Which Candidate Would Have the Shortest Learning Curve as Prez?

[rucky]

Poll question: Which Candidate Would Have the Shortest Learning Curve as Prez?

Who's ready to kick GOP butt from Day One?

It really IS something to consider...

[Skinner]

1. I consider polls like this to be pointless.

You might as well change the question to "which candidate do you support?" because that's how everyone is going to answer it.

ON EDIT: Based on the early returns, I may be wrong, and people may be actually trying to answer the question.

[Name removed]

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[PsN2Wind]

49. I think the thread meant

prez of the USA not Israel.

[HFishbine]

31. Exactly

This Dean supporter clicked through ready to vote for the very obvious Kerry. Seeing that Clark leads, it's quite clear that this is nothing more than the popularity contest Skinner describes.

I'll back out now, having refrained from voting.

[Josh]

42. Well I'm for Clark but chose Kerry

But on the whole, you're probably right.

[poskonig]

2. Probably Kerry.

He has been around Congress for a while, and knows how the foreign policy gig works too. Dean and Clark have forms of executive experience, but don't have the Congressional background.

[democratreformed]

3. None of them could kick butt from day one, IMO

For some reason, though, I see Kerry as the person who is the most prepared. That does not change my support for Wes Clark b/c I still think his views are more in tune with mine.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

23. For 'some reason' I also see Kerry as hitting the ground on fire:

he's been preparing for it his whole life.

[maddezmom]

4. Kerry n/t

[Renew Deal]

5. Clark knows all the federal level FP and Military

he has also testified in front of Congress to get budgets passed. His budgets had to be passed by congress.

[rucky]

8. Good point, Bleach

I didn't know that.

[Leilani]

21. Clark also worked in the White House

And knows many leaders around the world.

With NATO it would be Old Home Week.

[arewethereyet]

44. no, not really

he would need to describe why doing or buying whatever was needed as a part of the Pentagon's budget would be in the vital interests of the country. This is far from understanding how legislation comes to be much less hoe it comes to be passed.

Braun understands this far better than Clark does.

And since he couldn't even take in his own platform and be able to discuss it's basics (he was unable to say how he would pay for AIDS research increases in Florida) I don't anticipate him being a quick study on the complexities of getting things done in DC.

[dogman]

51. Really

He had a fellowship in the OMB. His tax plan shows a real understanding of the need for relief for people starting out to raise a family which is the basis for the future of this country. As commander of NATO he was responsible for a 19 nation coalition besides US bases throughout Europe. He is highly respected throughout Europe and has worked with and been honored by those countries. In addition he received an Audubon award for protecting an endangered species on a military base he was in command of. so he clearly understands the importance of the environment. He fought for budgets to strengthen schools under his command in Europe and taught in many schools so he has a solid education background. Most importantly he knows the importance of leadership and taking responsibility for ones actions.

[JNelson6563]

6. I think most of them

would be ready to kick some butt once in the WH. (Not Lieberman though).

Julie

[mouse7]

7. Gephardt

He was the Party leader in the house. That means you know all the troops on the House side, at least.

There's significantly more people to know in the House than the Senate.

[rucky]

9. but he knows them now

so what could he do differently as president?

[ecstatic]

10. I'm a Dean supporter, but I chose Clark

Clark just seems more quick on his feet. I think Dean may be a bit more stubborn which could be a good or bad thing depending on what the issue is.

[Raya]

11. I have seen many reviews that say Kerry and none that say anyone else

[kerry-is-my-prez]

12. Clark/Kerry in a tie... Gephardt wouldn't be too bad either.

n/t

[Padraig18]

13. Yay! Another "I love my candidate" poll!

:P

[chimpymustgo]

15. Actually it's not. I voted Kerry.

But I think Clark, Edwards and Gephardt would be close seconds.

[Padraig18]

19. look at the results.

I rest my case.

[LuminousX]

25. Except I voted for Kerry instead of the guy I support

I'm not too concerned about the learning curve but Kerry clearly would have the best curve.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

32. same here, I voted Kerry

see my post below for my new idea for a poll.

:)

TWL

[Name removed]

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[Mairead]

16. Kucinich, given his breadth of elected experience and the completeness

of his policies.

Who else has such a complete and well-articulated set of policies?

Who else has elected experience at the big-city, big-state, and federal levels, and in legislative, functional-management, and chief-executive roles?

Who else has successfully stood up to powerful elite interests regardless of personal cost?

Who else is regarded as honest and trustworthy by political opponents even when he won't give an inch on his politics?

[snoochie]

34. Experience in local, city, state, federal politics

Does anyone else have experience at all the levels he does? As I understand it, his colleagues on both sides of the aisle from the state to federal level respect him and the way he works.

His understanding of 'the basics' at all these levels would probably help him to appreciate any pitfalls pointed out while fleshing out policies during implementation. In that way he's probably the most likely to hit the ground running, because he's worked at different levels. With eight years under his belt in DC already, he's surely learned the ins and outs of working with colleagues and dealing with the power structures there. I wonder how frustrating it is for him to work with so many that are so far away from where he is coming from (single payer care, de-legitimizing the MIC, etc.)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

45. Let's see... Kerry was a lawyer, county prosecutor, Lt. governor of Mass.

in addition to having commanded a boat with crew of 5 in a war zone, and having helped found and lead a movement to protest the Vietnam War.
Yeah, that's just some of what he did before he embarked on a 19 year Senate career leading many important committees and helping initiate the Iran/Contra, BCCI, and other investigations- and all that while he wasn't spending his time attending environmental summits and conferences the world over.

