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DEL.ICIO.USThe search for the new anti-Hillary
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner’s announcement this week that he wouldn’t run for the Democratic presidential nomination was the first bombshell of the ’08 campaign, and nowhere more so than Atlanta.
“Had he stayed in the race he would have owned Atlanta, and Georgia,� said businessman and Democratic fundraiser Kirk Dornbush.
Dornbush is prejudiced – he’d already signed on to work on the finance side of the Warner campaign. But it’s true Warner had a big leg up on any other Democratic presidential hopeful in Georgia.
The square-jawed entrepreneur-governor raised a lot of money in Atlanta from Democrats and even a few Republicans, gave money to Democratic legislative candidates, and had important commitments across racial lines.
As the other Southerner in the race, Sen. John Edwards might seem likeliest to benefit from Warner’s departure, and to some degree he probably will. But a number of those who were signing on early with Warner, like Dornbush, were with Edwards four years ago and had already turned the page. Not that you can’t turn the page back.
Interestingly, the first name mentioned in a couple of conversations we had this week was that of Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. By coincidence, we understand Bayh will be in Atlanta Monday paying some calls on local Democrats.
Bayh’s a University of Virginia law school grad, which isn’t a bad avenue for picking up former Warner supporters, noted Keith Mason. As a two-time governor of a conservative Midwestern state as well as a senator, there’s some thinking he could appeal to Southern voters.
For that matter, don’t rule out New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, both of whom have worked this territory.
The name of Hillary Clinton didn’t come up when we were talking to Democrats about Warner’s departure, incidentally. It didn’t have to. Warner had been cast as the anti-Hillary before his surprise exit, and the competition to see who’ll be the new one won’t take long.
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By ed lorenzo
October 14, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
OVERHEARD AT THE WAR MEETING IN THE WHITE HOUSE
A special meeting at the White House attended by the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chiefs of staff, Condoleezza and Hariett Miers has been convened to decide how to disguise the unpleasant retreat from Iraq.
The Secretary of Defense said:
“Are we looking at the perspectives presented by a difficult campaign? I would answer in the affirmative. I believe it is probably the time to consider a managed gradual redeployment in all perimeters�
Those around the table nodded in agreement. Condoleeza added:
“You are right. Perhaps it is time to review a controlled reversal of operations and rear guard support, don’t you think?�
Dick Cheney, who came to life quickly, said:
“Absolutely. I firmly believe that by utilizing a forced mechanism of conditioned retreat we can again count on the support of the Iraqi nation. Then, it will not be long before we are recognized as liberators and will be greeted with flowers and ticker tape!�
A general sitting at the end of the table said:
“We are talking of a coordinated return vector, gentlemen�
The Admiral on the other end added:
“Yes, it has to be a strategic action reduction on a plural sectorized element�
“Naturally but it has to be backed by a diminishing discretionary involvement� said another general. Another of the Chiefs added his comment:
“Yes, I can see an escalated but swift inversion�
“What do you think Mister President?�
“I’m with you, boys. We cut and run!�
NOTE – It is obvious that our War Managers keep looking for new phrases to use instead of the word withdrawal. If you have one, please e-mail it to this newspaper.
By Houckster
October 14, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that Senator Clinton draws such incredibly negative responses from so many people just because of her husband and an undeserved ultra-liberal image. She is an immensely talented politician who could repair a lot of the damage that Mr. Bush has caused. Sadly, she’ll never be president because so many have written her off mostly on the basis of the Hard Right nonstop smear campaign that been in full swing for for over 10 years now. Of course she seems like a fire-breathing liberal from where they sit because the Hard Right is just slightly left of the John Birch Society. Senator Clinton’s far more centrist than they will ever be.
For 2008, I truly hope that John Edwards emerges as the Democratic nominee. His ability to connect with Americans would have meant a Democratic victory in 2004. As one who voted for John Kerry and respects him tremendously, we screwed up nominating him instead of John Edwards.
