I'm finally ready to declare for a candidate...

[Mythsaje]

I've spent all this time while others were fighting over it in long consideration. I've read both the positive things posted about the various choices, and the negative screeds posted in response. I know who's been bashed and why, and I know where I stand in respect to the issues themselves.

Let me preface this announcement by saying that I truly like Kucinich. So far he's the only potential Democratic besides Mike Gravel who's directly went after the failed and futile "War On Drugs," which I believe has been a monumental waste of energy, resources, and human lives. However, I don't believe Kucinich has the broader appeal to garner the vote of millions of Americans who might join us in the attempt to topple the neo-con agenda.

I think triangulation and half-hearted measures to appeal to the "left" are an insult to those who want to see a truly different America. This isn't meant as a personal insult to the other two top-tier candidates, but simply a statement of my perception. I think Hilary would make a decent President, but I'm almost certain that the status quo has nothing to fear from her. I think it likely the same can be said about Obama.

Therefore I choose John Edwards as my preferred candidate. I think he speaks directly to the preservation of the middle class and an all-out assault on the ravages of poverty that our culture (particularly the corporate media) has rendered all but invisible to the vast majority of Americans. He seems to realize that we ARE in a class war, declared by the wealthy against the poor and middle class, and that refusing to acknowledge it is downright stupid.

Recent events have led me to the conclusion that Edwards is the one the Wrong perceives as the biggest threat, and that in itself tells me more than anything else.

My first step was adding Edwards to my Myspace friends list. A small step, perhaps, but quite symbolic in itself if one has ever VIEWED my friends list, which is generally made up of people of four different categories--real life friends, fellow authors, readers, and musical acts I myself enjoy listening to.

My second step was to announce it here.

My third step will be to send him a copy of my essay "Everybody Matters." Another small thing, perhaps, but I think it captures the very heart and soul of what his campaign stands for and I hope he finds it useful in some capacity, even if it's only as another American's way of expressing the same things he is saying.

Should he get the nomination, it would be my recommendation that he ask Clark to be his running mate. I think the two of them would bring to the table everything necessary to defeat whatever Klown the Republicans nominate in the end.


That is all. I now return you to your regularly scheduled debate.

;)

[Richard Steele]

1. I'm going to wait a year....

...and then I'll still have over 4 months to decide.

[sandnsea]

4. Planning a write-in?

Unless you're not a Democrat, your decision will already have been made in a year.

[Richard Steele]

5. As I just said, I'm not planning anything.

Ask me again in a year.

[sandnsea]

7. You're not deciding anything

You're just going to show up and vote D. Which is fine. I just like to make sure that people who avoid the primaries know that they are avoiding the only REAL choice they have, in Presidential politics at least.

[Richard Steele]

8. Oh, I'm not avoiding the primaries. No way!

Local elections are important to me. And for some of
the most important offices around here, the Dem Primary
pretty much -IS- the real election. :)

But I'm pretty sure I'll just be showing up
and voting "D" for POTUS next November, no
matter what I do at the primary. None of
these national candidates really impress me
as much more than politicians.

[sandnsea]

9. Then you did make a decision

You don't like any of them. Good enough. :)

I just get annoyed with people ignoring the primaries and then bitching about the candidate they claim to have been stuck with.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. I am so happy you found a candidate to support. Edwards is a good guy

[movonne]

3. I have already decided on Edwards...with the exception that if

Gore runs....

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Right now, if Gore doesn't get in, I'm voting for Kooch. Edwards is #3 on the list.

I'm tired of making the "sensible" vote. As you say, Kooch has been willing to stand up for a range of things the other Dems won't touch. He may not have the broader appeal, but I want my party to know that I'm dissatisfied with the games they're playing.

Of course, that all may change from now until then.

[KillCapitalism]

10. I've decided I'm going with Edwards too.

If he gets the nomination, I hope that he picks Kucinich as a running mate. That would be the most progressive ticket we've seen in this country in a LONG time.

[Mythsaje]

11. Ideologically, Kucinich would be a good choice...

Strategically, I'd have to go with Clark.