Who Should I Vote For In May?

[rucky]

I have it narrowed down to two strategies:

1) Go with the mo': Vote for the frontrunner - whomever that may be when my primary rolls around in May. I like all of the candidates okay enough. I feel it's more important to have the momentum that comes from a resounding victory in the primary. That can help take us into the general election with a face of unity & enthusiasm that we'll need. The one thing that can trump the smears from Rove & the media is resounding public opinion. Even Lieberman. I've thought about money, platforms, GOP ammo, IWR, and concluded that none of that matters when it comes to who can beat Bush. The one who wins the primary has the best chance of beating bush. 90% of the General election will be Bush vs. Not Bush. 10% will be about the strength of our nominee.

If it's a dead heat going into May, I'll worry about that in May.

2) Go With Kucinich. If he's still in it by May, that's means that the one candidate who's head & shoulders above the rest - in my book - has a fighting chance. And even if he doesn't win... a) I voted with my conscience b) I won't be dissapointed by whoever does win (see above) c) A strong DK showing will indicate a progressive force in the party that can't simply be ignored. Expectations are so low now, I think it'll turn some heads if he even survives that long.

Both strategies sound equally good to me. The reason why I'm asking now is that Dean is not a clear frontrunner anymore, and if I'm chosen to support Kucinich, I'm going to give him 100% to make sure he makes it til' May.

ABB!

[Maddy McCall]

1. Vote for who best represents your stance.

You don't have to vote for the frontrunner...as a matter of fact, that is how people become front runners--people hopefully vote for them on the issues and not because everyone else does.

Kucinich is a noble man whose views represent the heart of the party. I say vote for him if he best represents your views.

Hope that helps. :-)

[wryter2000]

2. Vote your conscience

Then, vote for the Dem in the general election.

[corporatewhore]

3. vote your heart and move the dem party closer to you in the primaries

Vote Kucinich!!!!

[Padraig18]

4. Vote you heart in the primary, your head in the GE.

:)

[rucky]

5. No head required in the GE

easiest vote imaginable.

[rucky]

6. I knew I shouldn't have put in an "other" category

strategy #1, anyone?

[rucky]

7. Kick - My Next 5 Months Is In YOUR Hands!!!!!

[MercutioATC]

8. I'm a Dean supporter and I say vote your heart.

I'd love for that to be Dean but, if it's not, you should vote for the candidate that speaks to you in the primary.

I'm hoping we'll all have a chance to vote for Dean in November...

[elperromagico]

9. Hmm... your primary's in May too?

I figure I'll have two choices if I'm lucky. I might wind up choosing between the frontrunner and Larouche. Gee, wonder who I'd vote for...

[sandnsea]

10. I'm May, I'm Kucinich

If my primary isn't important, I'm voting Kucinich. I wish all late primary people would do that. And I know Kucinich supporters, that's very annoying to you. But it's something, no?

[JohnKleeb]

11. Hey its something

The fact that you would consider voting for him is good :).

[arewethereyet]

12. may not be important by May but if you really like Kucinich, go for it

I do not ascribe to the 'vote your heart in the primaries' reasoning that failure to give weight to the GE just doesn't make sense.

But you gotta do what you gotta do.

If its still up in the air though, well, you saw what I think.

[rhite5]

13. The Primary -- You are not placing a bet on a horse race!

The Primaries are not the time to just vote for the one you think will win. That makes no sense.

After all, you are expressing your own preference, not anyone elses preference. It is important to get your preference recorded. Otherwise why have Primaries at all?

Look at it this way -- you are not betting on a horse race.

To the extent your vote may influence the Party Platform and the positions of other candidates, it really does matter.

None of the candidates have the clarity and full understanding of all the issues that Kucinich has. His explanations make all the issues clear and understandable. His positions are not just sound bites -- they are backed up by clear plans and in many cases, they are backed up by legislative proposals he has already submitted.

I am talking about .... withdrawal from Iraq .... medical coverage for all ..... saving family farms and rejuvenating small rural towns ...... specifics on the environment and alternatiave energy sources and development ..... education for all ..... NAFTA and the WTO and American jobs ..... international cooperation ...... rigged e-voting (the only candidate to seriously address this) ..... and much more.

No other candidate has shown the ability to do this.