h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's too soon to worry about it. But at the moment, it looks like a bleak stretch for the Democrats. What you said about turning the DNC over to the Michael Moore and Howard Dean faction is dead on. That would be bad news indeed.

I don't think Gephardt would take it, either. He would be a calming influence however. Of course, I think he might have just beat Bush if he had gotten the nomination. Kerry turned out to be to easy for them to run against. I wouldn't mind Donna Brazile. She's a smart lady. And very pragmatic.

As to having a Senate record being a disadvantage - in Hillary's case, I don't think so. Because she has held no other elected office. A Senate career will make her seem more legitimate. I know she's qualified, and you know she's qualified, but she still has a hugh hurdle to overcome. Can you imagine how the Rednecks would feel about voting for Hillary? It would motivate them to vote for the GOP candidate.

The idea of yet another Bush does rub a bit. Now I know how the Republicans felt when we were inundated with Kennedys running for office. Politics is the Bush family business.

I'm still angry with McCain. I'll get over it.

"But at the moment, it looks like a bleak stretch for the Democrats."

I'm not too worried. We lost a lot of elections, but many sat on a razor edge. We would have gained in the house if it weren't for that scumbag DeLay's redistricting in Texas, and our losses wouldn't have been too substantial in the Senate if not for small wins in Kentucky, South Dakota and perhaps if Edwards had defended his seat in North Carolina. The Presidential race would have had a different outcome if not for some thousand votes here.

Gephardt would have had a very good chance at Ohio if he had been nominated. Missouri too. I can't think of any states that Gephardt would have lost that Kerry won... you were probably right. But then again, who knows?

A lot of people personally don't like Hillary. I'm not sure why... maybe it's simply seeing a strong woman in a traditionally male role.

The rednecks already vote for the GOP. I could see a man from a redneck state winning some of the border states - like Evan Bayh from Indiana. Bayh would make a good running mate according to conventional knowledge, but Edwards didn't help Kerry in the south at all.
You know, every time 75% of the time Ohioans have ran for the high office, they won, but never has there been an Ohioan VP.

Well, since we've only had one - it's 100% and 100%.

What we really need is some new blood. That's why everyone is so excited about Obama. He has potential. Let's hope he doesn't self destruct.

I am trying to find a way to purchase $150K of library furnishings for $70K. I spend $40K yesterday on shelving. Thank god I already had a lot we could refinish and reuse.

Pah. One guy, who got the presidency initially because a sick guy died, does not count.

Obama's an exciting prospect, no doubt about it. He's got a great speaking style. I think he's smart enough not to let everyone down. He's got to know that he's the only man the entire party faithful can rally behind. He won't screw up. He might not be a remarkable senator, but he's too smart to screw up.

It counts because he won on his own later.

I remember how excited Dems were about Julian Bond when he first came to national attention. That didn't work out.

When you look back - objectively - over the past 40 years or so, the Dems have fielded some really rotten presidential candidates. Part of me wants Hillary to run....just to cause mass apoplexy on the other side. They would so overreact that it would point out what a bunch of bigots they really are.

Not according to some Chicago newspapers

Mondale, Dukakis... yeah. But I don't think Kerry counts there. The elections are getting closer as we're getting more polarized

What we have to remember is that a person who would make a terrific president might be a rotten candidate. That's where the GOP has an edge. They learned that lesson - the Dems haven't. It's all about image, not substance.

That's why the Republicans are always going to have the advantage. The Democrats don't really want to win the White House with a poor president, but the Republicans don't really seem to mind.

What they have to do is field people who would be good presidents and learn how to fight the Republicans back on the way the Republicans do it.

I don't think we have the backbone to be that utterly cynical. I suppose we could kidnap Rove, brainwash him into being a Democrat and turn the DNC over to him.

I really don't want the Moore crowd to become any more prominent in the party. They're as bad as the neocons. All extremists scare me - no matter which side they're on.

Hah.
But who'd want to do the brainwashing? It might just not be worth it.

I agree. The moderate Republicans seem right friendly nowadays, as they're not radical. The radical Democrats aren't significant enough to get things done, but aren't helping with the image of the party, as they're lumping the perfectly reasonable party platforms in with Fahrenheit 9/11.

Gosh, this all reminds me of a conversation from Seinfeld (but then again, it would, the first three seasons just came out on DVD ) talking about the Mets with a naked man on the subway.

Rove is pretty creepy.

Maybe the moderate Republicans seem friendly, but they're not in control. Look what nearly happened to Arlen Specter. Nope, the tie 'em to a stake and light a bonfire crowd are in control. The to hell with civil liberties crowd is in control. The love it or leave it crowd is in control.

Guess who's back!

FwT!

I'm in a poetry mood. If I come up with something should I put it in AWW?

Absolutely
What put you in the mood? Are the Christmas lights all up around WC yet?

Yes they are! We have some really nice ones this year. Not the city ones - the private home ones. The city ones are lame as usual.

I guess all the s**t in my life lately has made me more reflective than normal. I haven't writen a poem for a long time. Hope I haven't forgotten how.

Also, a new researcher has read and commented about the ones in the UG. It always amazes me when someone likes them. Anyway, I decided maybe I should make an effort to write one occasionally. Not that I want to be a pro like Ben, or anything.

Yes, I noticed that fellow had been paying you compliments. And I believe he (maybe someone with a similar name, I'll have to check) commented on my European Cities in Ohio entry too

We have some very nice lights around here too. The ones in the main streets are white, simple and nice enough. I can't see them doing much better with the rows of trees we have.

We have the same old pathetic snowflakes that we've used for a gazillion years. This is not a classy town. When I become a famous novelist, I shall have to find a more civilized place to live.

It's pretty neat that a newbie is reading the UG.