Daily Kos Diary: Why I Voted For Edwards This Morning (TX)

[Hissyspit]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/19/1110/92271

Why I voted for John Edwards this morning.
by erathwomen
Tue Feb 19, 2008 at 08:19:15 AM PST

With great excitement, I voted in the Texas Democratic Party's primary this morning. We have early voting here--Primary Day is really March 4 but I couldn't wait until that day to vote. I am proud to say that I exercised my right as an American and voted for the candidate who I want to become the next President of the United States.

I voted for John Edwards, proudly. I have been told that voting for Edwards is a wasted vote and, frankly, I'm sick and tired of hearing that. People died so that I can vote and I'm not going to be told for whom I should vote. In a democracy, I can vote for whomever I choose.

Barack Obama seems like a very intelligent, competent, well-spoken man. I think he is a good senator and I think that in time, he will be a great fit for the presidency. At the moment, I don't think he's ready to face the challenges of a president. He doesn't show me that he's got a fire in his belly to combat what the Republican administration is leaving us; he hasn't shown me anything that gives me confidence that he can sit down with leaders in the Middle East and help them sort out their problems. Don't get me wrong--I think he's a natural leader and I'm told by those in the know that he's a superb manager who knows how to surround himself with extremely competent people--an essential skill for any president. If he becomes the nominee I'll support him, but I will have my concerns. He will certainly be better than any candidate the Republicans choose. I prefer Edwards over Obama because Edwards is angry, he shows his anger and he uses it to his advantage and to spur himself on to complete projects that help people, not himself. Edwards may have faults, who doesn't?, but he is not afraid to show his emotion and he's not afraid to fight for the people. I like his policies on health care and poverty--I don't feel that Obama is on solid ground on either of those issues. With time and experience, I think Obama will develop into someone with very solid policies.

Hillary Clinton may be a nice woman, I've never met her. In fact, her campaign hasn't even asked for my vote. I haven't had a single piece of mail or a single phone call from them. As much as I could list reasons why I don't support her as a candidate at this time, if she doesn't ask for my vote, I won't consider her. Obama's people have called 4 times and have sent me mail. At least he seems to want to win. You don't become the nominee if you don't show people that you really, really want the job. Sorry, Mrs. C, but you haven't even tried to earn my vote.

I know that there's a very, very slim chance that the Convention will choose Edwards (although they could, don't forget that) but I'm an American and I have the right to vote for the candidate I want to win, so that's why I voted for John Edwards. I hope that you, reader, will also vote your conscience and conviction.

[sandnsea]

1. So Edwards contacted her 4 times

but he doesn't have the fire in the belly. What a fucking idiot. The sour grapes of the Edwards' supporters is the worst I've ever seen. He quit. Mr. fight for every vote --- QUIT. So who doesn't care about the mess the Republicans are leaving??? Jesus. Grow up and pick a President.

[waiting for hope]

2. So typical -

and to think - you support Obama. Did you read the dairy? I think not, the diarist actually had nice things to say about both Obama and Clinton. It's a primary vote, not the GE. Really, did you read it?

"In a democracy, I can vote for whomever I choose."

[sandnsea]

4. Yes, I read it

If you don't want Clinton, and you don't vote for the person opposing her, then you're an idiot. Pretty simple. Voting because you can't get over your chosen candidate is pathetic.

[waiting for hope]

11. So now this person's Primary vote

- which is theirs and theirs alone to cast, is pathetic. Again, it's a Primary vote - not the GE. The diarist didn't say they didn't want Clinton, just that she hadn't earned that vote. I think this from the diarist said it best:

If the other candidates see that Edwards gets a substantial number of votes, that tells them that there is something in his message that is appealing. It also tells him that his run wasn't wasted. But that isn't the point. The point is that I'm exercising my right to vote for the candidate I want, an idea that is being spat on during this election cycle already. People died so that I can vote--I owe it to them and to myself to follow my conscience and not what others tell me I should do.

Now who's the idiot?

[sandnsea]

17. "could list reasons why I won't vote for Clinton"

The person has made it clear she had made up her mind against Clinton. If you don't want someone to the point you can make a list, that's pretty strong convictions. If you refuse to take the one action to ensure that candidate doesn't get elected, then you're an idiot.

[redqueen]

16. Your bitterness and nastiness is what's pathetic.

DISGUSTING and pathetic.

You should be ashamed.

Doubt you are, though.

[sandnsea]

20. No, the whiny Edwards supporters should be ashamed

who can't get over their damn candidate and vote their conviction to keep Hillary out of the damn White House.

[redqueen]

22. Where are they?

Where's the whining, oh great genius?

Edit: don't bother... I won't see it.

[sandnsea]

30. "they haven't heard this" ??

Isn't that what you said below? You know exactly who these "they" are.

[raincity_calling]

40. Sandnsea, your mean spiritedness

reminds me of the mean spirited Republicans I meet when I canvass my mostly Democratic precinct. What is with you? We are (allegedly) all Democrats. Why try and create a divide, like Republicans do?

[balantz]

5. I can't pick a president.

The corporate media is picking the corporations' best choice, and began that selection many months ago!

[DiverDave]

6. Christ, how bout a little civility?

if you think she's wrong, cool, but angry attacks are not cool.
Now go stand in the corner till you can play right.
(works for my 6 year old)

[sandnsea]

7. Who died and made you god?

I've listened to this Edwards whine long enough and it's about time somebody told them to get the hell over it.

[DiverDave]

12. Why, nobody did

just sayin you don't have to be such an asshole about it.

Course maybe you don't know any better...the 6 year old analogy seems to fit the more you write.

[redqueen]

18. Who died and made you god?

Are you really so fucking stupid as to think they haven't heard this same idiotic bullshit from dozens of other self-important fucktards?

