THE GREAT UNSPOKEN QUESTION. Talking to some Democratic operatives last night, the question was raised about whether the conventional wisdom on the strength of the Democratic field is correct, or whether the apparent strength of the top three contenders as primary candidates masks worrisome questions about whether any of them can actually put together the electoral coalition needed to win a general election. What states that Kerry didn't win can Clinton, Obama, or Edwards pick up? Heading into 2008, the political environment seems to assure Democratic victory, but looked at one by one, it's also easy to see every one of the top three Democratic contenders losing the electoral college.
So here's a thread for readers. Tell us how your favorite candidate gets to 270 electoral votes in the general. What's his or her general election strategy? What states that Kerry lost will he or she win? How will they keep the ones he won?
One further instruction: I'm not interested in theories of how your least favorite candidate can't win. I think we've already heard all those. What I want to hear is how someone can do it. Keep it positive, and have at it.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
