The Early Choices for 2008

There is no possible way to predict the outcome of the 2008 Democratic Primaries. Thinking back to December 2002 through January 2003, the "front-runner" for the nomination went from Gore to Lieberman to Kerry to Dean to Clark, back to Dean and finally, back to Kerry. The same is true of most non-incumbent elections. It was impossible to predict Clinton's '92 "comeback," Carter's Iowa caucus surprise, or, on the other side, the nomination of George W. Bush in 2000. And what about the waiting game with Ted Kennedy or Mario Cuomo? Cuomo never ran for President, while Kennedy gave only a half-hearted Primary challenge to the imcumbent Carter in '80. So, the "assured" nomination of Hillary Clinton in four years is anything but. She has at least as good a chance as any other potential candidate, but there is no easy guess for a Primary that is still several years away.

And while it also may be a bit premature to pick "favorites" for that Primary, it is not too early to give five examples of people who are good for the Democratic Party, and why any Real Democrat should be proud to support any of them in a Presidential campaign. (The following list is in no particular order).

1. Barbara Boxer: Boxer is one of the few Senators who proudly supports Democratic values regardless of the current political trends. In her Senate election this year, Boxer received the third highest number of votes in the entire country (behind Bush and Kerry) despite early rumors of a close race for her seat. As her role today as the sole Senator to sign the objection for Ohio's electors demonstrates, Boxer has the political courage the Party lacks and the tenacity to stand up against her own Party's timid leadership. In addition to progressive values and political courage, Boxer is a fiery speaker who could easily rally a demoralized Democratic base.

2. Howard Dean: It should come as no surprise that the man who inspired RealDems would get an enthusiastic endorsement for a second run. Dean saved the Party from its darkest moment -- the collapse of the opposition on the war resolution and the aftermath of the disastrous 2002 mid-term election -- and sparked an activist trend that brought in a record number of first-time Democratic voters against George W. Bush. From reforming the fundraising practice of the Party, to showing Democrats how to stand up to a failed President, to reaching out to a base that had been long-neglected by its leaders, Howard Dean deserves a second shot to take the country back.

3. Russ Feingold: A pioneer of campaign reform, and the only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act, Feingold has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to take unpopular stands in the face of Establishment opposition. A soft-spoken, good government champion, Feingold is the ultimate political reformer -- a Progressive in the original sense of the word. Word of caution: his political independence is not always well-advised: in 2001, he broke rank with many Democrats on the Judiciary Committee in casting a vote supporting Ashcroft's appointment. An ironic vote, considering his dissent on the Patiot Act.

4. Jesse Jackson Jr: Admittedly, it is rare for a member of the House to mount a serious challenge for the Presidency (can Dick Gephardt be considered a "serious challenge?") But Jackson Jr is the complete package, and could make an exciting insurgent in a Presidential contest. With both the charisma and name recognition of his father, Jackson has been a tireless fighter for social justice issues and a staunch defender of the underprivileged. Jackson is also a bold thinker who has called for Consitutional amendments guaranteeing the Right to Vote and the Right to an Education.

5. Al Gore: Al Gore has spent his retirement being at the forefront of the progressive Democratic movement. He was one of the earliest major Democrats to oppose the war in Iraq, he came out in favor of single-payer health care, he called for the repeal of the Patriot Act, he called for the resignation of Bush's foreign policy cabinet, he accused Bush of betraying the country, he legitimized MoveOn as an organization, and he stood against his former allies in his endorsement of Dean for President. Aside from this impressive record, too many progressive activists have refused to give him a second look due to his former DLC ties. That myopic view of his background is robbing our movement of one its most courageous voices.

Over the next several years, some of these names will surely fall from this list, and new names will appear. But with the mainstream media calling for Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, Mark Warner or Tom Vilsack to be the next Democratic nominee, it is heartening to remember there are still many people in the Party we can be proud to support.