tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11122973.post116928066312708537..comments2024-02-08T05:04:18.484-08:00Comments on J'S THEATER: More Democratic CandidatesJohn Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08073378940347627766noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11122973.post-1169667618075125062007-01-24T11:40:00.000-08:002007-01-24T11:40:00.000-08:00Keguro, the Washington Post had previously publish...Keguro, the <I>Washington Post</I> had previously published a piece along the same lines about Obama's lack of racial and ethnic (since that's really what's at stake as well, not only his Blackness in general, but his African-Americanness) authenticity, so I'm actually surprised it took Dickerson so long. Given her politics and ideology, her comments don't surprise me at all, though I do see she's initiated a firestorm of responses. Good. Let people continue this line of rhetoric; I don't think Obama will have much probably attracting African-American voters in the long run, as his races in Illinois showed. (And Chicago's 37% Black population primarily consists of descendants of up-South [Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana] Black folks, as well as immigrants from East (Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc.) and West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, etc.)<BR/><BR/>Charles, going backwards first, I'd imagine the leading candidate to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate would either be a Kennedy or a Cuomo. Since Andrew Cuomo just took office with Eliot Spitzer, I imagine RFK Jr. would be the prime choice. Spitzer would probably have to negotiate something with him if he were to appoint either a Black or Latino candidate, but I imagine he'd figure out a way to placate the Democratic constituencies. Corzine's move with Menendez was brilliant, because it's clear Frank Lautenberg is not going to be hanging around the Senate much longer despite his seniority; his approval is abysmal (although I'm not sure why--poor constituent services?), and if he were to step down sooner rather than later, Corzine could then appoint Nia Gill, allowing him to yet again make state history. Don't think he's not considering it.<BR/><BR/>Harold Ford Jr. is now running the DLC, and I'm sure he's more palatable to the Clinton(ista)s than Dean, despite the fact that he, far more than Emanuel, presided over the Democrats' electoral success in November. Ideologically Dean <I>was</I> much closer to the two Clintons, but he's moved farther left over the last four years, and I imagine that HRC is still convinced that the country's ideological mood is closer to what it was in 1992 than what it really is today. I'd think it'd be clear that when states like Montana, Missouri, and Virginia elect Democrats to the Senate and Kentucky seats a determined progressive like John Yarmuth HRC would realize the shift that's occurred, but it appears she's so cautious and convinced that her constituencies in NY State are skewed to the left that she can't see the forest for the trees.<BR/><BR/>I primarily supported Ford Jr. because despite some of his really right-wing rhetoric ("I love George Bush"!) I thought he'd be a better replacement than Corker, but he is far to the right of nearly every other Black candidate who's run for a Southern Senate seat. I'm thinking primarily of Harvey Gantt and Ron Kirk, but also of Erik Fleming, the LaRouchite Democrat who faced Trent Lott this past election. Perhaps he is about as progressive as a statewide Tennessee candidate can get, but I'm not convinced. If HRC wins, he'll very likely get some high-profile position, as you suggest, and the media will engage in a lovefest.<BR/><BR/>HRC has the Thatcher woman's self-control, that's clear. Whether she can, as you mention, convince the soccer moms is another issue. The interesting thing is that single women, especially single White women, tend to vote overwhelming (I think Kerry had a +25% margin) for Democratic candidates, and their numbers are increasing, but I wonder how well HRC will appeal to this voting bloc. I think she and Obama also need to start speaking some Spanish, and <B>quickly</B>. <I>Porque sin el voto latino, no lo consiguen nada.</I>John Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08073378940347627766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11122973.post-1169657536466631562007-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:002007-01-24T08:52:00.000-08:00I share your feelings about Hillary. The historic ...I share your feelings about Hillary. The historic implications of her run are breathtaking. It's like we all saw it coming, even as far back as 1992, and now it's actually here. <BR/><BR/>Hillary as Thatcher? That would be interesting. She will have quite a time trying to appear both warm and approachable enough to appease the soccer moms, and tough and aggressive enough to convince people she can run the military. I see that more for Condi, the Thatcher persona.<BR/><BR/> I wonder if the Clintons will keep Howard Dean up at the DNC? The reports I have read seem to suggest they are unhappy with him. And I know I'm bad for thinking this, but I'm really intrigued with the prospect of Harold Ford being in line to run the DLC. I know he's kind of conservative, or more centrist than I would like, but he appears to be a shrewd politician and Clintonesque. Can you imagine if he had won TN? I was thinking that if Hillary won, or even Obama for that matter, Ford could possibly get a Cabinet position. But it seems as if he will take on the DLC. <BR/><BR/>And who will replace Hillary in the Senate? I think it was in the Times I read that there would be a lot of pressure on Spitzer to appoint an African-American for her seat if she were to resign after winning the Presidency.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com