American Democratic Presidential Primary Race

[Don Corleone]

Well, I missed the debate last night. I try not to read the soundbyte reviews of things like debates, because here, more than anywhere else, do journalists heavily editorialize and selectively filter or allow content from candidates they or their publication favor. I'm sure it'll be rebroadcast over the weekend. In any case, it did get me thinking about who was carrying the .Org vote.

Okay, the odds of me voting Democrat in the next Presidential election aren't that great (better than they have been in the past 3 however). Even so, I do have a vested interest. And I approached this the way I think you SHOULD, I look for a candidate that I would actually vote for, not the one I'd like to see the Republican contender have to face.

So, I'm actually favoring Bill Richardson. Yeah, he's a former Clintonista, but so is half the Democratic party these days, and nobody is more Clintonista than ole Hillary herself. Besides, despite what many Republicans might happen to think, the Clintonista, well Democratic Leadership Council in general, tends to be moderate to conservative Democrats (note: I said Democrats, not moderate or conservative with regards to the entire body politic). If you want a true Lefty, check out some of the stances espoused by John Edwards or Dennis Kucinich.

What's more, Richardson shows some common sense approaches. He cut the personal income tax while governor of New Mexico sharply. He's entered New Mexico into several corporate/state government partnerships to help his local economy. And when he has to be, he can be a tough foreign policy negotiator (before everyone gets on him about North Korea, let me simply ask why George and Condi have him on their North Korean negotiating team, yes, he still is in there...).

He favors vouches for helping working poor get medical insurance, as opposed to a universal health care system, an approach I commend him on. He might be a little too concerned with what the Europeans think about us for my tastes, but let's face it, our next president is going to have do some fence mending.

Anyway, I posted the 8 Democratic candidates, plus the requisite Gah! I'm curious if Obama and Hillary own the Org the same way they own the media coverage right now. If you do pick one of these two, beyond "charisma" or "first African-American; first woman", please state why. By the way, Richardson, at 3/4 Mexican, would be the first Latino President, so you quota-philes can soothe your consciences with that. You may vote for more than one, but please post and advise which of your choices would be your top choice, and why.

By the way, in the interests of fair disclosure, in a 2 way race between Richardson and my currently preferred Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, I would vote Romney.

[Ice]

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That about sums it up.

[Lemur]

Gah! Can't be bothered yet, too early in the game.

[edit]

But here's some early polling. Not that it means much this far out, but at least it's something tangible.

[Goofball]

I like Obama and Edwards, but I fear there will be no stopping the Clinton steamroller.

[Pindar]

So this is kind of a poll from the Inferno, where after being cast into the pit, one must choose from among the damned or possessed?

Note: I watched the "Debate". Gravel and Kucinich were the most entertaining. I thought Biden was the most rhetorically aware by which I mean comfortable in the format, and controlled in his answers. Obama was the most underwhelming. I think Clinton came out the best, by the simple fact of not being upstaged or not seeming 'to lose' as it were.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

The Gahs have it just like they will for all these nerds at election tiime

[Don Corleone]

I like Obama and Edwards, but I fear there will be no stopping the Clinton steamroller.

Why? You didn't offer any reasons for either of your two pros or your con.

[Don Corleone]

So this is kind of an Inferno type of poll where, after being cast into the pit, one must choose one from among the damned or possessed?

That's exactly what this is. Once the Republicans organize their first debate, I'll start a companion thread for that crew.

Note: I watched the "Debate". Gravel and Kucinich were the most entertaining. I thought Biden was the most rhetorically aware by which I mean comfortable in the format, and controlled in his answers. Obama was the most underwhelming. I think Clinton came out the best, by the simple fact of not being upstaged or not seeming 'to lose' as it were.

Isn't Gravel the one that wants to pass all sorts of legislation that it would be a felony not to be a Socialist? Basically, you have to agree with him or go to jail? I guess he's going for the Hugo Chavez vote. Maybe he should get himself featured on that Citgo tanker with Joe Kennedy.

