Over the past 50 years, who have our strongest nominees been and how does Obama compare?

[Obamamaniac_25]

I'd say our strongest nominees have been JFK, WJC and President Carter. Al Gore was the strongest one who did not become the president. I think that Senator Obama has the potential to be in the top 6 nominees of the past 50 years. He is a midwesterner as well. He is not a so-called Mass liberal and he is not a southern conservative democrat who we have to run just because we are desperate to be elected. His weaknesses in the fall are certainly no more glaring than the weakness of WJC appeared to be in June 1992.

What do you all think. How does he compare. How strong, or if you think he will be weak, how weak do you think he will be.

[Faygo Kid]

1. LBJ was a powerhouse in 1964. Probably the strongest, sadly. We've had decent nominees.

Dukakis wasn't great; Mondale had no chance. George McGovern was and is one of my favorite Americans of my lifetime. WJC may be second to LBJ. Kerry wasn't nearly as bad as many think. Gore did win, but it should never have been close, and if Gore 2000 had been the Gore we know now, all the Rove cheating in the world would not have mattered.

[Sensitivity]

2. Obama is a "solid" nominee whose strength will be a function of the movement he leads

Obama seems to bring great intelligence and a sterling character (unlike some candidates we know). The success of the movement he has built will tell his strength. A great natural leader, like an Alexander or a Ceasar, is proven in the furnace of the strugles they lead.

His experience is relatively week in its lack of the military experience and executive political leadership.
There was a time when political leaders as a matter of course were expected to have some military service to the country. Not now, but it helps.

[Faygo Kid]

4. Don't discount inspiration. It matters. And he is #1 of all the candidates on that front.

And the greatest speaker of the bunch, even better than JFK.

Yes We Can.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. What do you mean by strong?

You mean ability to win key swing states? I don't know.

You mean in terms of the quality of his character? As strong as there's ever been.