Blog For Arizona

The Weapon is Revealed...

Today there is only one Democrat that could possibly beat Howard Dean in NH or IA. But he's not a candidate; he's Al Gore. With his speech to Meetup.com members at NYU, Gore emerged once again from the shadows to deliver a knockout punch to George Bush's credibility. His speech was humourous, common-sensicle, understated, well-reasoned, and incredibly effective.

Gore demonstrated that he still has what it takes. He is still one of the handful of premier political figures in the world to whom the ears of the entire nation draw near when he speaks. With Gore in his camp - he did promise to endorse a Democrat - any Democratic nominee has a doomsday weapon of frightening ability at his side. The endorsement and support of the man who won the popular vote in 2000, yet had the Presidency stolen from him after a long and bitter legal struggle is bound to galvanize an already enraged Democratic electorate. Add to this the sense the greater anger which the CA recall, another naked and shabby attempt of GOP stormtroopers to overturn the democratic process, will add to Democratic ire and you have a electoral witches brew that could overturn the entire political establishment overnight in 2004. Did Gore realize the voter anger he would be able to wield if he didn't run, but rather stayed outside the process, when he made the choice to forgo 2004? One has to suspect he knew that he would be much more effective as a citizen concerned about America's fate, than as the GOP would cast him as a candidate, an embittered sore loser looking to get what he thinks is rightfully his back.

Finally, although he has remained quietly unobtrusive, issuing only a muted endorsement of his fellow Arkansan General Clark, he is likely to besitr himself as the general election nears, to stump for the nominee. His popularity and influence is still enormous, his appeal still undeniable. Clinton will play a role in this election. In fact, I would not be surprised if he played a roll in the next administration. His enui in his exile from power is well known; he even wants to change the Constitution so that he might run again. That may never come to pass, but a Secretary of State more capable of immediately restoring the shattered confidence of the world in the US's intentions is hard to imagine.

While we are at it let's play a game: Imagine a Super-Cabinet. Gore for Interior. Clark for Defense. Gephart for Labor. Kerry for Veterans Affairs. Napolitano for AG. Kucinich for Energy, Graham for CIA. Nader gets his choice of EPA or FDA. I've left some open, who do you think should fill them? What does you Super-Cabinet in a Dean administration look like?

posted by Michael Bryan @ 8/08/2003 03:03:00 PM