A Boston Surprise this Summer?

The American Thinker ^ | April 7, 2004 | Thomas Lifson

[quidnunc]

The Democrats have hitched their Presidential hopes to one of the strangest nominees in a long time, John Kerry. His cold aloofness, his thin-skinned nastiness, his habit of marrying wealthy women and living grandly on the proceeds, and his unique propensity for deep-cutting self-satire (“I voted for it before I voted against it”), make him remarkably unappealing to the non-ideological swing voters who will decide the election.

Recall for a moment that the only reason he became the front-runner was the Democrats’ desperation in the wake of the Howard Dean public meltdown. Prior to that moment, Kerry’s campaign had gone nowhere. He was tested and rejected by the activists anxious to back a winner. Only by virtue of his ability to mortgage a house purchased with his wife’s late husband’s money was his campaign even alive to pick up the pieces.

His sole positive attribute is his putatively heroic war record in Vietnam. But political gossip-mongers have long known that it is only a matter of time before serious questions about that record reach the public arena. Kerry received three medals, and an early exit from the combat zone, based on self-reported injuries which caused him to miss but one day of work.

-snip-

Keep in mind that there are still almost 200 days left before the election. There is plenty of time for second and third thoughts about Kerry, on the part of America’s non-ideological voters, and plenty for them to think over. The vetting of candidate Kerry has only just begun.

But of course, Kerry isn’t really the nominee yet. He is only the “presumptive nominee.”

So it is time to seriously wonder if the Democrats might not exercise what we can call the “Torricelli Gambit.”

-snip-

[jocon307]

"RESTORE GORE "

Hey, that's not a bad slogan! I find myself missing Al Gore the more I am subjected to Kerry. JF'inK really is Al Gore without the charm.

[Thebaddog]

Look at what a stiff Gore is and he almost won. Of course he was the incumbent.

[hinckley buzzard]

The health gambit would be the best tactic. Precedent in 1972, when McGovern's convention nominated Thomas Eagleton for VP--then he was dumped for Sargent Shriver when it was found he had a history of manic-depression and electro-shock treatments.

More I think about it, the more I like this as the dem's last-ditch survival tactic--john kerry gets so "sick," he just can't go on, so he nobly steps down and rather than elevate the VP candidate, whoever it is, "the party" moves hillary in at the top.

[greccogirl]

I think anyone who thinks Hillary won't run is vasty mistaken. I believe this has been the plan all along.

[Golden Gate]

re: #3 = ...Phil Bredesen. He's a Southern Democrat tough on spending and taxes.
& #29 = I must say that Gov. Bredesen conducts himself with dignity and respect, is business-like and even.

An initial Google search = TN Governor (Democrat) Phil Bredesen "On The Issues":

On most issues listed: Phil Bredesen on "____" = "No stance on record".
On the Issues: Every Political Leader on Every Issue -
http://www.issues2000.org/Phil_Bredesen.htm

---

(From "Our Campaigns" = Phil Bredesen)

Born: November 21, 1943
Tags: Caucasian - German - Moderate - Government Reform - Health Care Reform - Jobs/Industrial Growth - Pro- gun - Pro-Choice - Straight -

Info: Phil Bredesen, the 48th governor of Tennessee, has built a reputation for effective leadership in business and government. He campaigned for governor in 2002 on a platform to better manage state government, improve Tennessee’s schools and fix TennCare. (more...)

http://www.ourcampaigns.com/cgi-bin/r.cgi/CandidateDetail.html?&CandidateID=2107

Looks like another Democrat who stumbles over the right to life, but it may be a start, - compared to the other Dems we've seen in the primaries & who've been mentioned...

Democrats really do need a nationwide talent search, to find a suitable nominee!

Okay Freepers!, any other ~good~ suggestions, for suitable Democrat nominees (Pres & VP)?

