Reply #15: Paul Wellstone is the best example [View All]

I've noticed a number of Republican campaigns in the South that use economic populism, where Democrats are too afraid of the class warfare charge. It seems like if the Republicans have figured out it works in the South we should be able to use it too.

Gore was returning to his Tennessee roots when he started talking about the "people v the powerful." I never really liked that theme though since it implied that power didn't rest with the people. Still, it was a nice attempt at populism and his poll numbers went up after he did that.

Edwards, Gephardt and Kucinich have all done well in their respective states. Gephardt had more credibility as a populist in '88 when he won in Iowa than he does today. His support for the WTO and Iraq war did damage. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojavech ran as a populist, but he's fouling up for other reasons. Arkansas has a strong populist tradition as well, that both parties attempt to take advantage of. Of course, Clinton used populist themes in '92, including partial opposition to NAFTA, even if his economic policies were a mixed bag once he got into office.