Who is the most likable candidate we could run in 08?

[senseandsensibility]

Go ahead. Huff that likability should be the least of our worries. I agree with you. Unfortunately, the rest of America doesn't. As much as we may hate it (and I do), we NEED a likable candidate to have a chance in 2008.

But this isn't really a problem, is it? Why CAN'T we find a candidate who is good on the issues and likable? I think we can, and must.

Please limit your vote to a candidate that you honestly think can win. Of course our opinions on who can win will vary, or we wouldn't be DUers.

[rurallib]

1. Likable? let's go for Tickle Me Elmo!

[TayTay]

7. I've always been partial to Big Bird myself

And Elmo is red and we don't want to prejudge anyone by saying they are from a 'red muppet' state. I say we go with a nice, benign, Big Bird. Who doesn't like Big Bird?

[timontheleft]

8. GORE

:headbang:

[TayTay]

21. I thought you were going to go for Grover

to balance out the red/blue thing. I still think Big Bird could be a very likable consensus candidate. Don't rule him out, he plays well in the Midwest, is a known fund-raising champion at PBS events and has a core group of enthusiastic supporters. (And a nest in the middle of a diverse neighborhood in a big city. Candidates like that don't just drop out of airplanes you know.)

Flip 'em the Bird in '08!

[Bucky]

55. I'm still mad at Big Bird for helping with that terror color alert system.

Plus he's a close affiliate w/ Snuffelupagus, a known dino. I won't even get into his longstanding friendship with a known terrorist.

[lumpy]

49. Gore is the best bet for this country,

he should be drafted to run. He exudes leadership, stature, intelligence and decency. Clark is my next choice, but please Gore, RUN!

[wakeme2008]

2. President GORE...

:)

[OhioChick]

3. Ditto

:)

[senseandsensibility]

6. oops....

Actually, Gore would be in my top three. We need more blanks for choices! There are too many likable Dems!

[Pepper32]

20. Yeah, Gore is one of my top 3 n/t

[Captain Hilts]

4. Other/Feingold. He just comes across well.

Edwards seems too smooth and Warner too geeky.

[senseandsensibility]

9. I agree about Warner

Just my two cents.

[yourout]

5. Gore.

[Perky]

10. Pure Likability? Charisma? Try Biden

Joe Biden. Smart, articulate, not stiff. very polished and a great politcal persona.

The problem is his politics

[senseandsensibility]

11. Don't you think he comes off a little slick

and cheezy?

[Perky]

13. He does remind me a bit of a used car salesman

or maybe a hollywood screen idol. but watch him on the sunday talk show and he comes across as well beliveable practical and likable.

[lumpy]

50. Going West one day and North the next.

The destination is the same, but he doesn't quite get there. Reminds me of a guy who can't make up his mind what pants to wear to the ballpark.

[Perky]

12. Obama Obama and ummm Obama

I know I just dais Obama but I wastalking about people who are running.

If Obama runs he would be viewed as a JFK like figure. IMHO

[Pepper32]

14. Edwards.

[senseandsensibility]

16. Which Edwards? John or Elizabeth?

They're both very likable.

[pkspiegel]

22. Nice guy--but where is the experience we need?

Edwards should run for Senate or some other office again if he still wants to be a politician. But this messed-up world needs an experienced world leader. Wes Clark would be my pick.

[senseandsensibility]

23. I love Wes!

And he is very likable.

[DanCa]

28. and electable too.

Name me another guy that can blow both Mccain and Rudy outta the waters.

[lumpy]

51. Edward might be a nice pick for VP

Gore's VP, that is.

[ecstatic]

15. I see Obama was left off the list nt

[MariaS]

17. Wes Clark, isn't it obvious?

He is not only likable but also intelligent, distinguished, dashing and loaded with military savvy. And in my opinion just the guy to begin America's journey out of the pits of Hell that Bushco has thrown us into.

[senseandsensibility]

18. Well, I did vote

for Wes myself. So absolutely.

[Jensen]

19. Gore!

[norml]

24. Tom Hanks

[Clark2008]

26. You know... I'd be on board with that.

They can have actors.... why can't we.

Tom Hanks would kill. He'd win in a fucking rout.

Is he a Democrat, though?

[saltpoint]

31. I think he is. If he's a Republican, he's the most liberal Republican in

history.

Agree with you -- if they can have Reagan we can have Hanks or Redford.

[norml]

32. Tom Hanks is a very active Democrat.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22tom+hanks%22+democrat&btnG=Google+Search

[NoPasaran]

37. I'm on board

I was going to say Mister Rogers, but he's dead.

[lumpy]

52. I love Tom Hanks, as an actor

He has as many roles as Dubya, but more convincing, well actually more real than Dubya

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. The repubs will demonize whoever is put up.

