We need a candiate with Charisma , Intellect and Fortitude..

[RethugAssKicker]

Lets face it.. The presidential election is basically a beauty contest. You have no chance of winning if you're 5'4" and bald. You have no chance of winning if you're boring and stiff.

I liked Kucinich.. he said all the right things, but just didn't have the "Right" look... Its a shame, but its true. If we don't find someone who is polished, articulate, "good-looking" and not a kiss-ass Republican-Lite, we're doomed to lose the '08 election again. Thats just the way American Presidential elections are these days. Who is out there with these qualities?.. Certainly not anyone from the '04 election.

[soleft]

1. Absolutely true

This is why I think Hillary could actually win in '08. By herself I don't think she could do - but Bill makes her a rock star's wife - and basically what the American people want most of all is to be entertained and distracted.

I wish it weren't this way.

[leveymg]

2. This is the Democratic Dream Team for '08

Is there anyone out there like them, today?

[OregonBlue]

27. I agree Gore/Clark but only if Gore does without the "handlers" and

is himself. He's great at off the cuff, not good when he's coached!! He's so informed on the political and environmental issues, could blast them out of the water!! Clark knows the military and is strong on defense and on peace.

[LiberalArkie]

3. Wes Clark is the Man

for the times.

[Patiod]

4. Clark has it all

plus he's strong on defense

[RethugAssKicker]

5. Clarke is OK, but...

What happened in 04?... Why couldn't he even win the primaries?

[Jersey Devil]

9. Too little, too late

He came into the race too late, no one knew him and to be frank I didn't think it would be too wise to entrust the nomination to someone who had just declared himself as a Democrat.

He has more than taken care of the trust issue since then with me and I respect him a great deal, but I still think he has very little name recognition generally outside of Dem Party circles.

[Ilsa]

10. For starters, he started very, very late, like Fall 2003.

He won Oklahoma (15), garnered delegates as follows:
Arizona 14
New Mexico 5
North Dakota 5
Tennessee 18

He now has an organization up and running, and he's making alot of public appearances, writing op-ed pieces, etc to get his name in front.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

29. Biggest problem was Clark started way too late. Even when he won OK, it

was as if the media REFUSED to cover it.

[maine_raptor]

6. Biden/Clark

that would be a good ticket

[Horse with no Name]

16. You're kidding?

Biden?:puke:

[maine_raptor]

18. Actually no

He's articulate, experienced and IMHO would appeal to a lot of Red State purple voters.

[Horse with no Name]

19. He is also a sell out

Next?

[maine_raptor]

21. Name me one that isn't on some level and still has a snowball's chance.

[Horse with no Name]

23. Gore.

Would be my first choice.
We need to get away from those that vote Republite.

[maine_raptor]

25. Quite frankly, I would agree, except that

1) Gore has said he will not run again

2) The MSM has made it plain that it does not like Gore (the sigh thing, the orange makeup, "lying", etc). Very hard to overcome.

3) His running would be spun into "the Dems have nothing new".

While Clark would be a very good choice, he lack of elective experience is going to hurt him, that's why I put Biden first.

[knitter4democracy]

7. Dean. If the party had gotten behind him, we would've won.

I couldn't believe how many Republicans around here liked him. He is the kind of politician a lot of people like, and if he'd stayed true to himself and the party had gotten behind him, I really think he'd be in the Oval Office today with so many votes that voter fraud plans wouldn't have worked.

[Armstead]

26. I Second that

Dean has all of the qualities referred to in the original post.

His biggest failing, IMO, was his lack of experience under the national spotlight. He said some things he shouldn't have, he tripped over his tongue sometimes, and he occasionally didn't realize the invisible line between charismatic passion and belligerance.

However, those are things one can get with practice, and he seems to be doing a lot better.

If his fellow Democrats in the leadership and strategic class would not marginalize him as a "fringe leftie" Dean could both kick Republican butt and take this country back.

[Ilsa]

8. Clark meets your criteria for being a real winner.

He may not fit into the same platform as Kucinich, but he is a quick study, well-educated in a variety of disciplines, has superb leadership skills, and on a personal level is nonjudgmental about people's preferences and lifestyles. And he is very, very easy on my eyes! I also like his voice. He is multi-lingual, well-travelled, and isn't afraid, unlike Cmdr Codpiece. I don't think we can lose with him.

[RethugAssKicker]

12. Maybe... but first he needs to take off his uniform!

[OneBlueSky]

11. Gary Hart has charisma, intellect, and fortitude . . . n/t

.

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. I don't know who I would support 2008. Al Gore, maybe?

but, unfortunately, I see your point.

I am tempted like many others to wonder if Al Gore might be the strongest possible candidate. People love a come back story. And he does have that. Also, he now has an appeal across the various divides of the party. Plus he did win in 2000 in spite of a hostile press and a great deal of apathy.

[FlaGranny]

14. Gore said

he is finished with politics, I believe, but I certainly would like to see Gore and Clark together on the ticket.

[RethugAssKicker]

15. This would be my choice too.... Gore/Clarke

[Horse with no Name]

17. I could live with that eom

[Akoto]

20. More charisma/intellect than Bush? Here's your nominee!

:evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

22. I'm not incliined to favor folks who "get by on their looks."

:shrug: Leave them in the used car lots where they thrive.

[Douglas Carpenter]

24. you may very well be right...but unfortunately in this day and age

being photogenic on TV is very important. It shouldn't be. But, sadly it is.

[Coexist]

28. What about Clark/Watt??

Or Corrine Brown?

They are CBC leaders - and they are strong, articulate and they kick ass. I would love to see a member of the CBC on the ticket. WE NEED to have someone with their guts and fearless leadership on the ticket - now more than ever.