If 2008 comes down to these 4 candidates, who would you pick?

[ArtVandaley]

Possible scenario:
Hillary will run, and will be the front runner at first.
Edwards will run, and he'll start off second or so in the polls, then eventually people will realize that he was the weaker half of Kerry's ticket, why the hell put him at the head of our ticket this year?
Evan Bayh will run in a Lieberman like mantra of moderation and appealling to swing/republican voters. He'll get a lot of support from people who think that since he's popular in a red state he'll be able to win, and he'll be a front runner.
Barbara Boxer will run as the "return us to our roots" candidate and pick up a lot of support from liberal groups and womens groups.
Russ Feingold will run as the voice of reason; calm, articulate and principled.

Babs would take away a lot of Hillary's support, as would Evan Bayh from DLCers. The more leftist wing would side with either Babs or Russ. The mavericks and independent types would most likely go with either Bayh or Feingold, Bayh for his conservative record and Feingold for his independence. This would create a pretty level playing field between the four.
Who would you pick if this was the case?
Hillary Clinton
Russ Feingold
Barbara Boxer
Evan Bayh

[RobertSeattle]

1. I'm ABTRC

Anybody But The Republican Candidate

:evilgrin:

[trotsky]

2. Feingold - only one who had the balls to vote against PATRIOT Act.

eom

[ArtVandaley]

8. Feingold is my candidate too

I think he and Barbara Boxer have taken principled, controverial votes and I think they're both amazing, but I think Russ would have a better shot at winning. A much better shot.

[trotsky]

11. The main problem with Feingold - and the rest of those...

is that just like Kerry, they're Senators. With the way bills are voted on in the Senate, it will be easy pickin's for the Repukes to take votes for and against things totally out of context and base entire attack ads on it. We saw how that helped destroy Kerry, and it will be the same thing should we run a Senator next time I'm afraid.

[mattclearing]

18. Feingold, unlike Kerry, will burn their house down if they try.

Feingold doesn't take any shit.

[pstans]

58. The Republicans might also run a Senator

Who will the Republicans run? Bill Frist is a strong possibility. So it could be a Senator vs a Senator.

[GreenArrow]

3. of those four, Feingold

with Boxer next. I would not vote for either Bayh or Hilary Clinton.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Do you mean in the primaries? I couldn't vote, but I would be

rooting for the most progressive ones (including Dennis. I'd like to see him try again.)

----------------------------------------------------------
Save our country one town, county, and state at a time!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm#why

[progressiveBadger]

5. Tough choice...

between Boxer or Feingold. But since a lot of my pleasure with Boxer is because of last week (not really informed about her), I would go with Russ. I've never had so many GOOD responses to letters from any other senator I've ever had. Not to mention his Patriot Act record.

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. I'd probably support Boxer...

but I'm sure she would take a pounding in the press for being too liberal and a woman and thus marginalized. My second choice of the four would be Feingold, he'd probably have a better shot at running a national campaign

[Andromeda]

55. You're correct.

Barbara Boxer would be hammered for being too liberal and the under-educated classes in this country would see that as hedonistic and an her stand on a woman's right to choose as an abomination. She would be crucified by the right-wing powers-that-be.

Barbara has been a gem for California but I don't think the rest of the country would draw her into their bosom.

[aden_nak]

7. Well, I wanted to say Edwards. But I guess Russ Feingold. *sigh*

Simply because Hillary (who I've always liked and think would make an excelent leader) and Barbara Boxer are women, and this country is neither ready nor mature enough to elect a female President.

[hopein08]

14. I want Edwards...but Feingold would be #2

if I have to pick from that list. It would be...

Feingold
Bayh
Boxer
Clinton

Only thing is, people say that Feingold would be hurt by being Jewish. Boxer is a Jewish woman so I don't really see that happening.

Edwards, by the way, was definitely NOT the weaker of the Kerry/Edwards ticket.

[aden_nak]

15. /agree

I had been an Edwards supporter in the primaries. If Edwards hadn't been running, I would probably have been a Dean guy. And I do like Dean (more now than I did then, in fact). To be honest, I like Dean's actions and words more than Edwards, but I think Edwards could Clinton-charm his way across the nation without turning himself into a Republican Lite candidate.

