Democrats grapple with the fear factor [Ol' Serpenthead, aka James Carville, is worried]

Politico ^ | 3 Oct 07 | David Paul Kuhn

[seanmerc]

For Democrats, things rarely get much better than this. In 2008, they’ll be running to succeed an unpopular incumbent, against an opposition that has rarely been more disorganized or dispirited. Polls show a Democratic advantage on major issues nearly across the board.

Amid all these favorable signs, it’s only natural that some of the party’s top strategists would be pondering the same question: Wonder how we’ll screw it up this time?

“We are a little bit of a shellshocked political party. We somehow or another always figure out a way to blow it,” Democratic strategist James Carville said. “Democrats have to talk their way out of winning.” Carville was not exactly serious but not exactly kidding. Even as all the trends seem to be breaking their way, Democrats still sound a bit like a boy who has been beaten up too many times on the playground: certain another punch is coming.

It’s more than paranoia. After all, many of the formulas political scientists use to predict elections suggested Democrats would take the White House in 2000 and 2004.

And it remains a fact that the party — even during two terms of Bill Clinton — has not broken 50 percent of the vote in a presidential election in more than 30 years, and it has done it only twice in the past 60 years. Plus, there’s plenty of precedent for a seemingly insurmountable lead (remember President Michael Dukakis from the summer of 1988?) to evaporate in the blink of an eye.

“No matter how the stars are aligned now, the stars keep moving,” said Mario Cuomo, the former New York governor and almost presidential candidate.

[seanmerc]

“We are a little bit of a shellshocked political party. We somehow or another always figure out a way to blow it,” Democratic strategist James Carville said.

You gotta love it!

[Mikey_1962]

The Democrats never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

[mainepatsfan]

So they’re afraid they’ll pull a New York Mets?

[Badeye]

‘And it remains a fact that the party — even during two terms of Bill Clinton — has not broken 50 percent of the vote in a presidential election in more than 30 years, and it has done it only twice in the past 60 years. ‘

Some of us, a relative few in my experience, actually knew these stats for years now.

Its pretty stunning to those that never realized it when you bring it up.

Mention it to a liberal...and they go absolutely insane. Try it, its fun....(chuckle)

[Salvation]

**We somehow or another always figure out a way to blow it,” Democratic strategist James Carville said. “Democrats have to talk their way out of winning.” Carville was not exactly serious but not exactly kidding. **

LOL! No kidding!??

[mainepatsfan]

I have an uncle who refuses to believe that Reagan won his elections far more easily than Bubba. Of course he also believes that the economy was stronger under Carter than Reagan. Sigh.

[Badeye]

‘I have an uncle who refuses to believe that Reagan won his elections far more easily than Bubba. Of course he also believes that the economy was stronger under Carter than Reagan. Sigh.’

I’ve run into those types in the past. It always makes me a bit sad that they absolutely refuse to acknowledge basic facts.

The precursor to Bush Derangement Syndrome.

[rod1]

Paging Bob Shrum...another job opportunity dead ahead.

So Carville thinks it is almost paranormal....and in reality its really Karl Rove.

[piytar]

It isn’t that they screw it up, or at least that’s not all of it. It’s that they believe the incredibly skewed push polling they and their MSM allies use to try to influence the electorate.

[gridlock]

...it’s only natural that some of the party’s top strategists would be pondering the same question: Wonder how we’ll screw it up this time?

If you read my "about" page, you will see I was predicting big wins for the Republicans in 2006, so take my prognosication with a grain of salt... but...

I think the 'Pubbies are in great shape going into 2008. President Bush will not be on the ballot, and opposition to President Bush is all the 'Rats have. They are going to have to counter a Republican candidate who is going to be attractive and a proven winner. If they run against President Bush and ignore the Republican candidate, they are not going to succeed.

Add the Hillary! Fatigue Factor, and you could see a widespread disgust with the Democrat Party translated into votes for the Republican. The only thing Hillary! has going for her is a sense of inevitability. But that can evaporate in a heartbeat if she gets into a horse-race.

I would not write this thing off. Not by a long shot.

[shankbear]

Has anybody ever noticed that Carville has an uncanny resemblance to Gollum?

[Holicheese]

Add the Hillary! Fatigue Factor... I call it the Hillary Revulsion Factor.

[Eagles Talon IV]

Refuses to believe? Geez, how easy is it to prove it to the guy?

[Publius6961]

Polls show a Democratic advantage on major issues nearly across the board.

??????????????????????

Polls are the "reality" of the brainless.

Immigration?

Spending?

Explosion of bureaucracy?

Scary "Universal" Health care?

Global Warming Scam?

Design taxes aimed only at some groups?

Advantage?
I don't think so!

[gridlock]

Add the Hillary! Fatigue Factor... I call it the Hillary Revulsion Factor.

I think people are going to come to the general realization that a Hillary! Administration would be a very scary thing.

[Tarpon]

How do you write “a cackle”

HaHaHaHa ... going down are we? Less than 50% Clinton never got 50%. No one wants to talk about BJ Clinton’s lack of mandate. Nope. Hillary will be lucky to break 45%, with the illegals gone.

[FFranco]

I agree with your point on Hillary. However, no matter how much she wants the public to think so, she is by no means the annointed candidate yet.

Even with Hillary heading the Democrat ticket, if a substantial percentage of the Republican electorate stays home on election day the Dims could still win. There is a real chance of that happening if Giuliani is the candidate. Many voters won’t see a dime’s worth of difference between Hillary and Giuliani. Though probably most here would hold their noses and vote for Giuliani.

[NeoCaveman]

So they’re afraid they’ll pull a New York Mets?

Impossible, Hillary has always been a Yankees fan (/rolling my eyes)

[iopscusa]

Serpenthead & the Cackle, that sounds like a an electable platform in bizarro world.

[Holicheese]

I was thinking last night that this would be an interesting ad against Hillary. Just play that “laugh” over and over again and show the most unflatering pictures of her.
Its enough to scare anyone straight!