Tell us why you don't have a candidate, yet.

[Clark2008]

I don't. Namely because I think the three front-runners are more of the same: lacking vision, corporately beholden, bland, DLC-type (yes, I know Obama isn't) that hasn't inspired anyone since Bill Clinton took away all that think tank's charisma.

As far as the others, I see sparks of life in Richardson, Biden and Dodd, but they all, for the most part, are still corporate-beholden. I definitely see fight in Kucinich and Gravel, but know either has very little chance or hope to be elected, either in the primary or in a general election.

So, DUers-without-a-candidate, tell me why you haven't selected one yet.

Maybe we can all figure out what horse to back should Al Gore or Wesley Clark decide to stay out. If there are enough of us, hell, we might derail HilBamwards. :evilgrin:

[TomInTib]

1. None of them does a damned thing for me.

This will be the first time since I was in SE Asia that I haven't contributed to a Dem candidate and/or the Party.

I don't vote, but I always contribute.

Not this time.

[kansasblue]

2. I'd like to see their responses to E-voting concerns and how...

they will handle a fight after the election. 'til every vote is counted'?

I just don't want to do a lot of work for some candidate and see it go to waste in election highjinks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Because it doesn't look like Clark or Gore will run

and I'm still pretty lukewarm about the others. I don't care for Hillary at all; I'm more OK with Obama and Edwards; Richardson would be sort of all right, too, except he doesn't seem to be catching on. Biden is too tight with MBNA and I can't forgive his vote on the bankruptcy bill. Kucinich has no chance.

So I guess I'm still waiting to see if anybody can light my fire. If nobody does, I'll vote for whoever the nominee turns out to be anyhow.

[Clark2008]

5. That why I started this thread...

"because it doesn't look like Clark or Gore will run" and I am so lukewarm about the candidates already announced, I wouldn't even take a bath in it.

[Double T]

4. No candidate here. corrupt criminal corporate influence..........

with most of the Dem candidates will give 'US' the same old crap in d.c.. How can ANYONE support THAT??

[wildbilln864]

6. I still prefer Kucinich!

Why say he has little chance to get elected? You've cancelled him out! If enough people hear his message and get behind him he'd have just as much chance IMHO.
I believe Gore when he says he's not running. Kucinich is my choice thus far and Edwards second! :shrug:

[HawkerHurricane]

7. Because it's too flaming early.

It's still 7 months until my state's primary. I'll pick a candidate when it's closer to the time to actually vote.

Yes, I have my favorites. But I'm holding back on committing because I don't want to invest time, effort, and skullspace on a candidate yet.

Last election, I didn't decide until January of the election year. Why do I need to choose this early?

[Clark2008]

17. Good point.

The candidates started running the day after the '06 elections. That's a bit much.

[dogman]

8. Rhetoric is outweighed by action.

The only one who has acted according to his rhetoric is Gravel. A close second is Kucinich. It is hard to get behind a person who will not be elected. You have summed up my feelings. I guess I will end up supporting the candidate the media selects, just not in a active mode.

[AZBlue]

9. Easy: No one's impressed me with their plans for health care/insurance.

[bonito]

10. Well said

I agree.

[blondeatlast]

11. Right now their sell is to the nation, not the party base. It sounds weird, I know,

but I'd rather see them listen to the party than the entire electrate. I've eliminated one but am reasonably comfortable with the rest.

[CTD]

12. I haven't given up on Clark or Gore yet. It's still early.

But if neither gets in, ugh.

By default, I'm thinking I'd have to support Edwards. He's the "most electable" of the non-DLCers.

Obama looks and acts too inexperienced to stand a real chance and I despise Hillary with every fiber of my being. Her voice even makes me wince almost as much as W's.

I would love for a woman or minority to be president. But not these two.

[Clark2008]

19. But Edwards WAS DLC the entire time he was a senator.

The only reason he's not now is because he doesn't hold an office, which is a requirement to be in the DLC.

But, I agree on your other points.

[CTD]

26. Well, Gore picked Liberman as a running mate in 2000.

You have to judge them on who they are today. I'm inclined to believe both Gore and Edwards have changed their views in recent years.

[Clark2008]

30. True, but I find Edwards disingenuous.

He seems to say, "Ooops! I'm sorry" a lot - like for most of his senate record. For hiring certain bloggers. For comments on Iran. For his hair/house etc. For things important and not important. For things big and small.

