I disagree with that notion. The democrats have always had a “machine” in which they can generate votes; both legal and illegal. They drive people in the city to the polls and coax whole buildings full of senile retirees to vote for the party of FDR So therefore, they will always challenge for the White House.
Interesting take on it. However, it will come down to whether the Donkeys can convince a majority of the electorate that fixing Social Security is a bad thing. There is enough evidence that they themselves were pushing this as a mandate not so long ago. The Dems who want to stay in office will be breaking ranks on this issue. As for Hillary, the further right she goes, the more she simply alienates that very sector that Dean is most effective with - the die-hard liberals...