The spat between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shows no sign of ending anytime soon. McCain is going to win this election, likely by 6-10%. Obama is damaged goods and Hillary’s negative are simply too high. I believe voters are in the process of rejecting both candidates.
And I don’t think there’s a realistic way of getting through McCain’s huge teflon coating and getting swing voters to doudt his :maverick” image.
So how does this impact the Congressional elections? Right now, not yet. But it’s important that this long battle between Obama and Clinton could weaken the Democratic brand. And I actually think Barack Obama would more of a drag on downballot races than Clinton would be.
I know that’s contrary to the CW, but I just don’t think Hillary Clinton is as radioactive to other Democrats.
So the leaders of the DSCC and DCCC have to make a decision. How and when to separate from the presidential race? And waht about the 527s who are about to pour millions in to a likely hopeless presidential election? Will they save enough for House and Senate races?
So I’m ready to forget about the presidential election and concentrate on Congress. Then, what’s the best way do this?
1. The fundamental dynamics still favor Democrats. We must still run on the economy, offering relief from the foreclosure crisis and ending giveaways. I would like to see a united Democratic proposal on health care.
2. Instead of just opposing Iraq, emphasize our opposition to Republicans’ “war-first” approach, and tie the current economic climate to this costly war on Iraq.
3. Most importantly, we can’t run away from Democratic values and principles. On most issues, the Democrats are still favored.
4. More leadership needs to forthcoming, starting with the removal of Debbie Dubya from the Red-to-Blue Committee. That’s an unconscionable conflict of interest.
Any other thoughts? I know, writing off the Presidency is a huge step, but we may have to settle for winning enough seats in Congress to keep McCain in check (that’s another issue for another post).
I find myself agreeing with much of your post.
Republicans have a terrible record on the economy and John McCain has admitted he knows nothing about the economy. This makes it easier to cede control of the economy and much of domestic policy to the Democrats. This is the arrangement for much of the 1950s when war hero/old man Dwight Eisenhower presided from the White House and Democrats controlled Congress.
Oh boy, let’s just give up.
Good grief, sometimes Democrats do give up too easily.
Even with a long primary election battle, the presidency is still the Democrats to lose.
Several factors:
1) McCain’s age.
2) McCain’s stand on the war is opposed by most Americans.
3) McCain raised more money in January than in February even though in February he was the presumptive nominee. This is a sign that Republicans are not excited by their candidate. Both Clinton and Obama are outraising McCain by huge margins. Neither of them will have trouble getting money.
4) Turnout and excitement. In every single state that has voted (except for 3 or 4) Democrats have been voting in huge record numbers compared to the GOP. We have the excitement on our side.
5) Even with all the hub bub about how devisive the Clinton – Obama race is (which is BS), the Democrats are much more united than the Republicans. There are huge differences between the fiscal conservative, the libertarian and the religious right branches of the party.
There are many more reasons why we can still win the presidency. Please don’t become such a defeatist so early on.
McCain is getting a free ride at the moment and the best he can do is a slight lead in some polls, a statistical tie in most and a deficit in others. Really though at this point these numbers mean very little. I guarentee you that as soon as we get a nominee he or she (most probably he) will vault into a significant lead. And that won’t last either. I will begin to worry if McCain is ahead after Labor Day but until then I am still very confident that either Dem will wipe the floor with him.