The Sorry Sod Two Years From Now...

[Da Skinna]

...That has to take over Bush's Republican government of 8 years.
This might seem early, but what would be, looking at the administration's problems now, the problems and obstacles that would face a Democrat (hypothetically, and most probably unless something something) government in 2008?

Debt? Iraq? Social program problems including what happens with Katrina's aftermath? What do you think will be a problem for a Democrat government when they take over in two years? And are you optimistic?

[Erik]

I think the debt is going to be their biggest problem.

Whoever replaces Bush must take very unpopular measures to dramatically reduce the deficit again.
America simply can't survive for another 6 years on it's current spending spree.

So if they elect a Democrat president in 2 years time, then in 6 years time Republicans will only cry "Democrats only want to increase taxes, bla bla bla"

Iraq is also a big mess that will only make party of the next president unpopular.

I think the smartest thing for Democrats to do is to simply not run in the next presidential elections.
Let the Republicans solve their own mess first.

[Da Skinna]

But then they'd just rape America. Make off with money like madmen, and the problem will have not been solved with any actual long-term results. Maybe.

[RusskiSoldat]

The Democrats aren't looking too good.
They are less of a mess than usual, but the Republicans are bringing out some big league players for 2008.
And I don't envy whoever is president next.
He better be a goddamn genius.

[Lusted]

I don't get, what with all the issues related to national secuirty and the War in Iraq, why the Democrats don't run Wesley Clark for President. He's a retired four-star General, was the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000, and is also quite liberal on some issues. If America want someone to lea their contry and to protect them, who better than a ex-General.

[Lord Consul]

I have to agree with RusskiSoldat. I don't think that the Elephants are moving out of Washington D.C. in 2008. The democrats must have smelled 2 tons of cocaine to even think Obama is a competitive candidate. The mere fact that lots of gossip are pointing him as the nex president-would-be shows the state-of-affairs that currently reigns on that party.

EDIT: Now that you've said, Lusted, Clark is indeed a good candidate. But he's mostly an unknown on the broader political arena, and I think that most democrats would rather drink cyanide than appoint a general to be their next candidate.

[Last Roman]

EDIT: Now that you've said, Lusted, Clark is indeed a good candidate. But he's mostly an unknown on the broader political arena, and I think that most democrats would rather drink cyanide than appoint a general to be their next candidate.

It'd get a lot of sorely needed military votes.

[RusskiSoldat]

But generals have rarely shown diplomatic ability (and vice versa) because of the very command-obey nature of the army.
The problem with getting someone elected as a leader is that they will be a leader.
Is it better to appeal to the lowest common denominator than to find a capable man?

[Farnan]

But generals have rarely shown diplomatic ability (and vice versa) because of the very command-obey nature of the army.
The problem with getting someone elected as a leader is that they will be a leader.
Is it better to appeal to the lowest common denominator than to find a capable man?

Yea...

Generals in the American military are required to be diplomats. Many times an American General would either lead a multinational force or work alongside foreign troop contingents which require them to know tact and diplomacy.

[Caelius]

But generals have rarely shown diplomatic ability (and vice versa) because of the very command-obey nature of the army.

*Points to the number of generals that have been elected as President throughout American history*

in all likelihood from what i've heard, it looks like the Democrats will be running the following candidates in '08:

Wesley Clark
Hillary Clinton
Evan Bayh
John Edwards
Russ Feingold
Joe Biden

[Erik]

*Points to the number of generals that have been elected as President throughout American history*

Excuse my ignorance, but is that a lot or a little?

[bdh]

Excuse my ignorance, but is that a lot or a little?

12 of the 43 presidents have served as generals, and almost all of them have had military experience. Most Americans won't even elect a president who hasn't served in the military.

[Caelius]

edit: someone else beat me to it.

[Farnan]

Oh yea, American Generals that become President:

George Washington - kept us from getting between France and England during the French Revolution.
Andrew Jackson - No major international conflict during his presidency
William Henry Harrison - Died shortly after being elected
Zachary Taylor - Died shortly after being elected
US Grant - No Major conflict
Theodore Roosevelt (ok, technically not a general, but he was assistant secretary of the Navy) - Won the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a peace between Japan and Russia
Eisenhower - No major conflict, resolved the Suez Canal Conflict I believe...

Wow, I can't think of a single time we were in a major conflict when a general was president, except when one was already started...

[bdh]

Oh yea, American Generals that become President:

George Washington - kept us from getting between France and England during the French Revolution.
Andrew Jackson - No major international conflict during his presidency
William Henry Harrison - Died shortly after being elected
Zachary Taylor - Died shortly after being elected
US Grant - No Major conflict
Theodore Roosevelt (ok, technically not a general, but he was assistant secretary of the Navy) - Won the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a peace between Japan and Russia
Eisenhower - No major conflict, resolved the Suez Canal Conflict I believe...

Wow, I can't think of a single time we were in a major conflict when a general was president, except when one was already started...

You're missing a few

1. George Washington, Revolutionary War
2. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812
3. William Henry Harrison, War of 1812
4. Zachary Taylor, Mexican War
5. Franklin Pierce, Mexican War
6. Andrew Johnson, Civil War
7. Ulysses Simpson Grant, Civil War
8. Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Civil War
9. James Abram Garfield, Civil War
10. Chester Allan Arthur, Civil War
11. Benjamin Harrison, Civil War
12. Dwight David Eisenhower, World War II

[IronBrig4]

You're missing a few

1. George Washington, Revolutionary War
2. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812
3. William Henry Harrison, War of 1812
4. Zachary Taylor, Mexican War
5. Franklin Pierce, Mexican War
6. Andrew Johnson, Civil War
7. Ulysses Simpson Grant, Civil War
8. Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Civil War
9. James Abram Garfield, Civil War
10. Chester Allan Arthur, Civil War
11. Benjamin Harrison, Civil War
12. Dwight David Eisenhower, World War II

You forgot about William McKinley, who was a Civil War veteran. I'm not sure if he made it to general, though.

[bdh]

You forgot about William McKinley, who was a Civil War veteran. I'm not sure if he made it to general, though.

I'm afraid he didn't make it to general, he was only a captain or a major when he left the army.

[Farnan]

Some of the Civil War ones are more obscure, and I forgot about Pierce...

Harrison is weird, he was elected in a backroom deal in which the Southern Electors agreed to vote for him in exchange for an end to the "Restoration"

My personal choice for President in 2008:

Tom Ridge
Bio:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Rid...private_sector

[Da Skinna]

Generals usually don't go to war when their president, however, because they understand what war is, unlike a slimy politician who looks only at the dollar sign.

But back on topic, sort of, does anyone think Clark could pull of being a president that can get the US out of Iraq?

[Ulyaoth]

Giuliani is the best politician in the country, and better be president one day. He'll clean this country up, just like he did for NYC. Of course, for him to be president in '08 would be a waste since the democrats will take over the house and just plain make sure no republican is allowed to do anything.