When was the last time you got to vote for a Prez candidate that you LOVED?

[Phillycat]

Please run, Al. I just want to vote for someone I actually believe in.

[rateyes]

1. 2000. nt

[Phillycat]

3. Exactly. Me too.

I want to feel that way in 2008!

[JackRiddler]

49. Me too.

Except it was Nader. Sorry.

[Dr.Phool]

2. I never have.

I voted for Al in 2000, but didn't love him.

NOW I DO! Run Al, Run!

[Phillycat]

I liked him a lot then, but like you, I LOVE him now.

RUN AL, RUN!

[jillan]

4. John Kerry - without a doubt.

I spent more time getting to 'know' the person behind the candidate. Thank you internet!
And the more I learned, the more impressed I became.

[MH1]

21. Kerry here, as well.

I liked Gore in 2000 too but that wore off (it's come back again, sort of). My admiration for Kerry has only gotten stronger, the more I learn about him.

[ginnyinWI]

Me too.

Kerry still has my respect, trust, confidence and vote, should he choose to run again.

[DaveJ]

23. Same here

The only reasons people gave for not liking him were based on looks, the way he spoke, or some conspiracy theory. He was practically guaranteeing solutions on healthcare they turned it down. He seems to bring out the loons.

[LSK]

33. yep

[KitchenWitch]

87. Me too!

[Blue Belle]

88. I loved John Kerry too...

He would have been a wonderful president. He was truly robbed.

I still want Al to run though. :)

[politicasista]

94. Same here

I wish they both were running. :hi:

[pamela]

101. Me, too.

I really loved Kerry. He would have been a GREAT president.

[BamaLefty]

5. The bigger question...

Is Terry Francona going to screw up our season.

Thank God Tito isn't running for President. :banghead:

[Phillycat]

10. Heh.

You wouldn't be a real BRS fan if you weren't beating your head against a wall in September. :D

[Greyhound]

6. Sad to say never. n/t

[CoffeeCat]

7. I sooo agree with you...

It will be very depressing spending the election season feeling lukewarm and
disenfranchised--if Gore does not run.

I will have to force myself to pick a candidate.

If Gore runs, I will volunteer and work my heart out. I'm a stay-at-home mom.
My kids returned to school full time this fall, and I was planning to return
to the work force. However, I am waiting to see if Al runs. If he does, I'll
devote all of my time to ensuring that he is our next President.

(You know what...it feels so good to be able to write "President" the way it
should be. I'm so sick of writing it "pResident", in lieu of Junior's un-deservedness).

[papercut]

8. Does a candidate with a wife I loved count?

Because that would be John Kerry on '04.

[MH1]

24. Welcome to DU, papercut!

Teresa certainly is a special lady. :)

[blm]

69. heh - I had hots for Teresa, too.....

and I'm a happily married woman. ;)))

[NoPasaran]

9. Never happened

Probably never will.

[monmouth]

11. When I voted for Bill Clinton, twice!!

[emilyg]

19. Same here.

[Aristus]

12. Not really ever. I respected Bill Clinton in 1996 and voted for him.

Like, but didn't LOVE Al Gore in 2000, but voted for him (I really love him now!) and liked Kerry in 2004.

Please Al, run, Run, RUN!

[onenote]

13. a candidate that I "loved" almost certainly wouldn't get elected

So I'm more than happy to vote for candidates that I like more than their opponent. And that's been the case every election I've voted in.

[Phillycat]

15. That's how I feel most of the time, too.

But with Gore, I get the best of both worlds. He thrills me to the bone, AND his is a winnable candidacy - IF he runs. RUN AL RUN!

[Bluebear]

14. Dr. Dean

Talkin' NH primary, but I really was into his candidacy.

[graywarrior]

16. Al

[book_worm]

17. let's see in '00 with Gore, and I loved Clinton in '92, I thought Mondale

(my first vote for president) would be a great president. If I could have voted for Carter in '76 and '80 (I was too young) I would have loved it.

[Kelly Rupert]

18. If you love Al, wouldn't the answer be "in 2000?"

[Phillycat]

22. My feelings and esteem for Al have grown hugely since 2000.

I respected him, liked him very much, and thought he would make a great president in 2000. I am truly PASSIONATE about him now. I think he's amazing!

[MH1]

20. November 2004. n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

25. 2004

[porphyrian]

26. Never. - n/t

[EFerrari]

84. I haven't either. But, I got to vote for Barbara Boxer!

:)

[porphyrian]

93. Lucky...

;)

[redqueen]

27. The primaries in 04. n/t

[ThomWV]

28. 2000 Al Gore, then and now

[iamthebandfanman]

29. never

my first election was 2000 and i didnt care much for Al at the time... tho i do now and i would be voting for someone i loved if he would just run again!

run Al run!

