It's weird to me to say I "don't want" any of the D candidates

[Recursion]

I have my preferences, but I'm really proud of what our party is offering.

My own choice is O'Malley. I think he brings a new generation of leadership and a new vision for what progressives can be and do. He's come up through the rough and tumble world of MD politics, and knows how to campaign and how to get things done. Plus, his policies are refreshingly innovative, whether they are about raising social security benefits by lifting the wage cap, or about reforming criminal justice by focusing drug sentencing on treatment rather than punishment.

Clinton... she is an absolute lion of liberalism. I don't care what crap gets told about her: she accomplished so much in her time as Senator and Secretary that she doesn't need my endorsement.

Sanders is another lion even if he's not my choice for tactical reasons. I can't think of a particular issue I disagree with him on, and he certainly has a passion that connects with a lot of people.

Webb I have some issues with, but there's no denying that when we needed someone in VA 10 years ago he was there. He represents a part of the party that isn't my home, but it's a real thing.

Finally, Chafee is also not an obvious choice for me. But, he was a constant advocate for peace and a (small "c&quot conservative foreign policy. Plus he's pro-metric-system.

The fact is, we have an embarrassment of riches in our party, and I'd be happy to vote for any of these over any of the Republicans. While I respectfully urge O'Malley, I also think it's important to remember we are all on the same side.

[MineralMan]

1. K&R. I heartily endorse your post.

Any of the current candidates would be just fine as President. Like you, I have a favorite, but will be proud to vote for any of them as the Democratic nominee. I'm less enthusiastic about Webb and Chafee, but I don't think either has a chance, anyhow.

[BainsBane]

2. I like O'Malley and Clinton

I used to like Sanders. The others are't possibilities anyway so I don't need to ponder much on my reservations about them. I second your support for the party as a whole.

[NanceGreggs]

3. Excellent post! n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Thank you. Sometimes we need to be reminded

that even though we may have a particular favorite, none of the candidates on the Dem side suck. They're not crazy, mean or stupid; they don't make their base look demented; they don't go on the teevee and say things that make Jesus weep while causing their sociopathic supporters to applaud wildly. I'm for Bernie right now; I like O'Malley too; and while I'm more lukewarm about Clinton I will support her without hesitation if she's the nominee. I really wish some of the more zealous supporters of the various Dem candidates would zealously further their man's or woman's positions while reserving their vitriol for the occupants of the GOP clown car. They deserve it; our people don't.

[longship]

5. I will enthusiastically support and vote for the Democratic Party nominee.

No matter who it is.

I suspect it will be Clinton or Sanders. Maybe O'Malley, if things go bad for Clinton.

Webb is an honorable person, but is not to my liking on issues. The last Republican I voted for was very much like Chafee. That was Senator Nancy Kassebaum when I lived in Kansas years ago. It was a strategic vote. She is a good person, like I imagine is Chaffee. I could support him if he was nominated, but he would not be my preference. I would support him over Webb, however.

I don't think any of them are bad. As a progressive, my preference is probably clear, but I will not state it in these somewhat toxic forums these days.

R&K

[Garrett78]

6. Chafee

Chafee doesn't have a chance, but he is well to the left of Clinton politically.

[longship]

9. I agree with the former, not so sure about the latter.

But Ms. Clinton has not been so forthcoming with her positions, which is a problem for me. That doesn't mean I won't support her. I just wish that she would give me a reason to do so.

And I rather like Chafee. It takes guts to do what he has done. But then his father was a rather honorable person; one whom one can like quite a bit. So too, Lincoln. If he made certain opinions, he might rise significantly higher in my already high esteem. I could easily support such a person. Like Bernie, his credibility is of the highest.

[Garrett78]

10. Hard not to be left of Clinton w/out being a Republican.

Last edited Fri Aug 21, 2015, 06:58 PM - Edit history (1)

Clinton's neoliberal history suggests she'd be no more progressive than her neoliberal husband and even less so than neoliberal Obama. Chafee is just as supportive of so-called "free trade" agreements, but overall I'd take him over Clinton any day of the week. And let's remember all of the crap we got from Bill. Repeal of Glass-Steagal, horrific crime bill (more executions, greater punishment for nonviolent offenses, elimination of educational opportunities for inmates, etc.), DOMA, NAFTA, a terrible welfare-reducing bill, and so on. No, Hillary is not Bill, but I see no reason to believe she wouldn't be just as bad (based on her record and her associations/advisors).

Sorry, but Clinton is an absolutely terrible candidate. Would she be less bad than whoever the GOP nominates? Well, yes. Whoopty doo.

[Recursion]

16. See, comments like that are very difficult to take seriously

The farthest right you can go and still be a Democrat would be somebody like Joe Manchin or Gwen Graham.

If you actually think you can't see a difference between Hillary Clinton and Joe Manchin, then you aren't really paying very much attention to politics.

[Garrett78]

19. I didn't say what you seem to think I said.

Just because there are some who self-identify as Democrats who are to the right of Clinton doesn't make what I said any less true. All I said was that it's tough to be more to the right than Clinton without being a Republican.

Clinton is a classic neoliberal.

[Recursion]

20. When I see the word "neoliberal" my eyes glaze over

It's been thrown around so much it's stopped meaning anything. Hillary Clinton is a liberal, period.

[Garrett78]

21. While some may misuse the term...

it definitely has a pretty specific meaning, though I don't doubt many are ignorant of what that meaning is. For an in-depth examination, click here. For a condensed version, click here.

If you think neoliberalism has been overused, surely you must realize that "liberal" has been used far more.

[CharlotteVale]

15. He wants to privatize Social Security. I'd never vote for him.

Or Webb either for that matter.

[Mike Nelson]

7. After 8 years of George W. Bush...

... they all look great. President Obama will go down in history as great, also!

[JoePhilly]

8. Nice post.

[PowerToThePeople]

11. "Vote third way for a better future"

[FSogol]

13. LOL. The 3rd way attacked O'Malley and his progressive plans today.

[Raine1967]

18. NOPE.

Where in this statement does it prove your idea true?

[FSogol]

12. K&R. n/t

[etherealtruth]

14. I like the Democratic candidates

I have genuinely good things to say about them ... and I have a few misgivings about each of them .... except Jim Webb ... I can't stand Webb and have nothing good to say about him!

I will vote for whomever the Democratic candidate for president is (even if by some horrific stroke of bad luck it was Jim Webb)

[Raine1967]

17. I think you said it perfectly.

I appreciate what you said about Webb and Chafee.

Webb I really believe is past his prime at this point. (not a knock — but as you were a VA resident and I am now, you get the dens you can, and that isn't a bad thing —

Chafee : that is also a great point. not sure how I feel about the metric system now, I am not sure f it will happen — path dependency can be a real issue in this nation.

I can and will vote for any of these people should they get the nomination, but for now, I agree with this assessment:

I think he brings a new generation of leadership and a new vision for what progressives can be and do. He's come up through the rough and tumble world of MD politics, and knows how to campaign and how to get things done. Plus, his policies are refreshingly innovative, whether they are about raising social security benefits by lifting the wage cap, or about reforming criminal justice by focusing drug sentencing on treatment rather than punishment.