Question for Kucinich supporters

[hackwriter]

Disclaimer: I'm a Dean supporter, though I like what Kucinich has had to say in the debates.

I have a question though: Given Edwards' support for George Bush's Iraq war; support of which he has NOT repented or attracted, how do you (if you do) reconcile choosing Edwards as a #2 choice? I know that this "deal" was made only in Iowa, but to me it's indicative of something; I'm not quite sure what.

I support Dean for a number of reasons, mostly because of his early anti-war stance, and the fact that I DO think he's "electable"; or was before Jodi Wilgoren, Maureen Dowd, Wolf Blitzer, and the rest of the whore media started their "angry angry angry angry" war chant.

I've been impressed with Edwards in the debates, and the overall handling of his campaign, but his war vote troubles me. So that's why I'm wondering how the Kucinich guys/gals are going to deal with it. On the one hand, it's better than Kerry's tap-dance, but still -- it seems counterintuitive.

Can anyone shed some light?

[Terwilliger]

1. You're late to the debate

:D

There have been many threads on this subject. I think Dennis' actions were tantamount to endorsement, but everybody else says it's strategic power plays.

[youngred]

2. because believe it or not, there are more issues than Iraq

and Kucinich and Edwards share a lot of those non-Iraq beliefs. Edwards runs a healthy 4th in my book, but I'd love him as a VP

[Virgil]

3. Could not be happier

Gephart is out. Now it is harder to ignore the Kucinich message. If Lieberman drops out it gets even better. He knew he would lose Iowa and and so did everybody else. His victory was to see Gephart withdrawal and the Dean train stopped. Mission accomplished.

Even I recognize the obstacles to victory for DK. I will still vote for him because I want the politicians to see the support there is for his path. Even if he does not win he is the one outlining the vision of America that people need to hear. He will speak to the nation by satellite on Tuesday, and when he speaks he will be telling those that listen where America should head. Others may want to go somewhere else but they will have to bend to the DK vision.

DK is the man.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

- Mahatma Gandhi

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. DK and Edwards

share views on other issues, including economic opportunity and fair trade.

The war is a big issue, but far from the only one. This country would be in bad shape even if Bushboy had never gone after Iraq.

[MuseRider]

5. I like Kerry

and Edwards, both for different reasons. I think Kerry has explained his vote well enough for me and I think that Edwards is a good human who probably has much the same reason for his vote. K did not endorse Edwards, he was playing the delegate game. It is much easier for me to deal with someone I might disagree with but they are good men than someone who I can't ever tell what he is going to believe in next. That to me is the ultimate "tap dance".

[LWolf]

6. Sure.

I don't agree with Edwards on all the issues. Oops, guess what! I don't agree with any candidate 100%! Dennis is the closest. Ever. He's got the issues. He owns them, IMO. He's my man all the way to the end. I don't have to caucus, so I don't have to have a 2nd choice.

If I did, if I was forced into a second choice, tonight I would have gone with Edwards. Not because they suggested it, but because it made sense in several ways.

While I don't agree with Edward's vote on IWR, I do feel comfortable with him on many other issues. I also like the way he has stayed positive and focused on his message. He and Kerry have been tied for 2nd in my personal rankings for awhile. But...Kerry was already the front-runner going in. Why put him farther ahead with more delegates? So, 2nd choice already didn't belong to Kerry.

And Gep? No thanks. I want a president who shows up for work. And if Gep drops out, we should get some of his support from labor, anyway.

Dean? I am not comfortable with him. It has nothing to do with recent "attacks;" I attributed those attacks to the natural frustration of being told everyday that he'd already beaten everybody else. I looked hard at Dean a year ago. I appreciated the energy and the organization. Then I realized that we differed on most issues. And Dean's position on Iraq was not that different from Kerry or Edwards, IMO. Dean is just not my guy. His campaign has given the impression that he doesn't need our help. And really, while everyone is in crisis over 3rd place, I think 3rd place is fine at this point. It's not like Dean is going to drop out.

Luckily, I don't have to deal with the wheeling and dealing I saw going on tonight on CSpan; while it was entertaining, I'll be happy to just cast my vote when the race gets all the way to the left coast!