Gore, on the other hand, LIVES his changes, so seems far less phony.

Just my opinion.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

28. E. Edwards has spoken on this. JE split with the DLC due to disagreements on things like trade nt

[Bonobo]

46. I agree 100% with erverything you said.

[knight_of_the_star]

53. I'm with you on Hilary and Obama

Both of them reek of having too much of the green-eyed monster in them for me to like them, feels too much like they're in it for themselves more than for the American people.

[marlakay]

13. pretty sad but none of them even make me want to vote

I know i know...we can't have another repub but its like its like wanting a great choc torte from a 5 star place and setting for a hostess choc cupcake....

the more I read the more I am getting real scared gore won't run...probably will end up voting for edwards because of elizabeth...she would keep him straight...

[polichick]

14. I'm not choosing a candidate now because...

I'm working on a get-out-the-vote campaign and think it's important to support all the Dems as I encourage people to get to the polls. But I agree with your analysis ~ and think it might be time for us to stop thinking Kucinich can't win. After all, it's our choice.

[JeffR]

15. Haven't chosen yet because it's mid-summer 2007

and right now, all I give a crap about is ending the occupation of Iraq, and continued investigation (and its inevitable consequences) of just what these corrupt pricks in the White House have been up to.

[Crunchy Frog]

16. I'm just as happy to sit this one out.

I'll support whomever the Democratic nominee is, but don't see any reason to throw myself behind anyone for the primaries. It's not like my preference is going to have an impact anyway, and I don't really need an extra source of aggravation right now.

I'm content to just let the process play itself out without my input.

[jenmarie]

18. I agree with your reasons

except I haven't given up on Clark. If he had no intention of running, he would not be saying "I haven't said I won't." So until he says, "No" I'm waiting.

If Clark ends up not running, I will support Kucinich. I honestly believe if Dennis looked like Johnny Depp, he'd be leading in the polls. I do think our country is that shallow.

[Clark2008]

21. I agree with you..

And, maybe we can talk Dennis into donning a Jack Sparrow outfit.

;)

[dsc]

20. I am between two

Edwards who is great on poverty, much better on gay rights than 4 years ago, and has the best health care plan. Downside, his Senate record is bad. Richardson who has the best resume, good record on gay rights as NM governor, and as a governor is best positioned to win. Downside, until this debate he was horrid in the debates. I may not make up my mind before voting at this rate.

[Mz Pip]

22. Too early

A lot can happen in a year. I'm surprised by people who can nail down their choice this early on.

That's really pretty much it. I supported Clark in the 2004 primaries. I don't think he'll run this time and I don't think Gore will either.

I may just have to wait until the CA primary and make up my mind in the voting booth.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[calteacherguy]

23. Why do people "have candidates?" Maybe I just don't want one. nt

[Clark2008]

25. They would be expensive to feed, wouldn't they?

[AndyTiedye]

24. Holding Out for Gore. If He Doesn't Run…

…I'll probably vote for Kucinich in the primary, as I did last time.

Of course, last time, everything was decided before we got to vote.

Will California's primary matter this time? It never has before.

[democrat2thecore]

33. Why Gore? He was sure no liberal in the Senate - or as V.P. -nt

[libodem]

27. Because Gore has not

put his hat into the ring. I'm a 52y/o woman. I've been a Democrat all my life. I do a lot of soul searching about why I can't support Hillary. Because I want to. I've thought of myself as a feminist of sorts. I know a woman can do the job as well as a man. I think it high time for America to have a woman president. Then there's the DLC. It feels so Republican lite to me. So I had this philosophical discussion in my head about letting go of the Corporation-Fascism-Chinese-manufacturing-Deal-Dollars-are- God, complex that goes against the grain in the fabric of my being, and thought, be practical. Money does matter. Everyone knows the candidate with the most money always wins. Everyone knows the country runs on money and Corporations and Capitalism are a fact of life. She has the money backing her. Some cool smart people endorse her. I just don't know. She is going to take a beating in the media. The swiftboats they are a comin'. The right-wing radio crowd is already primed with vicious hatred. I suppose it would be good to make them choke on their bile and see her elected. Part of me hates to see another woman treated in the way she will undoubtedly be cruelly treated. I hate to see her put herself out there for it. This is another component of my analysis, she just acts like it's her turn, like she deserves to run, because she wants to, it's her Christmas/Birthday whatever, her wish is granted. I just don't think that she's so well endowed with what ever presidential qualities and brilliance it takes for the job that she's so much better than any one else. She just believes it's her turn. She forgave, Bill, stayed with him, and now he has to back her. I wish they would both get behind Al Gore, where they belong. As for the other Democratic Candidates, I like one as about as well as any of the others. Edwards is cute and looks a little like a Kennedy to me. Obama's got charisma and brains, plus a nice wife. Kucinich is a wonderful speaker and says the stuff that excites me.

