Anyone Else Have No Clue Who They're Backing In The Primary Yet?

[THUNDER HANDS]

I like Obama, a lot, and I like the idea of Hillary. Gore has a warm spot in my heart and I was a loyal Kerry supporter and defender. There are others like Clark, Edwards and Richardson I'm open to hearing more from.

But I have no clue who I'm going to support, which is quite different from 2004 when I made my mind up pretty early that I was going to support Kerry.

Anyone else not 'camped in' yet?

[bigdarryl]

1. It's anyone but Hillary that i know for sure

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Hillary/Zell

Unstoppable.

[Dr.Phool]

4. How about a Biden-Lieberman?

Even that couldn't get me to vote for McCain or Newt.

[Dr.Phool]

3. I'll wait to see who announces.

It's early yet.

[Raine]

5. I'm not concerned

I'll wait till they have all announced.

[diane in sf]

6. I prefer non-DLC (eom)

[OzarkDem]

31. Agree, their candidates don't appeal to today's voters

it would be a waste of time, they will only be rejected.

Any GOP candidate is going to run as a moderate after the beating they took in November. A DLC candidate will be indistinguishable from their GOP opposition. Voters want a choice this time around.

[Nite Owl]

7. No clue. I like

Edwards and Obama and the others too except for Hillary. She is the only one I know I won't be behind right now.

[longship]

8. What primary?

Haven't we just had a national election? I don't know of any primaries on the schedule. So it is utterly meaningless to be discussing primaries which are well over a year from now.

If you are talking about presidential primaries, I'd say that you are jumping the shark. Nobody even knows who's running and isn't running. We're not likely to know anything definitive one way or another until close to the end of next year. So, relax. Have a nice glass of wine, or a cup of cocoa. Read a good book. Go out on a date with your SO.

Or, if you have to do something political, how about helping mount an effort to bring the new Congress in line so that the war in Iraq can end, health care can be made available to everybody, taxation policy won't favor the wealthy, people can again have a living wage, elections can be honest, campaigns and congress critters will no longer go to the highest corporate bidder, etc.

But thanks for caring, anyway. Ask me again about the primary thing in early June, 2008. I'll know enough then to give you an answer.

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. how can you follow politics every day

and not have an idea of who's running? Or an interest?

1. Hillary
2. Obama
3. Richardson
4. Gore
5. Kerry
6. Edwards
7. Biden
8. Kucinich
9. Vilsack
10. Clark

That's not a definitive list, just the most likely names. A Top-10, if you will.

[longship]

16. I care...

But I just don't care NOW. In case you didn't get the memo, it's 22+ months until the election and a whole year until the campaign gets into high gear. Almost certainly, your little list is going to be dramatically different then.

So all these ruminations on 2008 are just so much irrelevancy.

About your list, current status:

Hillary -- not running.
Obama -- not running
Richardson -- running
Gore -- not running
Kerry -- not running
Edwards -- running
Biden -- running (last thing we've heard)
Kucinich -- running
Vilsack -- running
Clark -- not running

So we've got Edwards, Kucinich, Vilsack and maybe Biden and Richardson. The rest have not declared their intent. Plus, there are a few others who are also not running who may be by 2008. So why should anybody get all excited about this?

We'll know a lot more a year from now. Then, I'll start thinking about it. Nota bene, here in California I don't have to make *any* decision on voting until June, 2008.

Give it a rest, my friend. It's just not important right now. In the meantime, we've got a Congress to run.

[Catch22Dem]

14. I'm pretty sure primaries are on the "schedule" for millions of people

The national election is sooooo yesterday. We won, they should get over it. I TOATALLY disagree with DUers who feel it's too early to start talking about this. It's NEVER too early.

[FogerRox]

9. NJ has municipal elections in May

[Shipwack]

10. Only in so far as it's ABH

Anyone but Hillary. It's too early yet to get too excited by anyone. I'd also prefer Obama not to run either, only because I'd prefer a candidate to have more experience.

All candidates have their bad points and good points, and there is plenty of time for bone head decisions and remarks to be made, as well as speeches that will bring a tear of pride to the eye.

That being said, even if Hillary gets it, they'll have my support.

[LittleClarkie]

11. I know who I'm backing. Maybe that's why the primary thread annoy me`

I don't actually care if Obama can beat Hillary if Edwards doesn't enter the race or Gore decides to run again unless Clark jumps in and splits the vote and on and on.

I may be more politically aware but that doesn't mean I'm really into the horse race.

[jus_the_facts]

13. Whoever the media picks for us I guess...

....same as '04.

[blm]

15. June 3, 2003 is when media STARTED its effort to kill Kerry's candidacy.

And they reduced his coverage substantially. He had to depend on the debates and his personal meetings with voters in Iowa to turn it around.

Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.
Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[jus_the_facts]

28. My vote didn't matter in the primary because JK had already been chosen...

..before I ever got to vote in it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[blm]

33. That's called a primary. You claimed media chose Kerry when media tried to kill off

Kerry's candidacy. They reduced his coverage after he submitted overturning the FCC ruling to the senate. They claimed his candidacy was dead for MONTHS which resulted in his donations being dried up and he had to mortgage his home to continue knowing his strength on the ground in Iowa was stronger than media would report.

I guess you weren't aware of that FCC ruling Kerry was seeking to overturn and that corporate media was trying to protect. You think their constant attacks on Kerry just happened innocently and weren't orchestrated?

[jus_the_facts]

35. There sure have't been any changes made since....

...regardless of his intentions..and the media was already RABID years before he tried and even worse now.