[MISSDem]

26. I agree with you on Edwards.

Charming.

[Catchawave]

31. Yes, Edwards.....

...very inspiring and very, very charming.

[AP]

62. Edwards too. Then Boxer. Stabenow or Minner would be cool too.

Maybe as VPs.

[brainshrub]

9. Boxer stood up for me when I needed her.

I'll stand with Boxer.

Here's a list of the "True 32" who are the only incumbents in congress with the guts to defend the sanctity of the vote:

http://www.brainshrub.com/essaysfolder/true32.htm

[LisaM]

10. Feingold

I love Barbara Boxer, but they would pillory her, as they seem to do to all women candidates, despite the fact that it's now the 21st century....

[WI_DEM]

12. Feingold/Boxer now there is a ticket!!

[jsw_81]

17. Two Jews?

I'd wholeheartedly support Feingold and Boxer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Red America won't.

[mattclearing]

20. They won't support Democrats anyway.

:shrug:

[leftynyc]

27. I agree - this country is not ready for

a Jewish president. Although I think Boxer and Feingold would make good (maybe even great) ones. Both have done things that have taken a lot of guts.

[ArtVandaley]

35. Would help in Florida

Lieberman being on the ticket helped mobilize Jewish retirees in Florida in 2000, which (did/almost/who the fuck will ever know) won the state for us. It wouldn't be a problem in Ohio either.
If he put Richardson on the ticket with him, it would mobilize the Latino base in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado as well.
Sure, people from the South may have a problem with a Jewish president, but despite everyones obsession with the south, it really would be tough to win ANY southern states regardless of the nominee. Kerry didn't come closer than 9% of Bush in any southern state.
States like Ohio, Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania wouldn't have a problem with a Jewish President, I don't think. Plus, Feingold already knows how to win in the Midwest.

[ChiciB1]

13. What About Joe Biden???

I love that guy! I know he had a small plagiarism problem a long time ago, but REALLY!!!

[mattclearing]

21. Yeah, right... Biden... Next! n/t

[ChiciB1]

30. The Problem Being???

[mattclearing]

37. You're right, he could certainly beat any contender for worst combover.

What's to like? You threw him out there.

[ChiciB1]

52. I've heard him many times

taking this administration on! I liked that, but the PNAC thing.... Well, not so good!

[AntiCoup2K4]

40. He's a card carrying PNAC signator, for one.

And that's a BIG problem.

[John_H]

64. Poor Joe. The party's best campaigner. And he pissed it away

sucking up to powell.

[John_H]

65. My early prediction: hillary thinks it'll be clinton/clark but it will be

clark/clinton

[imenja]

70. plagiarism? I missed that.

Do tell. His comments to Gonzalez are concerning to me. Before that, I was a fan.

[jsw_81]

16. Bayh

Even though I don't agree with him on every issue, I think that Senator Bayh would be by far the strongest of the four. Pair him up with a more progressive running mate (e.g. Obama) and we'd have a winning ticket.

[maxpower]

19. Feingold

The man has convictions he will stand up for.

[WilliamPitt]

22. Whoever gets the nomination

[txaslftist]

23. Feingold... reluctantly

Boxer, too left.
Bayh, name is too weird.
Hillary, too Hillary.

Gimme Dean, Clark or Kerry with a Feingold VP and you gotta winner.

(Well, maybe not Kerry)

[leyton]

24. Feingold.

An attractive, young, midwestern progressive who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. Pair the guy with a successful governor like Warner, Easley, Bredesen, etc., or Wes Clark maybe.

[JerseygirlCT]

25. Bayh's out -

too conservative for me.

I like Hillary a lot -- but I think she's carrying baggage (other people's) that she may never be able to get rid of. Some people have this irrational hatred of her.

I sure liked what Barbara Boxer did recently. And I sure LOVE the idea of a woman, finally. I think she's got smarts and guts.

But so much can happen in the next few years.

For now, I'd say probably Boxer.

[New Earth]

28. if i HAD to choose among just those 4?

