In 50 words or less, tell me why I should vote for Clinton or Obama

[Haole Girl]

Please.

I like traits of both candidates. I like Clinton's experience and connections. On the other hand, I like the fact that Obama is known as more of an outsider and hasn't taken money from lobbyists for his campaign.

Every day I seem to change my mind.

Does anybody have any good input, briefly, about either candidate for me?

Thank you!

:hi:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. And if you can do it without insulting the other candidate, that would be even better.

[Haole Girl]

4. Yes, thank you!

:hi:

[Ian David]

2. Vote for either one. But if you vote Republican, we won't survive until 2012. n/t

[Haole Girl]

6. No worries. I NEVER vote Republican.

:hi:

[Ian David]

10. I've voted Republican ONCE and volunteered for ONE Republican.

He was partially pro-choice and in favor of marriage equality, running against a Democrat with an anti-gay voting record.

[Haole Girl]

36. I can honestly say I have never and will never vote Republican...

EVER!

[Ian David]

41. Well, part of my thought process was that in Massachusetts, it wasn't like Repukes could take-over.

If he won, it wasn't going to swing the majority over.

Massachusetts Republicans are largely symbolic and ineffectual.

However, we needed every vote for Marriage Equality that we could get. In THAT battle, ONE vote could make a difference.

Fortunately, EVENTUALLY, my State Rep. found the courage to change her vote to what she'd known all along was the right one.

I'm hoping that by poking her with a sharp stick I had some effect nudging her in that direction.

[sniffa]

3. I'll go

Make your own decision, and vote your conscience. :hi:

[Haole Girl]

7. I will vote my conscience...

once it makes up its mind! ;-)

[BuyingThyme]

5. Clinton voted to murder a million people. Barack spoke out against it.

[Haole Girl]

8. Didn't they both vote to authorize the war, though? nt

[BuyingThyme]

18. No, Barack was not yet a U.S. Senator.

But they both consistently voted to provide funding for the war (or "the troops" as some call it).

[Haole Girl]

33. Ah...

Thank you for clarifying that,

[quantass]

23. Hilary authorized the war

[jgraz]

9. Obama has lower negatives, is a much better campaigner and will turn out more Democrats

We'll end up with a stronger, more progressive Democratic majority in Congress and our president will (for once) have to compromise with the left to get his legislation passed.

[Haole Girl]

12. I agree. Obama has fewer negatives....

but his lack of experience might become a target, no?

[quantass]

29. He has Better Judgment too, consistently over Hillary

[Haole Girl]

32. Specific examples?

:shrug:

[harmonicon]

52. I can't believe I'm weighing in to this debate....

but, I would like to point out that Obama has more experience as an elected public servant than Clinton. Personally, I don't think that should matter - we all, as human beings, have our own experiences which can not be pitted against those of another.

[okasha]

11. Clinton has committed to begin the withdrawal from Iraq

within 60 days of her inauguration. Obama's time frame for beginning drawdown is 16 months--which is time enough for the withdrawal to get derailed.

[KLee]

16. actually....

Obama said he hopes to have all troops out in 16 months, not that he would begin there.

[Haole Girl]

17. Yeah, I heard about that...

..and it sounds a little overly optimistic...the 60 days. Thanks for the input. :hi:

[Bicoastal]

13. And without using the letter E! GO!

Barack Obama is a good man and a smart politician who will push this country past bad old partisanship left from Bush's administration and to a day in which troops pull out of Iraq, oil costs go down, and our country is in unity. I stand by Barack!

TA-DAH! That was fun.

[Haole Girl]

22. Very good!

:D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. There's an E in "the."

Oops.

[Bicoastal]

35. I know, I know, I had to fine-tune my OP.

:blush:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

98. And an "e" in "edited."

:cry:

[Crabby Appleton]

106. there's an "e" in "left"

[Haole Girl]

107. Nothing gets past this crowd!

:-)

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

14. Vote for the one you want to see speaking for the nation to the

world.

