2008 Endorsements in Virginia
Brian February 16th, 2007
As the presidential primaries quickly approach, hopeful nominees are snapping of the party leaders’ early endorsements.
Chairman Dick Cranwell has announced that he endorses John Edwards for the Democratic nomination for President.
Chairman Cranwell said:
For the first time in my life, I have grave concerns about the future. Those concerns are sobering in that they teach that America does not run on auto-pilot. Like John Edwards, I believe America works best when it is building coalitions that sow the seeds of peace. Like John Edwards, I believe that America works best when working people prosper.
And like many Democrats across Virginia and the country, I believe “it’s all about the general election, stupid.” There is no second place in elections. We must support candidates who can win, if we want to secure the future.
Governor Tim Kaine has announced that he will host a press conference with Sen. Barak Obama tomorrow, in front of the Executive Mansion in Capitol Square. I doubt they plan to talk baseball.
I am tempted to agree with the Chairman that we need to pick a candidate who has the best shot at winning.
While I think Obama has a compelling story, I am concerned about his lack of experience. I will, for the first time, get to see him in person tomorrow, so maybe he can convince me otherwise. He does, however, bring something that I think we are in desperate need of and that is a fresh face.
Hillary’s candidacy concerns and intrigues me for all the obvious reasons, but mostly because she is a Clinton. There was a time when a Presidential hopeful (Al Gore) thought it would hurt his chances to even be seen with Bill Clinton. I think the consensus is now that Bill was not such a bad guy, but one has to wonder if being a Clinton is now her strength.
Teacherken, a probably totally insignificant blogger who resides in Arlington, has endorsed Tom Vilsack. This will undoubtedly do great damage to the already underdog Vilsack effort, given that TKs previous endorsements have included Fritz Hollings, Paul Tsongas and Howard Dean, with only Michael Dukakis surviving the TK kurse.
Of course, since Vilsack is so far the only Democratic candidate to come out against reauthorizing NCLB, he may have some appeal to those seriously concerned about the future of public education. And he has called for Congress to do its Constitutional responsibility and cut off funds for the current debacle in Iraq. He has proposed a comprehensive energy plan, and has announced that his campaign will pay for offsets for the carbon it uses.
Will anyone pay any attention? DId anyone watch him on Jay Leno last night, or previously at Jon Stewart? If not, they can go to http://www.tomvilsacko8.com and find links for those videos, for the speech to the DNC, and lots of other good stuff.
I will see people in Richmond tomorrow. I may be the only one if the building wearing anything for Vilsack, that is, if I can find my one remaining sticker!
Brian,
I am very much in agreement on the central premise of your post in that we have to nominate someone who is electable in the general election.
I have not made up my mind as to whom I might support, but I have some thoughts about the process.
First, I love Hillary, and I loved and love President Clinton. The latter is a phenom which we may never see again. He is so smart, both intellecutually, and in dealing with people. Also, he has more poltical acumen than any person on my congnizance horizon. He is our version of Ronald Reagan, only much smarter, and with many more layers of teflon. As to Hillary, however, I fear that she lacks the former President’s people and political skills, and acumen as to politics. She is a very polarizing figure and I fear that her negatives are such that much of the voting populace could not be persuaded one way or the other as to her. The members of the electorate either love or hate her. There is not much middle ground.
As to Obama, I believe that he is brilliant, charismatic, and has much to offer. He is also young, and untested on the national political scene.
I supported Edwards in 2000, but am now totally uncommitted.
I was hopeful that Governor Warner might be able to bring the perfect mix to the equation and be a perfect foil for Hillary. He is a moderat, with a proven track record of being able to get things done in a bi-partisan fashion. Alas, he has removed himself from the equation.
Keep on fighting the good fight.
Still holding out for Gore…..
Probably wishful thinking though.