Cosby in 2008? It's time for Democrats to think beyond the usual suspects

Washington Monthly ^ | Jan/Feb 2005 | The editors

[Jay777]

The ink on those Ohio provisional ballots was not yet dry before the inevitable speculation began about Democratic presidential candidates for 2008. Battered, tired, and frustrated by yet another close-enough-to-taste loss, Democrats dreamed of a leader who could inspire them. They surveyed their ranks, scratched their heads, and tossed out the names of possibilities: Hillary Clinton. John Edwards. Tom Vilsack. That's about where the conversation ended.

Nothing hurts Democrats more than their own aversion to risk. If they are to confront a Republican Party now eyeing a constitutional amendment to make their favorite Austrian-born-movie-beefcake-turned-GOP governor eligible for the White House, Democrats must start thinking audaciously. Instead of bellyaching about the supposedly shallow 2008 bench, why not consider the following list of people, who probably no one—including those on the list—have yet pictured duking it out in New Hampshire? Some of them may have a real chance of winning the nomination, while others are longshots who nonetheless represent the type of candidate who might make a run for the White House. Some are larger-than-life personalities; some have been wildly successful in business; some are already household names; and some are all of the above. Most importantly—with apologies to the governor of Iowa—each can make a more exciting candidate than Tom Vilsack....

[Jay777]

Bill Cosby

Bio: Comedian; actor; Ph.D. in education. Case for Candidacy: America's favorite dad is also a master of reframing; Cosby consciously structured his top-rated “Cosby Show” to emphasize the importance of education and knock down stereotypes of black families. He has since drawn upon his beloved-icon status and personal fortune to stump for early-reading initiatives and endow college scholarships; now, he's putting his popularity on the line to criticize the lax parenting and low academic standards he sees in black America today. These recent remarks, that drew defensive fire, proved the former Jello spokesman has guts and thrust Cosby back onto the national stage. A successful, much-loved black man touting education and family-values—what's not to love? Surprising Edge: Great one-liners. Possible Disqualifier: Has admitted cheating on his wife. Odds of surviving Iowa Caucus: 50-50

The list also includes Tom Hanks,and Ted Turner.

[jennyjenny]

Well, he's being accused of sexually assaulting a woman, so he's qualified.

[munchtipq]

Good lord, we just had to deal with the whole ketchup thing from Kerry's wife, can you imagine the number of comments about the pudding pops? I shudder to think.

Personally I'm just hoping that one of the two major parties has the fortitude to put a woman on their ticket. Prez or VP, I don't care, I just want to see that. I think it's time.

[Jay777]

Good point. But, he has actually been speaking rather conservative views lately.

[RetiredArmy]

Bill needs to stick to comedy. He is not qualified to be President.

[Jay777]

I like Cosby. If he ran on the democrat ticket, of course I wouldn't vote for him, but I had rather see him as prez than some far lefty like Kerry or Clinton.

[Brian328i]

If they are to confront a Republican Party now eyeing a constitutional amendment to make their favorite Austrian-born-movie-beefcake-turned-GOP governor eligible for the White House

BWAH?!?!? I don't think the GOP is eyeing anything even close to that. Sorry Ahnold, you ain't getting into that seat.

[Brian328i]

Well the GOP better not be thinking of allowing non-native citizens or I'll go crazy.

[al baby]

pudding pops

That was Monica and Bill Clinton

[twigs]

Hmmm. This may explain the "why now" question that emerges from yesterday's news that Cosby groped a woman a year ago in Philadelphia.

[metesky]

Just read the entire ludicrous article and can only conclude that the Dems should be encouraged to keep up this behavior.

[polymuser]

Actually, the Democrats have considered the amendment, too, for the vivacious, blonde Gov. Granholm of Michigan, who was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada.

[Jay777]

I'm hoping that General Tommy Franks runs on our ticket. I don't think he will though. Wish I could contact him and try to persuade him. I was doing a search to see if there was a site pushing for him, but found nothing.

