Qualities I'm Looking For In A Candidate For President.

[wyldwolf]

Just a few off the top of my head.

1. Since I'm a business owner, I want a president who believes in the free market system and who believes competition is a good thing.

2. I want a president who rejects special interest, or single issue, politics based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or victimhood.

3. I want a president who recognizes the global war on terrorism is real, and not a "bumpersticker slogan." This leader should no be hesitant to use military force against terrorists if the situation warrants it (in her/his judgment.)

4 I want a president who is not influenced by the conspiracy theories of certain corners of the party. If she/he truly believes the US government has been hijacked by an evil cabal or other such nonsense, she/he loses points on that.

5. I want a president who believes that both societal responsibility AND personal responsibility is key for combating society's ills. She/he realizes that not every New Deal or Great Society program, like welfare, has worked as advertised and is open to reforming them.

6. I want a president who realizes that working with the opposition party is key to progress.

[wyldwolf]

1. so this doesn't appeal to anyone? Or offend?

[Double T]

2. The free market system has created and continues to create HUGE........

conglomerate monopolies that are eliminating competition. Your government has been hijacked, where have you been for the last 6 1/2 years? You can't work with the opposition when THEY believe their way is the only way.
Shall I go on? Is your first name KKKarl?

[wyldwolf]

3. have you decided on a candidate yet? Leaning towards anyone?

[Double T]

4. No. Many of the Presidential candidates appear to be from the same.......

political party, though THEY differentiate themselves as either Democrats or rethugliCONS.

[wyldwolf]

5. which ones?

[Virginia Dare]

6. What I'm looking for..

a candidate who believes in equal rights, civil liberties and social justice, and the right to form unions. A candidate who believes in and will uphold separation of church and state. A candidate who believes in open government and broad-based serious diplomacy. A candidate who will work to immediately bring to an end human rights abuses. A candidate who will in general uphold our Democratic ideals. Those are my major ones.

[welshTerrier2]

7. which, if any, of the "qualities" you listed would republican candidates not support?

a few responses:

1. define "free market" - does this mean free from labor and environmental standards? my view is that the current "free market" does not promote competition. it allows mega-companies to crush their competition thus narrowing the market. any concerns about centralizing mass media?

2. what does it mean to "reject special interests" when it comes to issues like race, gender or sexual orientation? should issues of "special concern" to these segments of society not have a seat at the political table? should they not be heard? should we not fight to ensure they are not discriminated against?

3. i basically agree with you on this although I think terrorism has to be treated more as a policing function than a 100,000 troop plus invasion force.

4. "hijacked by an evil cabal" - do you think massive corporations have greater access to and influence on the political process than individual citizens? if so, is that OK with you?

5. I basically agree with the words you used but would quickly add that we need to take a really hard look at "corporate welfare." Now there's a program that's badly in need of reform.

6. "working with the opposition party" - as long as that doesn't mean funding Iraq without conditions or caving in on wiretapping or passing more health care legislation that doesn't provide quality health care for all.

[wyldwolf]

8. so, who are you supporting?

[welshTerrier2]

10. not sure

from the current slate, i'll vote for Kucinich in the primary.

I would also support Gore if he decides to run. I just finished reading his book and I was very impressed.

Absent either of those candidates, it's unlikely I'll be voting for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008. I won't vote for Hillary under any circumstances. Some of the others? No final decision yet.

So, who are you supporting?

[msongs]

9. sounds like a coded press release from the chamber of commerce nt

[Apollo11]

11. Strongly disagree with all 6 of your criteria

1. The so-called free market system has caused a lot of social and environmental damage. It needs to be controlled by effective legislation. There are many things the free market cannot provide (like universal healthcare, poverty eradication, hurricane protection, safe bridges, etc.)

2. I want a President who will respect and defend the integrity and equal worth of each individual, including by means of tough and effective anti-discrimination measures.

3. I want a President who carefully considers the impacts of US foreign policy, and doesn't believe you can fight terrorism by pouring more oil on the fires in the middle east.

4. We must never underestimate the determination of the right wing ideologues and their corporate sponsors to take control and hold on to power by any means necessary. For example - we should not allow pro-GOP companies to count the votes on election day. All votes should be cast on paper ballots - counted by hand in full view of observers nominated by the different candidates.

5. Personal responsibility is great. But as a society we have a collective responsibility for helping the weakest members of society, making sure that everyone has access to opportunities, ensuring that all children have a decent standard of living including comprehensive healthcare.

6. Let's wake up to the fact that the GOP is run by right wing ideologues and their corporate sponsors. They are the enemies of progress and must be defeated politically.

[wyldwolf]

12. who are you supporting for 2008?