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I held out for Gore long after there was any hope. A while back I turned my attention to the declared candidates for the nomination. I considered a lot of things when I looked at each of the persons we have to chose from, but I've been voting in Presidential elections for 4 decades and it doesn't bother me a bit to take my time and try to make a thought out and informed decision. I'm not much for the glamor contests and I recognized every one of their names long before this election cycle came around.
In a sense what I want is everything that Bush is not. I do not say that as a desperate plea for an end to the madness though. What I mean quite precisely is that I am looking for a candidate who is exactly the opposite of what Bush has offered us in 2000 and 2004. Bush had no national experience, I want national experience. Bush was a young Republican from the south west, I want an old Democrat from the north east. I wanted someone for whom religion was not a political issue, Bush the born-again ran on little else. Abortion, death penalty, gay rights, human rights, international relations, monetary policy, every god dam child left behind, I wanted just the opposite of what we got. I still feel that way.
In honesty I quickly set aside our 'top tier' candidates. Hillary, for all her other faults, could actually lose the election for us based on name recognition alone. Obama is one constant string of campaign slogans that constantly repeats itself and never actually answers any questions I have on policy matters. As much as I like Edwards his single minded 2-Americas answer to every question just gets tired after a while and certainly doesn't do anything to address international concerns.
Our 'second tier' of candidates is amazing. We have at this level a host of talent that should be the envy of any nation on earth. Biden, Dodd, Gravel Kucinich, Richardson. Think about it for a minute. Joe Biden has more international experience than every other would be candidate for both partys put together. Chriss Dodd is a man of impeccable character who's voting record would stand up to anyone's. He is well spoken and presents enough of a populist argument to sway any crowd. Dennis Kucinich is a master of policy. On every issue the man has a well thought out and responsible position. Bill Richardson is probably the most under appreciated man in the Democratic Party. The one thing I pray is that whoever we pick to be our Nominee they have the good sense to call on Governor Richardson to serve as their Vice President. If they do I honestly believe it will put our Party in power for at least the next 50 years.
So after looking at them all I decided it will be Biden for me. My state votes very late. It may be that by the time I get my shot at the ballot box the choice will have already been made. If Biden is gone by then I won't vote in the Primary and will just accept my Party's choice in the General Election. If the Ticket is still open by then my vote goes to Biden and between now and then the little bit I am able to contribute will be going to him as well.
Of course if Al gets in the race all bets are off and I go into the streets to work for him.
That's my story. What's yours?
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