Bad news for Kerry in the South

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander says he is thinking about leaving the Democratic party for the GOP because "Kerry is too liberal".  This is not the sort of publicity Kerry needs if he hope to win anywhere in the South.  He needs a running mate sooner rather than later.

[Reaganfan]

KERRY-JOHNSON (Jim Johnson) seems likely...
GEE, Kennedy-Johnson.... Jeez!

[Wakie]

KERRY-JOHNSON (Jim Johnson) seems likely...
GEE, Kennedy-Johnson.... Jeez!

Uhh ... where do you get the Jim Johnson idea?  He's just the guy heading up the search committee.  I know Cheney headed up Bush's search committee and selected himself, but I don't think the Dems will do that.

[opebo]

Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander says he is thinking about leaving the Democratic party for the GOP because "Kerry is too liberal".  This is not the sort of publicity Kerry needs if he hope to win anywhere in the South.  He needs a running mate sooner rather than later.

Actually Kerry has never had a ghost of a chance in the South, but that kind of publicity - conservative Southern Democrats complaining about Kerry's leftism - could actually hurt Kerry in the Midwest!
Great stuff.  Personally I think they should bring Zell Miller and the rest up to the Midwest to campaign, since their efforts will be unecessary in the South.

[angus]

Inspector Lugar:  Barney, I want you to meet Agent Thomas, from the FBI.  They're investigating a murder.

Thomas:  Good morning, sir.

Miller:  Nice to meet you son.  Been in New York long?

Thomas:  No, sir.  I was hired by the Carter administration.  Just came on board from the Georgia state police.

Miller:  Ah, I thought I noticed the accent.

Thomas:  The democrats are back.  You, sir, now have the accent.

   --From "Barney Miller" circa 1977

[opebo]

I loved that show - Barney Miller.  Though it was full of liberals.  How did you remember those lines?!

[HoopsCubs]

Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander says he is thinking about leaving the Democratic party for the GOP because "Kerry is too liberal".  This is not the sort of publicity Kerry needs if he hope to win anywhere in the South.  He needs a running mate sooner rather than later.

I'm not worried about this.  The only 2 states in the South that Kerry is thinking about are Florida and Arkansas.  Privately he knows he has no chance in any other Southern state.  Bill Clinton will stump very heavily for Kerry in Arkansas in October, and Kerry will pour a lot of time and money into Florida.  He may even choose Graham or Nelson as a running mate.  Nothing is guaranteed for Kerry, of course, but these are the 2 southern states that give him the best shot.  He really needs to repair the bad relationship between the Democratic party and Cuban americans.  If he can make a dent in that, it's going to be another wild finish in Florida.  If he can't, then Bush will win Florida by about 2-3 points.

 

 

[MN-Troy]

Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander says he is thinking about leaving the Democratic party for the GOP because "Kerry is too liberal".  This is not the sort of publicity Kerry needs if he hope to win anywhere in the South.  He needs a running mate sooner rather than later.

I'm not worried about this.  The only 2 states in the South that Kerry is thinking about are Florida and Arkansas.  Privately he knows he has no chance in any other Southern state.  Bill Clinton will stump very heavily for Kerry in Arkansas in October, and Kerry will pour a lot of time and money into Florida.  He may even choose Graham or Nelson as a running mate.  Nothing is guaranteed for Kerry, of course, but these are the 2 southern states that give him the best shot.  He really needs to repair the bad relationship between the Democratic party and Cuban americans.  If he can make a dent in that, it's going to be another wild finish in Florida.  If he can't, then Bush will win Florida by about 2-3 points.

 

 

Bill Clinton stumping for John Kerry in Arkansas? Are you kidding? Has Clinton been back to that state since he left office (save perhaps cutting the ribbon for his presidential library)?

Did Clinton travel to Arkansas in 2000 to help Gore?

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

AN UPDATE:

 Roll Call's Cillizza reports, "After publicly contemplating a party switch," Rep. Rodney Alexander (D) "has decided to remain" a Dem, "according to a statement released by his office" this a.m. Alexander, "even though he is supporting President Bush re-election effort": "Although I am flattered by the offers of the Republicans to join their ranks, I am deciding to stay where I am." GOPers, "led by" Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA 03) and Rep. David Vitter (R-LA 01), "made a behind-the-scenes push for Alexander that by all accounts was a near miss."
     On 3/4 p.m. Dem "operatives were pessimistic about their chances of keeping Alexander in the fold and some expressed concern that he would announce his party switch" while Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), "the party's presumptive presidential nominee, toured" LA today (3/5).

[dunn]

Louisiana Congressman Rodney Alexander says he is thinking about leaving the Democratic party for the GOP because "Kerry is too liberal".  This is not the sort of publicity Kerry needs if he hope to win anywhere in the South.  He needs a running mate sooner rather than later.

I'm not worried about this.  The only 2 states in the South that Kerry is thinking about are Florida and Arkansas.  Privately he knows he has no chance in any other Southern state.  Bill Clinton will stump very heavily for Kerry in Arkansas in October, and Kerry will pour a lot of time and money into Florida.  He may even choose Graham or Nelson as a running mate.  Nothing is guaranteed for Kerry, of course, but these are the 2 southern states that give him the best shot.  He really needs to repair the bad relationship between the Democratic party and Cuban americans.  If he can make a dent in that, it's going to be another wild finish in Florida.  If he can't, then Bush will win Florida by about 2-3 points.

 

 

Clinton want Kerry to loose so Hillary will be on the 2008 ticket

[zachman]

Hillary doesn't stand a chance  in 2008 unless the establishment and the DNC rally behind her, and if she gets good reviews on the campaign trail.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

What a suprise.
All the above translates as: Dem congressman for 2nd most conservative CD in Louisiana publically flirts with the GOP in order to boost his re-election chances, whoops, I meant out of... er... dis... disallusionment with the Cajun-controlled LA Democratic party, whoops, er... national party too... um... er... liberal... etc...

[dunn]

Hillary doesn't stand a chance  in 2008 unless the establishment and the DNC rally behind her, and if she gets good reviews on the campaign trail.

o/c she doesn't. but the Clintons think she does

[Gustaf]

Could someone PLEASE give me an UNbiased opinion: is 'the Clintons' really a serious, endlessly plotting, force within the Democratic party? Or is it just a conspiracy theory? I don't mean like they have ambitions and stuff, but are they plotting things for coming elections etc?

[dunn]

Could someone PLEASE give me an UNbiased opinion: is 'the Clintons' really a serious, endlessly plotting, force within the Democratic party? Or is it just a conspiracy theory? I don't mean like they have ambitions and stuff, but are they plotting things for coming elections etc?

Many belive so, but can not prove it. Does not mean it's not true, they are smart and manipulative people....

[angus]

Ah, casual fridays.  The emergence of the permanent three-day weekend.  Ain't it good to be rid of the Clintonista workaholic 90s?  Tell the truth.  Pizza and sleazy interns and reports way into the night, or lazy days in crawford with Crown Prince Abdulla, and hunting expiditions with the King of Spain?  Clearly you people are a lazy lot.  Four more years!  Four more years!