[Haole Girl]

24. Good point

Thanks!

[Demagitator]

15. The Republicans want to run against Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.

Trinity United Church of Christ/Religion New Service

Senator Barack Obama with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. in a 2005 photograph.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

25. Well, that "no insults" thing didn't last long...

Here comes the shit storm.

[Haole Girl]

26. Well, the repugs will smear either candidate. nt

[Upton]

19. Clinton is too polarizing she will bring the Republicans out in droves

to vote against her, hurting Democrats all over the country.

[Haole Girl]

27. I've been thinking that, too...every other day.

*sigh*

[emanymton]

20. First And Foremost They Are NOT Republicans. Good Enough For USA.

[Haole Girl]

28. That is true...

doesn't make the choice any easier, though. :-(

[anigbrowl]

21. 50 words, eh? OK...

Obama is proposing an agenda for America's future: as well proposing to change Washington, he asks people change their own way of doing things. Clinton is offering a return to the past, specifically the relatively good times of her husband's presidency: she says change comes from the top down rather than the bottom up.

I prefer Obama because I don't want another 4 year season of Dynasty.

[Haole Girl]

31. But...but....

I liked the prosperity and new jobs of the Bill Clinton years!

[hippywife]

44. Not everyone prospered due to his policies.

Can you say NAFTA? Ramifications being felt to this day on both sides of the border.

[NC_Nurse]

34. Obama has brought lots of new voters into the process.

Young people are really getting invested in his candidacy and in making sure they HAVE a future.
He is brilliant, a quick learner, and knows how to motivate people at the grassroots level.
We need more people in the process in order to get the progressive changes that this country needs
desperately. He will get it done. He can go around the DC establishment to the people and get the mandate to push
his agenda through Congress. That will not happen with another Clinton in the WH.

[Haole Girl]

38. Very, very well said!

Thank you! :hi:

[NC_Nurse]

39. You're welcome!!!

:hi:

[FrenchieCat]

37. Obama practices the Politics of the Grassroots, and that is

what DUers are supposed to be all about. We have been demanding for politicians to give us a voice, and that is what Obama is doing, which is why we are financing his campaign, small donation by small donations.

Obama understands the art of framing http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/what-counts-as-an-issue_b_84177.html , another trait that the Grassroots has been looking for in a politician.

Hillary cannot win Against McCain on experience, and can only fuel Republicans coming out to vote against her. Obama, on the other hand, excites voters of all ilk, and has built a campaign from the ground up against all odds.

Obama is the anti-Bush.

and last but not least, why would we want Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton? We must work toward the 21st century, as we are already way late. Going back to the 90's will not be the antidote to what ails us.

[Haole Girl]

40. All very good points... thank you!

I guess there are a lot more Obama supporters than Clinton supporters at DU... so it seems, anyway.

[Demagitator]

45. That may not be so good for the Dems ...

the Obama DU popularity -- because, I don't know if anyone has polled this question how many Dems, Jews, Independents, Greens, or Green Democrats etc., will simply not vote or vote McCain if Obama wins.

Someone like myself, I have a political policy of never voting for a Republican -- because, I am a ultra liberal and I would vote strategically -- if my state turns into a swing state, I would then vote for Obama (if my non-vote for Obama means a vote for a Repuke.)

But, most voters don't vote strategically. My guess is McCain will get a large Independent, Jewish, and Green voter turnout because of his Global Warming policy with Obama on the ticket.

My projections of a race between Obama, Clinton or McCain would be 63% McCain and 37% Obama -- however with Hillary, I predict a victory for Hillary 52% McCain 48%.

[FrenchieCat]

46. Your projections are based on what exactly?

Racism? :shrug:

I make this guess, because history has shown us that experience is overrated, in particular if the experience touted doesn't add up to anything of any tangible value which is the case, especially for Hillary Clinton.

