Tell me about the Democratic Candidates

[WyomingDemocrat]

I just recently registered as a Democrat and will be voting in the Democratic Primaries for the first time ever and I don't even know who all the candidates are and don't know much about them. I am a moderate conservative so I will be looking for a candidate that balances budgets, doesn't spend too much money on government programs. I also want a candidate who is moderate on guns I can understand certain restrictions but if you don't have a violent crime history, you should be able to purchase one with no problem. I also want a candidate who was against this Iraq War which is the main reason I switched from a Republican to a Democrat. I also want a man who is honest. Also, it's only been almost 3 years since 9/11 and I feel it is important that a candidate will increase national security but I know it is nearly impossible to forsee which individual can protect us. Thanks for any information I can get.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. Congratulations And Welcome

I'm glad you are taking your responsibility so seriously.

I won't tell you who to vote for but I do suggest you watch the debates on T V. and visit the candidate's websites.

From your description you sound like the Republicans have moved so far to the right they have left folks like you behind...

[Friar]

2. You're looking for

Bill Clinton but unfortunately, he's not available. I'm an Anyone But Bush type but I have a great hope Wesley Clark will run on the Democratic ticket. If not, I will support any Democratic candidate. Any of them, with the possible exception of Liberman, are better than Bush on national security, the economy, you name it.

[VermontDem2004]

4. WeIl I don't think Bill Clinton fit the category of everything that he/she

mentioned.

[WyomingDemocrat]

6. Can you tell me more about this Wesley Clark?

Also, I think it some ways it is dangerous to vote for anyone against a certain person. It is kind of like saying "I don't care where he stands on the issues, I want that man out of office." That mentallity had me voting for George Bush because I believed it when he said he would restore honesty and integrity into the White House. Now, I find him 10x more dishonest then Clinton.

[tjdee]

15. He's former SACEUR....

First, we're not sure if he's running. So, there's that.

But, he was the former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe....for NATO, most known for the whole Kosovo thing. He's a four star general...uh, I guess that's why he was able to be SACEUR, LOL....

He has a master's in economics, politics, and philosophy from Oxford (he was a Rhodes Scholar).

He's from Arkansas.

A group of people are trying to draft him, I posted the site below. They have a commercial, here it is:

TV ad:
http://www.draftwesleyclark.com/tv_ad.htm

To be fair, Dean has a few commercials as well.
http://www.howarddean.tv

[poskonig]

3. Dean is probably a good fit.

The doctor has balanced budgets through not only one but two Bush recessions, has an 'A' rating from the NRA, and being trained to make judgments based on facts by profession, was against the Iraq war.

[WyomingDemocrat]

13. What was he?

Was he Governor? If so, of what State. Balancing Budgets is impressive but how did he do it? Did he raise taxes like hell to cover his wasteful spending programs? Like I stated, I like someone who spends money wisely. Being against the Iraq War is a big plus, and you said "doctor". Is he a real doctor?

[WyomingDemocrat]

16. I found out what state he was a governor of

Someone gave me a link of Howard Dean and it says he was a Governor of Vermont.

[THUNDER HANDS]

19. yup

For about a decade, which is pretty damn long.

And yes, he was a real doctor, he was an internist.

I'm not sure how he balanced the budget, but since Vermont's budget isn't that big, I'm sure he didn't have to resort to raising taxes. I think he just had his state control spending during the good times and put money away in a rainy-day fund.

Dean is very good with money, IMO. If you like a fiscal moderate, Dean is probably your guy.

[tjdee]

17. Yes, a real medical doctor.

He is from a family of investment bankers, born in New York, worked on Wall Street briefly before going to med school. He moved to Vermont with his wife, they ran a medical practice together, he ran for Lt. gov, then the gov. died...he's been gov. ever since.

[poskonig]

18. All of the above.

Dean cut taxes fairly and responsibly in Vermont, paid down his state's debt, and controlled spending when such efforts were required. Many Democrats here feel he is too conservative; I believe Dean would do well during a national election.

Howard Dean was also a medical doctor by profession.

