Rank your five favorite Democratic candidates

[WillyBrandt]

Please rank your favorite Democratic candidates. Do NOT include non-runner or non-Democrats--no Gore, no Nader. Feel free to add a small bit about methodology at the end.

1. Clark
2. Kerry
3. Edwards
4. Dean
5. Sharpton

I like Clark, Kerry, and Edwards because they could all whoop Bush.

Clark is number one because he could add a TON of voters who, while centrist in their beliefs, feel culturally disconnected from the Democratic party, for whatever reason.

Kerry is a genuine liberal and patriot. If electability were not a consideration, I might put Kerry on top. But he doesn't have Clark's potential in the election.

Dean is one there because he is holding a fire under the ass of both Bush and the Democratic party. Now that the Party is attacking Bush, it's time for Dean and other Dems to stop bashing each other.

Sharpton because is favorite song is James Brown song about the Republican Party: "Talking Loud, Saying Nothing"

[PAMod]

1. Dean, Clark, Edwards, Kerry, Gephardt

All-stars each one.

The other five aren't too shabby either.

[mddemo]

28. mine

Probuably dean #1, Kerry #2, Gephardt #3, no favourite amongst the rest, but clark no way.

This is one guy i will never vote for, I was in the British army contingent that this lunatic ordered to attack the russians at Pristina Airport. If it hadnt of been for General Sir Michael Jackson (a great commander and soldier, who told clark that he wasnt about to start WW3 for him) refusing the order my company would of been the one who started WW3. The Russians now admit they had thousands of airborne troops ready to go to support the unit at the airport, this thing would of escalated beyond belief very quickly. Clark for President no way.

New US citizen, voter and democrat.

[sham]

38. welcome!

we're happy to have you. :hi:

My choices:
1. Dean
2. Kucinich
3. Kerry
4. Anybody but Lieberman
5. Anybody but Bush

In my book, Dean and Kucinich are far ahead of Kerry, and Kerry is far ahead of the others.

[Pepperbelly]

42. which detatchment were you in? nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Here's my list

1. Dean
2. Kucinich
3. Clark
4. Mosely-Braun
5. Edwards

Dean is number one because he has ignited a fire under so many people. He's given hope that we, the people, can take back America. If Dean is not the nominee, I hope whoever is takes this concept and runs with it, as it is the one that can lead the Democrats to victory.
Dean has executive experience, and has shown that he can work with a legislature to get things done. His health care plan is the most pragmatic, and, imho, the one most likely to be passed by Congress.

Kucinich is number two because he is closest to my ideology. However, I feel that many of his programs, such as single payer health care, won't work in this political/economic climate. The last thing we need is a President with grand ideas whose bills can't get through Congress.

Clark brings military experience and plain talking to the arena. I don't know enough about his domestic agenda (obviously, health care plans are important to me)to place him higher. Personally, I think he would be a good addition to a Dean ticket.

Mosely-Braun was an inspirational Senator, and I feel that her interest in mental health is an important part of any health care program. She would, imho, be a good VP candidate.

Edwards came up from the working class, and appeals to many Southerners.

[TakebackAmerica]

3. Mine

1. Clark - For being the kind of visionary America needs.
2. Dean - For energizing the dormant liberal base.
3. Kucinich - For having courage.
4. Edwards - For being the next Bill Clinton.
5. Sharpton - For being comic relief.

[The Zanti Regent]

4. Here's mine

1) Clark
2-3) Kucinich
2-3) Bob Graham
4) Dean
5) Carol Moesly-Braun

Kucinich and Bob Graham are tied at 2/3 for me, like both of them

[FauxNewsBlues]

5. Mine as of today

1. Dean

2. Kerry

3. Braun

4. Kucinich

5. Clark

[ronzo]

6. Clark, CMB, Dean, Kerry, Dicky G

quite a list, eh? I love 'em all, ask me again on Friday.
peace.

[jenk]

7. 1. Edwards 2. Kerry 2a. Gephardt 4. Clark 5. Dean

.

[liberalmuse]

8. 1. Dean...

2. Kucinich
3. Clark
4. Mosely-Braun
5. Sharpton

[hedda_foil]

9. Okay.

1. Dean
2. Dean
3. Dean
4. Dean
5. Anybody but Bush

[DavidNY]

10. My ordering is kind of "clumpy"...

as there are a couple of cases where I have not yet decided which candidate of two I would support if faced with that choice. (With respect to my tied first-place candidates, this has ended up meaning that I've contributed to both of them.)

