Why the rush to commit to a candidate so early?

[Creideiki]

I'm not ready to make up my mind. There are things I like about all the candidates, and I'm not sure yet that there won't be things I dislike about any of them. Frankly, it's just too soon, and I don't see the value in candidates' supporters in DU rushing to bash other candidates and each other (honestly, that's the most confusing thing for me--so what if someone's going to claim that Edwards is the best thing since sliced bread?)

I would think that the time would be better spent trying to talk up the policies that each candidate has. I want to know what each candidate thinks about everything, and we just haven't been able to find that out yet.

[Hippo_Tron]

1. I was like this a month ago

But more in a hopeless sense. I didn't want Bush re-elected because... (no explanation required) but at the same time I had bought into the bullshit that all the dem candidates are lefties. Then I started doing a little more research and found that I can agree with John Kerry and now Clark on many issues. I've basically shifted from slightly right to the center of the political spectrum to a little more than slightly to the left of the political spectrum.

[bookman]

2. I'm with you

I've yet to come down squarely in favor of one. I do have favorites, but remain open minded. And much to the dismay of some, I think the abilty to beat Bush is a high priority.

[Creideiki]

3. The yellow dogs may have something this time

There's only one candidate with severe baggage that might negate the "anyone but Bush" results of the latest polls. Not that counting on polls a year in advance of an election might be foolish, or anything.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. I agree...

and there has been little discussion of some other substantive issues.

How do they feel about environmental issues? Let's try an easy one first-- the easing of coal plant effluents under Bush.

Other stuff, like mining in national parks, cutting old growth forests, etc, tend to be minefields and East/West fights, so I can see avoiding them, but clean air and water should be reasonably safe to take a stand on.

How about criminal justice reform beyond killing off PATRIOT?

What about GAAS and the composition of the control board, and beefing up the SEC to properly oversee the Big Board's alleged regulation? Why let Eliot Spitzer take the lead in rooting out Wall Street corruption and malfeasance?

Oh, there's so much more...

But, it's a lot easier to say your candidate sucks and my candidate walks on water because he's against this particular war.

[Evanstondem]

5. Nothing Wrong with Waiting to Commit

I would also rather read about the candidates' policies and strengths. We should be attacking the Bush Adminstration, not fellow Dems!

[NNN0LHI]

6. I don't know what the big rush is for some? Any of them can beat Bush n/t

[uptohere]

7. becasue theres only one with a southern accent

and southern accents win presidential races ! people LOVE us !

[Creideiki]

12. I think it's the opposite

I think southerners have a particular hate on for the North.

[uptohere]

13. and still they vote for us

actually its more of a pity for the north

[HFishbine]

16. Actually

I think it's more of an inferiority complex.

[Mz Pip]

8. CA's primary is in March

so I do have a lot of time to decide for sure. If Clark declares for sure this week, I'm already signed up to campaign. We'll see how it goes. Come March I may have to make a different choice. I'm hoping I don't have to change my mind since none of the other candidates generate much of my enthusiasm.

On edit: One complaint about Clark is that he's waited too long. Kind of an interesting counterpoint to this.
MzPip
:dem:

[leftofthedial]

9. it's the Murkan "big game" mentality kicking in

I'll vote for whomever the Democratic Party nominates. Period.

But I will support Dennis Kucinich until they nominate someone else, because he has the ideas most like the greatest President of the Democratic Party, FDR.

[Booberdawg]

10. And certainly too early to start insisting any of them

should drop out!!:eyes:

[maxanne]

11. one reason to commit

is that even though we get handed a nice shiny candidate, someone was mighty busy putting it all together. Campaigns are a lot of work - and many DU'ers are involved in doing that work right now.

[deutsey]

14. Because Bush and Rove have been planning for 2004

since 2000.

[HFishbine]

15. Rushing

to bash other candidates is not good. Early enthusastic support manifested in voluteering and campaign contributions is good. Shrub has the incumbency and the bucks. We have an uphill battle.

I may yet change my mind about my favorite candidate, but I'm doing some good by campaigning for him an making a donation. You might consider doing the same. Otherwise, we'll end up with poorly funded candidates who have no grassroots support.

[Nazgul35]

17. Are you just going to vote...

or are you going to work on a campaign to get a particular candidate elected? Are you happy with just anyone being the Dem nominee or do you have a particular view as to what direction the party should take?

The answer to these questions may help you understand why some of us have choosen to be active this early in the process....