddle around the radio to laugh at his humor and wit.

Will Rogers went out a winner. Question is, will we?

mike kohr