davidswanson
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:08 PM
Original message |
I Want a Woman President But Am Voting for Obama |
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By Dr. Lisa Schirch, Professor, Harrisonburg, VA
Many of you have asked me why I am so passionately favoring Obama and I wanted to explain myself in writing to my women friends as we watch this presidential drama and think about the long journey Hillary Clinton has made in her life.
I too would love to see a woman in the White House – and want my daughter to see that. But far more important than that, in my opinion, is that we elect a President who takes a radically different path than either of the last Bush-Clinton-Bush presidents in the last thirty years. We need a President who radically changes course. I think this election is about the safety of our children in a world that is increasingly dangerous. Here's why I'm voting for Obama:
1. Wins the National Election: The last 7 major polls show only Obama can beat McCain consistently and by a wide margin. The polls show that Clinton cannot do this. Obama attracts independents, Republicans, evangelicals, and conservative voters who don't traditionally vote for Democrats. It is simply stunning that someone like Obama is able to talk about his policies and his vision in a way that includes people on the far left and right.
2. Brings Real Change: While on domestic issues Obama and Clinton hold similar policies, on international issues they are extremely different. We're heading toward a cliff with climate change and the threat of war with Iran and more terrorism in the US. Clinton would only shift course slightly – continuing to refuse to negotiate with Iran. She continues to talk in the "war on terror" paradigm - a war that has failed miserably, producing even more hatred toward the US. Obama's foreign policies shift course much more dramatically toward engaging the global community in radically rethinking how we relate economically and politically. Both Ann Coulter and President Bush have noted they favor Clinton over Obama.
3. Global Citizen: Obama grew up partly in Indonesia – and the US - and has family in Kenya. He's both a US citizen and a global citizen. Electing Obama would send a profound message to the rest of the world that we want to get along and work as part of a team – rather than act like the King of the Hill. I want someone who really understands the cultural differences in Islamic countries. I want my kids to see a President who embodies what it means to be diplomatic.
4. Bipartisanship: Obama has a long history of working with Republicans and people across the political spectrum. The Clinton legacy of partisan fighting, on the other hand, makes many Republicans fired up to work to get McCain elected. Obama can actually change the way politics is done in Washington – many of his colleagues in the Senate say that about him because he's already demonstrated his principled, bipartisan leadership.
5. Experience: Obama has more international and political experience than Presidents Clinton, Reagan and Carter. It's simply not true that he doesn't have experience. We desperately need the kind of experience Obama brings in building bridges across political divides and in addressing the root causes of problems – not just tinkering with minor changes.
6. Breaks the Presidential Family Dynasty: I turned 40 this year – in my entire adult life there has been a Bush or Clinton in the White House. And while the Clinton years were far better than the Bush ones – they didn't solve some of the most urgent questions of survival for our kids. What will it say about our democracy to further family political dynasties? What would it teach our children when they study it in school – that for 30 years a Clinton or Bush was in the White House.
7. Humility and Hope: In Obama's speech last night, I saw the kind of leader that I've only seen in film clips of people like Gandhi or Martin Luther King. Obama talks about humility - recognizing to the global community that the US has made mistakes and that we want, as a nation, to move beyond the past and carve a new path. I so desperately want that new path. And I think my children's safety depends on having a leader that will really change course by working with people on all ends of the political spectrum.
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Bread and Circus
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:10 PM
Response to Original message |
1. Very smart lady. I agree with all her points and I too want my daughters to have... |
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Edited on Sun Feb-10-08 06:11 PM by Bread and Circus
a Woman President to look up to someday. Senator Clinton just isn't the one.
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newmajority
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
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Excellent argument that no logical person could refute.
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AtomicKitten
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:13 PM
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4. I agree and my activist daughter does too. |
Kahuna
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:13 PM
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5. Yep. She squandered her opportunity when she failed to show leadership.. |
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during the run up to the IWR vote. Too bad. She did it to herself.
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Bread and Circus
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:27 PM
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11. Clinton has a very hawkish record, and non just on Iraq |
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check www.fpif.org and search for clinton. You get a lot of great papers on her record.
