If we lose, whichever path we choose....

[vi5]

Will you say "I told you so" if you were right, or "I was wrong" if you were wrong?

Meaning if we end up going with a total scorched earth anti-bush campaign, focusing on energizing "the base" and still lose, what will your reaction be?

Or if we run a safe, centrist, appealing to the middle campaign and refrain from attacking bush directly and still lose, what will your reaction be?

Much as I'd like to believe it, I really don't see these two sides coming together in peaceful harmony once the nominee is chosen. I hope they/we all do, but the pessimist in me (who is winning out a lot these days) says no.

[mmonk]

1. I think

whether the candidate is far left, center left, or center, there's still quite a bit that can be attacking points with this president. Its just knowing what they are and how they can be effective.

[vi5]

2. I agree......but there are a lot of absolutists on this board...

Who seem to be convinced (and say so on a daily if not hourly basis) that THE ONLY way we can win is by having a liberal candidate who bashes bush constantly or that THE ONLY way we can win is to have a centrist, reasonable positive campaign aimed at swing voters.

I'm just curious how these people are going to react when what actually happens doesn't fit into those absolutes that they've been touting for quite some time now.

[GinaMaria]

6. wouldn't it be nice

to have a candidate who could do both? energize the base and attract the swing voters? Any ideas for how to do this?

[vi5]

7. The problem isn't the candidates, it's what we demand of them

Seriously. The problem is that the left and democrats are so diverse and fractured. And each one of us thinks that OUR issue is the one that is the most important. And to get all worked up over one ridiculous thing that a candidate says or does. The fact is that one of the reasons the republicans keep winning is among other things a sense of the big picture.

[felonious thunk]

3. The ONLY way we can win.

is to get more electoral votes than Bush.

[ShimokitaJer]

4. Most will probably borrow a page from O'Reilly's book:

"I never said that. You can't prove I said that. I would never say anything like that. I've always thought things would turn out exactly like this and no one can say different. Shut up shut up shut up shut up!"

[quinnox]

5. This is the fun and exciting part

of the race, it's like a horse race. After the nominee is chosen, there will be a lull and I'm fairly confident most will support the nominee.

If a candidate wins that I think is not the best (there are only a couple candidates of the top bracket I don't like), I will be disappointed but will abide by DU rules and not talk about it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Now is a good time for Dean supporters to ask themselves this:

How is their response to "attacks on Dean" any different from the response that "attacks on Bush" will engender in his supporters?"

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Oh where is the self reflection?

[bobbieinok]

10. 'If we lose'

Look

...1) at the media coverage of the democratic candidate

...2) at the voting machines without a paper trail.

SINCE WE KNOW

...media attacked Gore 24/7 in 2000

...there was vote theft in FL, GA, and probably other states


WE MUST

...prepare a coordinated plan to counter the inevitable media lies and failure to cover the democratic candidate

...fight NOW to get a paper trail in place everywhere.

IF WE DON'T

...SURPRISE! SURPRISE! democrats lose.