THE 'O8 SLATE One feature which is very clear on the American political scene in the United States is that we are paying little or no attention to “timing” studies made during the most recent presidential election.
Many people felt there were strong indications that several worthy individuals seeking the office were given a boost long before the general election citizens were in anything even close to election moods.
Such cart-before-the-horse presentations usually encourage criticism and ridicule. Such fledgling candidates, too, if they develop any sort of following at all, often become personally weary of the ways in which such campaign need to wander to gain and hold attention. It is also evident that the issue important enough in the early days of the campaign are not the same ones which are paramount to voters in the final weeks. It may well be, too as some insist that pre-time bloomers actually harm the “real” campaign as it gets underway having taken over various local issues as their very own.
Each day we see or hear some individual mentioned as being good material to be elected as our next President in November of 2008. That is “a rite fur piece down the ole road”- it might be said to be, but I have been amazed when so many people take such a way of thinking so seriously.
Many are influenced by echoes from the past and they look forward to seeing Al Gore, from down Tennessee way, take another shot at it all - chards or no chards. Most of these people seem to believe “he was was cheated out of the office last time” and that we, in consequence, “owe it to him!”
Some few I have heard mention another former runner who might stand a better chance of success - Governor Edwards of South Carolina, but much of this depends on what plans Senator Hillary Clinton may have in mind. If so there will be an horrific primary battle which, as some see it, could either make or break the Democratic Party as it now exists. The Rev. Jesse Jackson keeps his name being mentioned each time he shows up to help solve some national or international problem. Others who have to be included in such an at-random listing include Senator Behy, of Indiana, Governor Mark Warner,of Virginia, Secretary-0f-State Condaleezza Rice and Colin Powell.
Any of these, even all of them, may well fade from view before balloting for 2008 begins.
A.L.M. April 12, 2005 [426wds]
