Okay, so now I'm undecided about who to pick in the primary

[Walt Starr]

I was a Dean supporter, then went to Clark, and now I'm undecided. Right now, any of 'em could get my vote next March, and that includes Lieberman because he's been attacking the right guy.

I'm torn. Any of them could beat Bush. Any of them could move progressive ideals forward. Any of them could be a fine president. Any of them would defnitely be a HUGE IMPROVEMENT OVER WHAT WE HAVE NOW!

I'm ready to be convinced on any of them. They are all progressive and they are all Democrats.

So tell me about your favorite candidate. Please, nothing negative about other candidates. All I am considering here are the positives about the ten potential Democratic nominees. Negative posts about any of the candidates will be ignored in my consideration of the ten candidates.

Sell me on your choice.

[Demobrat]

1. There's still time to make up your mind.

We haven't even seen Clark debate yet. I'm a Deanie because I want the man who stood up for equal rights at great personal and political risk in charge. But then, I don't buy into the popular wisdom that Clark can win because Americans want somebody who can out "war president" Bush. I think what Americans want is a peace president. But that's just me.

[MercutioATC]

2. If you were a Dean supporter, you know what he stands for.

We'd love to have you back. The important thing, however, is to go with the candidate you believe in. I could sit here all day and tell you why I believe Dean is the person who is going to serve as a catalyst for change in this country. I can tell you how I feel he has the ability to reach people who have felt disenfranchised or simply disinterested. What maters is that YOU find somebody that YOU feel enthusiastic about.

If you wanna come back, there's always a big welcome for you here.

Dean '04

[Abe Linkman]

17. Dean is Clinton

Clinton fought only for himself. Ferociously, too. He stopped fighting for anything that would benefit most Americans early in his first term.

He had a trillion dollars he could have asked the Congress to appropriate for education, repair of infrastructure, even tax breaks to businesses to keep jobs from going to cheap-labor countries; but he wouldn't lift a finger for any of those things. Was willing to spend millions to get out of his lies, but wouldn't go to bat for US, for anything. He even apologized to the rich for the modest rise in taxes they were asked to pay.

Dean is a status quo candidate. Nothing more. A run of the mill central to moderate conservative who believes in harsh penal sentences, but doesn't support a single payer healthcare system, despite being a doctor who is married to a practicing physician.

Why do you support someone like that?

[MercutioATC]

20. Nice to see you away from the 9/11 board, Abe....

Seems we had the same disagreements there.

I've seen how you deal with opposing viewpoints ( http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=125&topic_id=2443 ) , so I'm not going to waste my time trying to explain things to you. You're obviously comfortable with your beliefs, and that's just fine.

I quite obviously support Dean because I believe that he ISN'T a "run of the mill" candidate. Opinions are like....well....bellybuttons. You're certainly entitled to yours.

[SCantiGOP]

21. because...

>>>Why do you support someone like that?<<<<
Because he can actually get elected?

[JVS]

3. May I suggest Kucinich

He's a good candidate and lord knows he could use more supporters

[Abe Linkman]

13. Kucinich made a huge tactical mistake that he cannot recover from

Targeting the anti-War franchise may have seemed like a good way to garner an early groundswell of support, but the American electorate is too brainwashed to get past someone who seems to them to be a "peacenik". "They" know how mean-spirited their neighbors, bosses, cops, and judges are - and they believe that a peacenik wouldn't "fight" for what they care about (more NASCAR races, cheaper beer, and a vicarious feeling of triumph over foreigners who hate us for our illusions of freedom).

[rucky]

19. Sounds like a good reason to support him...

Dare to break the mold. If what you say is true, then he won't get the nomination with or without your help. But it won't be because I let a "tactical error" influence my support for the best guy.

And why would you use that arguement to convince other people not to support DK? Doesn't that amount to defacto support of the "NASCAR" mentality you criticize so harshly? I'm not saying you do support that mentality - that's obvious - but the end result is the same.

[Demobrat]

23. The flip-flop on choice, no matter how elequently justified,

cost Kucinich dearly, I believe.

[uptohere]

4. GOOD !

way too much yet to play out to get too cast in stone.

[hippiegranny]

5. fortunately time is on your side

you don't need to know yet. i am liking of kucinich, dean, clark and kerry - in about that order. but i do know that no matter who gets the nomination, he or she has my vote come november 2004.

[pmbryant]

6. Bob Graham

Solid progressive record over many years as Governor and Senator from Florida.

Executive experience at the head of one of the largest and most diverse states in the country.

