My Final DNC Presidential Winter Meeting Rankings:
1. John Edwards: always a polished speaker - walked away the clear surface winner today mainly because of the energy from the (dare I say his) audience. Let's just say that it proved the point that when organization salts the audience ... but watch the DNC members reactions (looks now to me like 15-20% support among DNC members) they want someone who can win. LOTS OF ENERGY!! CLEAR APPEAL TO UNION MEMBERS. "WILL YOU STAND UP FOR AMERICA?"
2. Hillary Clinton: "I know a thing about winning campaigns" was the line of the day. IMO she should start and end with that and kill off the "start a conversation" . The DNC members (looked to me like 30 - 35% support among DNC members)want a winner and yes, as Lowell points out "this woman is tough, smart, and knows how to fight." The room had plenty of energy and showed organizational strength.
3. Barack Obama: I agree with Lowell "A strong speech in terms of content. His discussion of cynicism and hope, as well as his line that "[t]imes are too serious to let the cynics win this time," worked well." ... Lowell also hit the nail on the head with,"But for some reason, maybe heightened expectations for someone seen as a "rock star," Obama's speech today seemed a bit underwhelming, flat, like he was holding back, tired, subdued or something. I'd say that Obama didn't hurt himself today at all, but he also didn't particularly help himself either." NO ENERGY - NO ENERGY - NO ENERGY --- Called for a clean campaign --- NO Organizational Strength Shown (draft Obama signs - I think leftovers from the 04 convention) (looks to me like 5 - 10% Presidential support among DNC members)
4. Wes Clark: his speech but probably not ideal for this DNC audience ... he could have given it at a military academy ... my personal choice to be the VP on the ticket did nothing to sway me to move him into the P category. (5% Presidential support among DNC members)
5. Bill Richardson: noted the 7 min time limitation and the laundry list of major items to cover ... I liked his 4 words line "Elect A Democratic President" ... ideas and ideals - wanted DNC to enforce an all candidates must run positive campaigns ... practical foreign policy experience ... gave great example of him talking with North Korea ... highlighted accomplishiments as Gov of the Land of Enchantment ... helped his chances to be V-P
6. Chris Dodd: Lowell ranked him second but I agreed with this part "repetitive and long-winded but connected with the audience" ... IMO the audience connection and energy was because he was 1st up ... IMO he's in the race for V-P
7. Tom Vilsack: Low energy ... not much of a force ...his personal history doesn't seem to play well coming directly from him ... history of Iowa red to blue
8. Joe Biden: "It's been a hell of a week!" was the best line ... played to DNC membership and his foriegn policy strength but I found myself asking where was his leadership when, as he said, This President sent troops into a war in Iraq without a plan ... and why is "no end in sight" acceptable to him as a Senator?
9. Dennis Kucinich: Lowell was correct "I think the vast majority of the crowd was sitting there trying to figure out why this guy is running for President." ... in my mind he is the "issue" candidate and advanced quite a personal first hand knowledge of the results of war ... and offered a "Department of Peace" ... his run will force other candidates to take the war/peace issues more seriously.
10. Mike Gravel: Same question as #9 with only two good quotes "Washington needs adult supervision" and "Anyone who voted to go to war in Iraq is not qualified to hold the office of President of the United States" Howard Dean should have kept this lecture to the 7 min (ok it really seemed to be 10-15 for everyone) time limit.
After even more reflection:
I had the opportunity to listen to Mark Warner's (Presidential) stump speech a few times a few months ago ... I say again, he would have easily bested all 10 speakers ... and the energy would have been electric ... he knows how to WIN... still time to change his mind ... time for all of us to speak up ...
Shawn O'Donnell
http://www.virginia dem.com