Have you switched candidates thus far?

[PresidentObama]

In the beginning, before any announced, I was supporting John Kerry in 2008.

Then he made the sad announcement he wouldn't run again, and instead stay in Congress and lead on the war in Iraq and global warming. As well as run for re-election, and continue to serve as best he can in the Senate.

Then I held out hope for Wes Clark or Al Gore to get into the race, but I quickly saw that neither was interesting in running--even though so many wish they would have.

I finally came down to Barack Obama or John Edwards. It was a tough decision for me, personally. I like both of them, and think both would make great Presidents.

But I choose John Edwards. I felt he had the best chance of winning, and winning big. And he seemed more bold, mature, and focused. Overall, I just liked the progression of John Edwards.

So here I am, supporting John. Have since right after he announced.

Have you switched candidates in this race? And how many times, and why?

[mcscajun]

1. Just once. I was holding out for Clark, now I'm voting for Kucinich.

I don't expect him to be the candidate, but in primaries, I always vote my hopes and my conscience, not "who is electable"; when it comes time for the general, I vote for the Democratic candidate whoever he or she may be.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. started with

kucinich, then biden, then edwards, then obama, then biden, now edwards.

[sniffa]

3. not necessarily switched

i'm still a Kucinich guy, but Dodd has been impressing me. it depends on how things shake out in Iowa, NH. if Dodd is still in it when i vote i'll give him my vote. if he's not, then Kucinich gets it.

[Richard D]

4. I too . . .

. . . was hoping for Gore to run. Then Dennis. Now I'm supporting Edwards, and hoping that he'll put both Gore and Dennis in his cabinet. Maybe even make Gore a global warming czar.

[ShadesOfGrey]

8. Cool! Exact same as me... Gore->Kucinich->Edwards

:toast:

[Seabiscuit]

10. Same exact path I took: Gore>Kucinich>Edwards.

I held out for Gore until November, then gave up and supported Kucinich, but after watching the last couple of debates I switched to Edwards, who kept his cool under pressure better than any other candidates on stage. Besides, as much as I love Dennis, I want to see someone who's willing to challenge the power elite in the White House, someone who has a chance of winning. JE is the logical choice.

[bunnies]

5. nope. 'cuz I really havent decided on one yet. nt

[LWolf]

6. No.

Before anyone announced, I held out some hope. Hope that there would be numerous candidates who could attract my vote based on platform and record, and that I would have a deliciously agonizing time choosing between them.

It didn't turn out like that, though. I didn't know a lot about some of them, and had to spend some time informing myself, but when it came down to it, only one candidate had the credentials I was looking for. It didn't take long to figure that out; I'd narrowed it down before most had officially declared a candidacy.

That truly pains me. I would love a primary full of candidates I felt confident about, with the only concern being who to settle on before voting day. Will it ever happen in my lifetime? I doubt it, but I'm willing to hope.

Meanwhile, Dennis Kucinich has had my vote wrapped up. It's his until someone can challenge him on issues, on progressive ideals, on record and commitment.

[peace13]

7. No...DK all the way. n/t

[onehandle]

9. I knew Gore wouldn't run two years ago. Kerry dropped out before it started.

I knew Clark would not run and then endorse Clinton.

Edwards was automatically my first choice.



This whole thing has been totally predictable for me...except Obama.

I expected it to be Hillary vs. Edwards. As most people did.

[Warpy]

11. It's always been a coin flip between Richardson and Edwards

I know Richardson as an intelligent and capable administrator who knows how to get things done. I live in his state. I know Edwards more as a man who knows what rhetoric to use to speak to the Democratic base in order to get elected, but who didn't vote that way in the Senate. I used to live in his state and partially understand why there was a gap between rhetoric and reality. I'd be willing to take a chance because he's had 4 years outside DC to get a reality check and if it hasn't bounced, he might get the job done.

