Now It's A Race
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Monday, January 22 2007, 12:01AM
In the past week, we've seen three exciting new candidates lining up to run for president on the Democratic side. Senator Barack Obama led the way with an announcement on Tuesday on his web site. Senator Hillary Clinton followed suit on Saturday with her own web site announcement. And then Governor Bill Richardson took to the Internet on Sunday to launch his presidential exploratory committee. Each candidate is a serious contender for the Democratic nomination, and that means big change could be in store for the party.
With a woman, an African American and a Latino candidate now all poised to run, it seems highly likely that there will be a woman or a minority candidate on the Democratic ticket next year. Even if none of these three candidates should win the nomination, it seems inevitable that one of them almost certainly will be chosen at least as the party's vice presidential candidate. Combined, the three candidates represent three big constituencies that form the base of the Democratic Party. So if they each run a credible campaign and none of them ends up on the ballot next year, the base will be asking some serious questions.
The Republicans Are Divided
The Republican side is not so diverse, but still very interesting. On the surface, the leading candidates -- John McCain, Sam Brownback, Mitt Romney, George Pataki and Rudy Giuliani -- seem to represent business as usual for the GOP. But beyond their gender and skin color, there's actually a fair amount of ideological diversity to choose from for Republicans.
Sen. McCain fashions himself the party's "maverick," largely for his past reputation for speaking his mind and fighting for campaign finance reform. But as he clings to an unpopular plan to send tens of thousands of more troops to Iraq, he looks less and less like a moderate and more like the conservative he wants the right-wing base to think he is.
On the other hand, Sam Brownback is a very conservative candidate on divisive social issues like abortion and gay rights, but he now opposes President Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq. It's hard to tell anymore if that's a liberal or conservative viewpoint.
Mitt Romney has been trying to cozy up to the right-wingers himself, but his past support for gay rights calls into question his credentials among social conservatives. Similarly with Pataki and Giuliani, both of whom hail from the liberal state of New York, those two candidates will be struggling to explain their pro-choice, pro-gay positions to the rabid right-wingers who vote in the GOP primaries. Just watch how many times each one mentions 9-11 when he announces his campaign and you'll see that their best hope is to call upon the goodwill they won from the public during that crisis 6 years ago.
Democrats United Against Iraq War
But with such a wide divergence on the Republican side, the Democratic candidates actually seem more united than their GOP counterparts for the first time in 10 years. Minor disagreements about when certain candidates should have announced their opposition to the Iraq War still reflect a near unanimity of opinion among Democrats that the war itself is wrong and needs to be stopped.
Other Democratic candidates like Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd may try to play up their differences on the war issue, but the Democratic position is clearly anti-Iraq War. With a year to go before the first votes are cast, there's still plenty of time for things to change for better or worse in Iraq, and that may be the deciding factor in not only who wins the respective nominations, but who wins the presidency itself.
Although the Republican position is muddled today, don't expect it to stay that way next year. If the war in Iraq isn't going well, a small but influential delegation of Republican leaders will be paying a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Their message to the President: We lost the last election because of your war and we're not about to lose another one for the same reason.
Comments conceal
Kenneth Winfrey![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
January 22 2007, 1:11AM
New Mexico got real interesting after I moved here.
I am hoping that Hillary and Barak run together.
I love Bill, he's my govenor, but I don't know if he's ready for the presidency yet...
Prodigalsun
January 22 2007, 3:19AM
I have been thinking alot about this and I am torn. I love Hillary and Obama... I would love to see a black man in the oval office. But he is green... and while that helps because the short track record doesnt much ammunition to fire against, but it doesnt give him a firm foundation to stand on either.
Hillary usually backs the causes I am for and against... She is realistic in her thinking in my opinion, and would serve the same communities as Obama with a broader reach. But... she has the track record and thus more haters. People who will not back her regardless of her view, just because she is who she is.
I hate to ask if America is ready for a black man or a woman in office, because it will NEVER be ready if we doubt it and dont do our own part by voting to force it. But their individual issues worry me.
I am however excited at the prospects. This will be an INTERESTING race... I cant wait!
Alex
January 22 2007, 3:25AM
Can we please appretiate how monumental this is. This is likely the most diverse lineup of serious presidential nominees that any party has fielded. Democrats are often attacked for "ignoring" minorities that make up the base but I see this as a sign that everyone is welcome to the Democratic party. Isn't it refreshing not to be talking about the same old white men like usual.
deejay
January 22 2007, 10:14AM
interesting line-up of diverse and capable Dems. However, I'm convinced this is Edward's nomination to lose.
Instead of "I'm in to win", a more effective campaign theme for Hillary can be taken from that flick, Mommie Dearest, where Faye/Joan C, tells the all-male Pepisco board of directors " Don't fuck with me, fellas! This ain't my first time at the rodeo!!"
On the GOP side, Romney looks the most promising for selling to the masses IMO, through no fault of his, Sen McCain has always reminded me of a real life "Manchurian Candidate" vibe and Rudy's personal life is, in a word, "triflin'".
Either way, this election promises to be very dirty and very interesting. ONe of the most interesting in recent memory.
And anyone who can't hang, frankly doesn't possess the cahones for the job of POTUS.
castiron
January 22 2007, 11:47AM
Let's not forget that Hillary Clinton is going to have access to one of the brightest political minds of our time, her husband, Bill Clinton. She is also going to have the deep pockets of George Soros to support her. Richardson and Obama aren't going to know what hit them when Hillary puts Clinton and Soros on them. By the way, I've already made a small contribution to Obama and I'll keep doing so as long as he is a viable candidate.