[newyawker99]

29. Hi WyomingDemocrat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[proud patriot]

5. on the home page of DU

there are links to the candidates websites ,
a great resource .

[Liberalboy]

7. It's so cool to see you researching your

vote. I thought for a ong time people didn't care anymore. I've researched the whole feel, and I'm still not sure - but I am leaning towards Dean. My advice: check out each candidate's website and research their records. Good Luck

[tjdee]

8. Here are the three that fit your criteria most....

Hi there, I think some people are going to point you toward their preferred candidate, LOL.

If you want candidates against the war, you're looking at Howard Dean, Bob Graham, and Wesley Clark (who is not a candidate, but may jump in, or not, around Labor Day). Some others were against the war (such as Dennis Kucinich), but you indicated you are a moderate conservative, and the others are very liberal.

Sites for the above candidates:

Howard Dean (former governor of Vermont, also a medical doctor)
http://www.deanforamerica.com

Bob Graham (former 2 time governor of Florida, currently Florida Senator)
http://www.grahamforpresident.com/

Wesley Clark (He's a four star general, former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe for NATO)
http://www.draftwesleyclark.com

Btw, I'm not supporting any of those, LOL.
On edit:
I should say, I'm not supporting them *right now*. If they get the nom, they're my guy. I'm particularly interested in Clark if he runs, though.

[WyomingDemocrat]

14. Thanks for the websites

I also noticed you aren't supporting any of those 3, I also seen other posters said I am just going to get people pursuading me to go there way.

[tjdee]

20. Also, there are a lot of Dean supporters here.

And hey, you may eventually be one of them.

I just mention it as a heads up.

And, also, hang around here for a while--the candidates' sites and the candidate's supporters will give you a rosy picture of the guy, but there are negatives about every candidate that you should be aware of too. We talk about those, usually over and over and over again, LOL!

I probably didn't have to tell you that..

[WyomingDemocrat]

27. I just looked at all the candidates issues

I like what Dean says about the economy, that is a double ++ for him including what he says on the Iraq War. I like Graham because of his position on security issues, experience, and the economy a double ++ for him, I will have an opinion on Clark once he outlines his position more clearly. I will have to do alot more reasearching on their political history, if you want someone to lead you, you have to learn how that someone lead others. Of course I will do researching on other candidates but so far I do like Dean and Graham based on what they said but I am nowhere close to deciding on who I am going to support.

[tsipple]

21. Agreed: Those Are His Three Choices

Two choices, actually. (Wesley Clark has not said whether he's running for president or not yet, so we'll see.)

Note that Graham does qualify because of his experience balancing budgets as Governor of Florida some years ago. In the Senate he's had much less ability to do so, given that the Democrats are in the minority. Anyone know if he voted for or against the deficit-promoting Bush tax cuts in 2001?

[tjdee]

22. 90% sure he voted against the tax cuts. n/t

[NewJerseyDem]

26. Graham voted no

N/A

[WyomingDemocrat]

23. I just visited the Clark website and I have a favorable opinion on

where he stands on the issues, I haven't looked at the other 3 yet. Here is how I match up on the issues.

Affirmative Action-Was unclear of where he stood but I think I disagree. I don't like it when government or schools make race an issue, I like the principle of it and I feel it should be directed towards students who are economically disanvantaged

The Environment-Agree, the environment must be protected imho.

Gays in the military-I agree if they want to fight let em fight.

Guns-Agree, especially liked this comment "people who like assault weapons they should join the United States Army, we have them."

Health Care and Education-was unclear about his stance on Health Care, he basically commented on treatment he got in the army also, he doesn't even mention education. I think it is important to cover as many americans as possible, but if the government wastes money on health care could lead to the national debt increasing. I don't like anyone who will spend money like water on government programs.

Immigration-I agree with what he said but unclear about his position, he just basically says we like immigrants. I think many immigrats are willing to work for less money which is hurting alot of us who work here. Alot of the carpernter jobs pay low wages because mexicans and other immigrants are willing to do those jobs for lower pay so many of us trying to work hard and pay rent are unable unless we work alot of overtime.

