How many Democrats have studied EACH AND EVERY candidate's positions?

[plusfiftyfive]

OK, we have too too many choices here. I have never, in my long life, seen so MANY primary contenders in the Democratic Party, (or the other party, but I pay them NO ATTENTION AT ALL!).

So, honestly, who among you has studied the position papers of each and every candidate? How many of you have looked at any candidate's positions other than Clinton, Edwards, Obama?

Be honest, and tell us which positions for your candidate convinced you that your candidate was the best choice for America? List at least two positions, and compare and contrast if you wish among the candidates....(sounds like a senior blue book exam, right?........well, this is a big test for America, so I hope you all are up for it!!)

[Sherman A1]

1. I have and I am supporting DK

He matches my views more closely than the others.

[plusfiftyfive]

4. That's great!

I love honest replies!

I probably agree with him more than anyone else, but I'm not supporting him because I don't think he can win. But I admire supporters like you!

[patrioticintellect]

14. Why our democracy is a failure

Our democracy is a failure when people don't vote for a candidate because they don't think he can win. We are a democracy of the people, for the people, and by the people. If we stand up together, we can elect whoever we want. Don't pick who can win. Pick who should win!

[Sherman A1]

18. It is entirely YOUR choice

to support or not support anyone based upon whatever criteria YOU choose. If you believe electablity is that criteria, that is YOUR choice. I don't happen to care if DK can win or not, he is my guy based upon my criteria (which is he matches positions with me on most issues). I will support him and vote for him in the primary and the Dem nominee in the General. Hopefully we will all make our decision based upon the information available to us and use our best judgment. I think that is all anyone can really ask or hope to do.

:toast:

[sueh]

21. Aww, c'mon, go ahead and support Kucinich...

if his positions are most like your own compared to the other candidates. Its the m-e-d-i-a telling you he can't win. Stop letting the m-e-d-i-a choose who you vote for.

[tekisui]

2. Kucinich--Dept. of Peace--Accountability

DK realizes that war as foriegn policy is outdated and criminal, he is trying to establish a Dept. of Peace. He would ban the death penalty. No one else says these things.

He's the only one standing up to the war criminals in the whitehouse, trying to Impeach and hold them to account. No other candidate comes close on these.

[LWolf]

3. I have.

I'm not up for the compare/contrast essay, since I have other chores I'm currently avoiding. :hide:

What positions convinced me to support Dennis Kucinich? Just a few of many:

He voted against the IWR and the Patriot Act, and he votes against funding the war. No other candidate who's been in Congress to cast those votes has as clearcut a record when it comes to Iraq, and to issues of war, peace, and war as a national strategy.

Health care: He is the only candidate who supports universal, single-payer, NOT-FOR-PROFIT health care.

Labor: Has the best record in opposing NAFTA/CAFTA/WTO.

He's the only candidate to support the impeachment of Cheney.

He's the only candidate to support hand-counted paper ballots.

I could go on, but I hope that's enough to get you started.

[plusfiftyfive]

5. This is turning out well

I think many people who post here will be basically in agreement with D K if they knew the full scope of the issues and the platforms.

I'm certainly willing to see that guy in the White House, but can he run against a Romney and win?

[tekisui]

6. every dem in it can beat romney

[plusfiftyfive]

9. I doubt THAT

Romney hoodwinked the overwhelming DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY in Massachusetts and got elected Governor, lying all the way to Beacon Hill Boston! He lied about anything to get elected Governor, against a strong sound, intelligent liberal Democratic woman candidate with years of legislative experience, (sound familiar?). Romney won in Mass, where only the Governor is a Reugnantcan. Romney has charisma, (nothing else, no integrity, no insight, just charisma)... so don't underestimate his electibility!

[tekisui]

13. Romney is a slime ball and a mormon. ...

He just has to be asked about some of his beliefs and the religious right won't vote for him.

president is different than gov. Romney's worldview/religious beliefs are frightening as a prez. He will never win it. I doubt he can win the primary.

[plusfiftyfive]

22. He was elected in a LIBERAL state

And Republicans thought he was the best thing since Volpe !!!

I bet no one here knows about Volpe! Volpe was in Nixon's cabinet.

[LWolf]

7. The same question can be asked about any of our candidates.

Conventional wisdom told us that John Kerry was "electable" enough to win in '04. We all saw how that worked. The situation is the same in '08. Dennis Kucinich can win, and can have that win made official, with a good campaign and a post-election fight for the vote count, if necessary.

The same can be said for most of the other candidates. I think that DK is more likely to stand up and fight corruption and fraud than some if it comes down to a post-election vote count battle.

If a good campaign and a clean election gives Democrats a win, why wouldn't they nominate the candidate best on issues? It makes no sense to give up the issues before the battle even begins.

[illinoisprogressive]

8. glad you got your post on. the political blogs dissect all the policy stuff of all.

If the position intrigues me I will find out more. I have liked many of Edwards positions and Kucinich is not the clown the press portrays him as. he has some very solid and interesting positions as well.
I like alot of Obama's. His the most. and he keeps coming out with more. I also like his out the box thinking.
I must say, and this is not my usual Hillary bashing, but, there really is not much to find on her positions or policy.

[illinoisprogressive]

10. I am leery of DK because of his stint as a mayor and worry he may not fit the presidency.

he is more legislator than executive.
not to take anything away from him or his supporters. Just why I am not supporting him. But, if he gets the nomination I will support him.
I do like alot of my candidate's position. And I just know he will be extreem competent and capable as I have the experience of having him for my senator. there are just alot of things that make me really feel he is the best one for the president.

[plusfiftyfive]

12. Brilliant post!

Yes, I sort of wanted to go after Hillary from this angle, I admit, I am biased towards Obama.

I love to talk to the idealists who think positions on issues is ALL there is about a candidate, (and Hillary is sorely lacking in positions and demonstrated accomplishments in that arena).

D K is a fine man! I like his positions on everything, but I am pointing out that his electability is lacking, he's just not inspiring, just as Kerry was too wordy and too aloof and too intellectual for the average voter who had always voted for Republicans or for Kennedy-esque type candidates. If Kerry couldn't pull it off, D K can't hold a candle to THAT race. By the way, I think Ohio was the spoiler state in 2004, and we see ample evidence that the Rethugliccants chose Ohio to screw up that year, 2000 they screwed it up in FL, 2004 they had Ohio irregularities. The result was the same, D K and the Dems don't stan a chance against these folks, we need our best weapon, a sexy smart man or woman...so far I only see one of those who gets most of the issues right!

[yewberry]

11. A resource I use:

http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm

Some candidates are lousy about providing information on the NPAT, but you can learn a lot by looking at the interest group ratings and voting record.

[plusfiftyfive]

15. Well, thanks, I've been looking at that site for years

But voting record does NOT equal position paper.

And what about those candidates that are NOT in the Congress? Richardson, for example?

[yewberry]

16. Uh, what?

http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=26964

And here's his positions from 1996. He hasn't submitted an update.

They have the candidates.

[Sukie1941]

17. It's too soon!

Hundreds of days left before the election of 2008. I will wait till the last week, see whose still got a head above water, and then decide the day before election day.

My 93-yr old mom is aghast at all of this and wants the candidates to GO BACK to Washington and Get To Work!

[plusfiftyfive]

19. I'm with your mother!

They should be at work, and stay there ! We can make up our minds in a week before a primary and within a week of the final election. Get those guys and "girl" back to work!

[plusfiftyfive]

20. Crosslink

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3492195