I like Bernie. I like Hillary. I like Martin O'Malley.

[we can do it]

There is something good in each possible candidate. Could we possibly explain why someone who should support one without tearing down the other?

[PowerToThePeople]

1. Since you asked.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024420135

Hillary Clinton: No regret on Iraq vote

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said she is not sorry she voted for a resolution authorizing President Bush to take military action in Iraq despite the recent problems there but she does regret "the way the president used the authority."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/21/iraq.hillary/

Hillary Clinton Defends 2002 Iraq War Vote On Meet The Press



Moderator Tim Russert pointed out that the title of the resolution was the "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002." Clinton responded saying, "We can have this Jesuitical argument about what exactly was meant. But when Chuck Hagel, who helped to draft the resolution said, 'It was not a vote for war,' What I was told directly by the White House in response to my question, 'If you are given this authority, will you put the inspectors in and permit them to finish their job,' I was told that's exactly what we intended to do. "



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/13/hillary-clinton-defends-2_n_81261.html

Hillary Clinton backs using drones in Pakistan

ISTANBUL: United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday implicitly defended Washington’s use of drone strikes to kill suspected militants, days after an aircraft reportedly killed al-Qaeda’s Libyan-born Abu Yahya al-Libbi in Pakistan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-15210-Hillary-Clinton-backs-using-drones-in-Pakistan

Hillary Clinton's Business Legacy at the State Department (leading part in drafting TPP)

She’s pressed the case for U.S. business in Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries in China’s shadow. She’s also taken a leading part in drafting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the free-trade pact that would give U.S. companies a leg up on their Chinese competitors.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=67554

[Thinkingabout]

5. Does your post mean you can not support a candidate without tearing the others down?

[PowerToThePeople]

8. No.

You can do whatever you wish. Imo, my post does not tear her down. If anything tears her down, it is her actions.

[Ed Suspicious]

44. She's a lawyer, right? Her dismissal of the actual language of the bill in favor of hollow

assurances about the way the law would be enforced is mind-blowing.

[pnwmom]

48. She has since expressed regret for her Iraq vote. It's unfair to point to that 2008 statement

without acknowledging that she learned from the experience and later expressed regret.

[TheKentuckian]

51. She learned that digging in on the stupid can hurt her in a primary so

she did a soft and quiet somewhat of a walkback while continuing to push interventionist nonsense every which way she can.

[MohRokTah]

2. My highest priority in any primary is to choose the Democrat most likely to defeat the Republican.

In the 2016 race, it is my considered opinion that Hillary Clinton is that candidate.

There is too much riding on the numbers of Republicans vs. Democrats at all levels for me to risk supporting any primary candidate at any level that I determine is less likely than another Democratic candidate to defeat the Republican.

That's how I always make up my mind in these things. Unfortunately, this means I may be forced to choose somebody I may agree with a little less on the issues than another candidate.

Other people make their choices based upon other calculations, and I cannot fault anybody for their method of choosing a primary candidate to support.

[NEVER SUMMER]

4. So you think this is a popularity contest?

and you must go with HIllary, damn the issues. Is that what you are saying?

Your thought process is all wrong, issues are very important to a lot of people, and it is no longer about Democrats vs Republicans.

It is about 1% vs 99%. Who do you think best represents the 99%?

[VanillaRhapsody]

6. Yes...for pretty much the rest of the country...that is exactly what it is...

'issues are very important to a lot of people"

Just to not nearly enough.......and that is what the realists are trying to say. It's not really about US!

[NEVER SUMMER]

10. That's fine. Just watch Bernie break through to the people

and make it about the issues, not a popularity contest.

It's not even close. The current Republican candidates are scaring off the Republicans and they are looking for better alternatives.

So far I've been hearing great stories after stories about Republicans liking Bernie because of his authenticity and his long history in politics and stayed consistent.

I like Hillary, but Bernie is far better than Hillary in many ways, and I am convinced that Bernie is the answer. Many do not even come close to what Bernie has and can offer to the American people.

[VanillaRhapsody]

11. and this is what is known as "Idealism"

prime example....

[DeadLetterOffice]

34. You say that word like it's the moral equivalent of "liberal."

It's the idealists who drag things forward by refusing to accept the status quo.

[VanillaRhapsody]

40. I say that word with definition of the term

And yes the opposite is realism...aka reality.

