Democrats and Implosion

I remember back in December of 2000, when the whole “Hanging Chad” brouhaha was the rage. I remember how eloquently Vice-President Al Gore conceded the election to Governor George W. Bush – after weeks of legal maneuvering, spittle-flecked name-calling, and dirty tricks, of course. But I also recall how well Gore delivered his speech, and it occurred to me at the time to imagine how differently things might have played out for Gore, had he shown such a face just before the election, instead of almost two months after the votes were cast. It bothered me a bit, because I worried that Gore would have four years to work on his act, and in 2004 he would be strong, well-prepared, and a serious contender to take the Oval Office away from Dubya.

But it never happened. Gore dithered when it was time to make a decision about running, and certainly Hillary played him for a fool just to mess with him. In any case, by the time Democrats were serious about picking a nominee, it was clear that Gore was not a serious possibility. No matter how much he screams or puffs up his ‘academic’ image now, he has broken the foundation of his political future beyond repair.

I mention this, not only because I am pleased to conclude that Gore will never be President of the United States, but also to note that I see a similar effect at work in the words and actions of John Kerry. The Senator should know very well from his 2004 experience that Iraq is not a winning issue for him, yet he voluntarily ties himself to it for the upcoming election season. Needs a lifevest, grabs an anchor.

Could it be that one reason Republicans are the governing party, is because the Democrats’ executive nominees always turn out to be suicidal?