The Silent Majority v. the Liberal Minority

Hillary’s name is floating to the top like scum on Kerry’s fetid pond. Hillary as the veep candidate is a sign of Kerry’s deep, deep concern for his ability to win. And he should be concerned – the WSJ nails the issue: regardless of W’s negative press Kerry can’t pull ahead.

Kerry alone is a loser. So what to do? Pick a veep that is larger than you. Gephardt, Edwards, Vilsack, that guy from Florida – all waterboys. Hillary? A wet hen in a pantsuit. An angry socialist. Finally, perhaps, a liberal who may have the intestinal fortitude to run towards and not away from her positions (something she avoided in the Senate run).

The gambit will cost Kerry control of his candidacy. No one runs a show involving a Clinton without the Clinton running it. No matter what words would come out of the campaign or Hillary’s apple-gobbler mouth – her people would be running the show.

It will set up the mother of all battles - Conservatives v. Liberals. The Silent Majority v. Liberal Minority. So in light of all the liberal press, where is the majority hiding?

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul,
Minnesota, compares those that voted for Gore with W’s voters and helps us to see the hiding places of the Silent Majority:

Population of counties won by: Gore=127 million; Bush=143 million. A start. Certainly more telling than the popular vote totals.

Square miles of land won by: Gore=580,000; Bush=2,242,700. Ah, 80% of the land mass!! I recall the USA Today Red and Blue map. Must be humbling to know your territory is so limited, Al. No wonder he's angry.

States won by: Gore=19; Bush=29. I count 21 for Gore (with WDC) and 30 for W, but let's not quibble.

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore=13.2; Bush=2.1. Amazing, eh?

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the tax-paying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare..."

The battle may be joined. Long live the battle.