Burnt Orange Report

The things I dearly love about the Democratic Party inevitably render it almost unelectable at times. Indeed, we are a very large "tent" whose members represent diverse points of view across the political spectrum. Because of this diversity, the Democrats do not possess the "party discipline" of the Republicans, but I do feel that we are truly a "snapshot" of America.

It is for this reason that I am rather surprised by comments that hold that a certain candidate is either "too conservative" (AKA DINO) or "too liberal." If we are to be an all-inclusive party, it should be no surprise when Democrats of all stripes decide to step up to the electoral plate.

In this spirit, I submit that the "ideal" Democratic candidate will be one that manages to assume the mantle of that elusive moniker called "centrist"--one who takes a little from both the left and right.

As an educator, I am a member of a passionate group that would dearly love to see Rick Perry go back to the ranch ("adios, mofo"). However, Democrats need to muster a candidate that not only appeals to the needs of education, but can also allay the concerns of business and taxpayers--a hat trick to be sure!

I enjoy this blog and look forward to reading the discussion in the coming weeks and months!

The democrats need a primary to keep our voters at home instead of gravitating to the Perry/Mean Grandma slug fest. John Sharp and Paul Hobby are the 2 Demodrats who have done the best in the last 2 election cycles and have a strong tie to the 30% of the vote that comes from the rual counties. RUN, SHARP, RUN! RUN, HOBBY, RUN! We need contact info on theese Dems to urge a campaing. RUN, CHARLIE, RUN FOR AG COMMISSIONER! RUN, KEN BENTSEN, RUN! RUN, KIRK WATSON,RUN! We must challenge all Republicans on the ballot from the courthouse to the Statehouse to Congress!

A lil from column A and a lil from column B here ...

Mike,

As one who has had occassion to be called a centrist in both the complimentary manner as well as the derisive one, I'll take a different tack here and suggest that the ideal candidate is one that builds up what it means to be a DEMOCRAT ... period. Let this election be the end of qualifiers.

I wholeheartedly agree that the "snapshot" approach to understanding our functioning as a party is an important one, but with most of our ghosts from crusades past have been exorcised during the Clinton years, I think it's time to focus on that which unites us as a party and put into practice those things that build us as a party ... as opposed to debating which faction of the party gets what peice of the nomination pie.

John,

I'll meet you part of the way by acknowledging that most of the recent Sharp criticisms have been well over the top for polite intraparty squabbling. Nobody had a problem with Sharp being conservative when he was running for RR Commish, Controller, or even as Lt. Guv. If anyone at a Mark Strama Campaign Academy ever had one problem with John Sharp's assistance in it, I missed it. And anyone that wishes to paint Sharp with the too-broad brushstroke as being an accomodationist for the GOP hasn't heard Sharp speak ... ever.

Beyond that, there's also the inherent problem of pointing out any other canidate who's done better since 1998. Sharp deserves his due, he deserves the respect and attention of Democrats of every stripe. But, in my view, he's still not the one to lead us out of the wilderness. Were he running for any other office again, I'd be enthusiastically behind him. But if he's intent to gun for the Guv's race, I've gotta split.

Re: Hobby ... keep hope alive. He's a great guy and he'd be great at whatever office he chose to run for. But he ain't. And unless there's a minor miracle out of West Texas, neither is Charlie Stenholm.

Contest everything, I agree. Urge the best candidates forward, no argument. But a set of tactics with no strategy is a losing proposition that we'd be remiss to repeat. And more than having a name that's done the best with a bad hand means less to me than having a candidate who gets what needs to be done to move the entire party forward. Names alone won't win for us. Ideas matter.

I hope some candidates come out from somewhere. We need to find a strong person who can swoop in and win after Perry and Strayhorn are through ripping each other apart.

Thanks Greg. I hope folks run and I mean credible candidates, strong candidates. If Sharp is not the answer, Who is? A one term Congressman from Houston sure is not it. I even really like Chris Bell. Is it Jim Turner or Ted Lyon? As far as liberal,mod,conservative go, I am a proud Conservative Democrat and will not change. Sharp is a Democrat to and will not change. The GOP tried to recruit him at least 10 years ago and said Adios MO FO!