Problem #1: The South Problem
Merle Black, a political-science professor at Atlanta's Emory University, says Southerners would have "no use for him at all" and predicts that many Democratic officeholders in the region would fail to campaign with him. But Black thinks the problem is more stylistic than related to his position on particular issues: "He's a New Yorker. He's very aggressive. For voters who are not ideological, they look at candidates and see if they think he's a nice guy. I don't think Dean is that nice guy."Indeed, I would argue that some of his positions will harm him in the South as well. His anti-war stance won't go over well there, nor his staunch pro-abortion postion, nor the fact that he signed the civil union legislation in Vermont. It is hard enough for a Democrat to win the south these days--and I can't imagine Dean being the one to turn back that trend.
Source: The Left's Mr. Right?
Posted by Steven Taylor at August 4, 2024 04:56 PM | TrackBack
I agree completely Steven. The only thing likely to go over well in the south is Dean's opposition to gun control.
I wrote a little about Dean's Texas tv ads and how the Dean campaign might be attempting to resolve his southern discomfort...while,of course, taking a shot at Bush.
Posted by: Mike Van Winkle at August 4, 2024 07:25 PM