Posted on 03/08/2006 4:02:48 PM PST by pjsbro
Prof: Don't look to '08 dems by Zack Barangan
March 08, 2006
Former Democratic consultant Robert Shrum spoke at the NYU School of Law yesterday, answering students’ questions about his role in John Kerry’s 2004 presidential run and offering his own theories about how the Democratic party can reclaim influence in America. Shrum — who most recently was a consultant for the Gore and Kerry presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004 — spoke at the lecture titled “Using Your Law Degree in Public Service and Politics,” sponsored by the Law Democrats.
Shrum, who is now a senior fellow at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and also teaches a freshman honors seminar, is famous for writing Ted Kennedy’s 1980 Democratic National Convention speech and has been involved in eight presidential campaigns.
He said he is not optimistic about the Democratic Party’s chances of taking the 2008 presidential election with Hillary Clinton. It will be difficult to beat Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz who is expected to run in 2008, because of his influence on Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, which may be key swing states, he said.
“I’m worried that the sense that she can’t win the election will spread,” he said, though he said her party approval is her greatest asset.
Shrum also spoke about the difficulties of Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, the last campaign he worked on.
“I believe it was really critical to try and beat Bush,” he said. “John Kerry gets more grief than he should.”
The democratic voters perceived that Kerry was the only candidate who could beat Bush, though he lacked the emotional connection with voters that Clinton had, he said. Kerry is also likely to make a run for the presidency again in 2008, Shrum said.
“I think [Kerry] has every right to run again; the man was almost voted president,” he said. “But he has to make a case.”
For the 2008 election, Shrum said he intends to be a commentator on MSNBC, staying out of the race.
Though Democrats are not likely to take the presidency, Shrum said he expects the Democrats to regain a majority in the House of Representatives in 2006.
“We could beat Tom DeLay, but the real icing on the cake would be exterminating him,” he said.
The minority vote is also a factor that Democrats take need to consider, he said.
“We need to pay more attention to the African-American vote,” Shrum said. “They vote Democrat, and we take them for granted.”
If Democrats want to reach out to minorities, they need to focus on citizens of cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati who are vital to the party, Shrum said.
“We need to believe in and put as much effort into these communities as Republicans put into fundamentalist communities,” Shrum said. “The Democratic Party is in need of someone getting involved with grassroots campaigns and making an impact.”
In general, Democrats need to state outright what they believe and stand by their statements, Shrum said. Most Democrats are “too traumatized” and calculating, he said.
“I doubt very much we’ll win the culture war by hiding in a foxhole and hope no one notices you and the things you believe,” he said
I realize that he's referring to DeLay's former occupation, but isn't that advocating, um, how you say, murder?
My own theory is that the Democrats all need to wear more earth tones.
I remember him saying to Kerry "May I be the first to say, Congratulations Mr. President?" I'm still laughing about that ultimate smackdown ZOT to the flip-flop meister.
Name me one candidate Shrum worked for that acually WON an election?
Talk about redundancy.
Bob Shrum can't be that stupid as to say that. Can't exactly say that it was taken out of context...although, with the LameScream Fraudcast Media giving him a free pass, who knows?
"The democratic voters perceived that Kerry was the only candidate who could beat Bush, though he lacked the emotional connection with voters that Clinton had,"
What? You mean the bitter, angry and hateful "connection" she has to the country and its people NOW?
No chance in hell of her winning a national election. ZIP.
What's with the rats' preoccupation with McVain? Notice the lamestream media never mentions George Allen, the only conservative thinking of running.
Just wait till the fall elections are over, I can't wait for Allen's intention to run and slap down the libnutmedia.
might be why he is sitting this one out at MSNBC- no other offers.
Oh No! If Shrum thinks the Dems won't do well in 2008, that's pretty much a guarantee they will.
Kerry won a few primaries if I recall correctly. Do these qualify as "elections"?.
Granted, Shrum's a major league loser in politics but he still has a lot of influence in Democratic party circles.
None.
I need some sort of liberal decoder ring to understand what he is saying.
It makes no sense to me.
Shrum is just about the biggest loser there is running campaigns, so I hope they keep taking his advice, whatever it means
thank you.
Oh and don't forget , complete incremental elimination of the Second Amendment .
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