BLOOD AND GORE
Students of history can trace the amazing political path blazed by Richard Nixon between 1960-1968.
key points along the journey:
*credible allegations that a Presidential election was stolen from him
*humiliating defeat in 1962 California gubernatorial election (You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around any more!)
*Seen as so much damaged goods (and as too moderate) to be the GOP's nominee in 1964 (Barry Goldwater got nod - "a choice, not an echo").
*Entered private law practice in NY as unpopular war conducted by two Democratic presidents raged on
*In an amazing act of political reinvention, won the Presidency in 1968, after having won Republican nomination as the "middle ground" candidate (Thurmond - too conservative; Rockefeller - too liberal)
Now, consider Al Gore's journey since 2000. Key points:
*credible allegations that a Presidential election was stolen from him
*embarrassing series of public sightings where he is seen with beard, extra forty pounds, and denouncing President in blood-red speeches offering little subtantive analysis
*Seen as too "damaged" to be Democratic nominee in 2004 (by the party and by himself)
*Enters television business, movie business, forms corporations, as unpopular war conducted by Republican president rages on.
*Starts to give series of high-profile, well-received speeches, laying groundwork for 2008 Presidential run, even as he all but publicly rules such a run out.
*In an amazing act of political reinvention, _________?
Who knows? History shows that anything is possible, and that timing, fate and luck can combine to make the impossible seem, in retrospect, like the inevitable.
Suggestions for Al, if you do run.
1. Don't bring up Florida. Voters will be reminded of it by your mere presence, and will vote according to their feelings about the recount. Distance can lend enchantment, and silence can be golden.
2. Do feel free to criticize the new Supreme Court for its token federalism. This criticism will be picked up by observant viewers as an implied (but fair) critique of the Court's decision to stop the 2000 recount, and will also remind people of how important it is to consider the Supeme Court as a voting issue generally.
3. Do campaign with Bill this time, even if it means saying his affair was wrong. He's already said it was, so you can too.
4. Don't campaign with Hillary, if that's possible.
5. Don't hire Donna Brazile, Bob Shrum, or, yes, even James Carville (who would rather Hillary win at some point in time) to manage your campaign.
The rest is history.... for the making.
Check out this website about Gore's resurgence:
http://www.observer.com/20060130/20060130_Ben_Smith_pageone_coverstory1.asp
key points along the journey:
*credible allegations that a Presidential election was stolen from him
*humiliating defeat in 1962 California gubernatorial election (You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around any more!)
*Seen as so much damaged goods (and as too moderate) to be the GOP's nominee in 1964 (Barry Goldwater got nod - "a choice, not an echo").
*Entered private law practice in NY as unpopular war conducted by two Democratic presidents raged on
*In an amazing act of political reinvention, won the Presidency in 1968, after having won Republican nomination as the "middle ground" candidate (Thurmond - too conservative; Rockefeller - too liberal)
Now, consider Al Gore's journey since 2000. Key points:
*credible allegations that a Presidential election was stolen from him
*embarrassing series of public sightings where he is seen with beard, extra forty pounds, and denouncing President in blood-red speeches offering little subtantive analysis
*Seen as too "damaged" to be Democratic nominee in 2004 (by the party and by himself)
*Enters television business, movie business, forms corporations, as unpopular war conducted by Republican president rages on.
*Starts to give series of high-profile, well-received speeches, laying groundwork for 2008 Presidential run, even as he all but publicly rules such a run out.
*In an amazing act of political reinvention, _________?
Who knows? History shows that anything is possible, and that timing, fate and luck can combine to make the impossible seem, in retrospect, like the inevitable.
Suggestions for Al, if you do run.
1. Don't bring up Florida. Voters will be reminded of it by your mere presence, and will vote according to their feelings about the recount. Distance can lend enchantment, and silence can be golden.
2. Do feel free to criticize the new Supreme Court for its token federalism. This criticism will be picked up by observant viewers as an implied (but fair) critique of the Court's decision to stop the 2000 recount, and will also remind people of how important it is to consider the Supeme Court as a voting issue generally.
3. Do campaign with Bill this time, even if it means saying his affair was wrong. He's already said it was, so you can too.
4. Don't campaign with Hillary, if that's possible.
5. Don't hire Donna Brazile, Bob Shrum, or, yes, even James Carville (who would rather Hillary win at some point in time) to manage your campaign.
The rest is history.... for the making.
Check out this website about Gore's resurgence:
http://www.observer.com/20060130/20060130_Ben_Smith_pageone_coverstory1.asp
posted by EnterCenter at 10:02 AM
1 Comments:
I completely agree with you re: Gore. He and Feingold are the only two politicos I actually like at the moment. I think Gore would not have a bad shot if he followed your advice.
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