[VanillaRhapsody]

56. And we say watch that NOT happen

You are betting on a very longshot and are extremely idealistic about the american voters...the vast majority of which are NOT like us on DU

[MohRokTah]

7. It is no game at all. It is a matter of life and death.

Republicans elected = death.

Democrats elected = life.

I choose the candidate most likely to win. To hell with everything else.

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. and the one most likely to win.....is the one that seems like the "winner"

anyone who ever did some sales work understands that most people try not to spend so much time on these things that we do.....they WANT someone to tell them how to vote in the end....and to many of them it is just a game....and they can go either way....they just want to be on the side of the "team that wins" nothing more nothing less...nothing about Bernie Sanders is going to change that.

[Quackers]

17. "they WANT someone to tell them how to vote in the end"

How condescending can you be? Is that what you really believe? You think you have the right to tell people how to vote? That is the most fucked up thing I've read hear in a long time.

[VanillaRhapsody]

18. its true....its cynical not condescending

I didn't say I had the right to tell them.....many people just want that....you have to understand...most people are not like us. Most people don't find politics nearly as fascinating....its realistic not idealistic.

[Quackers]

21. It's not cynical, it's authoritative.

Just be sure to send out the memo to all of us peasants when Queen Hillary orders us to vote for her.

[VanillaRhapsody]

22. Oh right yeah....hahahahahahah

OMG...the faux outrage!

So I guess you think that the "majority of citizens that didn't vote in the elections that Barack Obama won" just sat it out in some kind of protest?

[DanTex]

16. Yup. This is how I feel also.

[Paka]

37. That voting standard

is what brought us to the current situation with a government "of the people, by the people, for the people" anything but that, with the "people" corporations owing the country, and a few wealthy oligarchs in charge.

[MohRokTah]

39. Failure to follow that standard brought us Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. eom

[Ed Suspicious]

49. "Sometimes winning is actually setting your sights on what everyone around you says is impossible."

That was from Mark Ruffalo on the Maryland fracking ban, but I think it's appropriate here as well.

[VanillaRhapsody]

53. And sometimes its a gamble you lose...

[yallerdawg]

3. What if it's not about liking...

but about hating?

[deutsey]

12. I support Bernie, like Martin, and will vote for Hillary if she's the nominee.

[we can do it]

33. Me too.

[hrmjustin]

13. All are good people.

We can support them with destroying the others.

[DeadLetterOffice]

35. Now THAT sounds to me like 'idealism.' *smiles*

[Ed Suspicious]

45. :nods:

[VanillaRhapsody]

54. No that is not...look up the word..

A clue....the opposite is realism...which that poster has a firm grasp of.

[woo me with science]

14. No. Rejecting corporate corruption is not "tearing down" a Democrat.

Advocating a Third Way policy agenda, representing the One Percent rather than the 99 percent, defending the for-profit warmongering of the MIC, and avoiding the press and pandering to voters by claiming she supports policies she has historically opposed are all legitimate and important points of criticism.

We have a grave, systemic problem in this country. It is problem of filthy corporate money buying our elections and our political candidates. Hillary Clinton is the poster candidate for this problem. She is intimately tied to Goldman-Sachs and Wall Street, and her record promises more of the corporate looting and dismantling of democracy that have hollowed out the middle class in this nation and turned us from representative democratic nation into an authoritarian oligarchy with secret laws, secret courts, mass surveillance, militarized police, crushing of whistleblowing and dissent, endless war for profit, and systematic exploitation of the 99 percent for the profit of the One Percent.

This suggestion that calling out a predatory corporate record is "tearing down" a Democrat, or that saying something negative about a candidate's record is somehow unseemly, as though we were at a social gathering where if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all....This is a Third Way tactic to change the rules of politics. To silence strong, well-founded opposition to candidates whose associations and policies are malignant to ordinary Americans.

Hillary's record is that of a Third Way, corporate-purchased politician. It promises more looting and exploitation of the 99 percent, more bloody warmongering for profit, and more defense of an increasingly authoritarian, undemocratic police and surveillance state, where whistleblowers are not safe.

It is the civic duty of American citizens to speak honestly about the monied corruption in our system and to advocate against purchased candidates and for actual representatives of the people. We can't afford four more years of corporate predation.

