Anyone else here besides me still undecided on a candidate?

[chimpy the poopthrower]

Seems like most people here have already made a choice, but I am deliberately waiting as long as possible. One thing that's going to make a big difference to me is endorsements. (But who are the big names who will NOT be making any endorsements? I thought either Bill Clinton or Al Gore stated they would not endorse any candidates before the primary.)

What are the rest of you undecideds waiting for? Are you still just sizing up the candidates or is there something specific you're waiting to see? I'm curious.

[patdem]

1. I threw my hat in early for Kerry, but my mind is still open

[KCDem]

2. I'm still open

There are a few that I've made my mind up against, as well as a few that I'm more inclined to go for. But, it's not a done deal.

[Javneh]

3. not yet decided,

pretty set against Joe but I'd hold my nose and vote for him if it was Joe or Dubya. I want to see more of what Clark has said since he hasn't been out there that long officially

[Richardo]

5. Me too - and for that reason I'm not reading any bash-threads in GD,,,

I'll make my decision in a less heated and contentious atmosphere.

[boxster]

11. Excellent idea. Too late for a lot of us! Hehe....

Besides, you should make up your own mind, not have the decision thrust upon you based on innuendo and misinterpretation of out-of-context statements!

:D

[maha]

4. I think you are wise.

I have preferences, and there's a couple I really don't want to run, but at this point the wise person keeps his mind open. We've got months to go.

[CBHagman]

6. I watch the debates when I can.

And I'll be sure to vote for whichever person becomes the Democratic candidate; no Ralph Nader or Simian One for me!

But no, I have not thrown my support behind any candidate, though the requests for money have been coming in for some time now.

I'm intrigued by Clark but spending time learning about him. Last Sunday I passed a group of Clark activists holding a meeting at an outdoor cafe, and I had to restrain myself from going over and introducing myself. They seemed to be deep in discussion and I didn't feel comfortable inserting myself.

[nannygoat]

7. I still haven't made up my mind

I think they are all great (as has been posted elsewhere today) and any one of them would make a great president (and could mop up the floor with *)!

[LearnedHand]

8. I'm not decided.

I think the only person I'd rule out in the primaries is Lieberman. Everyone else -- INCLUDING Mosley-Braun and Sharpton -- get high marks from me! Have at it, folks: tear up the Bush* administration!!! (Thanks, Senator Edwards, for that reminder last night.)

On edit: However, if by some chance Lieberman gets the nomination, I'll hold my nose and vote for him. ANYBODY BUT BUSH*, 2004!

[Chef]

9. Choices

Will probably a few months before I get comfortable with one. Like Gep (labor, anti-NAFTA, Kerry (vet, smart), Edwards (seems sincere, bright), Clark (should scare *, smart), maybe Dean. Wife works with too many arrogant Drs. so Howard isn't high on her list. The rest have qualities, but aren't on the "A" list.

[w4rma]

10. Extremely massive information dump on Gov. Howard Dean, M.D. (v2.0)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=41214

Note that Dean shares many of Gephardt's positions on trade and labor.

[JanMichael]

12. <raises hand>

Yep. I'm not committed to any single candidate.

[watercolors]

13. Haven't made up my mind either

I've narrowed it down to three so far. Now I will listen and learn more.
If "lie brrr man" gets the nod I will have a hard time with that! I honestly couldn't vote for him, hate him as much as shrub.

[xray s]

14. Undecided here

But I like my choices.

[IrateCitizen]

15. I'm still completely undecided

I like Kucinich's idealism for transforming the world

I like the way that Dean has captured grassroots energy

I like the fact that Clark could capture the "Radical American Center"

The only thing I'm certain of is that there isn't much about Lieberman that I DO like -- but as for the others, I'm totally undecided right now. In fact, I'm rather enjoying seeing them all duke it out, test and refine their messages, and hack out the party platform for 2004.

IMHO, to simply jump on one candidate now is more about engaging in a cult of personality than deciding based on issues. But hey, that's just me. :D

[spooky3]

16. all I've decided on is ABB. n/t

[Chovexani]

17. I was a Deanie but now undecided again

I'm still leaning towards the good Dr. though. I managed to miss the debate last night, but I would like to see more of what Clark has to say, he's got my interest piqued. I'm trying to keep an open mind since it's so early in the game. I agree with you about endorsements, I am interested to see who will be endorsing whom and why.

