President Obama has officially launched his reelection bid and the response here has been mixed, with many calling for a primary opponent because, apparently, Obama is a right wing sellout to corporations and actually worse than Bush. The decision by Attorney General Holder to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a military tribunal will most likely fan the flames of Obama anger and the cry for new leadership will ring from the keyboards of progressives across the land.
With this in mind I thought I would profile some alternative candidates and run a small straw poll on the matter. The following is a list of possible primary candidates with a few words about each.
Dennis Kucinich
Has represented Ohio's 10th CD since 1997 and has mounted two unsuccessful runs for the Whitehouse. He is consistently liberal, voting against the Patriot act and the Iraq war, a proponent of the Kyoto protocal, and a tireless advocate for single-payer. recently he challenged President Obama on the action in Libya, essentially accusing him of violating the war powers act.
Unfortunately, Congressman Kucinich has very little chance in a general election, having been unfairly labelled as a kook by the MSM, but he would be a good "protest" candidate, if he did well enough in a primary it might send a message to the president, mainly that progressives won't be taken for granted.
Howard Dean
The former Governor of Vermont and DNC chair, Dean's primary run of 2004 showed the power of the internet for grassroot organization and fund raising. His 50 state strategy as DNC chair was instrumental in Democratic victories in 2006 and 2008. Inexplicably he was snubbed by the Obama crew when it came time to choose a cabinet.
My feeling is that Governor Dean would probably not attempt another run, and he is far more valuable as a grass roots organizer. He also, unlike many Democrats, understands how damaging a primary challenge to a sitting president would be, no matter how disappointed we are with his performance. Though this will probably never happen, Obama should appoint him to an advisory position in the campaign, because few national figures understand politics as well as Howard Dean.
Hillary Clinton
As a member of the administration it is very unlikely that she would mount a primary challenge to President Obama. It would also be a disaster, IMO. I remember well the primary wars of 2008 and don't relish the idea of reliving them next year, especially since my mother still insists that Clinton should be president: "experience matters, damnit."
Anthony Weiner
7 term Congressman from New York's 9th CD, Weiner is an outspoken and unapologetic progressive.He once famously remarked "Make no mistake about it, every single Republican I have ever met in my entire life is a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance industry." He has not shied away from criticizing the President and would put up a spirited challenge.
Word is that Congressman Weiner will most likely run for mayor of New York in 2013 so the chances of a primary run next year are next to nil. He would be an effective mayor, IMO, and well positioned for a national run in the future. Weiner for America 2016?
Alan Grayson
What to say about the former Congressman? He's a kossack and very outspoken.
We need more firebrands like Grayson in the Democratic Party, he would certainly mount an entertaining primary challenge to President Obama, but I would rather see him take back the 8th district of Florida and help return Nancy Pelosi to the Speakership.
Brian Schweitzer
Governor of Montana, a vocal supporter of unions and a strong advocate of alternative energy, Schweitzer would be an energetic presidential candidate and I would be interested to see him run...in 2016.
Nancy Pelosi
As a former, and hopefully future, Speaker of the House, I cannot think of a reason why she would want to run for President. former Speakers of the house should not run for president, they'll look incredibly foolish. You would have to be a massive egomaniac to do that.
Joe Lieberman
Speaking of massive egomaniacs, maybe vichy Joe will come back to the party and mount a primary challenge to Obama. Can you feel the Joementum? This, of course, would be good for John McCain because he would get to give the keynote speech at the Democratic Convention.
So, who else? Help me out here, Kossacks, my list is not very long and made up primarily of white males. Al Franken, Kristen Gillibrand, Jim Webb, Russ Feingold, Keith Ellison, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lloyd Doggett? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks.