I think all the Dem candidates can hold their own state...except Graham

[ErasureAcer]

So why the hell aren't people recognizing that not only does Kucinich have an awesome platform, a complete 180 from Bush...but also 19 electoral votes....and a state we didn't win last election.

I think if we claim Ohio and retain Pennsylvania(the most likely BIG Dem hold from 2000 that has a chance of going repub) we win the damn election.

Come on now people. Kucinich's stances are the most liberal and the ones that make the most sense. Cancelling NAFTA and eliminating wasteful programs from the Pentagon. Funding our schools and promoting peace.

Come on now, if we want the world to get better we need Dennis Kucinich in the White House and his 19 electoral votes.

[jiacinto]

1. I disagree

I doubt Kuchinich could carry Ohio.

[sasquatch]

5. Ohio is a moderate state

it voted for Clinton in the 90's and * in the last election. Dennis could carry Ohio because people here are getting real tired of the Repug's that run this state.

[ButterflyBlood]

6. He probably could but

so could all the other candidates (well except Sharpton and Braun...)

[jiacinto]

8. I don't see him winning Ohio

He is too liberal to win there, although I do hear that people have tired of Taft et al.

[indigo32]

33. My brother lives in Cincinnati

they had to blow dust off the Dem registry where he lives.

[Dagaz]

2. Well if Kuchinich can win Ohio

Why isn't he in the Senate? They have two (R)'s so why not help out there first?
:shrug:

[ErasureAcer]

19. If Kucinich doesn't get the nod I hope he does challenge voinovich.

double

[ErasureAcer]

20. If Kucinich doesn't get the nod I hope he does challenge voinovich.

That doesn't mean he can't run for president

[arcos]

28. right, and he could get more experience in the Senate...

I think one of the main reasons he's behind is that although he was a mayor, he is only a 3 term congressman. I agree, Edwards has a shorter political resume, and it is a drag too.

[ErasureAcer]

32. Dean has been governor, only...

and sharpton has nothing.

Seriously, credentials aren't important.

Ideas are.

Kucinich has almost exactly the same ideas as I have. That's why I support him.

Dean shouldn't be at 15% in polls if people think being a senator first is a requirement for president. Kucinich has him beat on that.

[sasquatch]

3. You got that right

We need to get back to the FDR policies of the Democratic Party.

[Syn_Dem]

4. I doubt he can carry Kucinich other than

his home base, and some liberal counties and University towns.

[CarlBallard]

7. Why can't Graham take his home state?

Gore won Florida without an awful Southern campaign and a Connecticut running mate. You think arguably the most popular politician in the state couldn't win Florida?

[ButterflyBlood]

10. I think Graham could easily win it fairly but

your forgetting the Jeb machine. It won't be fair.

Edwards wouldn't be able to carry his home state.

[lkinsale]

11. Of course he can take Florida

He's never lost an election there. It would be just like Bush in Texas, the whole state pride thing would kick in. Graham and Florida are like, sympatico.

He's not "arguably" the most popular politician in Florida, he IS the most popular.

[CarlBallard]

13. Well I said arguably because I'm from Washington

and I don't know enough about the state to know for sure.

[ErasureAcer]

15. One...the greens won't vote for him

A lot of Al's votes came from Greens in Florida. Gore was lucky he got as many green votes as he did. I doubt the florida greens will vote for Graham. Why? because what is the point of being "green" if you don't even vote for your own candidate or someone with similar views. You get nothing. People won't do it...even after Bush has screwed up the past 2 and half years. Furthermore, Graham seriously isn't progressive enough on any issues to pick up the green vote.

Furthermore, Jeb Bush is still the governor of Florida. If GW doesn't win that election in Florida...the chimp in the white house will have his brother hanged.

Lastly, Graham doesn't have a platform for president to even get dems out to vote. What are his issues? Does he even have a plan for healthcare? The man is running as the man who can pick up florida this go around...and I don't even think he can do that. He won't be getting my vote just because he voted "no" on the war because he thought it didn't go far enough.

Bob Graham is a loser in my book, even in his home state.

[GBD4]

18. No

1. Graham developed Save the Everglades & Save the Manatee during his time as Governor. 2. As Governor, he had the State take over more land than any other state did during the same 8-year period. This was done to preserve open spaces and sensitive lands. 3. Why don't you read his economic plan? He was the first candidate to produce one with all the facts and figures. It is more than thorough. 4. I am not completely aware of his healthcare plan, but he does call for universal care, tho he stresss that he would do it in steps rather than all at once. He wants to start by insuring working poor by expanding Medicaid and then allowing middle aged Americans to buy into Medicare before retirement and third, insure more children through CHIP I believe the program is called.

