Pickup Line

Forget the South, Democrats - Stop coddling the spoiled brat of presidential politics.

We all remember Howard Dean's famous Confederate flag line, right? Timothy Noah makes a compelling argument that it was more than misguided; the very notion that it makes sense to chase Southern votes is flawed.

Democrats came tantalizingly close to winning in 2000--some would argue they won--without any Southern states but Florida. They'll never pick off Mississippi or Alabama or Georgia, not in any close election where the Republicans stand a chance. They should circle the wagons around Ohio and Michigan and Pennsylvania, sweep the Northeast, and count on California and the Pacific Northwest to provide the margin they need to win. Trying to kiss up to the backward-thinking electorate of the former Confederacy only gives them an importance they don't deserve. But don't trust me; read Noah's article and let's hear what you think.