The Demographic Arguments About Dean

Thanks to Natasha at the watch I Found Wampum discussing the troubling John Judis Salon article about Dean's electability.

I chipped in - Dean - wild cards - personality and organization.

Here in Texas, Kerry, Lieberman and Gephardt appear to have so far been unable to get any volunteers for their campaigns. We all know about the lack of fund raising success Gephardt and Lieberman have been running into. Right now in most counties in Texas, the only area I am very familiar with, Dean has more people signed up to work than the state Democratic party. In the pundits looking at Dean's internet usage they have so far only seen the money raising, not the organization that is being built and coordinated.

Personality - any Democrat who wasn't seen as willing to take Bush on early and is forced to waffle because of his previous support has serious problems. Dean is more conservative than me on many issues but reminds me of Harry Truman, feisty and willing to stand up for what he believes. Everyone said Truman could not be elected even after the polls closed. Let's hope the same happens in 2004.

On the other candidates. Gephardt is saddled with losing the House, losing a previous bid for the office and leading some Democrats in the House to vote for Bush's war powers bill.

Kerry seems the strong second choice for Dean supporters with less fire. He has an even stronger Northeastern liberal liability combined with a history of support for Bush.

Graham and Edwards are the best demographically for the Democrats but Edwards seems too untried and made his millions through being a lawyer.

Bob Graham, do you think Graham can get any traction in the primaries explaining he didn't vote to give Bush war powers because it wasn't tough enough, Graham also wanted to attack Syria and Iran?

Sure, I worry about the demographics, but I have to believe that a honest, plain-speaking fiscal conservative but social libertarian/liberal candidate who isn't afraid to attack the Bush record and has superb organization skills is what the party needs.