This year I truly hope we Democrats have learned our lesson: It’s not really policy or religion or even family values per se that most Americans care about, it’s having someone they’re comfortable with and there are a millions of formulas for that. Some will say that W. was able to make Americans comfortable with him and look where it’s gotten us. Nevertheless, the American electorate will vote the same way in 2008. We have to be able to tap into that somehow. I think John Edwards could be the guy.
By bill
October 14, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
President Bush and his war cabinet are like the Marines; always advancing, all they need to do now is, “Advance to the rear.” My apologies to the Corps.
By Houckster
October 14, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
BTW, Ed Lorenzo’s story is off in one respect. After all that doubletalk he would either have been sound asleep or so lost he wouldn’t have known what to say.
By David Franklin
October 14, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Dear Ed Lorenzo—Instead of “cut and run”—just call it coitus interruptus for all the Bush warmongers!
By Bob Hill
October 14, 2006 2:08 PM | Link to this
When anyone like Mark Warner all of a sudden drop out and he is referred to as a anti-Hillary two names come to mind. Vince Foster and Newt Gingrich. I will never be convinced that Foster commited suicide. I believ he was probably a man of scruples and morals. Two words forgein to the white house from 1992-2000. I think he was ready to blow the whistle on he or she. As for Gingrich he was told either resign or we will tell our media about your extramartial affair. So he resigned. If I was a Democrat running in 2008 I would not worry about the Republicans digging up dirt on me. I would concern myself with someone who would do anything to attain the job as President of the U.S. Guess who????
By Producer
October 14, 2006 3:26 PM | Link to this
With Warner out I’d love to see Al Gore get into this race simply to see how left wing the democratic race would get. What great entertainment. Both tearing each other’s heads off and the repubs sitting back with a front row seat.
Kerry will be there and Edwards, too. I don’t see either one of them doing squat.
Of course, to be fair, I’ll enjoy watching McCain and Rudy do battle.
By David Franklin
October 14, 2006 7:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Bob Hill you must be clueless—both Democrats and Republicans —as well as House Pages knew about the adulterous liason that Gingrich was carrying on with who is now wife number three—yeah “thrice” married—all three still living! In fact the Republican led House Page program notified the Pages that the Speaker’s “girlfriend” was code name “The Duchess”. Didn’t you know Wash. DC was sin city of the world—Bangkok included! What moral examples there!
By David Franklin
October 14, 2006 7:39 PM | Link to this
As if abortion is still an issue after the hypocritical Bush administration’s FDA approved the over-the-counter pill that will prevent all pregnancies if taken within 72 hours! Wow—which pro-choice Republican will get the nod Rudy or McCain—talking about skeletons in closets? How about Gary Bauer as a safe bet for the Republican nomination. Or Harrie Myers with Harry Reid’s endorsement again. Washington DC—what a Gommorah—everybody else knows its Sodom!
By JP
October 14, 2006 9:01 PM | Link to this
Clark. Smart on foreign policy, articulate, calm manner, 4 star general.
Securing America
By BPJ
October 14, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
Bayh, Vilsack, and Edwards all have good potential, but don’t take your eye off Clark. He learned a lot in 2004, and has been appearing with congressional candidates around the country. Who else would beat McCain?
By David from Augusta
October 15, 2006 7:09 AM | Link to this
I hope and pray she gets the nomination, because she will go down in flames in a landslide and ensure four more years of Republican government. She has the highest negatives of any politician (and deservedly so), and has never accounted for a lot of evil acts in the past (cattle futures, Rose law firm billing records, etc.). Please, please nominate her Democrats!
By MBW
October 15, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
Keep your eyes on Bayh, Richardson, and maybe even Biden….but if Barack Obama gets in, all bets are off. He’d get my vote
By David Franklin
October 18, 2006 3:58 PM | Link to this
Hey Sam Hill is “Kenny Boy”—that is Dubya’s name for his friend Ken Lay now that conviction charges in the Enron fiasco have been dropped— really dead or was he assassinated too????