I ensure that the racists in this society are not as numerous as you obviously are "predicting" on. Sometimes, I realize, when we ourselves experience those feelings, we believe that everyone else has got to be like us. I assure you that this is not the case. You are, in fact, much more alone than you realize.

[Demagitator]

47. Well I base it upon --- my research ---

I consider myself a ultra liberal and a pacifist -- so I naturally study what conflicts cause wars, and political divisions, etc., which in the end lead to the destruction of humanity and the earth.

Your thinking is frankly wrong, because perhaps people -- do not openly -- express racial insensitivity's as they did in the past; those same racial hatreds are still there in the sub-conscious mind of many Americans (mostly, among Repukes) -- that is the reason -- why I have always had the theory that there is no such thing a liberal Republican. Because, they are to easily molded into good Americans -- that can act in evil ways like in ignoring the evils of Global warming, the death penalty, dis-ease, and an unfair marketplace etc.

But, it is human nature to react in unpredictable ways when one is hated, that is exactly what the hater wants; for me the hate of the republicans is "OLD" and therefore predictable, even to the point of understanding how the Red and blue states will vote.

Hell, I could even write a book about it; of all the reasons, why. But, thank you for your questions. I don't mean to sound cold; but I would even, express these numbers even if I had bad news about Hillary -- whom I support.

[FrenchieCat]

49. Again, you are only espousing your feelings as they are in your mind.....

I find them unfortunate.

Please know that republicans, many of them, had no problem supporting the ideal of a Colin Powell presidency. Maybe it is because Republicans are more into "winning" than they are in worrying about what everybody on the opposing side thinks. For that I respect them for that much more than those Democrats that think like you.

Visualizing might help you understand that progress and change has happened since the beginning of our Republic. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4827410


Just because you are cynical, doesn't mean that your views will dictate our future. And I have to thank the many Americans that don't believe like you for that!

[TheDoorbellRang]

42. Obama

Inspires people to get involved in their own government
Shows extraordinary leadership and organizational skills in campaigning.
Defuses political attacks quickly.
Demonstrates that good judgment is more valuable than experience.

[Haole Girl]

43. Thank you

He's also been remarkably consistent, and steady, in his persona. I like that about him. :D

[Johnny__Motown]

48. Honesty. one has it and one doesn't. What good is anything else if you can't trust ?

[Haole Girl]

58. Which one do you think has it? nt

[Johnny__Motown]

72. It should be obvious, but make up your own mind.

[ContinentalOp]

50. If you haven't decided yet maybe you should just stay home.

:shrug:

[auntAgonist]

57. Who and what dictates that we have to have made a decision

by now?

Is there a rule I don't know about?

aA

[Haole Girl]

59. The primary, here in TX, is not until Tuesday...

If I am still undecided by then, I will not vote for either of them.

[greguganus]

51. A vote for Hillary is a vote for Bill. We need change, not more of the same. n/t

[harmonicon]

56. if that were true, there wouldn't even need to be a primary.

I, like most other Americans, would take Bill Clinton back in a heartbeat.

[dailykoff]

53. Clinton has pledged to bomb Iran. Obama hasn't .

Clinton has a huge investment in continuing the ruinous and criminal Bush-Cheney "war on terror," and Obama does not. In fact he's repeatedly called it a mistake.

And if that ain't a good enough reason I don't know what is.

[Haole Girl]

60. I don't remember reading where Clinton specifically said she...

...would bomb Iran.

[frogcycle]

65. people make shit up

do your own research instead of inviting a bunch of anonymous partisans to lie to you

[Haole Girl]

67. Well, I have. But I thought I'd get some additional information here.

Thanks.

[dailykoff]

71. It's an important question

and not enough people are aware of the enormous gravity of this election, so it's good to ask.

[frogcycle]

119. onn that point you are correct

if people were aware that this election is not an episode of American Idol, we'd still have candidates in the running concerned about the fascist takeover of our country

With what's left, I find it hard to see a nickel's worth of difference. Oh, plenty to hold against them both, and some pick one issue, others another, and claim the other candidate is evil incarnate and theirs is perfect. Me, I had them #6 and #7 when there were eight in the running. And frankly, I think now I'd drop them down and move Gravel up.