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grantcart
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:14 PM
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MethuenProgressive
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:12 PM
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I'd rather beat the GOP into the ground than "reach out" to the bastards.
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FrenchieCat
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:14 PM
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6. Like Hill hasn't been doing just that..... |
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Edited on Sun Feb-10-08 06:14 PM by FrenchieCat
Like when she voted against the Cluster Bomb Ban and voted for the Iran Resolution and the Iraq War Resolution and the Bankruptcy bill along with the Repugs! :eyes:
Looking small and uninformed doesn't suit you.
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John Q. Citizen
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:16 PM
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7. No my friend, that 's 'beat the swords into plow sheers,' War is not the answer. |
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Edited on Sun Feb-10-08 06:18 PM by John Q. Citizen
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BlackVelvet04
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:17 PM
Response to Original message |
8. No, she doesn't want a woman president. n/t |
lukebc
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Mon Feb-11-08 06:28 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
39. RE: o, she doesn't want a woman president. n/t |
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That's right. ANYONE that is not supporting Hillary Clinton for president is a complete misogynist. We're also opposed to slavery having been abolished. We probably also prefer women getting abortions in back alleys. It MUST be true cause we are not supporting Hillary Clinton for president. Which almost certainly means that we prefer children be working in factories or in ditches rather than be educated. Of course persons that aren't supporting Hillary Clinton for president have these viewpoints. Even though those of us who are "of color" and have a progressive viewpoint that puts us on the far left side - almost to the Green Party - of the ideological side of the Democratic party, but we since we don't support Hillary Clinton for president, surely we're misogynists..... or perhaps many of us have such a deep sense of democratic values (like in DEMOCRACY NOT democratic party) and egalitarianism in our moral compass that the idea of continuing what amounts to nobility/royalty by keeping the same political families/dynasties for 3 decades is an absolutely anethema to us........... NAAAAAAHHHHHHH...... it's that we're misogynists that we won't support Hillary Clinton for president.....
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Cant trust em
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:18 PM
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9. Hillary Clinton would be a fine president |
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I just feel like there is a better option. Whoever the nominee is we'll have a great ticket in November with great historical possibilities.
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soothsayer
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:26 PM
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10. I think it's sweet that any of us can still hope someone will transform politics in America. |
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Cute! Naive, but darling! Bless you, and may you be right on!
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f the letter
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Sun Feb-10-08 06:34 PM
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From The Left
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:13 PM
Response to Original message |
13. Obama is the Superior Candidate |
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:13 PM
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Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
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grantcart
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:15 PM
Response to Reply #14 |
16. well you take the highroad and make an articulate case for your candidate |
kstewart33
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:29 PM
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17. I am also a female, retired PhDed prof (business management), and |
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I am also supporting Obama, though I would love to see a woman president in my lifetime.
I am uncertain of whether Obama can bring about true change because corruption and special interests control WDC.
I wonder whether Hillary just might be the better president.
But I'm supporting Obama for one reason only - his electability.
I want a Dem in the White House. We truly cannot afford 8 more years of conservative Republicanism controlling the government and the Supreme Court.
Obama mostly likely will beat McCain. Hillary could well do it also, but the odds of victory are not as high.
We cannot afford less than a sure thing.
So I'm an Obama supporter and a very enthusiastic one at that.
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Jackpine Radical
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Sun Feb-10-08 07:53 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
18. I'm just another northern rural redneck honkie gun-owning, truck-driving male |
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(1970's-era PhD, still practicing psychology until I get good enough at it to quit) and I'm leaning more strongly to Obama as time goes on, but I'm kinda afraid to jinx him with my support, considering my track record this election cycle: Feingold->Gore->Edwards...I think maybe I should support Hillary just to zap her.
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Dr.Phool
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Sun Feb-10-08 10:17 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
20. .But, do you eat squirrels? That's the acid test. |
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Your presidential choices were the exact same as mine. I guess the last check I was gonna send Edwards will go to Kucinich's congressional campaign.
And just for the record, I've eaten squirrel.
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Jackpine Radical
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Mon Feb-11-08 08:46 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
42. Where I grew up it was mostly red squirrrels. They taste like pine pitch. |
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But I've eaten muskrat, rabbit, beaver, deer, black bear, ducks of various species, ruffed grouse, timberdoodles, etc.-- you know: the usual.
