Reply #69: Would support but with fatalism and will try and look at the Big Picture

[Armstead]

Well, since ABB is really the issue at this point, I have to day I'd support Daffy Duck if he were the Democratic nominee.

But on a personal level, I'll feel fatalist and frustrated if it becomes another non-issues campaign in 04. I don't see it merely as Democrat vs. GOP, but as the need for a more fundamental housecleaning and change in direction. If the Democrats decide to follow a tepid centrist strategy, I'll trry and remember the non-political aspects of all of this to keep my spirits up.

Here's my own preferences and why, because it is relevant to your question.

Dean -- He's a moderate who "gets it." He's not as clearly liberasl as Kucinich, and I worry he may pander and become a Clinton centrist down the road. But in general, I think he has been listening to the left, taking the liberals and progressives into account. And I think his plain spoken style and bullishness is what we need in terms of personal qualities.

Kucinich -- My sentimental favorite. He's been a terrible candidate, he has no chance of winning. But his views and his heart are closest to mine. He is what I think the Democratic Party ought to stand for. Depiste his New Age trappings, he is basically the mix of realism and idealism that used to be what was considered Mainstream Liberal.

Those are the two who really resonate with me. (I've been impressed by Sharpton and Braun, but Sharpton is Sharpton and Braun has too many skeletons to be a ground breaker as a serious candidate.)

As for the rest...

I could support Gephardt easily, and think he might be the strongest candidate ultimately, if he continues to be more outspoken. Edwards would make a great VP or Attorney General, and with a little more seasoning a presidential candidate down the road -- but I could support him in the top spot this year. I have mixed and ambiguous feelings about Clark. Kerry is a pretty good Senator but he's been a disaster in this campaign, and I think he'd be a sure ticket to defeat in the general. Joe Lieberman I would grudgingly support only on the ABB theory, but with many clothespins in my nose.