Listen up, presidential bidder -- second time rarely a charm

ContraCostaTimes ^ | Apr. 23, 2006 | Margaret Talev

[ncountylee]

CONCORD, N.H. - While Democratic strategists debate which new face they should rally around to try to retake the White House in 2008 -- Sen. Hillary Clinton or perhaps a less controversial man with experience as a governor -- at least two Democrats who had their shot and lost are laying the groundwork for another try.

Sen. John Kerry and his former running mate, John Edwards, both have said they are seriously considering another run. Former Vice President Al Gore, who lost to President Bush in the contested 2000 race, has discouraged the notion he will run again.

Gore isn't shunning the spotlight, though. He stars in a soon-to-be-released documentary on global warming, and earlier this year, he gave a high-profile speech accusing the president's eavesdropping program of violating the law.

But if any of these men goes forward with a comeback campaign, history is stacked against him.

In three cases since the Civil War era, a presidential or vice-presidential nominee on a losing Democrat or Republican ticket was able to win the presidency in a subsequent election: Grover Cleveland, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Richard Nixon.

The list of those who tried but failed is considerably longer.

William Jennings Bryan, Thomas Dewey, Adlai Stevenson, Walter Mondale and Bob Dole each won another nomination after a prior loss, but none succeeded in the general election. Bryan was a three-time loser.

Still others who made the ticket and lost were unable to secure their party's nomination when they ran again: Ed Muskie, Dan Quayle and Joe Lieberman.

The challenges are different for candidates who don't win the party's nomination and run again.

For Republicans especially, getting knocked out of the race before the general election has often been treated as a dues-paying experience.

[polishedsear]

Would someone tell me why, we the people, continue to put forward "experienced" politicians?
So-called political experience is what has gotten this country into the mess it's in today. I want to see some successful businessman with a modicum of common sense be elected. An inexperienced leader could look at govt problems from an out-of-the-box perspective. I don't think any non politician could be worse that what we have, and even if he just gums up the works, I see this as a benefit to the American people at this point.

[HarleyLady27]

FLSTS 98 anny edition....Maroon and cream.....and U?

[evad]

Cool.

My Harley is a Honda Gold Wing.. 87 Aspencade

This is it except mine is gold colored

[evad]

"Where can I get a W-08 sticker ;-)"

Try contacting the Florida Governor's office :-)

Hey...didn't think of that.

Jeb W Bush--08 with a little 2012 down in the corner ;-)

Come on FReepers, make one up for us.

[Christian4Bush]

If Sen. Kennedy runs in '08 (bizarre, but why not!), the press will call it 'Camalot'. We'll call it it 'Ham-a-lot'!

I'll call it "Chappa-lot".

[Christian4Bush]

Unfortunately I think Jeb is an acronym - John Ellis Bush, or something like that.

That's ok, we will have had 16 presidential years of a "W" (don't forget Ronald Wilson Reagan), and four years of an H.W. (Bush 41).

[HarleyLady27]

I like Gold Wings, but I have always been a Harley Babe, guess I will be until I can no longer ride....I'm 62 and lovin life...lol....hubby is a year younger than me and he rides the Ulta Classic....

[evad]

I like Gold Wings, but I have always been a Harley Babe, guess I will be until I can no longer ride....I'm 62 and lovin life...lol....hubby is a year younger than me and he rides the Ulta Classic....

Heh..welcome to the luvin' life club.

I love the Harley. When we were out west (Park City) we rented Ultra Glides. Best time of my life.