It's a monumental job and I just don't think any of the other candidates, worthy as they are, are up to it. They'd be fine in ordinary times, but these aren't ordinary times. The GOP has bankrupted the country and nearly everyone living in it while allowing industry to be looted by the developing world. Oh, they're better than another GOP, but we both require and deserve more to get our economy and our democracy back where it's supposed to be.

That's my thinking and it hasn't changed.

[Catch22Dem]

12. Clark or Edwards early on

Now just Edwards w/ Obama/Biden tied for 2nd. Should Biden manage a late surge, I could see myself supporting him, but it's pretty unlikely.

[bain_sidhe]

13. Damn near every day

What can I say? I'm just fickle that way. :D

Seriously, though. One of them will say something I like, and I'm all "YEAH! HIM/HER!". Then some one else will say something I like, and I'm all "YEAH! HER/HIM!" Then he or she will say something I hate and I'm all "BOO! HISS! NOT HER/HIM!!"

Less emotionally, I have concerns about each of them, but those concerns are offset by each's unique strengths/advantages. To wit:

Hillary - I'm concerned that she'll bring out the puke "Hillary haters" in droves to vote against her. That's offset by the fact that there are more women than men in this country, and statistically significant number of them--including moderate Republican women--are excited by the idea of a woman president.

Obama - I'm concerned that he'll solidify the bigots to come out in droves to vote against him. That's offset by the fact that, although African Americans are a smaller percentage, there are places where their vote is concentrated enough to tip a state into his column. Plus, he's more inspiring in his speeches than Clinton is.

Edwards - I'm concerned that he'll get really negative coverage from the corporate shills in the media, and it could be enough to keep people home (rather than voting for the opposition). That's offset by the fact that his populist message is going to resonate with a far greater number of "occasional" voters who might stay home rather than vote for a candidate with a "moderate, 'bi-partisan' let's all get along" message.

Biden - He doesn't really incite strong opposition, but he doesn't incite strong support either. Offset by the fact that I think a lot of people would breathe a sigh of relief at the idea of a calm, competent president who just does a good job without all the drama.

I don't really think Richardson, Dodd or Kucinich have a chance, so I haven't really analyzed their pluses and minuses as a general election candidate.

So, there you have it. The source of my fickleness is that I think any of them could be a good president, and *can* win the g.e., and none of them are "perfect" enough to make the general a walk. (Which is what I'd really like. I don't like the idea of being on pins and needles for most of the next year!)

**edited for typo**

[emilyg]

14. No. Clinton all the way.

[Adelante]

15. Clark>Obama for me nt

[Lucinda]

16. Yep. Just once. I was initially supporting Edwards but was still open to the others

Eliminated Dodd and Obama fairly early.
Then Kucinich and Richardson.
Left Edwards after the parsing video.
Decided on Hillary over Biden for a wide variety of reasons.

I could pretty happily support Biden or JRE if Hillary isn't the nominee.

I think the others will have a lot of really hard work to do to be successful.

[annie1]

17. All the time.

[Stop Cornyn]

18. I have switched from Kucinich to Obama to Edwards.

[WA98296]

19. Kucinich to Edwards.

[jillan]

20. Obama -> Biden.

But I still like Obama- just like Biden a heck of alot better.

[annie1]

21. wise choice. : )

[Armstead]

22. Kucinich to Ewards

DK is more unvarnished ands closer to what I believe in.

But for a mix of his personal/campaign goofs, and the abominable treatment by the MSM and Democrat Elites,it became clear that Dennis was not even going to be an effective messenger in this campaign.

The next best in my opinion is Edwards - both for his personal fire and his willingness to address a core problem of corporate power.

[Tejanocrat]

23. Kucinich to undecided between Kucinich-Edwards-Dodd-Obama and back to Kucinich (I may change again)

[elizm]

24. Switched from Edwards to Obama when Obama announced in February...

I saw Edwards in Columbia, SC in January 07 and even though I supported him at the time, I was disappointed because he did not inspire me in the way I hoped he would. As I listened to Obama on CSpan when he announced his run on February 10, there was no question or comparison. I signed up as a volunteer that day on his website and have been with him ever since.