[dailykoff]

70. Unfortunately the Kyl-Lieberman amendment is all too real

and includes gems like these:

it should be the policy of the United States to combat, contain, and roll back the violent activities and destabilizing influence inside Iraq of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its foreign facilitators such as Lebanese Hezbollah, and its indigenous Iraqi proxies;

(4) to support the prudent and calibrated use of all instruments of United States national power in Iraq, including diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military instruments, in support of the policy described in paragraph (3) with respect to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies;

(5) that the United States should designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. . . .

Read it yourself here: http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/issues/kyllieberman.html

[dailykoff]

69. HRC, "Foreign Affairs," Nov/Dec 07: "all options must remain on the table. "

Not only did Hillary vote for the Kyl-Lieberman amendment in September 07, essentially giving Buschco a green light to nuke Tehran, she made her intentions crystal clear in an article appearing in "Foreign Affairs," which includes these paragraphs:

"Iran poses a long-term strategic challenge to the United States, our NATO allies, and Israel. It is the country that most practices state-sponsored terrorism, and it uses its surrogates to supply explosives that kill U.S. troops in Iraq. The Bush administration refuses to talk to Iran about its nuclear program, preferring to ignore bad behavior rather than challenge it. Meanwhile, Iran has enhanced its nuclear-enrichment capabilities, armed Iraqi Shiite militias, funneled arms to Hezbollah, and subsidized Hamas, even as the government continues to hurt its own citizens by mismanaging the economy and increasing political and social repression.

"As a result, we have lost precious time. Iran must conform to its nonproliferation obligations and must not be permitted to build or acquire nuclear weapons. If Iran does not comply with its own commitments and the will of the international community, all options must remain on the table."

link: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20071101faessay86601-p40/hillary-rodham-clinton/security-and-opportunity-for-the-twenty-first-century.html

[RBInMaine]

54. Half the country DOES NOT LIKE HILLARY ! Obama is the

better general election candidate by far, can unite people better, can speak to people better, to connect to people better, and is a chance for real transformative change in the country and the best chance to turn the page of history and hand things over to a new generation.

[Haole Girl]

61. Thank you

Some very good points. :hi:

[frogcycle]

55. because the alternative is McCain n/t

[Haole Girl]

62. That doesn't really help me decide, though. I obviously won't...

...WON'T Ever vote for a McCain.

[frogcycle]

66. it was an accurate and complete answer to your question

and it was funny

[Haole Girl]

68. If you say so. nt

[thevoiceofreason]

63. Energy is the overarching issue in this election (hell, it's why we are in Iraq)

Barack has the most comprehensive energy plan that does not penalize american energy producers (e.g., no windfall profits tax, which hurts domestic production only) and does the most to encourage conservation and green energy projects that make sense.

[Haole Girl]

64. Thank you!

I have to admit, I haven't read or heard much about Barack Obama's energy plan yet.

[Political Heretic]

73. Vote for Barack Obama in 2008

The next president will lay the foundation for the continuing effort to transform America into a more progressive culture. Obama has shown he has the passion, strength, and vision to mobilize disenfranchised Americans and persuade the previously unpersuadeable to the noble ideals of liberalism. He is the right person to start this process.

[Haole Girl]

75. Thank you

There was a record number turn out, for early voting, here in Texas. It should be interesting to see what happens March 4th!

[TexasObserver]

74. Obama is a leader. Hillary is a technician. He can win and help other Dems win. She can't.

A vote for Hillary is a vote to bury the party. A vote for Obama is a vote to revive it.