The Clinton Dynasty's Horrific Legacy: More Drug War, More Prisons
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/clinton-dynasty-horrific-legacy-more-drug-war-more-prisons

Hillary Clinton's leading role in drafting the TPP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101667554

Hillary's TPP will mean a pay cut for 90 percent of American workers.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023661805

Hillary pushes for increases in H1B visas and outsourcing.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6405669

Hillary Clinton and Trade Deals: That “Giant Sucking Sound”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016101761

Hillary Clinton Cheerleads for Biotech and GMOs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112772326

Dissecting Hillary Clinton's Neocon Talking Points - Atlantic Interview
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209519

NYTimes notices Hillary's natural affinity toward the neocons.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025205645

Hillary Clinton, the unrepentant hawk
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024876898

More from Hillary Clinton's State Department: The fascistic TISA (Trade in Services Agreement)
http://m.thenation.com/blog/180572-grassroots-labor-uprising-your-bank

How Hillary Clinton's State Department sold fracking to the world
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251376647

Hillary Clinton Sides with NSA over Snowden Disclosures
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101695441

On the NSA, Hillary Clinton Is Either a Fool or a Liar
http://m.thenation.com/article/180564-nsa-hillary-clinton-either-fool-or-liar

Corporate Warfare: Hillary Clinton admits role in Honduran coup aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025601610#post29

The Bill and Hillary Clinton Money Machine Taps Corporate Cash
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025189257

Hillary's Privatization Plan: TISA kept more secret than the TPP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014829628

Hillary Clinton criticizes Obama's foreign policy 'failure'; strongly defends Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014867136

Some of Hillary Clinton's statements on Social Security.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024379279

Hillary Clinton's GOLDMAN SACHS PROBLEM.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025049343

Ring of Fire: Hillary Clinton - The Perfect Republican Candidate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209285

How Americans Need Answers From Hillary Clinton On TPP, KXL, Wall St & More
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017181611

Hillary Clinton Left Out By Liberal Donor Club
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025809071

Why Wall Street Loves Hillary
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016106575

Hillary Clinton: Neocon-lite
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101684986

Interactive graphic of Hillary Clinton's connections to the Forbes top 400 (Follow link in post)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025824981#post9

The Warmongering Record of Hillary Clinton "I urged him to bomb..."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026219783

Hillary Clinton criticizes Obama's foreign policy 'failure'; strongly defends Israel
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014867136

Hillary defends Israel on Gaza carpet bombing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025274041

Hillary tacks right of Obama on foreign policy.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024707589

Dissecting Hillary Clinton's Neocon Talking Points - Atlantic Interview
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017209519

NYTimes notices Hillary's natural affinity toward the neocons.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025205645

Hillary Clinton, the unrepentant hawk
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024876898

Hillary Clinton Praises George W. Bush and the Art of Compromise
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026394878

Hillary Clinton's role in right-wing Honduran coup and aftermath
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025601610#post29

Hillary Clinton's Horrifying Iraq War Vote Still Matters.
http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/hillary-clintons-iraq-war-vote-still-matters-9737

Secret recordings show US military and a Democratic congressman distrusted Hillary Clinton on Libya (lying, manipulating intelligence)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026157088

Hillary Clinton Blasts ‘Unfair’ World Reaction Over Gaza, Cites Anti-Semitism As Factor
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025364869

Obama didn't go as far as Hillary now says she wanted to go in smashing Syria
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251375376

Hand in Hand With Kissinger: A Review of Hillary Clinton’s Review
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016102317

Hillary Clinton Serves Us KISSINGER KOOL-AID
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025504036

MJ - Hillary Clinton Praises a Guy With Lots of Blood on His Hands
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025493748

[MohRokTah]

24. I seriously doubt if even 5% of likely Dem primary voters feel that way

Make your choice but realize, only a small portion of Likely Democratic primary voters will make their decision the same way as you. Any candidate will have to break through multiple decision patterns to win.

[woo me with science]

25. Of course you do.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025767160

[MohRokTah]

30. I doubt that more than 5% of likely Dem primary voters will make their choice the same way as I do.

Multiple decision patterns.

[we can do it]

28. And exactly which repuke would be better, if Hillary should get the nomination?

[Thinkingabout]

15. With some of the posts it seems like Bill Krystal is doing the writing. I do like Hillary but the

Important thing is to elect Democrats. Out of Hillary, Bernie and O'Malley I know Hillary is the closest to my my liking. She also has experience in foreign affairs and this is a very important issue.

