Poll for Gore supporters. What candidate are you supporting now?

[TheDoorbellRang]

This past fall was a difficult nailbiter for those of us waiting for Gore to throw his hat in the ring. After reading his "Assault on Reason" last spring, I was utterly convinced he would run. I wanted a candidate with intelligence, integrity, experience, and a wily understanding of the D.C. modus operandi. My last faint hope for a Gore presidency was for a brokered convention this fall, but at this point HC and BO supporters would have a "come-apart" if that possibility was even broached, IMO.

My primary was Super Tuesday, so I had some time before I chose my second choice. In January I thought I'd study up on Dodd or Biden, because of their experience and because I liked what they were saying. I didn't care for any in the top tier: Clinton lost me not so much because of her war vote (moral courage was in short supply back then by many), but because of her sudden coziness with Rupert Murdoch and her passion for the flag burning amendment, which seemed like unnecessary schmoozing with idiot RWers. I didn't like Obama because of lack of experience and the clean coal projects he was supporting. And I didn't like Edwards because I just didn't see him having any political clout to get progressive measures passed through Congress -- a Jimmy Carter redux, if you will. (That, and I just didn't quite believe his rhetoric.)

Then the primaries started, and suddenly we were down to Clinton or Obama. What's a Gore supporter to do? I started researching Obama's record, and realized the "lack of experience" meme didn't hold much water any more. I still was dismayed by his cluelessness with the McClurkin thing and with the clean coal projects, but here's the thing: I do think either Hillary or Barack will heed letters from American citizens. With either one I think our opinions will count. That as opposed to letters to the white house these past eight years, which have probably only served to put me on a list in homeland security.

Then there's the bipartisan issue. Both candidates have been accused of being too cozy with RWers. But IMO, their approaches have varied substantially. Where Hillary would say, "I'll let you have the cake if you give me some crumbs," Barack's approach has been more, "I think this cake looks delicious. Let's all have some."

I've been watching with amazement as the so-called naive Senator from Illinois has shown he's more than able to take on the big guns, and he's given me hopes that he's canny enough to be just what we need in the White House. And, by golly, he does inspire.

Anywho, that's how I've reached my decision -- I'm voting for Obama. I'm curious to know where my fellow Gore supporters are today:

[AtomicKitten]

1. Since I always favored a Gore/Obama ticket - the transition to Obama was seamless.

That is not to diminish anyone else, but the truth is Obama represents one of the Democrats' best and brightest. He is our best shot at not only winning back the White House but providing capacious coattails to effect a Democratic supermajority in Congress.

[TheDoorbellRang]

2. Yes. Once I got past the "lack of experience" meme

It didn't take long. He seems to be extraordinarily adept at convincing others of his POV -- just like a leader.

:hi: to a former fellow Gore supporter.

[AtomicKitten]

4. They are the best of men.

cheers!

[TheDoorbellRang]

3. Anyone care to list their reasoning? n/t

[rosesaylavee]

5. I think I was for about all the others

except Clinton, Richardson and Gravel when I decided upon Obama for my primary. So, no, not a direct path at all.

I chose 'waiting for a brokered convention' because ... well, just because. :)

At least I haven't become one of the totally unhinged who will vote R!

:hi:

[TheDoorbellRang]

6. Oh, you hopemonger, you!

:hi:

[rosesaylavee]

20. Yup. Guilty as charged. n/t

[Alexander]

7. I went from Gore to Obama, but wouldn't mind a brokered convention...

With Gore being the nominee.

I'd want Obama as his vice-president, in that case.

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. Yup. That was my ideal slate, too n/t

[Alter Ego]

8. Never stopped supporting Al, but when I realized he really wasn't running

I jumped to Obama and never looked back.

[TheDoorbellRang]

10. It's interesting seeing how many Gore people ended up with Obama n/t

[maximusveritas]

11. I started with Gore and went through a couple different candidates

but I'm with Obama for good now. I hope Gore will step in at the end to make sure the Clintons don't try to steal the nomination.

[TheDoorbellRang]

15. Yes. I'd sure like Gore's input on this

But I think he's a wise man to stay outside of it. I'm sure he'll want to have some influence with whoever wins, and endorsing one or the other would definitely sour any future dealings if he endorsed the losing candidate.

[racaulk]

12. I'm still undecided, to be honest.

I was heartbroken when I finally accepted (and it took a long time for me to accept) that Gore wasn't running this time. After that, I was never offically in anyone's camp, although I was leaning at first to Kucinich, and when he dropped out, to Edwards. Now that it's just Clinton and Obama, to be honest, I'm not that energized or excited by either of them. I didn't bother to vote in my primary for that reason. I will vote in the GE for whichever one wins the primary, because they would both be a heck of a lot better than McCain. But I don't really care which of them wins the primary.

I'm just kind of blah about how the primaries have turned out. I hope this makes sense... :hi:

[TheDoorbellRang]

14. In my 36 years of voting

I have yet to have a candidate that has both wowed me and won an election. I just keep on a keeping on, hoping that maybe we'll get another FDR. These past seven years have not helped my optimism any. :hi:

[Bucky]

16. Has anyone wowed you but then didn't win the election?

[TheDoorbellRang]

18. Yup. Al Gore

And sad to say that altho I voted for him in 2000, he didn't wow me then -- it was just that B*sh appalled me. I didn't really immerse myself in what was happening nationally and internationally until after 9/11. I was not inspired by B*sh's call to all of us to go shopping. Struck me the same as someone telling me not to worry my pretty little head about stuff. Took it upon myself to try to figure out what the H was going on, a path that eventually brought me here to DU. So I was here when Katrina struck, and the former vice president led an unsung hero's rescue of Katrina victims, while idiot boy looked out an airplane window. Then his MLK day speech sealed the deal for me. I'm sure he's happier doing what he's doing now -- and so effectively, too -- but it would have been nice to have President Gore in charge. :(

[SKKY]

13. I was an Edwards guy, but always held out hope for Gore...

...Actually, before all of that, I was a Mark Warner guy although he only flirted with running. Then Edwards, and now Obama. I gave up hope on Gore after the Nobel announcement.

[JaneQPublic]

17. Other: Started with Gore, was undecided for months, ultimately voted for Obama

I had every intention of writing in Gore's name, thinking that Hillary would be coronated long before my state got to vote.

Still, I watched all the debates, read up on all the candidates, and when both Obama and Clinton were left when my turn to vote rolled around, I chose Obama.

[TheDoorbellRang]

19. .

:kick:

[TheDoorbellRang]

21. kick for evening crowd n/t

[TheDoorbellRang]

22. and a final kick for the night owls n/t