Alright, I'm torn.

[Counciltucky]

I can't believe it, but I'm officially torn.

After steadfastly supporting Edwards since before Day One, I'm now at 50-50 between him and Biden.

Go figure, this happens at the 11th hour.

I know all my graphics here say Edwards, but that's because I haven't updated anything on here.

At this point, Edwards and Biden supporters, make your pitch. (But note that anything negative will hurt your candidate's chance.)

[Cairycat]

1. I was fortunate enough to hear Sen. Biden this fall

and while he is an impressive candidate, I remain loyal to John Edwards.

Edwards is very smart. He has seen through to the root cause of the problems ordinary Americans are facing - namely corporations having too much power and influence - and has come up with solid, detailed plans for fixing them, along with ideas on how to pay for them. I believe he has come up with the most specifics of any of the candidates.

He's hard working You cannot get to where John Edwards has gotten without working your butt off.

He is passionate and compassionate - having seen him several times this cycle, I can just about repeat the stump speech along with him - but still I always can feel the conviction when he's speaking. As for the compassion, well I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with him in person about how big insurance was trying to screw me over - and the immediacy of his reaction solidified my support.

I was fortunate to hear Sen. Biden's wife this summer, and she is an intelligent, wonderful woman - but she doesn't light up a room like Elizabeth Edwards.

Thanks, Counciltucky - good practice for caucus night! Best, C.

[Rambis]

2. Like Joe

I like what Joe says but the bankruptcy bill was not just one vote it was 4-6 votes and the last straw was the no leniency or consideration for catastrophic medical bills.
Hence still solid John Edwards- Stay the course, thousand points a light, but I digress:)

I think I have come to the realization that Obama will win this thing Edwards second Joe third and Hillary 4th. I have talked to a lot of people who have never been involved that are going for Obama. An interesting tidbit I heard the other day from a fellow Iowa Duer. People that have been involved politically for a long time and are Dems favor Edwards.

[1corona4u]

3. Well, staying focused only on Joe..

I can only tell you what changed my mind. I was for Hillary initially, although, I had always liked Joe. I have been watching Joe for about 15 years, and I love his honest approach to everything. Yes, he can be blunt, but sometimes, I think we need that. I am not the kind of person that sugar coats anything, so perhaps that's what I find endearing about Joe.

I changed my mind out of the blue one morning. I had been on another message board, defending Hillary, but my heart, and mind was really with Joe. I thought the same thing as I have heard a million times; "I'd vote for him in a heartbeat if I thought he could win". I woke up one morning to find a video, this one; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4 and I got very emotional and told myself that I was guilty of doing what everyone else was saying, picking a candidate not based on what I cared about, but whether or not they could win. I told myself, he can win, we just need to get behind him!!

I immediately made the decision to get behind Joe, went right to his site and made a donation, sizable for me, and something I have never done before. I haven't looked back, and I never second guess that commitment.

Why I think he needs to win;

1. Honesty, fortitude, and conscience to level with us all.

2. Experience, and the right kind. Iraq, foreign policy, in general, knows all the world leaders, and can get this repaired quicker than anyone else. He's also strong on domestic policy, but he also realizes that we have to fix Iraq before we can completely repair things here. However, if you have been following him, he is completely capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time, so he can accomplish many things all at the same time. I refer to him as omnipresent, for a good reason.

3. Morals/family values. He is the one who truly can relate to all of us. He is the 2nd poorest senator, rides the train daily, and doesn't live IN DC. His family is extremely important to him. His mother lives with him, at 90 years old. He's not the kind of man to throw her in a retirement center. To me, this tells me he lives a normal life. He sits next to normal people on the train everyday. Joe's known for talking, so I think people express their concerns about life, and he listens, and then takes action.

4. His ability to work across the aisle. People say all the time, screw the republicans. Yeah, maybe, but if we ever want to get things done in this country, we have to be able to have diplomacy with them, at a minimum, and work together. He does it all the time.

5. This last reason, while there are many more, is a personal reason. This man has truly EARNED this job. Nothing has been made easy for him. 35 years in public service. And while he has done some things that people don't agree with, in regards to some of his votes, what people fail to see is, that there were also some good things to come from them as well. I won't get into specifics, because I think we all know what they are, but if I have ever wondered why he voted the way he did on something, I go read his floor statements and afterwards, I see what his mindset was, and I can appreciate his position more.

Bottom line for me, this is a critical election. Joe Biden is strong, and extremely qualified for this job. I don't think it's time to take a chance on any of the other candidates. Maybe 4/8 years down the road, when things are a bit more settled, it's ok, but not right now. When I think about the "change" candidates, I am reminded of my almost 20 years in management, and every time I worked for a company, whether they merged with another, or were sold to another company, the change that came within, created chaos.

Now is not the time for wide sweeping change. Let's get on firm terra first.


That's it, in a nutshell.

[rurallib]

4. Stick with Edwards

He is the man for the poor and working class.

[Rambis]

5. Watch this please

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFuO9AOOHJs&eurl=http://www.democraticunderground.com/

[youthere]

6. For me it's a question of who is in a better position to get something accomplished.

I'm sick of treading water in this nation. I love the message that John Edwards is sending. Nothing wrong with the hope he instills in people, in fact I thank him for it.
But realistically, if "change" is going to happen, it has to happen in stages, rather than in one fell swoop. I believe Biden is the practical choice because his plans are actually attainable, and they are steps that won't alienate half the nation. Biden has a great deal of respect and support on both sides of the aisle. I just don't believe we are ready for John Edwards yet. We need someone sure and steadfast to get us back on stable ground, and I believe John Edwards could do that (I believe any of our canididates could do that), but I believe Joe Biden could do it better, and with less struggle than anyone else. Biden has appeal on both sides of the aisle and for some, that might be a drawback, for me that shows that he is the best candidate to once again make us a united nation.
Good luck in your final decision, and either would be a strong, solid choice and one to be proud of.

