Going Kerry. Decision made on energy, health care, and Hugh Shelton

[mouse7]

I was intending to sit out the race until a nominee was named at the convention. However, after doing some studying tonight, I've concluded I can't be passive regarding the race we are left with now, Kerry vs. Edwards.

I looked at all the issues. There is a lot of similarities between the two. More than are currently advertised. There are some important differences as well.

I can't find the big seperation I thought I would find between Kerry and Edwards on International Trade. Edwards does not say he will toss the WTO and NAFTA treaties anywhere.

There's a lot more similarities in the early bios of Kerry and Edwards than I thought. It turns out Edwards dad only started his career as a textile worker. The father quickly moved into management, and Edwards lived regular upper middle class lifestyle when growing up. I wasn't real happy about that manipulation of the facts.

On the differences I felt important...

Health Care. Edwards really doesn't do much beyond trying to ensure kids. A valid goal, but with a disabled mom buying her own prescriptions out of Social Security Disabilty checks, it becomes important. My mom gets left behind by Edwards' plan.

Energy Policy. Kerry's energy policy is real, innovative, and far reaching. Edwards energy policy is a mess. Who told Edwards that ethanol and biomass could produse more than a fraction of 1% of the country's energy's needs? Edwards biomass-based energy policy is simply factually in error. It's at best potentially a minor suppliment. Nothing more.

The final factor was Wesley Clark being on Kerry's team now vs. Hugh Shelton on Edwards team. Shelton is BAD NEWS, and I do not want a President with no military experience getting his advice primarily from Hugh Shelton.

I'm not sure how involved I'll be down the stretch organizationally, but Kerry will get my vote in our late primary.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. Welcome aboard!

They are both good candidates, and it's nice to have such a surplus of talent.

[roguevalley]

2. Hugh Shelton? I hope an Edwards supporter can expand on this. This

is NOT good news to me.

[mouse7]

3. Shelton was on board early with Edwards

I'm VERY concerned about the possibility of Hugh Shelton showing up in an Edwards cabinet as Edwards National Security Advisor, or Sec'y of Homeland Security.

[AnnitaR]

4. Yep, I can't forgive Edwards for Shelton either!

That's not the only reason I'm supporting Kerry but it was a factor in my decision.

Hugh Shelton has no place in ANY Democrat's Adm! Period!

[DjTj]

6. I suppose I can't dispel any speculation...

...but I'm pretty sure Shelton isn't very high up in the campaign anywhere, and I don't get the impression that he is guaranteed any sort of spot in the administration.

All I know is that they are both from North Carolina, have known each other for a while, and Shelton advised Edwards on things when he was a Senator.

[JI7]

5. i don't know much about Hugh Shelton

i know there is that problem between him and general clark. i know he was jealous of bill clinton's relationship with general clark. bill clinton seemed to like and trust clark a lot more than shelton and would often go directly to clark rather than shelton. so shelton later lied to clinton about clark's time being up as commander of nato and said it was time to get someone else. he didn't tell clinton that clark wanted to continue on the job and could serve longer. clark testifying against milosevich really made shelton look bad though since milosevich used shelton to attack clark and made clark look especially good when clinton came to clark's defense. i don't know much else about shelton though.