MyDD :: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party?

McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party?

by duende, Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:04:54 AM EST

Apologies if this has been diaried elsewhere, but I wonder what people think of George McGovern's 'TWO FOR ONE' solution.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/13/opinio n/13mcgovern.html?ref=opinion

He certainly knows the risk of having a divided party. And his proposed solution is, in my opinion, a neat way of reminding us of the talents of both candidates, and the power of co-operation. It's not predicated on a joint ticket, but on the ability to mobilise the electorate:

His TWO FOR ONE solution beneath the fold. My emphases added

We are witnessing two of the most talented candidates for high office this country has ever produced.

<snip>

To reduce the risk of creating the kind of divisions that afflicted Democrats during my campaigns, here is a proposal that I hope Senators Clinton and Obama and our party will consider.

After today's vote in West Virginia, the two candidates should agree to make joint visits to the sites of the five remaining primaries (in Kentucky, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota).

During these visits, Senators Clinton and Obama should agree not to criticize each other. They would simply state what each would do if elected president. They would also point out why President Bush's policies have failed and why they would continue to fail under John McCain.

<snip>

The two candidates should also visit the two disputed states, Michigan and Florida. No matter what happens to the delegations from those states, their voters are entitled to see and to hear these two historic candidates.

This is an agenda that could unite our party and prepare us for a successful convention with a big victory in November. It would also be a refreshing and welcome change for American presidential politics.

George McGovern, a former senator from South Dakota, was the 1972 Democratic presidential nominee.

Poll

Votes: 15
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: Eugene McGovern, Democratic Party, Primaries (all tags)

Permalink :: 16 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (2.00 / 1)

I think the idea has potential. By the way it's George McGovern, not Eugene. I imagine you were thinking of Eugene McCarthy.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson

by pollbuster on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:08:54 AM EST

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (none / 0)

Shoot. You beat me to my update. But thanks for looking at the substance regardless.

The Moose is Loose!

by duende on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:11:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

he can suck lemons (1.33 / 3)

it is none of his business and the primary is not over. Why should Hillary be in the business of propping up Obama at this point when she is heavily favored in most of the rest of the primaries?

For Obama it now becomes: Faith, hope and CHANGE! And the greatest of these is Change!

by TeresaInPa on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:11:30 AM EST

Re: he can suck lemons (2.00 / 1)

George McGovern is a war hero and a dedicated Democrat he doesn't deserve to be told to suck lemons.

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

by Blue Neponset on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: he can suck lemons (2.00 / 1)

Problem is with this attitude, especially when it comes to former Clinton allies such as McGovern and Richardson, is that it hems your candidate into a corner, with fewer and fewer allies, and compromises her ability to reach out.

I wrote elsewhere in a diary comment today:

Congratulations on your prospective victory in WV today!

You've all worked really hard, and deserve this moment. I think the majority of you, especially out in the real world, have expended your energies in a positive way, building up your candidate. I'm certainly more aware of her talents (and her faults) than I ever was. But one thing is not in doubt.

Hillary is no longer in Bill's shadow. She is so much more than a former first lady. She deserves a significant role in the future of US politics

And if Obama is the nominee, and Hillary rallies behind him for the sake of all their shared values, I'm sure the future will be very bright for her, as well as for the party

But an embittered attitude by her supporters does not help Hillary's potential shining future

The Moose is Loose!

by duende on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Huh? (none / 0)

Clinton is "heavily favored" in Oregon, Montana, and South Dakota? According to whom?

News to us.

Prog

by Progressive Witness on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:22:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (none / 0)

That's "George" McGovern, not "Eugene".

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:13:49 AM EST

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (none / 0)

Already corrected. See my comments.

The Moose is Loose!

by duende on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McGovern's Solution: (2.00 / 1)

Every family gets 1000 dollars. Oh wait that was his solution in 1972

by coolofthenight on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:13:59 AM EST

Re: McGovern's Solution: (2.00 / 1)

I remember his ideas... the losing ones. No thanks George.

Wisdom Is The Reward For Listening Over A Lifetime

by gunner on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McGovern's Solution: (2.00 / 1)

Yeah he had terrible ideas like wanting to end the war in Vietnam, and stimulating the economy. And now he really has some nerve, trying to find a foundation on which to build democratic party unity.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson

by pollbuster on Tue May 13, 2008 at 12:50:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McGovern's Solution: (none / 0)

So do you think the same people who criticize
gas tax relief would have criticized George's 1000 dollar per family stimulus or just Bush's 600
dollar stimulus.

by coolofthenight on Tue May 13, 2008 at 04:11:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: McGovern's Solution: (none / 0)

you know what scares me, I actually think I understand your question.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson

by pollbuster on Tue May 13, 2008 at 04:32:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I actually think this is a terrible idea. (none / 0)

Once Hillary drops out this should happen, but until then this just adds fuel to the "dream ticket" myth. There will be time for the two of them to campaign together for Obama, but at the moment this just gives Sen. Clinton media attention that she would not normally get. I think Sen. McGovern, whom I greatly respect, has the best of intentions, but is premature.

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:17 AM EST

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (2.00 / 1)

i don't think obama would join in--too much side-to-side comparison with hillary doesn't do him any good. he's safer going out with mccain.

by california voter on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:24:16 AM EST

Re: McGovern's Solution: Can This Unite the Party? (none / 0)

I don't think dating McCain is a good idea, McCain is much to old for him.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson

by pollbuster on Tue May 13, 2008 at 12:53:04 PM EST

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