DEMOCRATS 2008: Appalachian Strategy

The 2008 Democrats seeking to retake the White House might focus on extending their northeastern blue streak downward to three neighboring states, with a possible fourth, along the Appalachian Mountains.

Virginia, and possibly North Carolina, West Virginia, and Ohio.

If they nominated Mark Warner, Democratic Governor of Virginia, this time as V.P., instead of Senator Edwards, they would have taken Virginia, and maybe North Carolina, with W. Virginia likely. That would have won it for them.

Running two Senators, one of whom couldn't even win his home state, was a fatal error. Americans don't elect Senators to the White House, much less two of them on the same ticket. They prefer executive talent from governors mansions, like W. himself.

In the 'real' South, Edwards plays a bit too smart and smooth. Smart works down there when mixed with some 'Bubba'. He can be super-smart as long as you can imagine going hunting with him, or having a shot of bourbon with him in your favorite watering hole. Examples: LBJ and Billy Boy Clinton. Even Jimmy was country enough--though genius-level smart.

Edwards was just a bit tooo pretty and perfect for Southern taste. Gore a touch too arrogant.

Mark Warner plays like Clinton. Tall, young, charismatic, and a self-made man. He might be the guy to grab a couple of these states--which is what it all comes down to, grabbing red states. Aim for four new ones, while keeping your old, and you come up roses.

How about Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia? His appointment to the Intelligence Committee might keep him off the national campaign trail for a while, and who knows that he doesn't prefer the clubby Senate to the punch-drunk Oval Office.

Grab Ohio and you connect the Northeast blue streak with the Midwest blue smear (forget Indiana for now), creating a truly national party.