Mission accomplished

Thoughts about the election:

• Of all the Democratic candidates, I think Sen. John Kerry had the second-best chance to win the presidency. Howard Dean was obviously a disaster waiting to happen, and Kerry had no problems this year getting support and funding from the far left. Political novice Wesley Clark would have also lost in a landslide once mainstream Americans got to know him, his past and his penchant for bizarre and contradictory attacks. Joe Lieberman would have made a fine president, but he is an uninspiring campaigner and would have had major problems holding on to the Democratic base. It is also now clear that the sugary and inexperienced John Edwards was not ready for an election that ultimately came down to who Americans wanted to protect them and their families from terrorists.

The Democrats’ best choice would have been Dick Gephardt. He is clearly experienced and presidential, and he would have had no problems turning out the base, especially this year. Gephardt’s biggest weakness—that he’s not charismatic—would not have been an issue in 2004. Gephardt is also committed to the War on Terror and the war in Iraq and would not have scared voters the way Kerry, his voting record and his “global test” did. Most importantly, Gephardt is a man of principle, and he would not have been saddled with the “flip-flopper” label that ultimately doomed Kerry. The Missourian also would have connected with swing voters much better than Kerry, as he is from humble upbringings and has spent his life fighting for America’s workers. A seasoned politician, Gephardt would have attacked the president from the get-go over the economy and jobs. Electorally, he would have been the favorite in Missouri and Iowa.

• Speaking of Edwards, could Kerry have come up with a weaker pick? Edwards had been the supposed favorite for four months, and so his selection gave Kerry little in the way of coverage. Edwards was supposed to have appeal in the South, but his campaign stops in states like Louisiana, Arkansas and North Carolina produced nothing. And Edwards’s past work as a personal injury lawyer seriously hurt Kerry’s support among doctors and businesses.

In reality, Edwards probably hurt Kerry’s standing with the American people by reinforcing doubts. Those who saw Kerry as too liberal did not appreciate his selection of the fourth most liberal member of the Senate. Similarly, those who thought Kerry was too political were likely distressed when he selected a candidate who he himself had called not ready for the job and then immediately bragged about his having “better hair” than his opponent. What’s most amazing is that anti-politician Dick Cheney was actually a better campaigner than Edwards. The vice president was always on the trail, motivating his base and making news with praise for the president and blistering criticisms of Kerry. His performance in the debate with Edwards was terrific, and his modest appearance constantly reminded voters that President George W. Bush makes decisions based on one factor—what he thinks is best for America.

• John Kerry won his party’s primary because voters decided at the last minute that he was “electable.” And while Kerry was certainly more careful with his words than Dean, he suffered from a long series of gaffes that lowered his standing among voters and prevented him from getting his message out. Some were little, like his refusal to admit to Botox treatments and describing Republicans as “crooked” and “lying,” but others unquestionably cost him votes.

The prime example occurred at a March 16 campaign stop in West Virginia, when Kerry responded to criticism that he voted against $87 billion in military funding by snapping “I actually did vote for the $87 billion-before I voted against it.” The statement was a goldmine for the president’s campaign, not only because it reinforced Kerry’s reputation as a flip-flopper, but because it drew attention to an irresponsible and unexplainable vote. Kerry delivered the line as if he had been coached by the president himself, changing his voice and physically spinning around halfway through it. The president’s campaign decided early on that they needed to define John Kerry before he could define himself, and Kerry’s own words were a major reason why the campaign was able to declare “Mission Accomplished” Nov. 2.