Thanks to everyone who offered info

[renie408]

I wrote all this in the other thread, but I am heading back off for more mare watching and won't be online again probably until Monday. I wanted to make sure that I thanked everyone who offered me information...of both kinds, cause that's what you need to make a choice...on Howard Dean. I found that I came away thinking that some of the things I had been 'told' were bogus or, at the least, were spins on actual occurences. But I also felt that there were other items that were of concern. I wanted to make it clear WHY I am supporting John Edwards at this time for the Democratic nomination for President. I know that my reasoning will not suit some people, but that is why this is a democratic process. We all have to arrive to our own conclusions and then we all say what we think and then the majority rules.

Here is where I ended up:

>>...Bush scares me more. So...I think I am back to supporting the guy I think is most electable until after primary time and then supporting whoever gets nominated and praying like hell they don't have too many holes in them.
My main fear is that we will nominate somebody that can too easily be ripped apart by the Bush campaign machine. I KNOW that is not idealistic enough for a lot of people. I KNOW I should be supporting the candidate who most closely represents my thoughts on matters. From what I have read so far, I think that would be Kucinich, BTW. But (and PLEASE Kucinich people, don't kill me for this) I just don't think he can win in a general election. As much as I like Kucinich, I think Edwards is a more viable national candidate. Now, that is probably a horrible and dishonorable way to choose a candidate, but I can live with Edwards in the places where he doesn't exactly match how I think and I actually admire many of his positions and what he represents. OVER ALL, when I take everything into account that I have learned so far, I still find Edwards my most viable candidate. I also trust him. And no matter how I try, I can't trust Dean or Lieberman. There is just too much contradictory stuff floating around about Dean and Lieberman seems like a sellout to me. Kerry seems to be a good guy, but TO ME (and that does not mean that anybody else has to feel this way) he is uninspiring and I don't like the way he is now trying to sugarcoat his voting for the Iraq authorization. At least Edwards says "I voted for it and I believed I was doing the right thing and that's that. We are there now and let's try to manage this peace better." I heard Kerry make a statement that he voted for 'the use of force as a threat'. That sounded like hedging to me. Kucinich is a wonderful man, but I honestly think he would be chewed up and spit out in a general election. I don't know enough about Gephardt and can't get excited about what I do know. Braun and Sharpton just don't seem like 'real' candidates to me (this is MY perception. I know there are people who support them passionately and that's fine) and for all I know, Graham has left the country he is keeping such a low profile. If Clark declares at this point, he has dragged it all out for so long that he has annoyed me. Now he just seems coy to me. What is all that crap about 'finally' deciding to 'admit' that he is a Democrat?

SOOOO...for now I am sticking with Edwards. NOT because my decision is set in stone or because I feel that I cannot support any of the other candidates or that they are particularly 'bad' candidates. From everything that I have learned, I feel that I could support any of them, if not with a whole heart, at least with a clear conscience. And when the time comes, I will. I am supporting Edwards because he has a combination of stances that I find either acceptable or that I support, trustworthiness and electablity. Again, if Dean gets the nomination, I will not be in any kind of moral quandary over voting for him. I find much to admire in him. Same thing with Kerry or Kucinich. I think Lieberman is creepy, but I would rather have him than Bush.<<

[dpbrown]

1. One of the "rich people Republicans don't like" can't be all bad

Trial lawyer, that is. ;-) Republicans can't stand someone who makes money helping other people right wrongs.

Sounds like you've got a good firm basis for supporting Edwards. I disagree with you about Dennis and electability, but your vote in the general election could make the difference!

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Egnever]

2. Something to keep in mind

I am glad that you took the time to go through the information.

Something to keep in mind at this point is that alll of the candidates have skeletons or weak points. No candidate is perfect or unblemished. Sure theres a lot of contradictory stuff floating arround right now. Dean is the front runner right now. He has the biggest target on his back. Should any candidate push him out of that spot watch as the dirt starts to flow on them. You have to take all of the negative with a grain of salt. Its easy to sit back and say this guy is the honest candidate but get that guy in the front runner spot and you will find just as much dirt.

These guys are politicians... every last one of them... and also people. Jesus doesnt walk the earth anymore. Find someone that represents your views best and support them through the primary and then back the nominee. Its all any of us can do to try to honestly make this the country we believe it should be.

Just try not to let the negatives being thrown at any of our candidates outwiegh a decision to support them based on you feeling they are the one that best represents you.