[HuskiesHowls]

7. I'm right there with you....

I supported Edwards in 2004, one of the few at my caucus, but brought others around, but this year, there's Joe Biden to consider.

I can't say I'm undecided, I'd like to see Biden take it all, but I don't think that's a real possibility. If it comes to Obama, Hillary or Edwards, I would much rather see Edwards take it, and I feel he's more electable than the other two mentioned.

The problem for me is Biden also has a great message, and I feel is also quite electable in the general election.

What I can say about both Edwards and Biden, but no one else that's running is this: they both have a "Presidential" look and demeanor; no one else has it to the same extent.

[Blue Gardener]

8. Elizabeth

The perfect First Lady.

[youthere]

9. I would rank Jill Biden right up there too. I love them both. Michelle Obama too.

[Blue Gardener]

16. I'm hoping Elizabeth can spotlight the need for a cancer cure

I think she could bring a lot of attention for more research being needed to find a cure for cancer. I don't know anyone who hasn't lost someone close to them to some form of cancer.

[L84TEA]

10. this worries me

I am worried Biden doesn't have enough support to be viable...yet...has enough support to screw edwards..ugh.. cuz it is a toss up I like them both. I am standing behind John Edwards but would happily go Biden if needed.

tuff decision... it might be easier tomorrow night...

[Counciltucky]

13. That's pretty much exactly what I'm thinking. n/t

If one of the candidates (most likely Biden) isn't viable, that takes care of that.

[progressoid]

11. Ha!!!

I was torn between John and Joe and ended up going with John. And now you're swinging the other way!

Here's my short version: I think Washington is broken. And Edwards sees that as well. I think his absence from the beltway has focused him and given him a new outlook and determination to fight. I like that!

It goes without saying that there are things we don't like about all the candidates. And they all make promises they may not be able to keep. Ultimately, I looked at them as said, "That one! He's going to fight for a better America. He's going to give me my country back."

p.s. are you back in King Kountry or in Iowa City?


p.p.s. Ben and Jerry like Edwards too!

[Counciltucky]

12. I prefer to call it Schulte Country...

...but yes, I'm back in Council Bluffs.

[progressoid]

17. Cool!

I doubt I'll see you (I'm in precinct 8). If I have time today, I might stop in the Edwards HQ, but I don't have much time to spare these days...except for a little typing on DU. ;)

[CindyKay]

14. I Vote Biden

I Think He Is Well In A Word HONEST!I Believe His Record Proves That.
He Isn't Looking To Make A Name For Himself & He Doesn't Exactly NEED To Further His Career. He Is Already A Respected Leader World Wide
Joe Biden Doesn't Have Any Of The Baggage The Others Have. Such As Special Interest Groups Or Hedge Funds Etc...
Joe Can Focus Completely On Getting America Out Of Our Current Mess & Bringing Our Troops Home.
There are Also A Large Number of Troops from Iowa that Support Him.
I Posted A Message From One of Them on the Board as a Reply But I Will Post It Again Here For You To Read In Case You Missed It.
I Have Not Been Here Long Enough To Post A Thread. Please Read It Before You Decide.

WELCOME TO IOWA VETERANS FOR BIDEN

When I was mobilized with the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry
based in Waterloo for Operation Iraqi Freedom in October of 2005, I knew that we were
embarking on a long and difficult mission. After being extended four months, and mobilized
for a total of 22 months, we returned to Iowa in July 2007 to an emotional homecoming.

More than 600 of us were part of the longest serving unit since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
During our 16 months on the ground in Iraq, we witnessed massive waste by government
contractors who abused their no-bid contracts with the Pentagon.

While private contractors bled the U. S. Treasury with little oversight, soldiers and Marines died
because they lacked proper equipment and the newest life saving vehicles. Back home, we were
aware that only one Democratic candidate for President, Senator Joe Biden, kept his promises to
us that he would fight for the funds needed to produce Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
vehicles which dramatically reduce the number of casualties from improvised explosive devices (IED's).
When other presidential candidates were going back on their word to support those of us in harm's way,
only Senator Biden remained steadfast in his support, regardless of any political consequences.
While still on the ground in Iraq, many of us from Iowa resolved that we would go back home and
stand up for Senator Biden" just as he stood up for us on the floor of the United State Senate.

We want to help make sure that our troops still in Iraq will have the best Commander in Chief possible
on inauguration day in 2009. We also support Senator Biden because he is the only candidate with the
vision and the courage to come forward with a comprehensive and realistic plan to exit Iraq without
leaving the region behind in mass disorder. It is clear that we need new leadership and a new approach
to allow us to start withdrawing our troops. I hope that you and thousands of other Iowa veterans will
join with me in working to nominate and elect Senator Joe Biden as our 44th President.
No one else possesses his depth of knowledge and experience in foreign affairs as well as the vision for
restoring America's proper place in the world community. Please join us in a noble cause.

Sincerely,

James D. Mowrer
State Coordinator, Iowa Veterans for Biden.

[youthere]

15. Okay Counciltucky, consider letting Robert Frost make the final decision for you:

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken


TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

[bdamomma]

18. vote your values, and who would like to see sitting behind that

desk, when things are so topsy turvy right now in the world. We are counting on Iowans to make the right decision.

Biden's son Beau is on Stephanie Miller right now talking to Bree Walker, and he said get ready for some surprises tonite.

[rurallib]

19. Well - are you going to tell us who won your support?

[Debi]

20. He might want to keep his vote private

:rofl:

Don't intimidate the poor boy.