The next 3 I will not spend too much time replying so the next 1 agree, the second one sort of agree, he doesn't comment on how he spends taxpayer dollars, the last one disagree.

[tjdee]

24. When (if) he announces, he'll flesh out his positions better.

The biggest problem with Wesley Clark is that he hasn't decided whether he's running. You'll find the sites of the other two (Dean and Graham) more fleshed out, and more concrete on issues for that reason. When (IF) Clark announces, he'll be much clearer than the 'draft Wesley' site, I'd imagine.

As for affirmative action, I think you're going to be in disagreement with all of the Dem candidates on that. Lots of folks here can go round and round with you about affirmative action(there are some who feel the way you do, too).

There are very minor policy differences between the three candidates I gave you (in my opinion). It'll come down to who you think has the best chance to beat Bush, and who will do the best job if he's elected.

[rock]

9. What'd you call a guy from Wyoming?

Tex. (Or the more formal Mr Cheney).
Welcome. Forgive the joke.

[displacedtexan]

10. just googled '2004 democratic candidates'

156,000 hits
amazing, isn't it?

[clar]

11. When you ask people

on this board to tell you about the candidates, you're just going to get partisan rhetoric. Better to go to their websites and find out about the positions they hold and their past records. Do some research outside candidate sites as well. Good luck.

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. wow, tossed some red meat

Watch 300 Dean supporters take the bait.

:)

(note - I mean that in the most loving way possible)

[NewJerseyDem]

25. Basic summary of candiates

Howard Dean- Former Governor of Vermont. Very anti-war and is viewed in the media as very liberal. Known in Vermont as more moderate when it came to fiscal issues. He has recently become one of the leading candidates.

John Kerry- Senator from Massachussetts. Voted for the war but has always sort of been iffy on his opinion. He says he supports war but didn't like how Bush handled it. Historically he has a very liberal voting record. He was perhaps original frontrunner and his pretty even with Dean in NH and is in third in Iowa.

Joe Lieberman- Senator from Connecticut. Supported war but also critisizes Bush on foreign policy. Considered the most hawkish of Democratic candidates. A little more conservative than others on domestic issues. He is still leading in national polls but is struggling in most early states.

John Edwards- Senator from North Carolina. Supported war but also critisizes Bush foreign policy. He is perhaps the most liberal southern senator but is considered somewhat of a moderate. He is 50 and looks even younger but has struggled in campaign and his trailing in the polls.

Bob Graham- Senator and former Governor of Florida- He opposed war but wanted a larger war on terror. Generally viewed as somewhat moderate on domestic issues and on foreign policy. He hasn't gotten much support since his late entry and isn't doing that well in most polls.

Dick Gephardt- Congressman from Missouri and former House Majority/Minority Leader. He supported war but has critisized Bush foreign policy (sensing a pattern?). He is pretty liberal and is an ally of the labor unions. He is the favorite in Iowas but Dean appears to have caught up to him. He ran for president in 1988 and won Iowas but later lost to Dukakis.

Al Sharpton- Civil Rights activist from New York- He was very much opposed to the war and is considered very liberal on domestic issues. Sharpton has also had a very controversial past during his activism in New York and has been arrested for civil disobedience several times. Isn't considered a real potential winner.

Dennis Kucinich- Congressman from Ohio and Co-Chair of House Progressive Caucus. He opposed the war very much and is considered one of the most liberal congressmen on foreign and domestic policy. Despite considerabel support her on DU, he is struggling in the polls.

Carol Moseley Braun- Ex-Senator from Illinois and ex-ambassador to New Zealand. She opposed the war and while in the Senate was one of its most liberal members. She is struggling in the polls and has no paid staff, just volunteers. Some suggest she got in the race to split black vote with Sharpton and is considered a potential dropout.

Wesley Clark- Former Supreme Allied Commander- He opposed the war and was a CNN analyst during the war. His views on domestic issues are largely unknown even though he has opposed the Bush tax cuts. He hasn't decided if he will run yet and will make a decision in the next few weeks.

[DieboldMustDie]

28. Try the 2004 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SELECTOR at:

http://selectsmart.com/president/