[lkinsale]

21. You seem to be unaware that Graham even carries Repub districts in Fl

Greens are not the only people who vote in Florida. A lot of other people vote there too, and they have always elected Bob Graham, every time he's run.

And btw, he voted "no" on the war because he thought it was the wrong target, but I'm not going to burn out my fingers reposting on that, you can look in http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=159945&mesg_id=159945 to see what he said.

But...maybe you think Kucinich could carry Florida.

[ButterflyBlood]

22. it's true

I think he even got something like 70% of the Cuban American vote in the past.

[GBD4]

24. Yes

http://hometown.aol.com/gbd4/page4.html

[ErasureAcer]

25. Nope

First off he is losing to Bush in the polls in his own state which is BAD.

2nd, I watched the Democratic Debate...where he said this remark...think it was the Children's forum back in April.

I clearly recall him explaining why he voted no for the war and he said "it didn't go far enough"

Graham can blow me.

[lkinsale]

26. We're just posting for the benefit of others reading the thread

We understand you are a lost cause! Don't worry!

[Kahuna]

36. Bob has never said at any appearance that he voted against..

the war because it didn't go far enough. We all watched that forum. Funny, you're the only one that heard that. Does your dog talk to you too? :eyes:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

37. "Graham can blow me"

Just go back to your cave.


Ciao.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GBD4]

9. COME ON!

So Sharpton's going to carry NY, but Graham, winner of five statewide elections, his last one by a 2-1 margin, has a lesser chance of carrying his state than Sharpton? Graham winning FL is not going to be a breeze, but it is way more likely that he'll win FL than Sharpton will carry NY.

[ButterflyBlood]

12. I don't count Sharpton as a serious candidate

but as I said above, Graham would also have to fight the Jeb machine, a big problem. Edwards does have a far lesser chance of carrying NC than Graham does of getting credit for Florida though, I agree there.

[GBD4]

16. Okay

Agree with that, I also think Graham has a better shot at FL than Gephardt with Missouri.

[GBD4]

14. Kucinich continues to err

Kucinich said today on Blitzer and at the AFLCIO forum that Ohio has 19 electoral votes. Well I count 20.

[Rowdyboy]

17. Graham can carry Florida and Ohio

Kucinich can carry neither. I'm stunned by this thread and the idea that DK is a serious candidate

[GBD4]

23. Track Record

Let's see...Bob Graham has won FIVE statewide elections COMFORTABLY. Dennis Kucinich has won ZERO statewide elections. But Graham can't hold his own state while Kucinich can? I am not saying that Kucinich will lose Ohio. What I am saying is that to say every candidate but Graham can win his/her home state is ridiculous given the track record of Bob Graham! How can Graham have a LESSER chance of winning his state than Kucinich when he's already done it FIVE TIMES?!?

Graham's won FL with 56%, 65%, 55%, 65%, and 63% of the vote. Kucinich statewide in OH?

[eileen from OH]

27. Kucinich couldn't carry OH

No way, no how. He couldn't even hold onto Cleveland (heavily Dem) for more than one term as mayor, losing to Voinivich who held onto that position through most of the 80's. His OH base is very passionate, but very shallow and narrow and limited. The Northeast is heavily Dem, but the rest of the state ain't.

Taft is a jerk and we have, I think, a chance to take the governership back next time around, if we can overcome the Dem image as the Party Of Flakes as in Springer, Traficant, and (yes) Kucinich.

Eileen (from NE Ohio)

[ThirdWheelLegend]

30. Hate to kick this, but serious misinformation you give...

He is an elected US rep in a district that was REPUBLICAN before he won.
He has turned it around so much that he won nearly 75% of the vote his last election.

Kucinich a flake... you are required to back this ridiculous comment up...
Please do your best...

TWL

[eileen from OH]

43. What misinformation?

I said he was only mayor of Cleve for 2 years before losing to Voinivich who held it for almost a decade - that's true.

As to the "flake" thing, I'm referring to his overall image/perception by Ohioans outside of his district. And you can't quantify an image - just reflecting what I hear a lot around here (and other OH Dems have also noted on DU and other places.) Most Dems I know (and I know quite a few) roll their eyes when it comes to DK.

Obviously, those in his district like him a lot. And Cleve is predominantly Dem, so beating a Republican isn't that surprising. (As mayor, Voinivich was followed by two Dems after he moved on.) But, again, NEOhio is NOT representative of the state at all, which currently has a Republican lock on the state government.