I would say Boxer. But I'm still a Kerry fan. flame away :hi:

[JHBowden]

29. Feingold; why only senators?

If Governor Warner is running, I'm willing to hear what he has to say, given his record in Virginia. I want to *win* the next election.

[GOPBasher]

32. I'll vote for whomever is the Dem candidate, but

I don't want any of those to be the nominee. We need a governor, not a senator. And outside of governors I would like Clark to run. So, to me, it's either Clark or one of our many good governors, like Richardson or Rendell.

[dback]

33. Evan Bayh, theoretically

I need to check his voting record and make sure I can live with defending it.

[faithfulcitizen]

38. i hear ya, it's tough :)...

remember the tax cut? Many dems in IN aren't happy with him for his voting record, but he has managed to stay alive in this state.

[B0S0X87]

45. He's definetly a moderate

But he's a fiscal conservative, and in the face of our huge deficit, I think that would be a plus for any Dem candidate.

[faithfulcitizen]

34. assuming we'll still be in Iraq...Clark!...

oh, he wasn't a choice...:shrug: ...ok, Bayh.:boring:

[lojasmo]

36. Feingold>Boxer> green/independent/socialist candidate.

[AntiCoup2K4]

39. Howard Dean!

But Feingold would make a great VP for him. Or Boxer. The other 2 corporatist appeasing sellouts can go Cheney themselves.

EDIT: Senators can't win. You would think that was painfully obvious given recent events.

[LeftofU]

67. here,here!

[theboss]

41. Four senators?!?!

Ugh. That's a tough choice.

[Zhade]

42. Damn hard to choose between Boxer and Feingold.

Personally, I'd go with a Feingold/Boxer ticket! :D

I love Feingold, but one thing troubles me: his vote for Ashcroft. I know it can be explained, but I don't know what makes a fine upstanding guy like Feingold vote for a guy like Ashcroft. There MUST be a reason.

I can tell you this much: I will not vote for Clinton or Bayh.

[elperromagico]

43. I'd just like to know where they win that Gore or Kerry couldn't.

That is a criteria for me now.

[zulchzulu]

44. All four would lose by 5-10% in 2008

Hillary Clinton - by 10%
Russ Feingold - 5-10%
Barbara Boxer - by 10%
Evan Bayh - by 5-10%

I'd go with Russ, but he would lose due to distortions of his record and being Jewish. Hillary is too polarizing, Boxer is not "presidential" and Bayh has the wrong last name for a candidate running for President.

[angel54321]

46. No More Senators!!...

We need a Govenor from the midwest. It's too easy to pick apart Senator's records. The only Senator that could be a possible win would be Kerry again, only because people know him now. But if he is going to join the 2008 race, he needs to have a straight message that dumb people can understand and to do that, we need to start debunking all the false rumors and lies about JK, start building him up starting today and if he speaks from the heart instead of listening to people, I think he would do exeptionally well. I dont know of any Govenors from the bible belt. Anyone have suggestions?

[Sgent]

47. No senator!!!!

No senator has been elected since Nixon.

[FrenchieCat]

48. I choose a non politician general.....cuz I don't like career politicians

Because they don't understand that the President's office should be that of a "public servant"....and the longer they have been a politician, the more often they are likely to practice the following:

1. Don't tell the truth if it might hurt politically.

2. communicate using Nuance so that even he/she can't understand what he/she is saying.

3. Make promises and then hope constituents will forget the promises.

4. Get Strings attached to special interest and corporations.

5. Utilize and exploit any tragedy occuring and.... tragedies make great photo ops..... Or, flying in a plane over affected areas will raise approval points.

6. Think that talking the talk can be seen as walking the walk....just as long as no one is looking or listening.

7. Think that sitting in a room with a lot of other congresspersons mean that you have expertise in the subject matter being discussed (see committees).

