DEMOCRATS WILL LOSE THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

With the Democrats’ recent trouncing of Republicans to gain control of the House and Senate, I believe that Democrats are now ideally poised, once again, to lose their bid for the White House in the 2008 Presidential race.

Yes, lose. The reasons are very simple: Democrats, by their current actions and rhetoric, continue to demonstrate that they have not fully grasped the true reason for their historic win. Coupled with their exceptional lack of clarity of vision as to what they must do to set aright the great blundering ship that is the United States under the George Bush administration – and one sees that Democrats have no clue themselves as to why they ever won the midterm elections.

Off With His Head

Democrats still do not realize that the American public is not against the Iraq war – it is frustrated with Bush’s inability to clinch a definitive win. If Bush won the war tomorrow, his job approval rating would go through the roof. Americans love to fight in wars they can clearly win. Furthermore,Americans are not disgusted with the many Republicans that have crashed and burned under political, financial and moral scandals. That's all been forgotten. Americans are disgusted with the inability of George W. Bush to seize the day and demonstrate decisive and inspired leadership.

In other words: It’s all about Bush. Like baseball fans, Americans are impatient and demand the firing of the head coach because he can't win the Big One. That's what Republicans didn't fully appreciate during the midterm elections. They were fearful of cutting Bush loose - and that cost them dearly.

The Republicans, however, have finally figured it out. They are now cutting the cord with Bush, distancing themselves from him, telling Americans they share their pains about Bush – and want to make the hurt go away by putting a better leader in his place. A vote for Republicans will be a vote for change.

That's what Americans want to hear and why they are ready to vote Republicans back into power again. America is still Republican territory. They do not hunger for a Democrat in the White House, they hunger for more effectual Republican leadership to once again lead them.

Meanwhile, Democrats continue their clueless scurrying about. Like those bumbling cartoon characters that think they have a fish on the line – and pull and pull on the line, salivating at what’s waiting for them – they will ultimately find nothing more than an old boot, when they finally reel in their Presidential catch.

A Man With a Plan
It's not hopeless for the Democrats. They can still win the White House. But they must quickly recognize their dire situation and select a truly dynamic Presidential candidate with a sensible Iraq withdrawal plan - not just another Bush critic who has no better idea himself (or herself) of what needs to be done. It's not Obama, it's not Clinton, it's not McCain, it's not Kerry. Republicans don't have a clear plan either - so, for the Democrats, coming to the table with a "winning" plan is their only hope. Unfortunately, the way things look, it is highly unlikely they will do so. More likely, they will do all the wrong things and say all the wrong things – again – when the 2008 Presidential race comes about.