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July 30, 2005 If the Democrats are to seize control of the White House in 2008, they’d better put all of their eggs in one basket and rally behind New York Senator Hillary Clinton. For if they again parade another spineless, lackluster nominee—a la Al Gore, Bill Bradley, John Kerry, Michael Dukakis, "Hollerin’" Howard Dean, et al. They can expect another election day version of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. If the Democrats are humbled again, what do they have to look forward to in 2012? Once-promising candidate Gavin Newsome is already out of the running. His endorsement of gay marriage knocked him out of contention and labeled him a maverick. (Later the state’s Supreme Court deemed the 4,000 gay "marriages" illegal). The name of Bob Graham pops up every year, but he is as faceless as they come. Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards are two more young guns that might make a strong showing at future Democratic conventions. Some mention the name of Obama Barack, but I don’t see that as a realistic option. However, if a minority candidate is to make a strong push in the future, I’d bet on California Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. If Bustamante is elected Governor in 2006, or 2010, he will be a viable candidate on the national stage. He is intelligent, well-liked and the high Latino populations of California, New York, Florida and Texas offer a substantial voter base. I also consider New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to hold sway with Latinos and Demo party bigwigs. (If Hillary Clinton was to win the nomination and Richardson was her choice for Veep, that would be a formidable ticket). Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has to be considered a candidate as well. The latter two names are important as the Western states form a united front (and thus flaunt more power) in the 2008 race. Unlike 2004, when Commandant Shrub won four states with Democratic Governors (New Mexico. Montana, Wyoming and Arizona) these states, along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Nevada want to vote as a bloc. They form an aggregate of 53 electoral votes—almost as many as California’s 55—which is solidly Democratic. Add this 108-vote bloc to New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania—which have all gone Democratic in each election since 1992 (73 electoral votes total), and the Dems would be 2/3 of the way to the White House. Whoever garners the nomination must sleep with two conflicting entities—labor and big business. Labor has been a long-time Demo stronghold. On the other hand, the presidency is financed (and at least partially owned) by the business conglomerates that will contribute the 200 million dollars needed to run a successful campaign. There are other factors to be considered: Gasoline prices, which will have a profound impact on inflation; unemployment and interest rate levels. The most important factor may be whether or not our military is engaged in conflict with any number of countries—including North Korea, Iran, Iraq and Southeast Asia—and to what extent. The Republicans will be formidable, whether it’s John McCain, Jeb Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Elizabeth Dole or any combination thereof. If the Republican candidate can avoid a Gerald Ford like gaffe, It will take a superhuman push out West for the Demos to regain the White House. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is the 46-year old author of "Tempest In The Stone" and the soon to be released, "The Malice of Cain". His third novel, "Darker Than Blue" is under consideration for publication. Mr. Stelly currently resides in Pittsburg, California with his three youngest children Dante, Kimberly and Lawrence. Excerpts from The first two books and the first two chapters of his anthology, "Frankenigga--And Other Urban Tales" can be viewed at: stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@sbcglobal.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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