Undecideds (and decideds): what criteria are you using to decide?

[JaneQPublic]

40. Looking beyond ideology and policy positions.

If I wanted a candidate I agree with 100 percent, I'd vote for myself.

But let's face it, most policies stated by candidates are more aspirational goals than specific plans for achieving them. And even fewer address how they plan to enact policies when 60 votes are needed in the Senate.

So, instead, I'm looking for:

1. Someone who can take on Trump without trying to out-Trump Trump, preferably with dignity, class, and especially humor. (For ex.: like JFK, Lincoln, and Rep. Ted Lieu)

2. Someone who knows how to work the levers of Government to take on Mitch McConnell and get stuff done. (For ex.: like LBJ and Pelosi)

3. Someone with that undefinable "IT" factor that can inspire and empower a nation to be its best version of itself. (For ex.: Obama, obviously, as well as Howard "You have the power!" Dean [Yes, I'm a Deaniac still.])

4. Someone who speaks the truth --- even unpopular or inconvenient truths --- rather than spin or obfuscation. I may disagree with him/her, but I respect a candidate who is honest and candid rather than a panderer. (A couple current candidates show signs of meeting this criterion.)

5. Someone who offers a storehouse of experience, knowledge, and wisdom to handle the minutiae of office, as well as crises with global consequences. Basically, someone brainy enough to know at least as much about a subject as does the reporter asking him/her about it. (For ex.: like either Bill or Hillary Clinton or, ideally, Pres. Josiah Bartlett)

All that said, as a Marylander, I don't vote in the primary until the Dem candidate is all but finalized. So, if I do settle on a candidate that meets my criteria, I'll be voting early with my wallet.