[Haole Girl]

76. I never thought of HRC as a technician.

But I know what you're talking about. Thank you. :hi:

[Exilednight]

77. 80,000+ confirmed Iraqi civillian deaths. 3972 dead US soldiers. 1 vote for the IWR

[Haole Girl]

79. Talk about saying a lot in a few words...

I think I'll use that one, if necessary, when I caucus. Obviously, I've made up my mind. Thanks! :hi:

[Exilednight]

87. Don't thank me, it's a sad fact. I get angry, sad, I yell, I cry every time I think about it.

[Haole Girl]

88. I can understand that..

I get very sad, thinking about it, too.

[monomach]

78. Free kool-aid.

Join our cult.

[Haole Girl]

80. Should I say welcome to DU?

Or... not?

I'm sorry, I don't understand your post.

:shrug:

[monomach]

81. I was told there was free Kool-aid

...in our Obama cult. Don't you like Kool-aid?

[Haole Girl]

84. Actually, I don't like Kool-aid...

And, being old enough to remember all of the initial news reports of

the Jonestown Massacre,

I find the reference offensive.

[monomach]

92. You're whiny.

Seriously, way too easily offended.

[Haole Girl]

95. Is that the best you can do with your personal attack?

:eyes:

[monomach]

96. I didn't do any "personal attacking"

until after your whining about how easily offended you are.

NEWSFLASH FOR THE ONE PERSON ON DU WHO HAS BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK SINCE JONESTOWN: THE KOOL-AID REFERENCE WAS NOT EXACTLY COINED TODAY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid#.22Drinking_the_Kool-Aid.22

"Drink the Kool-Aid," is now also corporate-speak for immersing oneself in a cultlike culture.

Having "drunk the Kool-Aid" also refers to being a strong or fervent believer in a particular philosophy or mission -- wholeheartedly or blindly believing in its virtues.

Hillary's shills call us Obama cultists, so how is this not relevent?

Do you object to police being called "cops?" That originated from the saying that "Any policeman can be bought for a copper." That's the same level of silly little-girly whining that comes with being offended by "Kool-aid," provided that your parents weren't the idiots who drank the Flavor Aid in Jonestown or something like that. Then it'd be understandable. I find that unlikely, though.

[Haole Girl]

97. I call BS. nt

[stillcool]

82. because you've read...

all you can find, and decide you have more hope that one can effect the change you yourself want to see, than the other.

[Haole Girl]

85. Hope is such a naive word, it seems...

as bad as things are now. But, as they say, hope is all we have. Thank you.

[stillcool]

103. Hope is taking a beating...

so funny how such pleasant words and the feeling they bring to mind can be bastardized. I'm getting a better understanding every day of the "Audacity of Hope".

[KittyWampus]

83. Obama, in 3 words, 50 State Strategy. Okay 3 more, Larger Democratic Majority

[Haole Girl]

86. Thank you

I hope everyone will turn out to vote in November... and I hope the general election is honest and fair.

:hi:

[johan helge]

89. 22 million reasons for supporting Hillary

Hillary's health care plan means that virtually every one will have health insurance. Obama's plan means that 22 million people will still be uninsured. Source - Paul Krugman: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/opinion/04krugman.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=krugman+gruber&st=nyt&oref=slogin

[Haole Girl]

91. I know one of HRC's biggest regrets is her failure to make changes..

..in our health care system previously. And, I do believe she would make it a priority. You have a point there... you really do. Thank you.

[Exilednight]

94. Neither plan guarantees 100% coverage of the population. Obama's plan ...

doesn't mandate insurance for everyone, Hillary's does.

But here's the problem with Hillary's plan. There's no way to effectively enforce it. It's like enforcing speed limits on a road that has no patrols until there is an accident, and then it's to late.

Every state has laws that mandate car insurance for drivers, yet how many uninsured motorists are out on the highway.

Both plans have the same flaw, neither are a single payer system. Obama's argument makes sense as to why Hillary's plan is the weaker of the two. Why would you find someone who can't afford health insurance? Hillary's plan is the same as the one as Romney introduced in Mass, yet 20% of Mass's population is still uninsured.

