How important is it that our next President be a "uniter" ?

[kentuck]

George Bush said he was a uniter, but he lied. He has divided this nation. Few can deny that our nation is very divided.

If it is important that we be united as a nation, which candidate would be most capable of bringing our nation together? Why would your choice be able to do it and not the other candidates?

[leyton]

1. I'd like to see politics not so divided...

although I don't know if a President can change that. Especially since Republicans are always eager to hate a guy like Clinton if he's popular, but Democrats can cross over to a guy like Reagan when he's popular.

But I'm sick of politics so divided down the middle between Democrat and Republican.

EDIT: But first, the Democratic party has to unite. There's a big schism going on over the Iraq War, and I think it may be hurting the party to have all the opposition to the war slinging insults at those who supported it.

[DrBB]

2. I think it is important

...though it also may be impossible. I suspect whatever Dem wins will face the unmitigated wrath of the right and the corporatist powers fueling them. There will be no end to the shit they throw.

That said, I actually think Clark has the best shot at doing it--being a unifying force, that is. He is not identified as a Democratic creature; his policies are very leftist but his background and service seem attractive to a lot of independents and moderate Republicans.

[patricia92243]

3. Bush has also divided us from other nations. Dean, as a doctor and as a

governor has had experience working with people. I know he would use this same expertise to OUR nation and to our relationships with other nations

[wyldwolf]

4. Personally, not important...

I'd like nothing more than to see a dem president get in and roll back every republican program and taunt the republicans as he/she did it.

But that isn't realistic. So on a scale of 1-10, I'd say "uniter" gets a 7.

[emulatorloo]

5. Very important

he will have to work w both sides of Congress.

[methinks2]

6. Clark

Clark is the man to unite everyone. He is a General so he can defend us and will defend us when necessary. That is what is needed to capture the swing vote and to pick up the rural areas where the populace may not be as well-informed as those of us in the bigger city areas. For those of us who really care about human rights, just listen to the man talk. I was leaning towards Dean until listening to Clark in New Hampshire. The man has won me over.

[Gin]

7. Even if we win the white house....the opposition party has way too much

control...The only real power the pres will have is the bully pulpit and the veto.

[DjTj]

8. It is very important that our nominee be a uniter...

...anyone that tries to run a partisan campaign that is based on attacking Republicans will not beat Bush.

People need to believe that America will come together and be strong. That's what will make them feel safe and make them feel comfortable voting Bush out of office.

[bigwillq]

9. Although I'm voting for Dean in my primary

I think Edwards may be the only one right now that could unite the country followed closely by Kerry, imo

[gulliver]

10. Clark for sure.

His credentials are non-partisan. All sides respect them. First in his class at West Point, Rhodes Scholar, Wounded Veteran, Four Star General... Clark commands respect regardless of party.

He is first and foremost a person all Americans can rally around. That's the necessary ingredient in uniting the country, a leader who appeals to all sides.

And uniting the country is the most important goal in this election. Nothing good can be accomplished without unity.

[HereSince1628]

11. Zero, He needs to smash the Neocon Cabal and root it out of

all its government cubicles and offices.

He needs to break apart the military/industrial/government complex.

And he needs to rip apart those parts of the PATRIOT Act and all its brothers and sisters that fail to secure the nation while making it less free.

[SavageWombat]

12. Low

I think that the right-wing divided from us, not the other way around - they're the ones who need to learn to play well with others. If we want to move this country forward, we need to work towards a super-majority, and force the GOPers to start cooperating.

I know this isn't a productive view - but it's true.

[forgethell]

13. Bush* is not responsible

for dividing the country. He's a symptom, not the cause. I don't think that any Democratic nominee can unite the country. I just think there is gonna be a winner and a loser, same as last time.

The country IS divided. Tha's why it's important that the right side win.