Knew ahead of time that the war in Iraq would only make our country more insecure and increase the threat of terrorism against Americans.

Willing to loudly and strongly criticize Bush for the liar that he is.

The best Dem bet to defeat Bush soundly (Katherine Harris-proof) in the crucial state of Florida, which could well be where the election is won or lost.

Bob Graham for President in 2004!

:thumbsup:

--Peter

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. I am really bothered not to see Graham doing better among the candidates

given all the wealth of experience.

[pmbryant]

8. Me too

I am baffled why more people haven't looked closer at his candidacy.

:shrug:

--Peter

[LynneSin]

9. No need to decide today

You've got six months to decide

[einsteins stein]

10. Support the underdog

whomever you think that to be.

Since you are basically ABB, supporting the underdog now helps keep minority opinions in the debate.

By the time the primary hits your state, your underdog may be the frontrunner, or you may have developed a better sense of whom it is that deserves your vote.

Waddya say?

[einsteins stein]

11. Sorry, Ignore this text

it was a dupe of the last, I hit send twice...

[denverbill]

12. Why the heck did you bail on Dean?

Personally, I'm still thinking about Clark. I like the fact that he and Dean are talking, but I don't like the fact that he seems to have been handpicked by the DLC to replace Joe Lieberman. There's a difference between a moderate and a corporate sellout.

The Clark thing just seems too perfect. There must be a catch.

Dean, otoh, is a phenomenon. A guy who rocketed from a nobody to leader of the pack with just the internet and a message.

[elfin]

14. If you are in an "early" state

I sympathize. I, too have wavered between Dean, Kerry and Clark - and have donated to all three.

For me, they are all close enough to "my" issues of civil rights, environment, multilateralism, choice and the economy to get my support. So.... my clutch issue is winnability against the BFEE. That will be the deciding factor for getting my vote. And other than polls, I do not know how to determine that.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. It's a lot like '88 where besides the 'Duke'

we had Gore, Gephardt, Paul Simon (Sen./IL), Jesse Jackson, Bruce Babbitt, and (almost) Gary Hart.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. Instead of us selling, do some window shopping.

[KittyWampus]

18. Hey There Walt

I am also an undecided although Clark could potentially get my vote. All the candidates look good to me though (with one exception).

First, I want to hear if Clark reiterates his proposal to cut Pentagon funding to pay for Health Care.

Whatever candidates mentions the 3.3 trillion that the Pentagon lost are going to get lots of brownie points from me.

Further, when it comes to the "War on Terrorism" it is also important to hear who thinks it is most important to protect our Homeland by funding our first responders and who thinks its more important to "go over there" and kick terrorist butt.

And the impending crash of the World's Oil supply. It's not enough to say we need to wean ourselves from "Foreign" oil. Whoever says we need to retool our economy for green technology while simultaneously creating jobs and economic growth will prove themselves to be real leaders.

So my advice or suggestion at this point is for us to make a list of questions about important issues and then see where the candidates stand.

There are more debates ahead... let's hear what the Democrats have to say.

[SCantiGOP]

22. Dean or Clark

I first hitched on to the Dean campaign because, not only did I agree with much of what he said, but I thought he was the most electable. I could support either Dean or Clark enthusiastically, and Gephardt or Kerry with a bit less enthusiasm. Lieberman I would not vote for, and the others are frankly not in Division 1.

[Padraig18]

24. This place is like a Baptist Church's business meeting

Ask 10 people for an opinion, and you'll get 11 answers! :P

[gottaB]

25. Vote for Carol

You're proud to be a Democrat. She's proud to be a Democrat. Do right by your fundamental principles: Vote for Carol Moseley Braun, the candidate who articulates core Democratic beliefs with courage and gusto.

I believe that the nation is under a dark cloud, that economic activity is depressed, that our spirits are low, and that meanness has the upper hand over conscientious politics and governance. Things will get better. Conditions may indeed get worse in the short term, but ultimately they will improve.

That's not to say that change is automatic, or that an optimistic attitude should blind us to genuine difficulties. We do face obstacles. None so ominous however that we should abandon our essential hopes or let ourselves be guided by fear and cynicism.

Your vote is essential to revitalizing our nation. Your vote can make the difference between long years of ineffable sufferings, or a short path to renewal and the restoration of hope.

Of course you know that. You plan to vote for the Democrat nominee. But in the primary, why not vote with the same pride and sense of citizenship? Why not vote with a smile? Vote for Carol Moseley Braun. It will put a smile on your face.