[johan helge]

99. Krugman about Massachusetts

Krugman (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/misinformed-on-massachusetts/?scp=1&sq=krugman+massachusetts&st=blog):

While we’re talking about health care reform: I’ve been getting a fair bit of mail from people who have heard that things are going very badly in Massachusetts. And there have, indeed, been some very downbeat reports in the media lately.

The problem is that they’re all wrong. People are confusing an increase in costs that was largely (not completely) anticipated — after all, the plan is supposed to cover more people, and subsidize their coverage — with a cost overrun.

The fact is that the plan does seem to be making a serious dent in the number of uninsured. One thing that has come to light is that there may have been more uninsured people in Massachusetts to start with than previously estimated, so there’s a steeper hill to climb. But claims that it’s all a disaster are based on nothing but bad journalism.

[Exilednight]

100. I understand that, but it's still not 100% coverage. There are cracks that people are falling thru.

[johan helge]

102. Krugman on this

Krugman (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/opinion/30krugman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin):

"Mr. Obama claims that mandates won’t work, pointing out that many people don’t have car insurance despite state requirements that all drivers be insured. Um, is he saying that states shouldn’t require that drivers have insurance? If not, what’s his point?

Look, law enforcement is sometimes imperfect. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have laws."

[Exilednight]

109. If you're going to have laws, then make them reasonable. The only real solution is a single payer

[johan helge]

110. Krugman: Why not single-payer?

Krugman (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/why-not-single-payer/?scp=1&sq=krugman+single-payer&st=blog):

"But there are very good political reasons for going with the Demoplan {i.e. Hillary's plan}: basically, it looks like something that could actually happen early in the next administration, while enacting a single-payer plan like the Conyers plan or the PNHP plan, excellent though those plans are, might take a very long time.

The public-private competition in the Demoplan is crucial, by the way, because it means that the Demoplan isn’t locked into the inefficiency of the private insurance system – it could evolve into single-payer over time.

Of course, the insurance industry will understand this, and fight the plan tooth and nail; the political logic of the Demoplan does not rest on the idea that AHIP will be fooled. Instead, there are two crucial advantages.

First, because most health insurance costs will continue to be paid out of premiums, the Demoplan doesn’t require a big tax increase – in fact, it can be financed simply by letting the high-end Bush tax cuts expire. I know, I know, the taxes that would support single-payer aren’t a true cost, because they would simply replace premiums and in most cases be lower than those premiums. But we’re talking about legislation, not reality.

Second, the Demoplans offer choice – so that people won’t feel that they’re being forced into a government plan. Over time, I suspect, many people will choose the government plan or plans – but they’ll have the option of staying with those wonderful people from the private insurance industry.

In an ideal world, I’d be a single-payer guy. But I see the chance of getting universal care, imperfect but fixable, just a couple of years from now. And I want to grab that chance."

[Exilednight]

111. It needs to be all or nothing. If you put a partial plan in place, then a repug will...

eventually take the office and work at reversing the law. Just look at their plans for social security.

I will also argue that tax dollars going towards a bottom line profit of an insurance company is no better than giving billions to haliburton or blackwater.

[johan helge]

112. Of course the Repubs will try to reverse the law -

- whether it's "all" or "partial" - just like they do with Social Security. But does that make YOU oppose Social Security? "All or nothing" in reality means nothing. And Obama is not advocating single-payer - he doesn't even advocate universal health care (i.e. mandates or single-payer).

Mandates does not mean that people have to pay insurance premiums to a private company. They can also choose government insurance.

[Exilednight]

113. and who runs government insurance? It's not the government. It's outsourced.

[johan helge]

118. What's your source?

From http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/americanhealthchoicesplan.pdf page 2: In Hillary's plan one can choose a "Public Plan Option Similar To Medicare".

