Disclaimer: First let me say that I am no political expert (though I am majoring in politics at the University of Virginia). I won't say my analysis here is fully inclusive of all important factors that will determine the outcome of the 2008 election. Then again, no one can. Try as they may, when it comes to determining the winner of political races, experts just can't seem to get it right. Just check out Larry Sabato at centerforpolitics.org That being said, let's see what it will take, in my opinion, for the Democratic Party to win in 2008. I know that it is a long way's away, but the sooner the Democrats can develop a plan to electoral victory, the better.
Question One: Hillary, A Blessing or a Curse?
There is no denying that Hillary's reputation is that of a stomping liberal. Though she has done much to moderate as junior Senator from New York, particularly by focusing more on foreign rather than domestic affairs, which is typically a Republican domain, she will be hard pressed to wiggle herself from the liberal mold. I can't say that I know exactly what makes her so unexceptionally liberal. I am afraid that this is when my age disadvantages me. I am familiar with her failures at health care, but I don't think this alone adequately explains the common perception, even on the part of many Democrats, of Hillary's supposedly leftist position.
So what do we make of Hillary's name recognition, which of course would be potentially advantageous in 2008, but for the fact that her reputation as a hardcore liberal is undeniably harmful to a Democratic win?
Let me just say this. I believe that our nation is lagging behind in women's rights. The US is becoming increasingly isolated among liberal democratic and quasi-democratic nations because these nations are willing to hand over the top political seats to female leaders, such as in India, Great Britain, Phillipines, Norway, Iceland, Central African Republic, Dominica, Lithuania, France, Bangladesh, Poland, Canada, Turkey, Rwanda, etc. The list is quite extensive. Given this, the US ought to seriously and deliberately demand that women seek higher political goals. As well, it should discourage the creation and obedience of rules and institutional practices that benefit traditional leaderhsip types (i.e. white men). But Hillary is not the right woman.
As a stickler for solid public speaking skills, not only does Hillary not have the ability to deliver a dynamic and energizing speech, but also her personality lacks warmth and charisma. Simply, Hillary is as sterile and boring as a glass of water.
There is no need to discuss whether or not her ideas are great and her candidacy likely because Hillary cannot connect with voters. Southerners will absolutely not understand her. Then again, Southerners have entirely a different sensibility. I would venture to say that Mid-Westerners do as well. The elitist form of communication, characterized by emotional aloofness, a general sense of intellectual superiority, and socially handicap when associating with common folk, failed Gore in 2000, Kerry in 2004, and will surely fail Hillary in 2008. Hillary, as well as her Democratic predecessors, seem stuffy and uptight. I know that this reasoning seems to be the judgment of an idiot, but research has shown that Americans, at least swing voters, really do base their vote on these type of evaluations as the really substantive difference between the two parties is quite minimal. In sum, my vote's a "no" for Hillary and yours should be too.
For a better profile for a female candidate, check out Ann Richards (former Texas governor) and Barbara Jordan (former Texan congressman) at www.americanrhetoric.com
Credits: http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/00women3.htm
The US has never quite dealt with its race issues, so when ABC's Survivor airs a new season where racial groups will compete, it will prove to be nothing but a recipe for disaster. We must acknowledge that our nation is not where it ought to be. Racism was ever present with Katrina. We see it with illegal immigration. Unfortunately, it is a permanent fixture of our political scene. (See Below) There is no denying racism is a sensitive issue. There is no need for anyone or any network to exploit our sensitivity to the issue. Part of our therapy is downplaying the role of race, so as to minimize racial clashes. The approach is not altogether a bad one. We do not need to be reminded that we are a deeply racist country, which are the feelings this show is sure to generate. What we need is reconciliation. 
