Howard Fineman talked to James Carville, and what Carville says may be Sen. Clinton’s platform in ‘08:
The American people are going to be ready for an era of realism. They ve seen the consequences of having too many big ideas. “
If Sen. Clinton picks up this line of thought, she’s dooming any presidential campaign she may have. Because while America will be dying for some realism after eight years at the Bush Presidential Fantasy Camp (No Accountability Required), the only way for the Democratic party to regain the White House is through big ideas.
This is not 1996 or 2000. We are in a different world, and in that world the only way for Democrats to succeed is through what I call “Hail Mary Politics”. It’s the same sort of thing Barack Obama called “the audacity of hope” or what President Clinton discussed as “strong and wrong beats weak and right”.
Cutting away at the margins just isn’t going to work. It has to be something that’s big and bold and cuts across issues. I happen to think real Energy Reform is the magic bullet (fixes energy, foreign policy, economics, and education) but even if that’s not the grand theme – there’s got to be one. Not only to energize the base but to sell America on a vision.
The Republicans have had big ideas. Really bad big ideas live invading Iraq, privatizing social security and putting incompetents in the Supreme court and in charge of important government agencies, but still… big ideas. Somehow I think the party of the New Deal can do much better.
‘A moon shot in every pot’
Take Barry Commoners idea of reducing the cost of photovoltaic cells through
an incented mass production program (similar to the late 50’s genius’s who
farmed out transistors to Japan) and employ americans.
Captures the model Oliver proposes with a three-pronged attack
on energy dependence, jobs and the continuing economic momentum
we are all supposed to be enjoying
Energy reform could be the magic bullet, but I suspect that unless oil remains above $60 a barrel, universal health care would be more potent. It’s every bit as essential for the country’s future, too.
The problem for Hillary Clinton, albeit unfairly, is that she’s perceived as having bad baggage on the health care reform issue.
Hillary must re-connect to populism. There is a hunger in the land for progressive leadership that solves intractable problems. I am one of those people who saw Hillary’s effort at managed care reform as a corporate friendly half-measure that wouldn’t substantially impact on the bottom line of greed inherent in corporate health care profiteering.
I am unabashedly progressive and believe that we need a populist economic approch that includes some form of single-payer system or opening up medicare so that people and small businesses can buy into the system. We need to start addressing stagnant wages by first, raising the minimum wage, and secondly, moving toward making living wages a mandatory reality. The Massachusetts idea of mandating health care coverage is a starting point that all federal politicians should take a serious look at.
Apropos of nothing, I’m surprised Zacharious Mussawi’s verdict hasn’t been posted about. (apologies for the spelling).
Here’s a post:
The jury of 12 American citizens sentenced Moussaoui to life in prison. I suppose there may be posters itching to rant about something. Spin away, dugger pedro.
Actually, buma, you are wrong — again.
The sentence of death must be unanimous — it wasn’t.
Sigh. Oliver, you know, every time you post up about hillary, you aid the MSM in distracting the country from viable candidates.
I do agree with you about Energy Reform. Its economics, security, independence and liberty, small local government, and innovation all rolled up in one. Its the next great revolution waiting to happen.
q – w: I don’t think Sen. Clinton would be a good candidate, either…
If by viable, you mean electable, name three more electable than she is.
I’m not being argumentative, I’m curious.
As I said in the summer of 2000, please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please nominate Al Gore.
As I said,
The jury of 12 American citizens sentenced Moussaoui to life in prison.
Knee-jerk frank: Actually, buma, you are wrong again.
The sentence of death must be unanimous it wasn t.
Better tell that to the KC Star, frank. Somehow the Star reported that the jury sentenced Moussaoui to life in prison too.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/14496952.htm
As Cindy Sheehan says, “What about Al Gore? He’s already proven he can win.” Gore could bring out all his big ideas about the environment and capture a lot of conservative and independent votes. Americans of every political persuasion are plenty worried about global warming and other signs of environmental deterioration. And they don’t see Republicans doing anything serious about the problem.
I agree with Frank.
buma, buma, buma…
Several news reports stated — clearly — that his sentence was life, because there was not a unanimous sentence of death.
From the article: U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema tore open a brown envelope and announced that the jurors “do not unanimously find a sentence of death shall be imposed.”
Sorry to disappoint.
My knee had nothing to do with it.
please please …. please … please nominate Al Gore.
Somebody else, please. I’m tired of re-runs. and that goes for Hillary too.
I’d rather see Oprah run. She’d have a better shot.
Frank,
You’re assuming buma knows the definition of ‘unanimous’.
The jury sentenced the man to life in prison. Period. The sentence handed down was that and nothing else. Stop splitting hairs.
Anything you say, buma. Please remember that “splitting hairs” remark.
You’ll see it again.