Which Democratic Candidate Connects Best with Military Families?

[CorpGovActivist]

Poll question: Which Democratic Candidate Connects Best with Military Families?

In the squeaker of a Senate race we had here last year in Virginia, traditionally Republican bastions - populated with a lot of military families - made a crucial difference.

On Election Night last year, I was urging everyone to hold out hope for Webb, based on the returns that were coming in from those areas (read down through the Election Night thread to see the real-time precinct-level analysis): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2616882

Virginia and states like it are flippable in 2008.

If they're not written off as lost GOP votes, many conservative-leaning military families concentrated on bases in key swing states will flip.

The list below is in the left-to-right order that the candidates appeared on stage in at the Vegas debate. Which one do you think has the best connection with military families? Please cite to their own service, or their family members' service (That was a significant factor for Senator Webb, who not only served, but has a son who is serving.)

Thanks for registering your vote, and for any additional information you're willing to share.

- Dave

[MadBadger]

1. Whenever I hear Joe Biden speak, he doesnt sound like a politician.

Everything he says comes from his heart. But most of all, his family is a military family as well.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. you know thats true. he kind of reminds me of kerry before kerry's staff

advised him to do ridiculous things like go hunting

[saltpoint]

2. Vets would fare better under any of our 8 versus any of the Pukes' entire field,

but if the next Democratic president asks me to choose his head of Veterans Affairs, I think I'd recommend Max Cleland.

I believe Max Cleland would be tops in that role.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Obama's getting the most donations on the D side from military--that's

a sure sign of connection.

[CorpGovActivist]

5. Any Data Analysis...

... on that?

Thanks!

- Dave

[TwilightGardener]

8. yep!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3601542&page=1

[CorpGovActivist]

10. Thanks!

What happened here in Virginia seems to be reflected in the data provided in the article.

Much appreciated!!!

: )

- Dave

[bob4460]

4. REAL patriots want Kucinich

[Virginia Dare]

12. Why do non-Kucinich supporters hate America?

sound familiar?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. REAL patriots also understand he wont win and so are betting on someone who might,

[MadBadger]

16. So am I not a patriot then?

[davidwparker]

6. You just know people here in VA are waiting anxiously to vote for HRC.

:sarcasm:

[Solly Mack]

7. Well, from everything I'm hearing - Obama and Edwards on the Democratic side

and in that order.

A few have mentioned Biden and Clinton

Kucinich and his efforts are not without support

A couple of people have mentioned Richardson

As for Dodd? Got to remind some people he's even running

Not that any of that means anything...

Just the soldiers I've talked to...

[Blackhatjack]

9. Edwards comes from N.C. - a State with numerous military bases and families..

Edwards is very popular here, but you have to remember that military families as a rule do not comment publicly --especially while their loved ones are deployed, scheduled to be deployed, or likely to be deployed in the future.

However, they do talk to other military families, their friends and neighbors.

These military families are hurting in a major way, and Edwards' stand on ending the war in Iraq and bringing the troops homes is very popular.

Edwards would do very well with this demographic in N.C. and likely in adjoining Virginia.

If Edwards is the Democratic Nominee he would appeal to the independents and some Repubs in both states, and likely would 'flip' both states in the General Election.

[CorpGovActivist]

11. BRAC - Base Realignment and Closure...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_Realignment_and_Closure

To win the general, any would-be nominee had better start talking about ways to ease these transition shocks.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

13. Interesting Trend Emerges...

... I guess I should re-evaluate where Biden might end up in the next Administration. I thought back to Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee was the best he could hope for. He might actually have a shot at Defense.

- Dave