[Marshal Murat]

I like Obama.
I can't back it up with anything (yet)

I actually like the Richardson argument, could see it happening.

[Louis VI the Fat]

The papers said Clinton pwnd all.

Nobody is going to stop her, she's simply too talented.

[Ironside]

So this is kind of an Inferno type of poll where, after being cast into the pit, one must choose one from among the damned or possessed?

Not to worry, after one has been chosen from Caïna, that person will be against someone from Antenora.

On the susbject at hand, I can't say that I know the candidates good enough to make a decision.

[Gregoshi]

You know there are more Democrats running for President than there were men claiming to be the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby. Gah, indeed!

[ICantSpellDawg]

the one most likely to lose to a republican. Kucinich? Gravel?

[Xehh II]

Gah! I'm not even American.

[Goofball]

Why? You didn't offer any reasons for either of your two pros or your con.

I like Edwards and Obama because they seem to have the most character out of all of the candidates. I dislike Clinton because I think the best way to ensure a Republican president in '08 is for her to be the Democrat candidate. She is simply too hated.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I like Richardson out of these choices. Probably the most centrist of the bunch, plus he's not a gun hater.

I dislike Clinton because I think the best way to ensure a Republican president in '08 is for her to be the Democrat candidate. She is simply too hated.

Heeheehee. The dem front-runners are 1) A woman half the country hates 2) An inexperienced first term Senator 3) A pretty faced hypocrite.

Course, can't brag too much bout the GOP - until Thompson gets in.

CR

[KafirChobee]

The only give me is that the next prez has a high probability of being a Dem.

The Republicanists just have the same old programs and agendas they have been holding onto since the 50's. One thing that is for sure, they will fall back on insisting the budget be balanced - not that they much cared about it the past +6 years, allowing a surplus they assisted in creating to be turned into the largest deficit since Reagan. Reagan insisted on a balanced budget when he ran - our debt was $1trillion when he entered office and $4trillion when he left. They will also call for smaller government - which has nearly doubled under their tutelgage. They are hypocrits, and everyone but the blind in their party know it.

I like Obama, it is time for real substance and integrity - I mean to get as much money as Hillary and for 70% of it to come in $50< contributions is no small feat. He also doesn't seem to participate in the double talk we have allowed ourselves to be accustom to - the do as I say, not as I do.

There seems to be a great fear of Edwards, or such a fuss about a haircut would not have occurred. Hillary, just scares the bejesus out of the GOPists - so she really doesn't have a real shot, but still may steal the candidacy with her lobbyists and wealthy interests. Still a long time to go - so we will see.

[Pindar]

Isn't Gravel the one that wants to pass all sorts of legislation that it would be a felony not to be a Socialist?

The fellow is quite insane. The benefit is the more air time he has the more the loons that live in the Demo fever swamp will be galvanized and it will pull the other candidates in that direction. The same is the case with Kucinich.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

The only give me is that the next prez has a high probability of being a Dem.

There is no way any of these democratic candidates stand a snowballs chance in hell of getting elected in 08. There will be a repubican president and a democratic congress just as there is now. I doubt the country will make the mistake of giving all the power to one party again soon. Most of the republican canidates are moderate republicans and social libs. Its going to be a runaway.

The Republicanists just have the same old programs and agendas they have been holding onto since the 50's.

At least they have programs other than I dont support the other parties programs. Or just give us your money cause your too stupid to know how to spend it. Bill Clinton said that himself.

[Lemur]

Wow, feel the love in this thread. Gentlemen, isn't it a little bit early to demonize the candidates? Why the rush?

[Blodrast]

Wow, feel the love in this thread. Gentlemen, isn't it a little bit early to demonize the candidates? Why the rush?

Just warming up, Lemur - gotta practice to keep in shape.

[drone]

Wow, feel the love in this thread. Gentlemen, isn't it a little bit early to demonize the candidates? Why the rush?