Really?

[sandnsea]

23. Obviously not enough

or they'd dry up their crocodile tears and send the Clintons packing once and for all.

[redqueen]

25. Maybe they don't see Obama as so different?

Oh but no... nobody else's opinion is valid... only yours.

:eyes:

[sandnsea]

31. Except that isn't what the OP said

Now is it. Nope. It isn't.

[dajoki]

19. Amen!!...

Whatever happened to civility? The way I look at it is this is not the way to win support for anyone's candidate. Thanks DiverDave, I agree with you, but unfortunately, there are some that make you want to:puke:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4662038&mesg_id=4662038

[asdjrocky]

10. You're very rude-

And I'm quite certain I know your type. Face to face, you'd be a gentle as the lamb you are. Here's an idea, come on out in the real world and call me a fucking idiot for voting my conscience.

What a tool you are.

[sandnsea]

14. Oh honey, I'd do it in an instant

Fucking idiot for not wanting one candidate but refusing to vote for the other because you can't get over your sour grapes.

[asdjrocky]

15. Ok then, have a nice day.

[redqueen]

21. That was really nice of you.

Wish I were as capable of being nice to assholes.

[asdjrocky]

32. I try to be fair to everyone, even hopeless asswipes.

I learned this by spending years working in bars. Watching the guy, or gal, that's all talk, and just accepting it. It's far easier to just say, "Have a nice day," then to beat the living crap out of them.

[balantz]

33. It's always more wise to rise above the fray.

Even if one dips down into it now and then.

[sandnsea]

34. aw, that's so sweet

Aren't you so wonderful, prancing around the world giving sweetness and light to "hopeless asswipes". At least when I call somebody out on something, it's over something worthwhile.

[asdjrocky]

36. Thanks again, have a nice day.

[waiting for hope]

35. Nice Rocky!

Bunnies for you!

BTW - I think "you know who" has sour grapes that the diarist hasn't drunk the kool aid yet and voted for Obama. But hey, who am I to tell "you know who" who to vote for? I think that point was totally lost, must have been special mix 110, the one that gives you God like traits. ;)

[asdjrocky]

37. Thanks Hope!

I love bunnies.

[pamela]

38. You've used the term "sour grapes" twice in this thread.

And both times, you used it incorrectly. "Sour grapes" refers to a person who doesn't get what they want and then disparages the thing they wanted.

You can add that to the list of things you should have learned in Kindergarten. http://www.storyarts.org/library/aesops/stories/sour.html

[sandnsea]

39. Yeah, disparaging the entire primary

because they didn't get John Edwards. They do that in the manner the OP did, stomping her feet and voting for a candidate who isn't even running. Or carrying on ridiculous campaign rhetoric, in the manner of Paul Krugman. All sour grapes over not getting John Edwards, when HE is the one who chose to quit.

[Orangepeel]

3. Of course you can vote for whomever you choose

but if you want the person you vote for to become president, you have to vote for someone who is actually running.

[Tatiana]

8. The race is too close in TX. She should have picked one.

But I do understand and respect her choice.

[redqueen]

24. If one doesn't care for either Hillary or Obama, why should they?

If they really don't care which gets the nod... why?

[Guava Jelly]

9. As a former Edwards supporter I personally wouldn't do it.

But it is not my vote it is hers.
And she has the right to cast it however she sees fit.

[pamela]

13. Thanks for posting this.

Over 8000 people voted for Edwards in Maryland last week and I was, very proudly, one of them. I believe it was the least "wasteful" vote I have ever cast.

[balantz]

29. Right on! 8,000 votes is NOT a spit in the bucket!

Especially considering the pressure to gobama, or the other dismal choice.

I voted Edwards because there was no other progressive/populist candidate to choose from, no matter how they dress themselves (often in John's "clothing").

I am a progressive/populist, Edwards Democrat, proud to have voted for the ONE who cared about poverty.

[judaspriestess]

26. why isn't the person who wrote this being told off on DailyKos

instead of DU? pissing in the wind?

[redqueen]

28. Fewer rude assholes there?

[cali]

27. I find it puzzling that the author of this piece

thinks Obama isn't ready, when he has more experience than John Edwards- by far. Obama has been in elected office for 11 years and active in politics since the early 80's. JE, by his own admission, had little interest in politics until a few years before he ran for the Senate.

[readmoreoften]

41. This Texan and her partner, and all her friends, will most likely be voting Edwards

even though the media will call it (if it is mentioned at all) the 'racist, sexist vote'. I am tempted to vote for Hillary because I cannot stomach Obama and would like to vote against him, but I'm not going to do it because I don't much like Clinton.

On the other hand, if Hillary wins, Obama will live to run again in 2012 and I'd rather get rid of him sooner than later. If he wins the nom and loses the election, he'll be gone and so will the idiocy of his campaign. If he wins, he'll disappoint his progressive voters so magnificently that all the euphoria will wear off in year two or three and we might see progressives united again by 2012 (and maybe this time a little more media wary, a little less brand influenced.) If he loses he'll still glorified as a history-making icon of cultural change, but a political wash-up. Unfortunately, we'll have McCain, but I'm not sure how much I care anymore. We're going to war no matter who wins (Iraq, Iran, or Pakistan--take your pick.) The machine of unchecked global capital continues no matter who wins. Labor will suffer quite a bit under a McCain win, but it will still suffer some under centrist Dems. I'll vote for the Dem nominee no matter what (I guess I'll vote for Obama, not holding my nose but with a great shrug of indifference).

So in the primary, I'm going to tell the party I don't like its candidates, that it's time for a step to the left (and never again a jump to the right.)

[foxer]

42. Just voted Edwards in Wisconsin

[JDPriestly]

43. Good for you. I voted for Edwards too, and I am very proud of it.