1a. Kerry
1b. Clark
3. Graham
4a. Dean
4b. Edwards

Like WillyBrandt, I'm attracted by Clark's electablity, but Kerry (in addition to being, as WillyBrandt put it, "a genuine liberal and patriot") has a broader range of experience in government. My feeling is that Clark and Kerry would both make good candidates and good Presidents, but that Clark would be a somewhat better candidate and Kerry probably a somewhat better President. Both have attractive positions form my point of view: socially liberal (though Clark is not quite as much so as Kerry), economically moderate-to-liberal, nuanced on Iraq rather than "no war in Iraq under any circumstances whatsoever no matter how much international support we could get" or "Bush was right about everything".

Graham combines a breadth of experience at least as great as Kerry's (I especially like the fact that he's been both a governor and a Senator) with a good environmental record, reasonably liberal economic policies, electability by virtue of his strong Florida ties, and the ability to bring together the antiterrorism hawks and the anti-Iraq-war voters.

Dean and Edwards have, in my view, major flaws, but less so than the other 5 candidates. (It's not so much that I love them as that I dislike Gephardt, Lieberman, Braun, Kucinich, and Sharpton more.) While Dean lacks foreign-policy experience and I disagree with him on Iraq and have some issues with his personality, he has a solid executive record as a socially liberal fiscal moderate, and I like his federalist positions on gun rights and gay marriage (let the states make their own choices). Edwards, though a bit generally inexperienced for my taste and too originally uncritical a supporter of Bush on Iraq, has a wonderful economic message and an electable sort of charisma.

[oasis]

11. (1) Kerry (2) Clark (3)Edwards(4)Gephardt and Dean is fifth.

[lancemurdoch]

12. Gephardt, Clark, Kucinich, Sharpton, Dean

1) Gephardt
2) Clark
3) Kucinich
4) Sharpton
5) Dean

Gephardt because he has been 110% behind labor for decades

Clark because he can probably articulate the Democratic foreign policy position better than anyone

Kucinich is progressive all the way, but can he win?

Sharpton brings people into the party and voting booth who might feel alienated otherwise

Dean because although fiscally conservative, he is pro-worker enough against a Republican president, court and congress to be voted for. Also, he should be given credit for putting some backbone back into the Democrats.

[GBD4]

13. Bob Graham!

1. Graham
2. Gephardt
3. Kerry
4. Dean
5. Edwards

I like Clark a lot, but I need to know more about him. And do not flood me with links, please; I am not in a rush to know every detail...my primary's not til March and frankly I'm set on Bob anyway. But I would probably have him in my top five unless I learn some very disturbing facts or something.

As far as Dean goes, I think we can all agree that the passion he has elicited from disenchanted voters is amazing, particularly with regard to fundraising. And so, he is definitely a top 5 guy. I had been ranking Kerry over Gephardt, but I think Gephardt's recent debate performances have grown on me, so I give him the slight edge. Edwards I'm simply not all too impressed with given that his first quarter fundraising was amazing and yet his poll numbers have gone nowhere. I'm hoping that now that he's done with Senate duties for the most part that he'll get going on the trail.

[Catch22Dem]

14. 1.Clark | 2.Edwards | 3.Kerry | 4.Dean | 5.CMB | 6.Gephardt

[Girlfriday]

18. Mine are

1. Clark
2. Dean
3. Gephardt
4. Kerry
5. Edwards

I like Carol, but unfortunately the coutry isn't ready for a woman, she can't win. Sharpton has the quickest wit, but alas, no experience. He has the BEST one-liners though, I just love watching him in the debates. I don't like Leiberman, he seems too much like a repug....sorry Leiberman fans.

Clark / Dean or Dean / Clark makes no nevermind to me. :kick:

[PurityOfEssence]

40. I disagree on the woman thing

A woman is much more electable than many think, and even moreso now that there may be a sea change in politics in this country. Don't be surprised to see a few election cycles with some serious repudiation of old conservatism and neo-con idiocy. A Jan Schakowsky could be president.

Moseley-Braun's got too many things against her in this cycle, but she's making a good showing for herself as a personality and statesperson, if not actually garnering support. Things have changed radically on this particular issue in the last forty years more than in any other category of human existence, and I'd welcome a tussle on the subject.

Take heart in that, and please give Edwards more of a look-see.

From your rankings, I'm presuming that Kucinich is much too left for your tastes, but what about Graham? Does he just not register?

[0rganism]

15. Kucinich, Dean, Kerry, the Gepster, Mosely-Braun

Kucinich because he's got awesome issue positions and the ability to campaign on them accurately and consistently.

Dean because he's been "fighting the good fight" and coming from behind real strong, I admire that.

Kerry because he's got leverage and resources that he hasn't even tapped into yet, and could lay the smack down on W in any comparison of military background.

Gephardt and M-B rocked in the debates, and I give them both a lot of credit for that. Gephardt has a lot of union clout, which is an added bonus. M-B is a BLACK WOMAN dammit, and electing her would prove that our country has matured beyond its racist, sexist roots.

Clark I don't know enough about as a candidate. I hope he can change that in the next month or so.