[Golden Gate]

#28 ~Zell Miller~

[small voice in the wilderness]

I think they should just go for it, and nominate Satan. Stop pretending they have any other candidate who has worked so diligently to write their entire platform and belief system. He invented it. Just call him up from the pits of hell, draft him on the first ballot, let him give a fire and brimstone speech, and announce hillary as his V.P.

[Golden Gate]

re: #31 = whatshisname in '72...?   (& #43)

A Moment in Time Archives: Thomas Eagleton (at the time) the little known junior Senator from Missouri...
Lead: In the summer of 1972 Senator Thomas Eagleton became the first U.S. Vice-presidential nominee to withdraw from candidacy. ~ ~

Content: It was going to be very difficult for George McGovern to win anyway. President Nixon popularity was soaring. The struggle for the nomination had been long and bitter and the liberal Senator from South Dakota had had little time to devote to the selection of a running mate. With the Miami convention vote locked up on July 12th, exhausted McGovern staffers began the search. Senators Kennedy, Mondale, Bayh, and Nelson were asked but most, sensing a doomed candidacy, found a reason to refuse. Even CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite was considered. At the last minute, Tom Eagleton, the little known junior Senator from Missouri, was added to the short list. In the course of a short check of his background, McGovern's aids learned Eagleton had been hospitalized for "fatigue and exhaustion" following one of his campaigns but an Eagleton staffer downplayed the treatment as not being serious. Such was not the case.

Rumors flew around the beleaguered campaign that Eagleton's illness had indeed been very serious. Less than two weeks after their nomination the two candidates met at McGovern's vacation retreat in South Dakota. McGovern backed his partner, "1000 percent," but Eagleton had to admit that he had been in the hospital three times from 1960 to 1966, twice undergoing shock treatment for depression. Newspapers and party politicians called for his resignation and a week later he did so under pressure.

Public attitudes about treatment for mental illness have changed in the past three decades, but the change came too late for Tom Eagleton.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.
Resources: Anonymous. "Eagleton Has Landed," American Heritage (July-August 1997):100-101.
Stout, Lawrence N. "Politics and Mental Illness: The Campaigns of Thomas Eagleton and Lawton Chiles," Journal of American Culture 18 (Fall, 1995): 67-73. Copyright 2000 by Educational Broadcast, Inc. http://www.ehistory.com/world/amit/display.cfm?amit_id=2022

[mombonn]

Everyone is freaked out about Hillary, but she just won't run.

For the first time, I'm convinced that she won't run this year. There is NO WAY this nation would choose a female for the first ever POTUS during a time of war.

Visions of hillary! in a flight suit, saluting the military just doesn't resonate.

[Bosco]

The 21st Century version of Robert Byrd?

What the photo depicts in your post has nothing at all to do with the KKK. It's a photo of a Christian pilgrim in Europe, and I think if you met that person you would owe them an apology. There are lots of other KKK photos out on the 'net for your use. I suggest using one of them instead of impugning the faith and integrity of the person in the photo above.

[WhiteyAppleseed]

Well, he used stunt-medals to make a point. Perhaps he is a stunt-candidate for The Great Pumpkin.

[WhiteyAppleseed]

What does history teach as far as campaigns? Has it ever happened that a parties candidate wasn't known until the end? Lincoln?

[rwfromkansas]

Well, that just may be a possibility. He does look rather ill.

We will see what happens I guess, but no sense in panicking over Hillary until she actually does run. And I don't really think she will until 2008.

[pointsal]

I have heard they Dims are offering a travel package that includes a tour of rustic cottages and little traveled lanes and bridges along the Mass. coast. O'l fatso Teddy is the lead guide....

[July 4th]

That's actually a pretty good idea, because while it will cause them to "promise" that Kerry won't be replaced, it also calls into question Kerry's long-term viability.

[Indie]

I think Hitlery has been the plan as well. Kerry just keeps the wolves off her until it is too late. The conspiracy nuts will win this one. Put all your money on the "Don't Pass Bar" because Kerry will 7 out.