OK people, I've picked my candidate.

[Rosemary2205]

I know you all are just DYING to find out who too, ain't cha?? LOL :)


Here's my take on all 4.

Bill Richardson -- A talented government servant, understands what is at stake internationally, what local and state governments need, very competent leadership abilities, probably make a hell of a president -- has all the charisma of a doorknob -- and America votes for charima not substance many times. The man deserves a strong roll amongst Dems but I don't think he could beat any of the R's except maybe the Libertarian Ron Paul nationally.

John Edwards -- IMHO the best of the bunch on ideas overall. I don't agree with him (or any of them) on everything, but he fits me best. He is passionate, charismatic, and will fight like hell for what I think is the right thing. In the 2004 cycle he was my choice. I thought he had just enough ties in Washington to get at least some of the job done if elected, though I knew it would not be pretty because of the Pukes. It is still my humble opinion that John Edwards is the President we actually need. Now it's 2008. He's been gone a few years and that's eons in DC time. I think he can beat the pants off any of the R's in the race but I am not convinced he still has the machine in DC to get things done and since the Dems have gotten even more corporate then I have just the barest of doubts he can drag them along either. The fact the media has been all but ignoring him lately is not a good sign.

Hillary Clinton -- her ideas are fine, she's good at bipartisanship in the trenches, she's proven to have staying power and will fight like a mofo for what she believes in. Some have said she's a power hungry bitch and I agree. But they say it like it's a bad thing and I think it's a good thing. I WANT a president that is going to kick the shit out of anyone who screws with the US of A or even the NeoCons when they start up their crap. My problem with Hillary is that I am really not convinced she believes in what she says she believes in. There's just that small nugget of doubt in my mind. I'll GLADLY back her in the general, but she's not my first choice for the Nom. Though I have no doubt whatsoever that she'll do just like Bush did and tell her party to get the her program or be destroyed forever. She WILL have her party behind her as well as enough Republicans - whatever that takes.

Barack Obama -- I love his energy, his charisma, his background in fighting for the little people, his intelligence, his youth. If he had the equivilent of Joe Kennedy's Washington DC political machine behind him I think he could kick ass and take names, get the job done like the young JFK did. I'm not sure he does though I suspect he's just corporate enough (not overly corporate but willing to engage in the Washington doublespeak that gives Congress cover) that the rest of DC democrats will get behind him and push him to a win over ANY of the R's come November and will tap dance with him in office.

So who will I vote for??

Obama.

with the strongest of hopes the Convention will give me Obama/Edwards and Obama will spend 8 years putting Edwards in the limelight kicking ass so in 2016 Edwards will have the DC backing to keep kicking ass for 8 more years.

My state votes in Feb - so you folks in South Atlanta better be ready. I'm going to be advocating hard for Obama. :)

[Naturyl]

1. Decent choice, but I wish it could be Edwards.

Obama is less progressive and less electable. He's a decent candidate and a decent man, but you said it yourself - Edwards is the guy we really need.

Edwards does have a fighting chance. Yes, it's a bit of a long shot, but the time has not yet come to settle for second-best.

[mac2]

2. Better be ready to defend

Obama's voting for Patriot Act II.

[Rosemary2205]

3. Why would I have to defend it?

I didn't agree with that vote and I'm not picking Obama based on that one vote. If someone else out there chooses a candidate based on a single solitary issue than more power to them. That's not me.

[mac2]

13. A most important vote

if you believe in democracy. Many people are angry about it so you better be prepared.

[Blarch]

5. Oh please, we know you hate him

here you are claiming the neocons are the ones behind Obama, and that he supports the repubs and trashes the constitution.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2608928

[mac2]

14. Anyone who removes my

democracy is not getting my vote. They have explaining to do not me. They took an oath of office which they have abandoned.

[Raven]

4. I'm going to vote for Edwards in the NH Primary with the hope

that, at the very least, he'll be on the ticket as VP.

[michiganbuckeye1970]

9. Edwards had his chance to be VP

We need to pick someone who isn't involved in this whole primary mess. Since the nominee is going to be either a current senator or a former senator, we need someone as far away from Washington as possible. Wes Clark would be good. What about Max Cleland?

[mac2]

15. Why do you think Edwards

can only be VP? These three states don't determine if Hillary or Obama can win any where else against the Repubs.

[AndyA]

6. How do you feel about Obama's ties to lobbyists and corporations?

He's taking a lot of money from them, and that puts him in a compromising position to deal with them once in office. Things in America today are largely due to the big corporations having control of the puppet strings of our government. Those companies are going to expect favors from Obama, which he's going to have to deal with.

How can he bring about meaningful change when he's indebted to the same folks Bush is indebted to? Check the campaign donations and follow the money...it tells a sad tale.

An Obama Presidency is a continuation of business as usual in America, and that's not good for the American people.

[cali]

8. The vast, and I do mean vast majority of Obama's campaign money

comes from small donors. In fact, a smaller percentage of his money comes from special interests than YOUR candidate's. Much smaller.

It's groundless speculation to state point blank that an Obama presidency would be business as usual. Not surprisingly, this is one of the chief talking points from Edwards supporters. And not surprisingly, it's amazingly simplistic as well as unknowable.

[sellitman]

7. Ok but....

It looks like you made a stronger case for JE?


:shrug:

[Rosemary2205]

11. I do really want to vote for him -- but

I don't believe the Dem establishment will get behind him. I think they will leave him hanging out there and just hand it to the R's. I just think the anti-corporate infrustructure isn't there to support Edwards and he won't play with them. He's the right man IMHO but also IMHO we are not ready for him yet. We need to be voting in anti-corporate congresscritters first to build a base for Edwards to play with. Throwing Edwards in there expecting him to open up a can of whoop ass all over the corps, without the infrustructure to do so is asking for failure and unfair to a good man like Edwards IMHO. I just think Edward as POTUS is asking for Carter round 2. Another good man left hanging out in the wind by the DC dems.

I think Obama will play the game just enough to squeeze through some meaningful changes. It's a bet, I know.

[skipos]

10. The Edwards and Clinton supporters are working overtime to take down Obama on DU

Congrats on taking a bold stance around here. Be prepared to be attacked.

[mac2]

16. Over time to bring back our democracy

and Constitution against corporate world government.

[skipos]

17. Thanks for proving my point!

:)

[never_get_over_it]

12. Ok I don't agree with your choice

but who cares about that

but I do want to say that Edwards WILL NOT EVER EVER EVER be the VP candidate for anyone this year or any year in the future - he won't be asked and he wouldn't accept. He has been there and done that. It makes NO political sense for Edwards to be the VP candidate.

I think you have it exactly backwards - Edward/Obama and then in 8 years Obama can kick some ass in 2016 when he will be only 54 years old.

[karlrschneider]

18. That sounds right and gets around the fact Obama cannot be elected in 08.

;-)