8. Read poll figures and how put finger to wind for testing purposes before deciding what to stand for.

9. Kiss losta Presstitute and media-hoe Ass.

10. Kiss constituent ass only, only, only as a last resort, or right before an election.

11. Lie about any opponent that might get in the way of victory.

12. Stand up straight while in line to feed off the public draught.

13. Vote themselves a raise whenever possible.

14. Walk around and feel important and smarter than other just "mere" constituent mortals.

15. Learn that Public service doesn't really mean service...but rather being served.

16. Make sure not to stand alone on any issue unless at least 1/2 of your constituents have emailed, faxed or called you and have asked that you stand up for them. Then think about it....and then think about it some more. Always ask yourself, What kind of media exposure will I get for this? If good, do it. If bad, think about it some more....or wait till 2/3 of your constituents have contacted you.

17. Act like it's not what they know, but who they know.

18. Talk a lot when on the "floor" giving speeches....but don't always understand that making sense is a pre-requisite.

19. Believe that flying to a foreign country for a day makes them Foreign policy experts.

20. Only read a bill if time allows.....and as long as vacation or a weekend is not on the horizon.

21. Get easily cowed.

[dbeach]

49. Fine with Fiengold but Clark shoud be ready soonest.

clinton is huge bummer to this Veteran and many like moi.She recently voted aginst VA increase and voted for LAME Intell bill which includes National ID s..

[leanin_green]

50. Not one of them.

They can't win. I love Boxer, but, I like her more in her current capacity. I think she's more effective as a Senator. I'm still not sure about Feingold or Bayh yet. Hillary? The campaign would all be about her and not the issues. Not a chance.

[LittleClarkie]

51. I would have to go with my Wisconsin Senator

If my first choice (Kerry) isn't around for one reason or another, I'd have to go with ol' Russ. Standing up for what's right!

[dolstein]

53. Bayh

I can't say he'd win. But the others would definitely lose. So I'd go with the guy who has a shot.

[Andromeda]

54. First I'll tell you who I would not vote for...Evan Bayh.

He has never impressed me and I really don't know why. Maybe he just seems too conservative.

I think Hillary is great and I adore Barbara Boxer who has been a *firecracker* for our state.

There is going to be a woman president some day but in the shape this country is in and how it has regressed under the Bush administration I'm not sure a woman would do very well because the more unintelligent segments of our society have a stranglehold on the media outlets and drive the message to the people and you know how they hate Hillary.

I don't know too much about Russ Feingold but he seems to be incorruptible which is almost a political anomaly in this day and age. He only did one thing I didn't like and that was when he voted to confirm John Ashcroft. His reasoning was that presidents have a right to have their choice of AG confirmed. If someone can show me that I'm wrong about this please do.

Russ Feingold would probably be the best choice but he needs to have more major media exposure so people could get to know him.

[fujiyama]

56. Feingold for sure

I really think he'd make a good candidate.

If him and Clark both run in the primaries I'd have a tough time. I like them both.

I don't know much about Warner and the other southern governors that have been mentioned. I hope they aren't too conservative...I know they are moderates because to get elected in those states you have to be.

[trezic]

57. A pack of losers

All 4 are losers. Not a one could get votes for free drugs in a crackhouse outside the blue states.

Edwards the weaker half? Edwards is the guy who had no trouble explaining himself. It was the top of the ticket that couldn't answer what time it was without an exposition on the history of the sundial.

[spooky3]

59. and your favorite candidates are...?

[DaveinMD]

60. with that field

it wouldn't matter. We'd be doomed.

[unibill13]

61. background on boxer?

What has Boxer exactly done other than protest the election and now starting to fight condi. Does she have a solid record? I hope she keeps up her current actions, but am not sure if it warrants a presidential nominee.


On a side note i cant imagine her doing well in an election for president. A liberal Jewish woman from California, some day i hope that will not matter but in 08 with neocon propaganda machine going full force, she would be toast


Again any info on her would be appreciated. I think if she can continue with her current actions she could become a serious force in the senate.

[radio4progressives]

63. None of the above.. Maybe Feingold, but I don't know him too well n/t

[Pushed To The Left]

66. Boxer

Boxer would be my favorite of the bunch, though I like what I've heard so far about Feingold. Of course, I would vote for any one of the four in the general election, assuming that the Republican candidate is more conservative. (I don't think Lincoln Chafee or Olympia Snowe will get the nomination)

[GreenPoet64]

68. Boxer or Feingold n/t

[imenja]

69. Boxer all the way!