What do you think is your candidate's strongest attribute?

[dansolo]

In an attempt to make this a positive thread, please avoid using the word "only" when describing your candidates positions. I see all of the candidates positions as a matter of degree. I am interested in what people view as the particular strengths that each candidate can bring in an election against George Bush.

My preferred candidates are Dean and Clark, and here are my views on each of their individual strengths.

Dean - empowerment. I think that Dean has tapped into the disillusionment that a lot of people have felt for a long time, from both their own party and the opposition. Dean makes people feel like they are at least being listened to, and that their opinions are being respected, even if they are not ultimately followed.

Clark - international respect. I think that the most important issue that Clark will bring is respect from the international community. This administration has done a lot of damage to the U.S. position in the world. There is a desperate need to mend the fences with our allies, and to smooth relations with the rest of the world. Our security is directly related to our attitude towards the rest of the world, and Clark would go a long way to restoring our respectability.

[Iverson]

1. strongest attribute

His or her strongest attribute is a gaseous, uncoalesced form, suggesting great potential.

[Walt Starr]

2. Where Dean is concerned, I think it's the basic sense of fighting back

That's what I feel is his most positive attribute at this stage in the game.

Thanks for the positive thread!

[sendero]

12. agreed...

... how did Bush* "win"? Well, besides an organized effort of voting fraud in FL, and a SCOTUS willing to prostitute its ideals and role, he won it through smearing Al Gore.

Sure, he didn't do it alone, he had the media with him all the way. But "invented the internet", "serial exaggerator" took their toll. And as far as I can tell, there was little if any truth to the smears.

Dean strikes me as a man who is not going to sit still for this nonsense. He has not only the fire to not take it, he has the brains to neutralize it.

Sure, they are going to come at him with every lie they can come up with. They've already started it here. "He's too angry", as if justified anger is wrong. "He has no vision for the future", something only people who can't read his web site would agree with.

The Doctor Is In :)

[sendero]

13. darnit

removed this dup post

[redqueen]

3. Ability so say what he means,

speak directly and succinctly, and not pander to people to solicit votes.

In other words, his ability to NOT sound like another lying politician, saying anything you want to hear to get you to vote for them.

[theivoryqueen]

4. being a democrat!

[quinnox]

5. mine

Kerry - Genuine liberal, great on environment, extensive experience in government at the highest levels, tall (superficial but important in historical election results and the tv age)

Gephardt - running with a do or die passion, has reinvented himself successfully for this election, long time fighter for working people, has important advantages in mid-western states that could be decisive in election.

Edwards - has the best campaign message of any candidate running to take on Bush, populist appeal, southerner, innovative proposals, explosive potential.

[uberotto]

6. Awareness of Open Source development model...

and the power that surrounds it.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

7. Moxie, baby!

Howard Dean takes zero shit and has what it takes to stand up to these assholes. The Bush administration is a bunch of glorified thugs and bullies, and the only way to deal with such people is not only to stand up to them, but to attack them mercilessly and relentlessly. DEan has really impressed me on this score.

[Octafish]

8. Kerry would CLOBBER Bush

As President, John Kerry would use the power of the federal government to build a better future for ALL Americans and make this a safer world through peaceful means. That's what being a Liberal Democrat is all about.

[elfin]

9. Strength and Grace Under Pressure

along with brilliance, experience, vision, character = CLARK

[genius]

10. Kucnich - THe truth. It is definitely on his side.

The reason Dennis is so popular is that he tells the truth. He is on the right side of all the issues and he has nothing to hide.

[MuseRider]

11. Integrity

and cojones of steel.