Edwards is attractive yet seems immature. Running him at this time would be like opening a bottle of potentially excellent wine before its prime, and likely put another republican in the senate.

Sharpton? I like a lot of what he says, but he's got Baggage.

I'll say this, though: ANY of them, even Holy Joe, would be an improvement over what we have now.

[LWolf]

16. 1. Kucinich

2. Edwards
3. Braun
4. Sharpton
5. Um...Dean/Kerry no real preference between the two.

At least for today. 2-5 seems to change frequently.

[Clete]

17. Mine.

1. Dean
2. Kucinick
3. Mosley-Braun
4. Edwards
5. Kerry.

[xray s]

19. 1.Kerry 2.Edwards 3.Kucinich 4.Dean 5.Gephardt

But...Clark could jump to the top once he puts out some specifics on policy. Especially health insurance (I favor transforming the system from employer based to universal coverage under Medicare) and an answer to the mess in the Middle East.

[Speck Tater]

23. My list

1. Dean - He's mobilizing the grass roots like nobody in modern history.

2. Edwards - He has a lot of potential and it doesn't hurt that he's from the south.

3. Graham - He makes a lot of sense, but doesn't have the fire or the support of Dean

4. Kucinich - He's unelectable because he's too radical, but I like his integrity, even when I disagree with him.

5. Sharpton - Nobody can speak like Sharpton. He's one very sharp cookie.

Clark has to be dead last at this point because what little I've heard him say is self-conflicted and nebulous. Maybe if he ever comes out and says something of substance on any of the issues I'll take another look. But for now he's all medals and no substance.

[WillyBrandt]

20. THANK YOU to those who have an open mind about Clark

I know we Clarkians are a bit fanatic. But I think over the next month or two, as he starts to learn how to be a better politician, as he fleshes out his views, and after some debate, we'll have lots of converts.

Don't be pro-Clark, necessarily. But be open to being pro-Clark.

[mddemo]

27. my choice

Probuably dean #1, Kerry #2, Gephardt #3, no favourite amongst the rest, but clark no way.

This is one guy i will never vote for, I was in the British army contingent that this lunatic ordered to attack the russians at Pristina Airport. If it hadnt of been for General Sir Michael Jackson (a great commander and soldier, who told clark that he wasnt about to start WW3 for him) refusing the order my company would of been the one who started WW3. The Russians now admit they had thousands of airborne troops ready to go to support the unit at the airport, this thing would of escalated beyond belief very quickly. Clark for President no way.

New US citizen, voter and democrat.

[gulliver]

21. Clark, Dean, Edwards, Kerry, Graham n/t

.

[MarianJack]

22. My High Five!

1. Kerry
2. Clark
3. Graham
4. CMB
5. Edwards
6-10. the rest of an incredibly good field of candidates!
11-1,000,000. Anybody but bush.
1,000,001. A dried up piece of monkey poop.
1,000,002. Bush.

On second thought, whatever the # of people in the world is, bush is last.

[janekat]

24. Gore (only if) Clark, Kerry, Gephardt, Edwards, Dean, Kuchinich

[ShaneGR]

25. Clark, Dean, Edwards, Kerry, Graham

there ya go!

[St. Jarvitude]

26. Kucinich, Clark, Dean, Edwards, Sharpton (n/t)

[Darranar]

29. Got it...

1. Kucinich
2. Mousely-Braun
3. Sharpton
4. Dean
5. Kerry

[IranianDemocrat]

30. Clark, Dean, Kucinich, Sharpton, Graham.

.

[AP]

31. Edwards-Kucinich-Sharpton-Kerry-FDR-Lincoln-MosleyBraun

[hippywife]

32. I'd say it'd hafta be....

1. Kucinich
2. Kucinich
3. Kucinich
4. Anybody but Dean, Gephardt, Kerry, Lieberman, Clark
5. Anybody but Bush.

[not systems]

33. Dean Clark Kucinich Kerry Gephardt

in that order.

[tishaLA]

34. Clark, Sharpton, Gephart, Kerry, Edwards

[CMT]

35. ok, here goes

Dean (always first) the rest are ranked based on my mood of the day.
Graham
Kucinich
Edwards
Gephardt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

36. K

Clark
Edwards
Kerry
Graham
Gephardt
Dean
Kucinich
Sharpton
Mosely Braun









Lieberman

[fedupwithbush]

37. 27 & 28

Don't ya think once is enough?

I like Clark, Dean, Kerry, Edwards, Sharpton, Mosely-Braun, Gephardt, Kucinich, Graham. NO, no and hell no to Lieberman. I can't stand him anymore than I can stand Bush! I would vote for him only if he's the last man standing and even then I'd have to hold my nose. And that's ONLY because he still calls himself a Democrat.

