Reply #23: You're welcome

[NV1962]

Exchanges of ideas and opinion can't be fertile without mutual willingness to consider the offered alternative point of view, and I laud your open mind and honest approach.

However...

As I pointed out here, albeit not that explicit, is that in determining who deserves my support I don't give a rip about poll standings, flavors of the month, popularity and similar external, in my opinion not intrinsically relevant factors.

Credibility and its evil twin named "electability" are results of perception - not necessarily reflecting reality.

Elsewhere, earlier, I have clearly separated in the specific case of John Kerry what I think of him as a person (probably likable) from what I think of him as a Senator (overall, acceptable) from what I think of him as a candidate for the high office of President of the United States, in conjunction with his campaign approach (i.e.: his rhetoric appeals to possible voters.)

In that last regard, and considering that "image" matters -- unfortunately -- even more than positions and pledges, I find John Kerry (the candidate) not only wanting, but a neatly deficient proposition.

In that other topic to which I just proved a link, I laid out what I can agree with in three candidates; what I said can very well also be taken as my implicit reasons not to support Kerry (and Edwards, and Lieberman.)

I believe it's important to acknowledge that we're not voting against Bush, but for the candidate who, in our individual opinion, best represents the values, principles, character, abilities, integrity, and the professional track record on issues that we deem of greatest importance in the next President of the United States.

Staying away from duty on issues that are of far greater importance to voters than the IRW doesn't send the right message. It doesn't inspire confidence, and it sure as heck doesn't convince me to take a plunge along with the circumstantial winner of primaries - and move on to drop into the abyss of the general elections.

Dukakis and Mondale were nice guys, too - they lost because they failed to connect on real issues.

I want to recognize a winner, not merely believe one candidate or another just may be one.

So, in conclusion: sorry, but we'll just have to agree to disagree here...

(PS: I think it's a good idea to post your thoughts on CNN - so do I!)