[senseandsensibility]

27. You know, I agree.

But some candidates will be harder to demonize than others. We can't make it easy for them.

[ray of light]

56. I met both Kerry and Edwards and both of them were nice, kind,

and compassionate people. I was able to observe their interactions with people, the eye contact, and their whole demeanor. They were warm, loving, and caring! Yet look how the media mocked them and made them something else.

So I completely disagree with you. If the media can take two wonderful, loving, and compassionate Democratic Candidates and turn them into "an elitist" (which he wasn't) or "a lawyer < / snark >" then they will do it with anyone.

Also, look at what they have done to Cindy Sheehan. She's a wonderful sweet person who is passionate about trying to protect lives, but look at how they smeared her.

[senseandsensibility]

59. We are definely fighting an uphill battle

I met Kerry too, and he was the opposite of what the media portrayed. However, I still feel that the more likable the candidate, the harder it will be for them to smear him or her. I never said they wouldn't try, but with a likable candidate they will have less success.

[mikelewis]

29. Jeb Bush?

Might as well vote for the candidate that can garner the most Diebold votes.

[saltpoint]

30. If they're blue, I like 'em all. Seriously. Lincoln raised more than a

few eyebrows before he became arguably our greatest president.

I like a blue candidate with a very long-term vision for our country.

I do understand your question. In times past, I would have nominated the late Mo Udall (D-AZ). Hell of a great guy.

A lot of people liked Ronald Reagan but it was hard for us liberals to cozy up to those death squads in Central America. Took the glow right off for me.

[WI_DEM]

33. Edwards by a long shot

[ms liberty]

34. Al Gore n/t

[politicasista]

35. Kanye West

Seriously, it doesn't matter who the Dem nominee is or how likeable they are, they are still going to face and unfair and unbalanced media who will smear and throw everything at them.

Question is will WE be prepared to back them up?

[senseandsensibility]

36. That's a good question.

I think WE (meaning those of us on DU) are more than ready. I think the Dem leadership learned nothing from 2004 and the swiftboating of Kerry.x(

[DefenseLawyer]

38. Sara Lee

Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee.

[senseandsensibility]

39. LOL

I know I don't!:)

[NoSheep]

40. Gore. Clark 2nd, Edwards 3rd.

[Truthiness Inspector]

41. Very good question

and good post, but "likeable" reminds me of "who you'd want to have a beer with."

[senseandsensibility]

45. Yes, it does, doesn't it?

But then, that's a phrase invented by the corporate media to push their candidate down our throats. They will never invent such a phrase for our candidate,so ours will have to be truly likable!

[Recursion]

42. Southern governors seem to win lately

So I say Warner

[cynatnite]

43. All of them...

I think they all can be likeable and I'm pretty sure they'd be damn fine presidents. I would vote for any of these people plus a few more you don't have listed.

unless georgie finds a way to put everything back the way he found it when he stole office in 2000 by 2008 no repuke will get in the WH.

[senseandsensibility]

44. You are optomistic

I wish I were. My fear is that, of course chimp will never find a way to put things back the way thery were, but he will never be held responsible either.

[cynatnite]

46. Yeah, I tend to be an optomist...

Sady, I do think he'll probably never be held responsible for the things he's done.

[flaminbats]

47. mr. Snuffleupagus!!

seriously..Edwards was the most likable while Kucinich was my favorite on the issues. Back in 2004 I felt Howard Dean had the best mix of these qualities. I think such a candidate can easily beat a Republican, but what about winning the primaries?

[Swamp Rat]

48. Al Gore n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

53. Edit- Okay. I buy that leaving off Gore was an honest mistake.

My Answer: AL GORE!


:woohoo:

[senseandsensibility]

57. It was (an honest mistake)

I swear....I wrote a letter to Al Gore in 2002 BEGGING him to run again. It was before I joined DU, and this website I visited then was advising everyone to send him hard copy letters addressed to the Honorable Albert Gore. The letters were supposed to be very polite, and mine was. I spent a lot of time composing it as I recall. Oh well,.....do you think letters would do any good this time?

[Warren DeMontague]

60. I don't know. I hope so. I hope he's considering it.

Actually, if he is, he's playing it exactly right, right now. Dumbest thing he could do at this stage would be to say "I'm running" or "I might run". IMHO.

I really hope he runs. I like Feingold and Wes Clark, too.

[Bucky]

54. Can I change my vote to Mrs Clinton?

I don't actually want to; I'm just curious if it's possible.

[senseandsensibility]

58. No, I don't think you can change votes once they're cast

But since you don't really want to....anyway, I see she has one vote now.