NYT: Clinton =liberals vs centrists; Edwards, party is leaning left; Obama, changing Dem identity

DES MOINES, Nov. 3 — With a year to go until Election Day, the Republican and Democratic Parties are going through internal battles over their very identity, even as the races for their presidential nominations intensify. In many ways, the battles over how the parties will define themselves in the post-Bush era are nearly as significant a political fight as the presidential contest itself....

...if Mrs. Clinton should win the nomination, her campaign so far suggests that she would follow in her husband’s footsteps by trying to bridge the divide between the party’s liberals and centrists. A victory by former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, whose campaign is being run and highly influenced by many of the same advisers who managed Howard Dean’s presidential campaign in 2004, would suggest the party is leaning more to the left.

For Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, it may be more a matter of tone than ideology. Mr. Obama has said he wanted to transcend partisanship even as he appeals for support from a party whose base has been hungry for partisan battle. Mr. Bond and others have suggested that a victory by Mr. Obama could produce the most striking change in the identity of the Democratic Party.

“Obama is in a position to reposition his party not only in terms of issues, but in terms of offering a more general embracing appeal,” Mr. Bond said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/us/politics/04vote-web.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=us&adxnnlx=1194140886-IAkdr7H18BwA8AVeTZQ8cQ

I've always considered them both fairly moderate.

More a matter of style re Republicans. Not "left" on policy. (The word "left" is problematic, as I've said before!)

He was a centrist southern governor without all of the Senate voting baggage, and much more likable and personable. He was the greatest Democratic politician of his era. She isn't even close.

:shrug:

Senators don't win. They can be marked as long-winded blowhards who debate endlessly and don't get anything done. No matter what she does or says, this is a huge obstacle that will block her path to the White House.

She can win the primary, but her defeat in the General will drag down the rest of the party.