Do you want a break to savor 06 before thinking about 08?

[Armstead]

Do you think the Mainstream Media, the Beltway Establishment and the grass roots places like DU are focusing too much too early on 08? Or is it appropriate to focus on it now?

Here's my own take on it. I for one would like to see a little less of the obsessive speculation at this point on which candidate is best suited to be Prom King or Queen and more on the actual work of changing the country.Obama, Hilary,Edwards,Dennis,Vilsack, Rudy, McCain, etc. etc. etc.

The thing about politics today is that it never seems to be focused either on today or the long-term. It's always oriented to the next election. One election gets over, and immediately all eyes turn to the next one.

The newly elected Democratic Congress hasn't even started yet, and MSM and places like DU are already buzzing and focusing on the 08 election. Nevermind that it's two years away, and there's a lot that needs to be done both in the short term and in terms of actually turning the US back on a reasonable course in the big picture.

It's like the end of the movie The Candidate, when Robert Redford turns to his manager after winning a Senate seat, and asks "Now what do we do?".....Today the answer seems easy. "Start running again."


It's true that the road to 08 is going to be a slugfest -- both within the two major parties for the nomination and between them once the candidates arer nominated. And, yes it's important. And yes, it is a long road that has to be prepared now.

But do you think it's too much too soon? Is it is a distraction from actually focusing on the Issues (remember them?) that face the country?

Or is it necessary and more useful to start working towards 08 now?

[mikehiggins]

1. Too many people thought it really made no difference if Gore or the

Chimp got into office in 2000.

Won't be fooled again.

I'm supporting Clark (if he runs) but whoever the Democratic Party standard bearer turns out to be, whether Clark or Clinton or Kuchinich, I'm 100% behind the candidacy (unless, of course, it turns out to be Jomentum--in which case the world would be ending anyway so who cares?).

No one should ever, ever, ever vote for a GOPuke again and any Democratic officeholder who thinks there is a possibility of working WITH these people for the commone weal should get a custard pie everytime he or she opens his or her mouth until the lesson is learned.

There are THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of people dead today who might not have died at all if the Chimp-in-Chief had been sent back to Texas in 2000. Certainly, there are a lot of Iraqi children that would still have arms and legs and, like a lot of U.S. children, would still have living parents to help them grow up. That is too high a price to pay.

2008 election? BRING IT ON! It can't come soon enough.

[flamin lib]

2. Where's the "I like eggs," option?

[Armstead]

5. That's the "Huh?" option

[blm]

3. Dems should concentrate on making first 6mths of 07 the MOST PRODUCTIVE ever

for this nation.

Bush and the GOPs have made ACTUAL WORK a MAJOR PRIORITY for Democrats and CITIZENS.

Let the DNC do ITS job of strengthening the infrastructure still suffering the effects of negligent leaders from 1996-2005. Support Dean and the state parties in every way you can so when the primaries DO begin in earnest next summer, the eventual nominee will actually have a strong Dem party infrastructure in place to tap into for a change. Something neither Gore or Kerry could access in 2000 and 2004.

Thanks for doing the hard work on this Chairman Dean. And FUCK YOU, AGAIN, Terry McAuliffe and the Clinton Dems who COLLAPSED the party infrastructure in too many states with their targeted state strategy.

[Armstead]

6. I tend to agree -- The best way to win in 08 is a Positive Congress now

If the Democratic politicians (including the presidential wanna be's in Congress) focus on getting the job done now, in terms of an effective and strong Congress, that's likely also the best strategy to win big in 08.....Plus it'll be a lot better for the country.

[blm]

9. Exactly - the stronger we ARE now, the stronger we WILL be in 2008.

Last election we still had a congress and the last Dem president spending most of the 4years STANDING WITH BUSH on almost every major policy decision.

And BushInc STILL had to steal it on the ground in states where they could. And that DUMBASS Terry McAuliffe let them do it.

[FredStembottom]

4. I voted too soon.....but I also voted against Hurricane Katrina.

n/t

[Armstead]

8. Gee, I voted for Katriuna....

No,no...just a joke. Not really., honest.

[More Than A Feeling]

7. I don't think its even gotten started yet.

There's no harm in speculating about '08 and celebrating the crushing we administered at the same time.