[Blue Belle]

29. Why?? Mostly, because I'm already weary of the pandering and empty rhetoric.

It's absolutely bullshit that these candidates have already held three debates, and stuffed their campaign coffers with millions of dollars (well everyone except McCain). I hear a lot of words, but I don't see a lot of action. It's already a campaign of sound-bites and he-said/she-said back biting - and I refuse to take part in it. None of the choices seem genuine to me... everything any of the top tier candidates have done in the past 3 years has been executed with the Presidential campaign in mind. No one has stuck their neck out. No one has rolled up their sleeves and started a movement. None of these candidates were down in the trenches in New Orleans, or speaking out against the Iraq War when doing so was considered traitorous. In fact, the only thing these front runners have shown us they know how to do is campaign!! We know what they are going to say because we can read a Gallup poll too. Maybe if they could use their positions in the Senate to lead, it would be a little easier to discern who was being genuine, but aside from symbolic votes these candidates have put forth very little in terms of substance.

One of the reasons why I'm holding out for a Gore run is that if he does jump in during the fall it will completely buck the current "ad nausium campaign" trend. He is the only politician I've seen take a cause he felt passionately about and turned it into a global awareness effort. When he goes on these news shows he talks about what is important to him and doesn't let the interviewer dictate the message. He isn't business as usual... he take the lead.

[Jed Dilligan]

31. I think it's too early to decide.

Kucinich is closest to my politics but he doesn't seem to stand a chance. That is less likely to change than the other candidates' campaigns. If a front-runner starts campaigning to me I'll support him or her. If not, I will protest-vote for Kucinich in the primaries.

[Throd]

32. Because it is July of 2007

[LittleClarkie]

34. Because my candidate decided not to run

So now I have a Kerry in 2008 sticker on my car and a hole in my heart.

I'm set adrift, as it were.

And I'm determined to pick a candidate this time out of knowledge. I was originally a Clarkie early on because the little sheeple I was liked ONE quote I heard him say. I have since discovered that I was right about Clark, but my reasons for going with him at the time were pathetic. I intend to do my research early on this time.

[windbreeze]

35. Because I am sick of corporations running our gov't...and most

candidates from both parties being CFR members, bothers me..wb

[LanternWaste]

36. Lots of issues, and the candidate's respective stands on each of them takes time.

Lots of issues, and the candidate's respective stands on each of them takes time. I'm not one to read a wikipedia entry, a few blogs and one or two posts here and then decide on a candidate of choice over that. I have the time to use, so I'm going to use it.

We've got more than enough time to watch the candidates fall or grow, and become acclimatized to the national spotlights. I feel I'd be doing a disservice to my own conscious if I made an absolute choice this early.

There are a lot of candidates with a lot of good ideas... a lot of DU'ers can do the research in mere days, I'm not quite that smart, and it will take me some time more before I decide which candidate best represents my own agenda, writ large.

[Mark Twain Girl]

37. Because after the past few years, it can't be business as usual and the "top tier" is the same old

same old. Yes, that includes Obama -- the more I'm told to think he's a rock star, the less appealing he is and I have no clue what he stands for. A lot of the over-the-top attacks on Hillary turn my stomach, but that doesn't change my mind about her as a political leader, either. I feel burned out on years of outrage and disgust, and I am not in the mood for a calculated, packaged, Madison Ave focus grouped, annointed *anybody*. That's where I'm at.

Plus, all the talk of MONEY MONEY MONEY has left me cold. Money, personalities, The Top Tier (tm) this early in the game.... I feel uninspired.

[Sparkly]

38. I'm just not way positive or way negative about any of them.

I'm supportive of all of them in some sense, but I'm not contributing to any of them right now.

All have pluses and minuses, and I for one DO factor in their potential as candidates against the RNC. (I know "electability" has become a bad word to some.)

