At the moment I support...

[DannyRed]

Dean, for an array of reasons, dominantly that he's electable and he openly challenges Bush more aggressively than the other candidates.

As a socialist, I don't really like any of the candidates' positions - certainly not Lieberman, not by a long shot...but not Gephardt, not Kerry, not Dean, not Kucinich, and so on.

As a pragmatist, I certainly do want any of the above (with the probably exception of Lieberman, whom I grew to know and loath in my time in Connecticut, and whom I have been particularly aghast at recently) over Bush.

Anyway, at the moment I support Dean because he is vocal, he is fighting...and because his campaign strategy is really really smart, and is activating a lot of people who have NOT been active.

Here is my opinion, and I think it should apply to ALL the candidates:

1) During the campaign, the candidates, all of them, need to control themselves and their campaign staffs, and their own supporters, prevent needless personal sniping and the nasty, baseless broadsides that have been slung about more frequently of late. Attack and debate and argue over issues, specifics, policy, philosophy - the accusations of waffling, lying, dishonesty, and the rest need to be dropped, and soon, as do the accusations of "radicalism", "unelectability", and the like.

2) Once the primaries are done, once the winner is clear and is nominated, the candidates need to do MORE than reluctantly endorse the winner and swallow their disappointment - the candidates who do NOT meet the test of the primaries need to get behind the winner with more than words.

Each and every candidate needs to get their supporters firmly behind the idea of JOINING and WORKING FOR the winner of the primary.

Example:

Say that Kerry wins the nomination.

Ok, fine - I would prefer Dean, but Kerry won. I think that in that situation, Dean should not only endorse and support Kerry, but should KEEP his political apparatus in working order, and USE that machine to agitate for, work towards the election of, and provide necessary tactical and strategic support for Kerry.

And vice versa.

And that applies to the rest of the field.

Comments?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. I'm with you

[DannyRed]

2. Wasn't

Feanor the one who forged the Silmarils?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. Yes.

Yes. All about Feanor

[DannyRed]

5. Feanor was...

Tolkein's embodiment of hubris -- and (in my opinion) represented Prometheus.

The Silmarillion still makes me all shivery, even after about 10 re-reads.

[Northwind]

6. only 10?

Amateur. :P

I fear I cannot agree with the Prometheus thing. While both did defy the "gods", Prometheus did so explicitly in sympathy and service to mankind, whereas Feanor was servng only his own pride.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. Classical tragic hero

He was a classical tragic hero whose downfall came from his own hubris. Something I am hoping to avoid ;)

[diamondsoul]

3. Honest comments, eh?

Well, I'd love to sit here and feel superior, but I can't do that. Part of the Kucinich campaign is not controlling the flow of ideas and action, letting the movement grow the way it will. Maybe not the wisest course but that's the way he wants it, so there it is.

Dean. He's not my first choice, obviously. For a while there I honestly was worried about how I would take it if Kucinich doesn't get the nomination. After watching the debate tonight, I'll be backing whomever gets it and with a lot less trouble in doing so. I think they all could be said to have done decently tonight, with the exception of Sharpton who pretty well ruled with his wit.

Now for myself, I've come to the conclusion that I trust Dennis Kucinich, and trust him implicitly. I'm not entirely sure why that is but it's pretty impressive given my history of shrieking at Politicians from my living room. My guess is that he's honest even when the truth doesn't look too good. My sole concern over him getting nominated and elected is what happens AFTER he leaves office.

Having said all that, my final comment is just this-

This is without a doubt the MOST bizarre race for the Democratic nomination I have ever witnessed!

[indigo32]

7. Fasten your seatbelt

it's going to be a bumpy ride :)
I totally agree... I'm comfortable with everyone except Lieberman... and I'm not worrying about him. Deep down I just don't think he'll be the one to get it.

[Mairead]

8. I think you should re-read what you wrote for inconsistencies