It's too early for any of this nonsense. What is it, 9 months, until the first primary? We need to shorten the election process, not drag it out to almost 2 years. With modern communications, I fail to see any practical reason why we couldn't have the run-up, primaries, nominations, and final election within 4-5 months. This constant campaigning is just mind-numbing to the citizenry, trivial news cycle filler, and just a colossal waste of money.

[Crazed Rabbit]

There seems to be a great fear of Edwards, or such a fuss about a haircut would not have occurred.

Right....or, we just think it's funny. He wasn't the biggest threat in 2004, and he's a smaller one now - he's more leftist, more hypocritical, and less centrist.

CR

[Pindar]

Wow, feel the love in this thread. Gentlemen, isn't it a little bit early to demonize the candidates? Why the rush?

With the change in so many of the state primaries: the nominee for both parties will basically be decided in 10 months.

[Lemur]

A gentle reminder to our Republican orgahs: It was exactly through this process -- demonizing the oposition candidates -- that you managed to vote for Bush twice. With the results as you see.

Think on this before you slash and burn every candidate who doesn't fit into your exact specifications. By hating everyone else, you may wind up voting for a terrible candidate.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Think on this before you slash and burn every candidate who doesn't fit into your exact specifications. By hating everyone else, you may wind up voting for a terrible candidate.

Ive seen little slashing and burning of them here. It may shock you that many of us if not most, stillbelieve we were better off with Bush than either of the last two democratic cadidates. Bush isnt the best president ever but he sure isnt as bad as many here make him out to be.

Maybe you should think a little before you vote as well. At least im at ease knowing I wont vote for anyone from either of these parties or is it party?

[KukriKhan]

My next president (and VP) must:

a) fix Iraq
b) Get Europe, Asia & Africa on our side (and work on South & Central Am).
c) fix my Army
d) make a firm, informed decision on immigration
e) handle the next terrorist attack on US soil
e1) find, arrest and try OBL
f) secure my borders and ports
g) close Gitmo


There's more, but 7 items on the "Kukri Mandate" are plenty for the winners' first 200 days.

None of those people seem up to the task(s). In the Bizarro universe where that group represents the only available choices, I pick Richardson for POTUS and Obama his VP.

Richardson for his breadth of experience. Obama for his lack of it.

Richardson knows how DC works, has no fear of dealing with bad guys, knows how to organize, direct, and motivate an executive office, and (I think) will stop being a Democrat 2 seconds after he takes the oath, and start being the people's Prez.

Obama doesn't yet know what is impossible, so will try to achieve the impossible, and succeed a few times, to his and our amazement. If he pays attention to how his Prez works, he'll make a good replacement, should something untoward happen to Richardson.

Finally, Gawain has a good point; I think the US voters are gonna want to return to Exec v Legis gridlock, fearing the bad effects of one-party rule we tried the past 6 years.

[JimBob]

I like Richardson or Obama. The next few months will tell who exactly. Exact opposite reasons for either, that's the choice I'll have to make. Obama is young and has the potential to help revitalize American politics and to maybe make the country hope again. Richardson is an experienced old warhorse. He's pretty much towards the center and most people will be able to stomach him. He's dealt with foreign leaders. And he seems in favor of compromise, which is sorely needed. I mean he has negotiated with Saddam Hussein, I think John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will be a little less hostile.

[doc_bean]

Anyone but Hilary !


I personnally hope you'll get a financially conservatieve republican who's willing to 'fight' terorism like it should be done and end that dumb Iraq war.

I'd really like someone who has to guts to put the current administration on trial for treason and supports an end to the presidential pardon....

[Xiahou]

Apparently Richardson decided to run to the left of the other candidates and now advocates a complete and total withdrawal of all forces from Iraq by years end. So... cross him off my list then. Really, there's virtually nothing that I like about the positions of any of the Democrat candidates- but, if I had to choose one of them it'd probably be Hillary at the moment. We know she's tough, shrewd, and is comparatively strong on defense next to the other candidates. In the debate, she was about the only one who answered the question about their theoretical response to another terror attack with any competency at all. Obama and Edwards completely whiffed on that question and showed their lack of experience.