by Dean Hartwell
With the recent
midterm elections now over, focus will begin to turn to
whom the two main parties will nominate as their
presidential candidates in 2004. Democrats figure
to get most of this attention unless something
unforeseeable occurs to President Bush.
Two candidates, Governor Howard Dean of Vermont and
Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, have already
announced their intention to run. A third, former
Vice President Al Gore, will probably “throw his hat
in the ring” soon, with others to follow.
Which candidate the Democrats should nominate? Or,
better yet, how should the party nominate its next
candidate?
In 2000, Gore ran for the nomination against former
Senator Bill Bradley. From the very first primary
in New Hampshire, there was no contest. Gore
defeated Bradley handily in each of the 22 primaries in
which the two competed.
With no serious contest, Gore lost precious news
coverage until the Democratic convention months later.
With the favorable publicity generated during the
convention, Gore captured the lead in the polls over
Bush for the first time.
This time, the Democratic Party needs a good, long
fight. The media would cover an exchange of ideas
for an extended period of time and the public might
become interested. Here is how that could happen:
Last time they had neither the incumbent president or
vice-president running was 1992 and that year, the party
fielded six candidates. Let’s say that the same
number will run this time.
After the first primary in New Hampshire, the candidates
divide into two categories: the contenders, who have a
legitimate chance to win, and the also-rans.
Going into the next set of primaries, the contenders
promote their ideas without bashing their opponents too
much. Ideally, three candidates remain in the race
all the way until the convention, or at least the final
primary. That way, the media’s coverage of the
primaries keeps the candidates and their ideas fresh in
the public’s mind.
Eventually, one of the contenders emerges as the choice
of the Democratic Party and the opponents each give a
sincere, if not complete, endorsement of the ticket.
After that, the nominee, after much practice from the
primaries, presents his or her case to the United States
voters as to why they should be elected.
[Editor's Note: Al Gore announced on December 15, 2002 that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2004]