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JanusAscending
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Mon Feb-11-08 01:01 AM
Response to Reply #18 |
25. No !! "honkie, red neck" or whatever.... |
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Edited on Mon Feb-11-08 01:01 AM by discerning christian
Come on over to the bright side!! I see you were an Edwards supporter. Join me in my "honkie, northern red neck" prayer that Obama wins, and makes John Edwards his Attorney General!! That way "bulldog Edwards can ferret out all of the misdeeds of the bush cabal, and prosecute them, TO THE FULLEST !! That is my FERVENT PRAYER!!!
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kstewart33
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Mon Feb-11-08 10:49 AM
Response to Reply #18 |
27. Hey, you gotta win sometime! nt |
roseBudd
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Mon Feb-11-08 10:28 PM
Response to Reply #17 |
43. female also, I am for Obama because I feel charisma matters immensely |
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wonkish policy does not garner enough support
winning is the first thing, without it we are toast
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IndieLeft
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Sun Feb-10-08 08:33 PM
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19. I agree with you 100 percent |
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As a male I want to see a woman as president of the U.S. but not this one at this time. Why? Because Obama represents the change that we need, a break from the mindset that got us into this war, a mindset that says democrats must be against republicans on everything, a mindset that says that you cannot talk to country's that we disagree with.
In fairness, I thought Clinton would make a great president... that is... until her war authorization, her vote for the bankruptcy bill and further her vote for the Kyle/Lieberman amendment. We've been there. Done that.
Let's break away from those old bad habits of the past. Start fresh. Use our better sense to bring this country out of the dark. Let's embrace hope... in everything we do. Isn't it better than embracing the ignorance and ineptitude of the last 7 years? I think a positive outlook premised by hope is the only way to go in this election year.
Obama represents that true change I and many others have been searching for. Clinton, by virtue of her votes and her policy stance, especially foreign policy, are more of what we don't want in a president.
Obama at this time is best for this country by far.
Thank you for your post.
Yes We Can!!!!
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electropop
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Mon Feb-11-08 04:04 PM
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33. "mindset that says democrats must be against republicans on everything" |
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The thing is, Hillary is with the rethugs on everything.
"...her war authorization, her vote for the bankruptcy bill and further her vote for the Kyle/Lieberman amendment..."
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AZBlue
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Sun Feb-10-08 10:31 PM
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21. She said what I feel so much more eloquently than I could express it. |
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Edited on Sun Feb-10-08 10:32 PM by AZBlue
Thanks for this post. As I've said before, I'm not voting for Hillary despite her gender. Hopefully President Obama's successor will be a Dem female! ;)
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Whisp
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Sun Feb-10-08 10:46 PM
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Cha
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Sun Feb-10-08 10:52 PM
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23. By Dr. Lisa Schirch has some |
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excellent, well thought out points on why she likes Obama for our president..I would add his coming out against the war on Iraq in 2002 is one of my main reasons I trust him. I find him a courageous leader who has learned from his mistakes and won't be doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome.
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stillrockin
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Sun Feb-10-08 11:57 PM
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LisaL
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Mon Feb-11-08 01:04 AM
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26. National polls show Obama can beat McCain? |
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Oh give me a break. First of all, it's so far before the election. And second of all, Obama would have to win electoral college, not popular vote. And as far as I can tell, Obama has less support than Hillary in Florida and Ohio, which would be pretty important to win in a general election. What states would Obama would do better than Hillary in, that would actually help him to win general election?
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Joe Chi Minh
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Mon Feb-11-08 12:12 PM
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28. Loved the "...that includes the far left and the right"!!!! Not "... left and far right", mark you. |
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Edited on Mon Feb-11-08 12:24 PM by KCabotDullesMarxIII
Oh, no! The "far left" and the "right"! Priceless. What a gem of a girl. I hope we're going to see a lot more of her "ingenious" insights on DU." If that doesn't wise up the reader to the perversity of her political judgement......... well, words fail me. For once.