[no name no slogan]

39. Kucinich, Sharpton, Kerry, Edwards, Geph

1) Kucinich -- from the working class streets of Cleveland, a card-carrying union member, represents the REAL values of the Democratic Party. Doesn't need to lie about his record, even his previous mistakes. How can you dig up dirt on a man who refuses to cover up his past? Also speaks to THE PEOPLE in their language, because he's one of us. He's what the Democrats used to be like, back when they ran presidential candidates worth voting for.

Longshot? Maybe. But they said that about Paul Wellstone in 1990 too-- I was there, fighting at the precinct level for Paul, and I know what I'm talking about. We won then. And we can win now, too.

2) Sharpton -- speaks the truth in a no-bullshit manner. Unfortunately, has no electoral experience.

3) Kerry -- classic NE liberal with a mostly-consistent liberal record. However, there's no chance in hell the public will ever support another NE liberal for president in the next 50 years...

4) Edwards -- from the working class, self-made lawyer, talks about race. But a little too conservative to be top 3. Still a stand-up guy who I wouldn't mind voting for if given the chance.

5) Gephardt -- a tough choice, but mostly because he's done a lot for working people over the years. Still, I have severe reservations about the man, and unpleasant memories from his '88 campaign. (NOTE: here's a sign seen by a friend and campaigner in NH for Dukakis in the '88 primary season "DICK GEPHARDT BEFORE HE DICKS YOU")

The Others, in no particular order:

Mosely-Braun: good on the issues, but has too much political baggage. If not for this baggage, she would be in my top 3.

Liebermann: sorry Joe, we already HAVE a conservative party in the US. It's called the REPUBLICAN PARTY. Also, perception among public as another "NE liberal", a la Kerry (see above)

Graham: Admire his anti-IWR stance, but not his reasons for it-- "not the right way to fight the war". Sorry Bob.

Clark: Just Say No to possible war criminals. Generals make so-so presidents. See Eisenhower and Grant for details. Since Liebermann's collapse, he's the new DLC darling. We don't need more DINOs. We have plenty already

Dean: I can't trust him. DLC centrist/Rockefeller Republican who governed to the right of Clinton masquerading as "great Democratic hope". However, he is a shrewd political operative, who was able to seize the "anti-war candidate" label while Kucinich was busy organizing opposition in congress. Stole "Liberal Wing of the Democratic Party" line from the late great Paul Wellstone, who had as much in common with Dean as he did to Liebermann. Gives me a creepy Norm Coleman-ish feeling, which is highly unpleasant. Also could be pigeonholed as "another NE liberal" (see Kerry, Liebermann, above).

[MisterP]

41. Dean, Clark, Kerry, Kucinich, Gephardt

[Kanola]

43. Dean, Clark, Kerry, Edwards,Graham,

[diamondsoul]

44. 1.Kucinich 2. Clark 3. Edwards 4. Dean 5 Graham

Methodology, who I believe can win and deserves it.

[Evanstondem]

45. Dean, Edwards, Clark...

There's a dropoff for me after that to Graham and Kerry.

[Uzybone]

46. Kerry, Clark, Gep, Kucinich, Dean

[ComerPerro]

47. Clark, Dean, Kucinich, Mosely Braun, Sharpton

In Alphabetical order

[madmax]

48. Prior to Clark's entry into the race

my choices were:

1. Kerry
2. Dean
3. Edwards
4. Gephardt
5. Graham

Now:

1. Clark
2. Kerry
3 Dean
4. Edwards
5. Gephardt

Dream team imho, Kerry/Clark or Dean/Clark (either top or bottom of the ticket on those)

[usregimechange]

49. mine:

1.Clark
1.Dean
2.Gephardt
3.Kerry
4.Edwards
5.Graham

[GreenArrow]

50. 1.Kucinich

2.Honorable mention to Al Sharpton and Carol Mosley Braun.

The rest are all corporatist stooges to one degree or another.

[mlawson]

51. Edwards, Dean, Clark, Graham, Kerry

In order of who is most likely to beat Dumbo.

[synthia]

52. where is Kucinich?

i protest his exc;usion. he has a better chance than Al.

[quinnox]

53. I favor three candidates

wholeheartedly, I will put them in order but there is a razors edge between them in terms of my preference.

1. Kerry - A liberal that can win, outstanding on the environment, his military career service is a huge plus with the terrorism/fear atmosphere today.

2. Gephardt - An old fashioned Democrat, big government programs, health care proposal is good, is running with passion

3. Edwards - the fresh face, good policy positions, can appeal to centrists and liberals, possibly the most potent match up against Bush

4. Kucinich - Very liberal, too revolutionary for America today

5. Graham - Admire his stubborness in always bringing up lies of Bush, he is bold and a bulldog

[TheDonkey]

54. Kerry, Clark, Braun, Dean, Sharpton...