2004: Dubya vs. Paul Wellstone

[President Johnson]

Assuming Paul Wellstone, progressive icon and senator from Minnesota, never went on board that plane and won reelection to his seat in 2002 and wins the 2004 Democratic nomination: Could he unseat Dubya? Maybe with a moderate VP. Discuss with maps.

[Lechasseur]

Frankly I doubt it. Things weren't bad enough yet for a progressive like him to have a realistic chance of winning. IMO, in 2004 I think Clark may have been the candidate with the best chance of beating Bush. Just maybe Graham or Gephardt could have, but if Kerry lost I don't see someone more progressive winning, especially during a war which still generally had popular support at the time.

[NewYorkExpress]

A better option for Progressives would probably be Tom Harkin, who would at least lock up Iowa for Democrats...and that alone would give them the White House assuming he makes a competent VP choice.