As a Presidential candidate, I think DK has a lot more support OUTSIDE of Ohio.

eileeeen from OH

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. What A Shame

To go from John Glenn and Howard Metzenbsaum to Jerry Springer.

It almost makes you doubt evolution.

[xequals]

40. lol. Ohio Dems are an "interesting" bunch, indeed. (nt)

.

[BushHasGotToGo]

31. Edwards?

BS

[tjdee]

46. Well, he won it once, no?

He won it once, which is more than Clinton and Gore did.

And he did it with no prior political connections or experience at all.

I think his chances of winning his state are at least as good as Graham's in FL. His chances are about 90% better than any of the other candidates at it.

[Kahuna]

34. Oh Brother! got any links to back up your "theory?"

:eyes:

[VermontDem2004]

35. Kucinich imho

if he was elected President, this country would gain great progress, be elected for another term because of the way he shows that he cares deeply for this country, workers, and the environment and would go down as one of the legendary Presidents in history, but I'm not so confident he could win in the general election just because he is a complete 180 from Bush. But who am I to judge when it comes to the person that can beat Bush there are 5 groups in a general election.

Democrats who vote Democrat no matter what except when there are exceptions.-I have a feeling that no one from this group will vote for Bush in '04.-Kucinich can do well in this category

Republicans who vote republican no matter what except when there are exceptions.-I notice there are some republicans that show a distaste for Bush especially in my state, but someone from this group that doesn't like Bush may or may not vote at all or not vote for the democrat.-Kucinich well not do well because of his liberal stances on about every issue

The far left/far right-Kucinich will do really well with the far left and horrible with the far right which would probaly never vote for a democrat so I wouldn't worry about that.

Independents/Moderates/basically swing voters-I think Kucinich would be hurt in this area because of his liberal stances on everything, these type of people tend to look for what they like about republicans in a candidate, and what they like about democrats in a candidate. I predict he may pick up 1/4 of this vote.

Young/First Time Voter-These type of people tend to be more liberal then republican according to exit polls in the last 3 elections. These people tend to vote based on the candidates personality, where he/she stands on issues that effect young people, and the ability to energize them, they usually don't go for the serious, boring types. I think Kucinich would do quite well in this category, but my younger brother said 'he looks like an elf' when he first seen him so he would have to deal with that.

The biggest thing that would hurt Kucinich, the fact that the city of Cleveland went bankrupt when he was mayor, I am sure he would be able to present his case on what happen but you have to admit that is going to be the biggest thing that will hurt him.

[xequals]

39. Disagree

Kerry - yes - MA, the strongest Dem state in the union.. went to McGovern.
Dean - yes - VT, Ben and Jerry country.
Lieberman - yes - CT is pretty safe Dem at this point.
Gephardt - yes - MO would swing for Gep.
Graham - yes - FL would swing for Graham. Polls in the state aren't good right now for him, but Graham brings an impressive resume to the table, having served the people of FL as governor and senator. If Graham got the nomination things would be framed in a different light. FL would have a chance of sending someone to the WH.

Kucinich - not a chance - Ohio would never swing that far left. It's a pretty conservative state, even though the moderate Clinton was able to carry it.
Edwards - no - Edwards will have a difficult time winning his Senate seat, as it is. NC is solid south GOP country -- Clinton couldn't even carry it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

41. Clinton Was Significantly To The Right Of Kucinich

and he won pluralities in 92 and 96 in a three man race.

A main stream Dem has a decent shot there; not DK.

Facts are stubborn things.

[xequals]

45. Yes, even Gore lost Ohio

Bush (50.0%) 2,350,363
Gore (46.4%) 2,183,628
Nader (2.5%) 117,799


Even after 8 years of Clinton/Gore prosperity and even if all of the Nader votes would've gone to Gore, Ohio still went to Bush, and Gore is a mainstream Democrat.

Ohio is a swing state that leans Republican, but can easily be won by a good Dem candidate, i.e. someone who is moderate, experienced, well respected/liked, etc.

[FlaGranny]

44. Polls are skewed in Florida.

Most of the respondents were in highly republican districts. The chose fewer from highly democratic areas. Thus * comes out on top. And I don't even think the polls broke it down to Dem/Repub.

Edit to add last sentence.

[ShaneGR]

42. I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. Kucinich would be lucky to get 40% of the vote

Kucinich would have some trouble being elected mayor of Cleveland again let alone winning a statewide race. His reputation isn't that great here.