On edit..just like Iran/Contra...a lot of good all that did..since the some of the same people who should still be in prison are runnin' this administration today...amazing how some even here try to spin reality.

[blm]

39. The reality is that one person or five people can't do it alone. It takes a PARTY

willing to support their anti-corruption lawmakers instead of their 'charismatic' ones protecting the corrupt.

And the other reality is that if IranContra, BCCI, illegal wars in Central America and CIA drugrunning investigations were such a waste of time, does that mean you would prefer they never happened and that Americans would be blissfully ignorant of what occurred? I believe if you took Kerry completely out of the picture, this nation would be in its 15th year of New World Order by now.

[jus_the_facts]

40. Seems that will never happen....

....since nobody is ever on *the same page* anymore...DU proves it beyond any shadow of doubt unfortunately.

[pinto]

17. OT, in a way, but here's the House Democratic legislative agenda, "100 Hours"

Personally, our legislative agenda is my focus right now. (on edit) To answer your question, I'm not backing anyone at this point for the 2008 Presidential election. I look forward to a big primary field, though. Thanks.

100 Hours

Our New Direction begins with a commitment to integrity, civility, and fiscal responsibility. We will break the link between lobbyists and legislation. We will govern the House of Representatives under bipartisan administration, so that the voice of every American will be heard. And we commit to no new deficit spending, with pay-as-you-go budgeting. These are the principles by which we will govern. And under these principles we will take our country in a new direction, with priorities that address the urgent needs of the American people.

In the first 100 hours:

We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending.

We will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

We will make our economy fairer, and we will begin by raising the minimum wage. We will not pass a pay raise for Congress until there is an increase in the minimum wage.

We will make health care more affordable for all Americans, and we will begin by fixing the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices. We will also promote stem cell research to offer real hope to the millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases.

We will broaden college opportunity, and we will begin by cutting interest rates for student loans in half.

We will energize America by achieving energy independence, and we will begin by rolling back the multi-billion dollar subsidies for Big Oil.

We will guarantee a dignified retirement, and we will begin by fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security.

We will introduce this legislation on the first day of the new Congress, we will pass it within the first 100 legislative hours. This new direction represents the priorities of a unified Democratic Party. This is our pledge to the American people.

http://www.housedemocrats.gov/bigpicture/jobs_and_econo...

[BlueManDude]

18. whomever can stop hillary.

[Hardrada]

19. Vilsack

[San Diego]

20. Count me in the not camped in yet camp as well.

The next 18 months are going to show who has the mettle to stand up to the corruption in the White House.

Those who choose to go along with status quo are, in my humble opinion, not worthy of any support, financial or otherwise.

I want to see change from the next administration, not continue the same corrupt path that we're on now.

[MaineDem]

21. We don't even know who'll be on the ballot yet

Of course I haven't made up my mind yet.

[KarenS]

22. Dennis Kucinch made the choice easy for me =)

I will caucus for him.

[RC]

23. No clue, don't care.

We have some War Crime trials to attend to first.

[proud patriot]

24. Hand Raised , I haven't made my mind up yet

However the moment Gore steps in , I'm committed to Him.

[dsc]

25. Unless Gore runs I am clueless

I hate to say it but I really am. No one has a record on gay issues consistantly better than the others and no one impresses me on any other issue about the others.

[NoPasaran]

26. I'm uncommitted

I'm actually more interested in who we're going to find to run against Box Turtle Cornyn in '08.

[bluehighways911]

27. I am 100% Decided

I am voting for the person that does the most in the next two years. The one that actually has a plan, besides, Bush sucks. And the one that gets American involved.

In order, My Faves.

Gore
Obama
Edwards
Clinton
Kerry
Richardson
Warner

[Clarkie1]

29. Don't know because I don't know who all is running yet.

[Imagevision]

30. I wonder who Barack Obama would choose as a VP.?

[election_2004]

43. Probably Clark....

To balance the ticket regionally and experientially.

[Generic Brad]

32. I'm backing the Democrat

Actually, I feel it is way too early for me to commit on an individual. Every propsective candidate at this point is qualified in my estimation. I feel like a kid in a candy store because I admire something about each one.

[BlueGirlRedState]

34. Looking forward to the primary debates

If I picked now, I would spoil the primary debates for myself. I really enjoyed them last time. I'm open to just about anyone. I saw Vilsack on the Daily Show last night, I know he's Rachel Maddow's favorite but I don't have much info on him yet. Hilary has yet to convince me. I know intellect is hugely important, but charisma is a piece of it, too. To me, she lacks charisma. John Edwards has lots of charisma, and I like his Two Americas theme. I'm very much open to Gore and Kerry. Kucinich is a knight in shining armor, but can he win? (I liked his line last time, "yes, I can if you vote for me.") So, I'll sit back with my popcorn and listen to them all. I'm open to being surprised and amazed by anyone.

[janx]

36. I have no clue because not many have signaled a run.

We don't know who is running yet, by and large. Aren't Edwards and Kucinich the only ones who have talked about running or announced?

[FrenchieCat]

37. Don't forget Vilsack!

[janx]

38. Oh yeah...

I wonder why I forgot him?

[More Than A Feeling]

41. Not a clue.

I'm not in a hurry to choose, for the simple reason that person I choose could be the next to drop out. I was a Feingold supporter, then he left, and Bayh and Warner followed him out the door. When candidates of that quality are heading for the exits, anyone could be next. I could see myself supporting any of the candidates, but none of them has put themselves over the top with me.

[election_2004]

42. I'm leaning Clark...

...but that's based on what I know. I'll give Richardson's and Vilsack's platforms a listen.

And if he runs, Obama could potentially gain my support.