Krugman (http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/opinion/20krugman.html?scp=3&sq=krugman+plot+against+medicare&st=nyt):

"The 2003 Medicare legislation created Part D, the drug benefit for seniors — but unlike the rest of Medicare, Part D isn’t provided directly by the government. Instead, you can get it only through a private drug plan, provided by an insurance company. At the same time, the bill sharply increased payments to Medicare Advantage plans, which also funnel Medicare funds through insurance companies."

Perhaps this means that only drug benefit for seniors is "outsourced". In any case, it's better to have universal health care "outsourced" than not having it at all - as is the case with Obama's plan (and his plan is no less "outsourced", is it?).

[johan helge]

101. Enforcing mandates:

John Edwards, with a plan similar to Hillary's, has proposed "that individuals be required to show proof of insurance when filing income taxes or receiving health care. If they don’t have insurance, they won’t be penalized — they’ll be automatically enrolled in an insurance plan.

That’s actually a terrific idea — not only would it prevent people from gaming the system, it would have the side benefit of enrolling people who qualify for S-chip and other government programs, but don’t know it." Source - Krugman: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/opinion/30krugman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

What then, if they still won't pay? I don't know, but I assume they will get into the same kind of problems as when they don't pay their taxes. Mandates are just another name for taxes (financing health care): Every one benefits (according to their needs), and every one pays (according to their income).

[Haole Girl]

108. That is a terrific idea

I miss John Edwards.

*sigh*

[Recursion]

90. 50 words for Obama (not counting this subject line)

Obama will move the Federal government towards greater transparency and accountability by limiting the ability of former government employees to lobby and making contracts open and searchable. He will re-frame progressive issues in a way that moderates and conservatives can agree with and push progressive values back into the mainstream.

[Haole Girl]

93. Wow... well said.

It is time - past time - to kick the lobbyists out of Washington. Thank you! :hi:

[potone]

104. I am equally torn.

I like Clinton's health care plan, but I think Obama sounds less war-mongering. I want to see more drastic changes than either one is proposing. I liked Edwards' anti-corporate rhetoric. I worry that Obama is too oriented towards trying to work with the opposition. The Republicans in Congress are not interested in compromises. They are rabid ideologues. On the other hand, Obama may be more electable. Fortunately for me, my state's primary isn't until May, when the choice will already be over. I think that either choice is good, given the Republican alternative. So I wouldn't agonize too much over this. :)

[Haole Girl]

105. Thank you for this

It makes me feel better knowing there are others who felt/feel this way. :hi:

[powergirl]

114. Do you want to be right or do you want to win?

According to most polls,for today, Obama has the best chance to beat McCain. I cannot take another 4 years of Republican rule. I will not gamble on losing the presidency. The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it's all we'll need. (Ann Richards)

[Haole Girl]

120. I never vote for someone just because I think they can win...

If John Edwards was still on the ballot, and still in the running, I would vote for him. Thanks.

[powergirl]

124. I want a Democratic Candidate to win the Presidency of the United States

Right now the best odds are Obama. There is too much at stake.

I began as an Edwards supporter but I got tired of putting all of my faith in my ideology. We need a Democratic presidency to stop the hijacking of the Supreme Court. Voting for Sen. Clinton won't get us there.

[uppityperson]

115. You should vote for Clinton or Obama because otherwise Repub might get in.

So basically I'm kicking to kick and to mark and read later. Even though at this point I have no input into which of these becomes the candidate and will vote for whichever does.

[Haole Girl]

121. I will vote for Clinton or Obama. No worries. there.

:hi:

[Major Hogwash]

116. Bubba.

Nuff said.

[Haole Girl]

122. I have no idea what that means. Honestly. nt

[existentialist]

117. "Hell, you've got to be an optimist."

Words from my father, a hard working man who put himself through high school, and succeeded as an independent business owner sufficiently to put four children through college. My father is a swing voter.


He will vote for Obama against McCain.


Clinton against McCain? He hasn't made up his mind.

[Haole Girl]

123. Your father sounds like a smart man. nt