Democrats Reassess Crop of Candidates

[Nicholas_J]

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Democratic activist Mary Beth Walz sees presidential candidates. She sees them in her Bow, N.H., backyard at her annual pig roasts for local politicians. She sees them at campaign stops.

And yet not one of the nine has won her over. She wants a candidate who can beat President Bush, and until she finds one, she's remaining undecided.

``Every time I'd walk out of a particular candidate's event, I'd say, 'This is the one,''' the part-time lawyer and mother of five recalled. ``But then I always force myself to step back and put it in perspective.''

Recent state polls show Walz is part of an increasing number of likely New Hampshire primary voters who months ago were inclined to support a specific Democrat, but now, with Bush's approval ratings dropping and the president appearing more vulnerable, are rethinking their choice...

Democrats are choosing more carefully this time, Arsenault said.

``I think it adds a layer to the decision-making process,'' she said. ``They're afraid of making the wrong choice. They're afraid of what it would mean to the country were they not to put up as strong a candidate as possible against George Bush.''


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-2987687,00.html

[RevolutionStartsNow]

1. Interesting article

(from the article):

`This field is really frozen,'' Killion said. ``There are two front- runners who are really close to each other, then there's a listless pack.''

State polls show fellow New Englanders John Kerry and Howard Dean locked in a tight race, with Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut vying for third. The rest trails in low single digits.

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I am happy to hear that at least some Dems are being choosy and looking for a candidate that can beat Bush. (I know we disagree Nick about Dean's ability to beat Bush, but that's okay. Agree to disagree.) I think there was a lot of ambivalence in 2000 and also in 2002, and I sure would like to see the voters get fired up about a candidate that can beat Bush and go for the kill. If that's either Dean or Kerry, I will be thrilled, but honestly if one of the others rallies people behind ousting W, I will jump on board. Bush IS vulnerable, we just have to keep the pressure on.

[diplomats]

2. I've seen a couple of articles like this

I'm glad to see voters are thinking of the big picture here.

[burr]

3. I believe Democrats are looking for something more...

This idea that they are looking for the most cautious candidate to beat Shrub somehow does not seem to be the source the indecision among primary voters on who to support. I believe that most voters have mixed feelings on the agenda from the Democratic candidates. For instance, they may support the trade policies of Gephardt and Kucinich, the healthcare policies of Dean and Kerry, along with the foreign policy of Dean and Kucinich. But what the voters really are looking for is a combination of the best elements of these candidates' agenda.

Voters want a new President and a new Congress, but to be honest I do not think they give a damn about future of the Democratic Party. Many of them left the party, or just stopped voting because they didn't see the Democrats as having an agenda better than that of Republicans.

Unlike in previous elections, our party has little to lose. In this next election we can either continue to wander in the political ruins of our demolished party, or we can begin to build a new party, with a policy agenda, to form a new base of voters. This is not about just rewinning Congress or the White House, but a new beginning for the party that no longer holds power in Washington.

[Sushi Bandit]

4. If they listen.. they will choose Kucinich

He is what a Democrat should be. Fighting for the PEOPLE

[ConservativeDemocrat]

5. Kucinich is a vanity candidate..

He has absolutely no chance of winning the nomination.
And if all the other candidates were shot, he'd have no chance of beating Bush.

Even his supporters admit it: IF they listen..
Campaigns are not won on ifs, ands, buts, coulda, woulda, or shouldas.
He's toast. As are nearly all the others, by the way.

Mark my words, this is a two horse race: Kerry or Dean. The soldier or the doctor. And the doctor is leading at this point.

[VoteClark]

6. Agree, that is why Clark has the best advantage

[chimpymustgo]

7. Lots of undecideds. Most people aren't paying attention yet.

eom