So I'd say Kerry's fairly diverse in his experience- nearly all of it relevant to being President.

[Kathleen04]

18. I'm a Clark supporter, but I voted for Kerry..

because he has domestic policy experience, foreign policy experience, and he's an insider who can work with the Congress.

Secondly, I would chose Clark. Clark is an expert on foreign policy, does have domestic policy experience, but he's an outsider who doesn't have any Washington connection.

[sandnsea]

20. Kerry, our old friend

He is a true Democrat with the kind of liberal values most of us treasure. No question he can be in full gear within days and get this country headed in the right direction. A good night's sleep, man I haven't had one in so long. I could sleep like a baby knowing Kerry was at the helm!

[Raya]

22. I think Clark Supporters are assuming Bill Clinton will be V.P. Right??

[Dookus]

26. no...

because we have at least a fleeting acquaintance with the constitution.

[LuminousX]

24. Obviously, Kerry

[ThirdWheelLegend]

27. Clark? I voted Kerry.

I am a Kucinich supporter through and through, but in the context of this question I vote Kerry.

Come on Clark supporters, he doesn't have to win every DU poll.

Maybe I should do a poll, "What is your favorite Ice Cream?"

a) Rocky Road
b) Cherry Vanilla
c) Neopolitan
d) Mint Chocolate Chip
x) Clark


Think Clark would win?

:P


TWL

[maddezmom]

28. LOL

I voted Kerry, too! Gotta give the guy credit where credit is due. Plus he's my 2nd choice. :)

[brainshrub]

29. Great question!

I support Dean, but I suppose Clark would have the shortest learning surve.

[Killarney]

30. I think Kerry

[BootinUp]

33. I said Kerry, but Gep would be too

If this is about knowing how washington works.

[sandnsea]

35. Can I slam my head against the wall now

I swear to god I don't know what the fuck this party is doing. We know Kerry, we love Kerry, he's ready to go, he'll do what we want; for chrissake can we just elect him already!!

[ThirdWheelLegend]

36. no

We need to go through the primaries first... :)


TWL

[sandnsea]

37. That's where he's elected

And if certain people insist on beating the hell out of him in order to prop up their own candidate, well, who knows what we'll end up with. If people think Kerry is ready to go and would like him as President in their hearts, they better get their ass in the right camp in a goddamn hurry.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

38. beat him up?

I don't beat Kerry up, in fact he is probably my second choice behind Kucinich.

Since these are the PRIMARIES I will vote of the the candidate that represents me best. Therefore I vote Kucinich.

TWL

[sandnsea]

39. Not you

Generally. Many people have beaten Kerry up to support their candidate, even while he's their #2. That choice isn't going to be available if it continues, that's all. I really think people ought to start thinking about that. I think most people thought he'd always be there, like your favorite pair of house shoes. Well he might not be and who knows what we'll end up with as a result.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

47. Your dismay and fear are not unique

but I have confidence that Kerry is in this contest all the way to Boston. He has fought for too long not to give his all and fight to his last breath. He will survive the war of attrition anyway he can, and he won't let lack of funds stop him.

[JohnKleeb]

52. I really dont mock Kerry much

In fact like TWL, Kerry is my second choice. After reading parts of his book today, I am impressed with him after doing that.

[revcarol]

40. Let's get back to "learning curve," kiddoes.

I vote Kucinich.
Experience in all levels of government: gives insight into how Washington policy affects state, county & local people and government.

Experience as IT person. Will keep IT jobs more plus understands complex issues like BBV.

Experience as an honest media person: knows how the media twists things and can avoid the traps. Won't see him having to "clarify" things, and can use bully pulpit more effectively.

[Clark4VotingRights]

41. Really a tie between Clark, Kucinich, and Skinner.

Skinner would, of course, be a write in candidate.

}(

[thebigthink]

43. Don't get me wrong...

I like Clark just fine and would have no qualms whatsoever about supporting him for a run at the white house. But in all seriousness, how could you answer "Clark" on this question?

That's just being silly.

[Crunchy Frog]

46. I answered Clark

not because he's my favorite, but because I have been watching his learning curve in action and have been astounded by it. Of all the candidates that I've been watching he just seems to have the fastest learning curve.

So sue me.

[thebigthink]

53. Clark may be smarter than Albert Einstein, but...

Gephardt, Kerry and Lieberman have all spent more than a decade serving in civilian government at the national level (considerably in Gephardt's case). None of them are exactly dumb guys, either.

Gephardt's been in congress since Carter was president. Kerry was elected to the Senate in '84 and was Lt. Governor of MA before that. Lieberman was majority leader of the CT state senate and state AG before going to the show in '88.

You honestly don't that gives any of them just the teeniest head start up the learning curve on a guy who has never held and elected office of any kind?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

48. I'd love to see this poll nationally

It's amazing to see how a relatively high number of honest answers here changes things with regard to this one trait.

[maddezmom]

50. kick

and JK doing a great job on CSPAN right now