[winodog]

Did he actually earn a Ph.D? I thought it was a honory "gift". Plus he will be too old.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

IMHO the editors of Washington Monthly have a great idea, but the list of candidates is too shallow. Until the current Democrat party moves to the right, it is going nowhere. The fact is, the country is becoming more conservative with every passing day. Good candidates for the Democrat Party, include Joe Lieberman, Evan Bayh, Ben Nelson, John Breaux, etc. At least these folks have the experience, understanding and background to be the POTUS.

Sorry to say, again IMHO, the Washington Monthly list does not make the grade. However, the idea is great one. Problem is, the Democrat Party is in deep trouble, but it has yet to honestly and objectively define the problem. I would suggest the simple exercise of studing the demographics of the 2004 vote. Overall, it reveals a pattern of shrinking Democrat votes in the "Blue" states. GW Bush could have easily won, (maybe he did), Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Hampshire, etc. But the real story lies in New York, New Jersey and California. With little or no campaigning in these three states, the Pubbies did remarkably well, running close in NJ, running well within striking distance in California and getting 40% percent of the vote in New York. Take out the NYC vote and Bush carries New York State. Couple these demographics with the fact that the once solid "Black" vote is now deserting the Democrat "Slave" Party. and the scenerio becomes so clear my three year old grandson gets it. I'm sure Ken "take no prisoners" Mehlman, the new RNC Chairman has spotted these obvious cards on the table.

Failure to face reality at this point in its history will cause the Democrat Party to become either a permanent "minority" party, or worse yet, disappear altogether and be replaced by a broader "moderate" political party. It's a tough job, but the Democrat Party will have to jettison the likes of John Kerry, John Edwards, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, Ted Kennedy, etc. if it really wants to win the hearts and minds of millions of God worshipping and patriotic American voters. At this junction. many Americans feel the Democrat Party is purely secular, anti-religion, pro-abortion, anti-American, anti-military and would never defend the country under any attack. Scary that the once great Democrat party has arrived at this point, isn't it!!!

[esoxmagnum]

Never happen.

He's "uppity" and don't know his place.

He's called Jackson a Poverty Pimp.

He's been shaking Sheraton's money tree.

He's a conservative.

He doesn't pander to welfare.

He tells blacks they CAN succeed (this goes against the democratic ideology)

and finally.... I guarantee that these allegations of sexual groping have been instigated by someone in the democratic party to put this "boy" in his place.

Democrats are the biggest group of bigots you will ever come across, and they play nasty hardball.

Cosby has no place in that party.

[esoxmagnum]

sorry, should have been "Sharptons" money tree....

the joys of spell check....

[kellynla]

My suggestion would be for Cosby to run for Mayor of Los Angeles, clean up the city, get rid of the drugs, gangs and various and sundry other criminals that roam about the City of Angels(and maybe he can get the cross back on our county shield LOL) and if he is successful there then run for governor of CA and if he's successful there then we can honor his death with a memorial. :-)

[Jay777]

Maybe he should run on our ticket?

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

"Personally I'm just hoping that one of the two major parties has the fortitude to put a woman on their ticket. Prez or VP, I don't care, I just want to see that. I think it's time."

That may be the dumbest thing I've read on a non-ZOT FR thread. Let's find some woman, any woman, just someone sans penis, just because "it's time". This is the same kind of thinking that gave the Dems Geraldine Ferraro in 1984. Was it "time" for her? It would seem that most voters didn't think so. Most people see this kind of idiotic pandering for what it is, and vote accordingly.

I was under the impression that conservative principles included choosing candidates, whether they are political candidates or job candidates, on the basis of merit, rather than race, sex, religion, or parentage. Now, it may well be that Condi Rice is the best candidate for the Repubs, or that Hillary outlasts the other Dems. If so, great, they've proven themselves in a fair fight. To suggest that we need a woman because "it's time" is just as stupid as saying we need a black candidate, or a muslim candidate, or a homosexual candidate, because "it's time". Lunacy.