If they ever allow you to have even half-honest elections again, I believe the Republicans will be as extinct as the UK Conservative party now seems to be. No matter how corruptly and badly New Labour manage the country, and how ferociously the Tory dailies vilify them, and despite periodic polls showing them to be under the cosh, they always bounce back. For the simple reason that no matter how bad they are - and they really are very bad, as only traitors can be - the people know that no party could be as bad as the Tories were. You don't need a crystal ball, when you can read the book. And that goes for Americans' experience of 7 years of Republican rule.
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Baby Snooks
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Mon Feb-11-08 01:38 PM
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29. The first Madame President |
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Edited on Mon Feb-11-08 01:40 PM by Baby Snooks
Too many simply just want to see the first Madame President and overlook the fact that at this point had the people been listened to in terms of the mandate given Congress, including the Republicans, in November of 2006 we probably would have had the first Madame President.
That "moment in history" is something that Nancy Pelosi decided belonged to Hillary Clinton although I have no doubt in my heart of hearts that her decison was influenced by Hillary Clinton. In the end, both chose to allow two men to remain in office and leave office in honor instead of dishonor. Neither at this point deserves to be the first Madame President or to ever be Madame President.
And that is the way quite a few people feel. Reflected by the people in many cases by their votes for Barack Obama. Which unfortunately the DLC and others do not care about. They want Hillary. And they will have Hillary. By hook or by crook. Including keeping impeachment off the table. And including ensuring the superdelegates nominate HIllary.
Watch them work. And then wave your flags and try to act loyal to a party that in the end really doesn't care about you, us. The people.
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joeprogressive
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Mon Feb-11-08 02:04 PM
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Medusa
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Mon Feb-11-08 02:05 PM
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31. I want a female president too. I just don't want THIS |
0007
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Mon Feb-11-08 03:11 PM
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32. I like both candidates. But I must admit I like your choice better. |
iilana X
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Mon Feb-11-08 04:15 PM
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34. Wow. That's wonderful and I couldn't agree more. |
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I'll be happy to vote for a woman candidate when there is one I believe in and trust. But voting for someone because of gender is wrong.
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ShortnFiery
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Mon Feb-11-08 04:19 PM
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35. I Concur. Obama makes us ALL feel like we can be "part of the solution." |
catbyte
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Mon Feb-11-08 04:57 PM
Response to Reply #35 |
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I'm a Baby Boomer, Multi-racial (Native American/White) female. I fall into the "love Hillary" age group, but I'm not supporting Hillary. Granted, I live in Michigan, so our votes don't count, but I just can't get behind Clinton. There's something I don't trust about her. I'd love to have a woman President, but not just any woman. I'd be rabid for someone like Barbara Boxer, but I can't get past Hillary's Iraq & Iran votes. She's too much like that Vichy Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi, even though she's the first woman Speaker of the House, has proven to me that you don't have to have a dick to be a dick.
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sakabatou
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Mon Feb-11-08 05:03 PM
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StClone
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Mon Feb-11-08 06:26 PM
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38. My thoughts Schirch's words except for #6 |
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I don't agree that it is a dynasty.
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Freetospeak
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Mon Feb-11-08 06:46 PM
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Vattel
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Mon Feb-11-08 08:39 PM
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41. what about the children? |
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OMG, another family dynasty! What will I tell my children? I've been trying to avoid telling them about the John and John Quincy family dynasty for years and now this! And if she gets two terms, god forbid, that will be 30--no wait, 28--years of Clintons and Bushes! Two mini-family-dynasties together makes a massive pair of individually mini-family-dynasties!! What does it say about our democracy that we are free to elect relatives of other people we've elected?
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lanlady
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Tue Feb-12-08 08:06 AM
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44. I'm choosing Obama too |
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I was a Hillary supporter, but I've come round to Barack. I have my misgivings about him but I just can't get past Hillary's support for the war in Iraq and her hawkish line on Iran. Sadly, she'll be just another US leader to let Tel Aviv dictate our national security policy.
So I'm casting my vote for Barack in today's Virginia primary.
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gort
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Tue Feb-12-08 09:07 AM
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45. I want a good president. Period. |
babylonsister
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Wed Feb-13-08 09:37 PM
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46. Catching up here; great post! Agree on all counts. nt |
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