[Adjoran]

18. Still undecided

I live in SC, so we have an early primary this year, and one that may have an impact on the race.

My criteria for the candidate I'll support is simple: I want the one with the best practical chance to WIN in '04. I don't see anyone in the race I could not vote for on ideological reasons if they win the nomination. My choice will be purely practical.

So far, with all due respect to the candidates, there are a few that I just don't see as having that practical chance of winning either the nomination or the general election: Sharpton, Kucinich, Moseley-Braun, and Graham seem to me to be lacking the broad support necessary and the potential to generate it. If any of them makes a shocking breakthrough in the polls or IO or NH, I am open to reconsider this, however.

Edwards is on the bubble. I respect him for getting out of the Senate race early enough to give the party a chance to hold the seat, but he also needs to show some strength to get my vote. He came to my town a few weeks ago, and is a likable and knowledgeable man.

That leaves Dean, Clark, Kerry, Gephardt, and Lieberman. It seems clear at this point that Dean and Clark are the frontrunners, although Gephardt has a good organization nationwide and could surprise people. Kerry has not run a very effective campaign thus far, but he has the people and money to turn things around - but he better start doing so soon. I know most here hate Lieberman, but he and Clark have the most potential to attract independent and moderate repub votes, so they are still under consideration.

I also dislike all the bashing, although I sometimes read the threads. Everyone should remember that NO candidate will win in '04 without a united party, so it is important not to burn all the bridges between supporters. Of course, though, a spirited campaign is necessary to prepare for the wave of attacks that will surely fall upon whoever wins the nomination.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

19. Totally undecided...

and will most likely remain so for much of the race. I want to examine their voting records, who is financially backing them, where they stand on the issues important to me, and see how they weather the campaign experience. I also want to see how far they are willing to speak out against Bush & his policies. (Of course those who did so BEFORE it became "safe" to get extra points from me off the bat.)

At the end of the day it will be weighing the pros/cons of each candidate -- and then hoping he/she makes it through the primary process.

[Gloria]

20. Me. All I know is that I will vote for any of them against Bush....

Don't know about the primary yet, though....

[Alpharetta]

21. Waiting to see how they handle primaries and dirty tricks

I have a favorite or two, but I won't decide until after the early primaries. I want to see how they handle the media when the GOP panics and the Fox feeding frenzy ramps up.

We can expect CNN and the other major networks to panic and copy FOX when it happens. They're just as gutless and like "you can't go wrong buying IBM" they'll chase FOX's approach like a me-too Democrat.

[welshTerrier2]

22. undecided but leaning

i've ruled out the war resolution supporters ... i was hoping Kerry would finally come to his senses and agree that, because there was no imminent threat, the war was unjustified ... i've given up on him ...

edwards, gephardt and lieberman ... out ...

graham isn't bad but his fundraising is killing him ... he could be an interesting VP choice ... nice to have a floridian on the ticket ...

that leaves kucinich, dean, sharpton, cmb and clark ...

need to know more about clark to form an opinion on him ... i haven't liked dean's frequent missteps in the media ... say something ... then have to clarify ... i worry he may be a "high risk" candidate ...

so, although i really like sharpton and cmb, i'm leaning towards kucinich ... i agree with him on the war 100% ... troops out NOW !! and i really liked his points about abusive CEO pay at a time that companies are having massive layoffs ... that's the essential problem in this country ... it's class-warfare and corporate exploitation of the workers ...

give me some good old Greenie policies in a democratic package ... so i'm leaning towards kucinich ... but i still need to be convinced he would have the "personal power" to implement the policies he talks about ... hopefully that will come with time ...

[Jokerman]

23. I don't get to make a decision.

I live in one of those states where the primary is so late, the nomination will most likely have been decided.

The only way I can have any impact would be by donating money, but I think campaign financing is the real problem with our system.

When the general election rolls around I'll vote for anyone that I think can beat the current disgrace to the office.

[newyawker99]

24. I am still undecided too. n/t