There are just two of them I really can't stand.

If Clark or Gore jump in, I'll be right there with real enthusiasm!!

[flaminbats]

39. this election is different from the last two!

in the nineties I loved Al Gore, and I couldn't wait to support him for President. but then he pandered on issues like healthcare reform, while Bill Bradley gave us some interesting ideas. I backed Bradley not because he could win, but because I was pissed at Gore in 2000. the same was true in 2004..I started out backing Dean but voted for Kucinich when Dean dropped out! I was angry with Kerry for supporting the Iraq war resolution and with Edwards in 2004 for having such a weak plan on healthcare reform. but please remember, both Gore and Kerry won my votes in November.

this time I don't want to vote for another protest candidate, I want to support someone who can win the nomination and in November. Edwards has a much better healthcare plan than he did four years ago, he has come out against this war in Iraq, and he has a much better shot of winning in November than Clinton or Obama. Obama has written a great book, "The Audacity of Hope". and he presents many interesting ideas that I don't see others discussing, Obama would make an excellent President! but can a black man win in November, and would it be racist for me not to support him because I don't think he can?

IMO Democrats have a much better selection in this primary than we did in the last two elections. more importantly, I don't think this country can survive another Republican President. so who should I support?

[lojasmo]

40. Given the state of things....

I won't be voting in the caucus unless it's close.

Last year I had a choice between edwards and kerry...both were unpallatable, so I voted for Dean, "wasting" my vote (as one obnoxious caucus goer said to me)

I'll vote for the nominee in the generals.....

Holding out for Gore.

[Jersey Devil]

41. Because it's way too early to put on my game shirt

Cripes, as much of a political junky as I am, I just can't stomach all the campaigning this early before any primaries. A whole boat load of stuff can happen between now and the primaries to change the picture dramatically. Heck, at this time in 2004 I think Joe Lieberman was the leader among the Dems and if you want to go all the way back to 1992 I think it was Paul Tsongas.

You want to turn more people off to politics? Then subject them to campaigning that starts for the next presidential election the day after the inauguration, which is just about what we have now.

[truebrit71]

42. That's a good question...

Firstly my guy isn't in the race (yet) so whomever it winds up being they will always be my second choice...

None of them have really set my feet on fire...

I like Dennis Kucinich, because I believe he is the only one truly speaking from his heart.

Hillary - no thanks - unelectable - relies on polls too much - I think we've had enough bush's and clintons in the WH for a good long while now...time for a breath of fresh air..

Obama - too much of a media creation - lots of fluff, not sure if there's any substance...

Edwards - He was my first pick last go round, and I was very glad when Kerry picked him as a running mate - but I'm not sure he's got the killer instinct though...

Richardson - I'm starting to warm up to him...he sounded pretty good last night to me..his best performance so far..

Biden - go back to plagairism and screwing the working poor which is what you're good at..

Dodd - Who?

Gravel - Granddad - it's time for bed

[ieoeja]

43. Because it's too early.

I started off pro-Dean last election because we finally had a pro-gun Democrat running for President. I switched to Kerry awhile because of his resume and he came across as the better campaigner (electibility). I ended up back in the Dean camp by the time the primaries rolled around because (1) I REALLY wanted to vote for a pro-gun Democrat, and (2) he started talking up his 50 State Strategy.

I remembered Gore's early retreats from Arkansas and Missouri that were considered swing states, but which his campaign managers apparently decided weren't close enough to "waste time" there. This did not just concede those states to Bush in the presidential election, but eliminated any help a Gore campaign might have given to other Democratic candidates in those states. Worse yet was the residents of those states getting bombarded by the Republican message while hearing no counter arguments to keep them thinking into the future. We have future elections to consider as well.

[Totally Committed]

44. Short answer: I'm still waiting for the ideal candidate to enter the race.

Long answer: I have three criteria for choosing a candidate:

:graybox: Is (s)he DLC and/or Corporatist? This rules out Clinton, Richardson, Obama, *Edwards, Biden, Dodd

:graybox: Is (s)he someone I can trust to on all my important issues? -- Not just talk a good game, but really follow through on his/her camapign stances? This rules out Clinton, Richardson, *Edwards, Biden, **Gravel

:graybox: Can (s)he win? This rules out Clinton, Richardson, Biden, Dodd, **Gravel, ***Kucinich

* At the moment, I like what Edwards is saying about poverty, but his past support for the War, former membership in the DLC, and his current stances on healthcare and gay marriage all make me really distrust him, and would probably preclude a vote for him.