[lumberjack_jeff]

19. We support candidates in a comparative sense.

It is very difficult to explain why I support Bernie without explaining his virtues in the context of the alternatives.

[we can do it]

29. Why not just state his attributes? There are many.

[lumberjack_jeff]

32. Okay.

He's honest
He's not in the pocket of Wall Street
He's accessible
He was right about the Iraq War

Those are distinguishing features that separate him from the competition.

[VanillaRhapsody]

41. The only difference is she admits she

Made a mistake about the Iraq war....the same mistake a majority of the country was demanding be done by the way...911 made alot of Americans demand blood.

[lumberjack_jeff]

50. Given the choice between a candidate with an excuse, and another that doesn't need one...

... I pick the latter.

[VanillaRhapsody]

52. Hogwash

A candidate that did the bidding of her constituents....given the choice between a flawwed but humble and contrite Democrat with the numbers to beat all Republicansnd an "other"..I take the Democrat every time.

[RiverLover]

58. Well said. /nt

[Ed Suspicious]

46. Well put.

[peecoolyour]

20. All have their strengths and weaknesses.

Even our most right-leaning candidates are 1000x better than anything the right can produce.

Voting my conscience in the primary and for more Ruth Ginsburgs in the general.

[we can do it]

26. My thoughts exactly and in a nutshell.

[seabeyond]

23. i know nothing about omalley. excited to listen to him too. nt

[we can do it]

27. Everything I hear I like. Keep listening, I think he's for real, too.

Maybe not this time, possibly in the future.

[Quackers]

31. Not really, and I'll explain why.

When we judge other people's abilities and character, it is as a whole. Of course there are good things about each candidate, but you also have to factor in the bad to properly evaluate that person. Hell, look at George Bush, he did really good work for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. Would I want him to be president again? Fuck no!

The point is, we must evaluate those who are running for the Democratic nomination based on the whole picture, not just the good stuff.

[procon]

36. That's how I see it, too.

I vote for Dems because I don't want another R in the WH, and I will happily vote for whichever candidate wins the primary.

I'd like to see more honest discussions on their individual strengths and weaknesses so I can get the full information I need to make an informed decision. I'll say to both sides; No politician will ever be my perfect dream candidate, but I'm not 14 and this isn't my first dance, so just give me someone who can beat the Republican.

Don't try to puff up your fav candidate or gloss over the obvious mistakes made in the past, just tell me the backstory so I can decide for myself. And -- this is the biggy -- stop all the anti-Democrat slash and burn threads that look like they were lifted straight from some Republican forum. It looks petty, immature and desperate, and the outcome is probably not weighing in your favor.

[herding cats]

38. Negative politics are the way it's done now.

We'll be angry as hell when it's done against our nominated candidate against the Republican one, but we support it in the primary race. The thought process is, negative issues stick with you more than positive ones. It's been proven to be true, so I guess it has some merit in a twisted way. It's been the standard method of campaigning since I was aware of politics.

FWIW, I don't engage in negative campaigning against our (Democratic) candidates. I read their stances, their records and listen to them. Then I make the best informed decision I can. In this race I know a lot about Hillary already from her previous run. I'm in the process of learning more about Bernie and O'Malley. Before I knew Bernie was in I had some interest in O'Malley and I'm following up on that. Facts based issues only, I'm a zero (or as close as you can get today!) propaganda zone.

I'd like to add; it will be a great day in this country when we Democrats can get this excited, divided even, over who is running for the US Congress or the US Senate seats. These are two equally powerful branches of government to the POTUS. Without those our president is mostly toothless, no matter who we elect to the position.

[Kingofalldems]

42. Same here, I like all three.

Disgusting display of trashing fellow Dems here.

Probably at least a few republican disruptors involved.

[we can do it]

60. Some of are non stop, too.

It gets old.

[c588415]

43. I like Hillary,I like Hillary, I like Hillary!

[VanillaRhapsody]

55. GREAT!

As do the vast majority of DEMOCRATS on and off of DU....as opposed to the pseudo Democrats.

[iandhr]

47. Someone on DU talking sense

I never thought I would see the day.

[we can do it]

59. I try.

thanks

[RiverLover]

57. Compare & contrast is a necessary component of decision-making.

Unless you really don't want a primary, just a coronation.