C. Baptiste-Williams
January 22 2007, 12:06PM
While it would be great to see a minority in the top seat, I just don't see Richardson or Obama as being ready for that yet... maybe a vice presidential nod.
While I like Hilary and if it was her against the shoe in McCain... I'd vote for her but I don't see her pulling the needed votes to win.
I truly think Al Gore with one of these three is our best chance at securing the next 4 terms.
deejay
January 22 2007, 12:36PM
the New Yorker published an interesting profile on Senator Gore a few years back, after the 2004 election.
Please see:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/040913fa_fact
notably: "...Unlike Clinton, who could draw on a huge pool of friends for advice, Gore lacked the gift, or the patience, for showing gratitude, for keeping in close touch. Donna Brazile complained that she had never got so much as a thank-you note for her service in 2000, and many who had worked for Gore or who had given serious money to the campaign felt the same. “He treated people poorly,” Robert Bauer, one of Gore’s aides during the Florida battle, said. “He was cold, aloof, condescending, ungrateful. There were legendary stories about how he treated people with a lack of gratitude..."
Being a "nice" guy doesn't make (or break) a politician. But perception is important. Looks like some of Gore's problems are self-inflicted.
Ron Lee
January 23 2007, 9:16AM
None of the three formentioned are ready, John Edwards is the man. Considering who and what Barak is you'd think crime, gang violence and the rebuilding of New Orleans would be #1. Issues affecting us as Black Men should be #1. We should not let anyone annoint a leader for us. PEACE OUT.....John Edwards will be the next President, why he is simply the right choice.
deejay
January 23 2007, 10:30AM
Let me say at the onset that I have nothing personally against Barack Obama as a candidate or his decision to run. I have no reason to question his competence and, more importantly, ethical fitness for the position he is seeking. More power to him for tossing his hat into the ring.
That said, I hope that Black voter scrutiny has matured beyond the point of voting based on skin tone. It's easy (and I'll even say EXPECTED of us) to fall into a trap of projecting personal values and aspirations on someone who may be operating from a different set of experiences and goals. simply because they are black.
I hope the black media, traditional or otherwise, steps up this time around to really examine the candidates, including black ones, on the issues, on their values, and their ethical fitness.
Offering one's blind loyalty to someone's else's ambition - blind or otherwise - is not a good thing. Usually it's the loyalists who get screwed at the end of the day.
Mikey--He Likes It
January 23 2007, 10:42AM
Can't wait to see the debates. Should be very interesting.
blacsapphic
January 23 2007, 10:53AM
Why should issues affecting Black men be #1 ...why not Black women or the Black family ...Gay's, minorities, the poor, elderly ...students.
Why should a Black man's issues supersede those of anyone else? As a Black woman, I'm nothing short of offended as the ideals of feminism - hell, equality still seem to be left by the wayside within our own community. *SMH*
For as interesting a race as this will prove to be, I can't help but lose respect for Hillary's camp.
Granted digging up dirt is a tactic most if not all employ at some point or another, but playing the 'terrorist/radical/anti-Muslim/we must protect the nation' card hints at insecurity and desperation to me.
She without question has a stronger foundation than Obama I just hold my vote for him until... - and wonder what they'll come up with next.
Adam
January 23 2007, 1:57PM
I'm really hoping for a Clinton-Pres/Obama-Vice Pres ticket. How historic would that be? First female president, first black vice-president. It would be amazing. Hillary is in a unique position to be the first female president - she spent 8 years as First Lady so she knows the ropes of Washington. And her husband has the mind and the self-deprecation to handle the "First Man" jokes he'll get; he'll be thrilled to be back in the Oval Office. It'll set up Obama to get the experience he'll need to be the first black president in 2016. I'm hoping it plays out that way.
Matthew Rettenmund
January 23 2007, 2:28PM
I don't see Hillary as anyone's veep, and I don't think anyone but Bill Richardson is crazy enough to want him on the ticket. More likely, I see Obama as a great VP choice for either of the people who WILL get the nomination: Hillary Clinton (but she'd probably be too safe to want to minority up her ticket any more than it already would be!) or John Edwards (I have to believe Edwards would seriously consider Obama. What a hot ticket...in more ways than one.) I think Hillary can get the nom and I think she can win—she is ahead of Giuliani AND McCain in polls now and will only get stronger. Her potential supporters need to stop being so scaredy-cat. I think the same of Edwards. I don't see Obama getting the nom or winning, though I like him lots—people against him irrationally is one thing, but enough people who like him also feel he's green, so...he's not gonna make it. For the Republicans, McCain's a joke (war candidate) and an old one at that. Giuliani's past will eat him alive. Maybe the ex-fattie?
Regan DuCasse
January 24 2007, 2:47PM
What do I care what COLOR or gender a candidate is, when ALL of them further the agenda of anti gay politics?
Hillary Clinton is a PHONY. She courts all the right gay folks. Their money and votes, and marches her ass in the Pride parade in NYC...only to say she believes marriage is for a man and woman only and can't bring herself to discuss DADT, her HUSBAND'S failed military policy.
I'm SO DONE with these people who expect us to support THEM based on their non white, or non male backgrounds...but they don't seen any reason to support US.
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