** I just think he's nuts.

*** I don't think Kucinich as a chance of winning the nomination, let alone the general election, but because of his stellar stances on healthcare, war & peace, impeachement, the environment, and gay rights I have to say that if no other candidate enters this race, he will probably get my vote in the primaries.

I also have to say that Biden will not get my vote for reasons not listed above as well. His questioning of Anita Hill and eventual vote in the Clarence Thomas nomination was disgusting. Also, his habit of stealing what others have written or said and presenting them as his own is dishonest and troubling. Add to that the his problem of talking to any camera whenever/whenever he can, whether or not he has anything smart or positive to say, and I have to say, this preening, walking, talking groin will never get my vote.

No one but Kucinich, at the moment, seems to be talking substantively about the environment, Peak oil, conservation and alternate energy sources. SHAME ON THE LOT OF THEM.

TC

[TankLV]

45. WAY too early - they are all not too bad - if not all "good"...

I can honestly say there is almost NO ONE I wouldn't vote for - as opposed to the other party where each one is a worse nightmare than the previous...

[Milo_Bloom]

47. I don't trust em!

After reading Assault on Reason I am fairly convinced Al Gore is getting in around October... but if he or Clark don't, the odds are I am going to be voting for a third party.

I couldn't never vote for Clinton or Edwards, Biden, Dodd. After everything they have done and said over the years, neither one of them can be trusted. From the war vote to bankrupcy bill support, they have proven themselves more out for their political interests than the people.

I don't dislike Obama, but I don't support him either. I haven't seen that fresh breath of air people talk about. I don't see him taking bold positions and presenting new ideas. He just appears to be slightly repackaging the same old thing. However, if he got the nomination, I would vote for him.

Its sad, but I would much rather have a President Bloomberg, than Clinton, Edwards, Biden, Dodd, etc... They are all nearly identical on the corporate issues, but I trust Bloomberg a bit more to do what he thinks is right, over what he thinks will make him popular.

[Jillian]

48. I have to say something here about Biden

Obviously, I have supported him.

But he is really getting a bad rap about being owned by corporations.
Yeah - I know, everyone here is going to start up about MBNA.
But the reality is, of all of the candidates, Biden is at the bottom of receiving corporate dollars for campaign contributions.
He has twice now spoken out against corporate/lobby dollars at the debates - calling for Public financing of elections.

Do your research. Biden's biggest contributors are attorneys. Then compare him to the rest.

[CTyankee]

49. I thought it would be Edwards. I'm disappointed he hasn't taken off.

I'm not rabidly against Hillary but I preferred Edwards. Obama is a little too inexperienced altho I like him.

I hate to say this, and maybe I'm wrong, but this group kinda looks like what it's gonna be. Nobody else is in the game (please forget Al Gore).

So in the end I think that Hillary will be our candidate and I am listening closely to what she says. What I think at this point about Edwards just doesn't seem to count, does it?

[Blue_In_AK]

50. I don't trust any of them

and none of them inspire me. Whoever takes over in 2009 is going to have a huge mess to clean up. I'm just not sure if any of these people have what it takes...Richardson maybe because of his diplomatic experience, but I just really can't get excited about any of them. I miss John Kerry, Al Gore. I'd be happy with Wes Clark. Nobody I trust is running.

[Perry Logan]

51. Waiting for Perry Logan to throw his hat in the ring.

[knight_of_the_star]

52. None of them are talking big ideas and themes

All are going nuts over nuts and bolts issues and aren't presenting a plan, a coherent vision that ties it all together, just putting out a collection of ideas instead of a PLAN and the front-runners seem to be saying what will get them votes, not necessarily what they feel is right. Even Kucinich and Gravel who are talking boldly aren't talking about their big vision that ties their platform together. That's why I'm waiting for Wes Clark to jump in, I really hope he does.

ON EDIT:

I also live in California and when was the last time that the California Primary had any impact on who is the nominee? Most I could do is give money and no one is getting me excited enough or disproving my suspicions enough to get me to open my wallet.

[politicasista]

54. Too early

Other than Obama (whom I am considering, but not there yet) or Gore (yeah, I know he isn't running), I don't want a candidate right now.



edit to add word.