[julialnyc]

30. Never

Wasn't old enough to vote for Bill. Liked Gore then (now I would love to vote for him). Kerry was even more of a like rather than love........... and the primaries were over before they got to me in NYC (so I didn't get to vote for Wes Clark.... who I loved)

[Arugula Latte]

31. Only in the primaries -- for Dean

I've voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since '84, and I can't say I was super enthusiastic for any of the general nominees. The Gore of 2000 was not the Gore of 2007; if he had been, I would have been very excited to vote for him.

[Phillycat]

37. Exactly my feeling. nt

[dhill926]

32. George McGovern...n/t

[musette_sf]

36. same here n/t

[hedgehog]

74. same here also nt

[Pastiche423]

77. Yep. 1972 for George McGovern

The last candidate I LOVED after Mr. McGovern was not on my primary ballot - Howard Dean. That is when I registered as an Independent after being a Dem for 32 years.

Now there is only one man that would make me register as a Dem again...

[democrat2thecore]

89. McGovern - my ALL-TIME favorite Democrat

Along with great men like Frank Church, Birch Bayh, Fred Harris, Paul Wellstone.
McGovern was the most decent man to ever serve in the United States Senate, imo. I absolutely love the man. Anybody here old enough to remember Fred Harris? He was almost Humphrey's running mate in 1968 and ran the most liberal campaign EVER for the presidency in 1976. McGovern told an audience in Colorado once that Harris was the most liberal man to ever serve in the Senate and he would proudly take the number two spot. George McGovern would have made a GREAT president!

[Liberal In Texas]

106. Another one here. (We're dating ourselves.)

[apnu]

34. Never

I didn't like Al much in 2000. Too much Clinton baggage. I like him much better now.

Stay home Al, and do your thing man. Its all right by me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. 1972. Tho' "respected" would be more appropriate than "loved".

Since then, it's been a matter of mild to very rigorous nose holding.

[The Count]

38. 2004 primaries - but he had dropped out already....still taught my kid in the booth

about the difference between voting FOR someone and AGAINST someone (which I did in the general elections)

[TayTay]

39. 2004

It was a good year.

[blm]

40. Kerry, as the anti-corruption, open government wing of Dem party NEEDS 8yrs in the WH.

I wish either Gore or Kerry was running again now.

[catmandu57]

41. 1976

I think love might be too strong a word, but I really really liked Jimmy, ands I absolutely loved kicking elephant ass.

[lateo]

42. Bill Clinton.

But my love faded quickly.

[hootinholler]

43. Carter

He lost.

Now, let's go get those Bush Bastards!

-Hoot

[Lydia Leftcoast]

44. The only time recently was when I voted for DK in the MN caucuses

Before that, McGovern in 1972.

[LeftishBrit]

45. Well, obviously never; but if you substitute 'PM candidate'...

then I was very fond of Michael Foot, the first one I got the chance to support with my vote. I was in a minority however - most Brits thought he was a bit of a fool. I liked Kinnock OK but wasn't enthusiastic; and I never liked Blair at all.

But when Thatcher was PM, a rat could have stood against her and seemed preferable in comparison.

[NastyRiffraff]

46. Clinton, '96

I did vote for Al Gore in 2000, but I didn't love him at the time. My feelings for him have grown since then, tho. I do wish he'd run now, but I don't hold out much hope.

[TheUniverse]

47. I've only voted for one presidental candidate so for.

John Kerry, and I didn't really like him. But I really hate Bush!

[BonnieJW]

48. 2000

I loved Al. Kerry was not my first choice, but I voted for him. I actually wanted Edwards. I want Edwards now if Al won't run, but I will wait for Gore. I'll wait until the very last minute and then I'll vote for Edwards in the primary and support the dem nominee.

[mulsh]

50. Dr Benjamin Spock who ran against Carter & Ford.

He seemed to suck the least, my generation was pretty much raised on his books and he always impressed me at Moratorium March rallies,(big anti-war marches for you youngesters)
my first presidential elelction began a streak of voting for losing candidates that was broken by Clinton. I didn't love Clinton but I knew he would be infinately better than any republican. I'm not wild about Hillary but if she gets the nomination I'll vote for her with no regrests.

[A Brand New World]

51. Bill Clinton. I liked Gore a lot in 2000 but didn't LOVE him. Mostly

because of his decision in choosing Lieberman. Very poor choice I thought. I liked Kerry but didn't LOVE him either. But I absolutely wanted him to win and was crushed when he didn't.

But now I LOVE Gore and desperately want him to run and claim his rightful Presidency. Surely he would chose a better VP this time around. Like Clark. Gore/Clark (my dream team in 2008!)

[Phillycat]

52. I agree with everything you wrote!

I'd also love Gore/Obama! :loveya:

[BlueIris]

53. 2004. And what a great feeling that was.

Sigh.

[spooked]

66. Wasn't it though!?

I was absolutely giddy with hope and happiness as I voted for Kerry...

[frebrd]

54. 1976 (Carter) n/m

[oldlady]

68. I second that motion

[Blue_In_AK]

55. John Kerry,

and I'd vote for him again a thousand times. I would go so far as to say he's the ONLY presidential candidate that I've loved in my 40 voting years.

[bemildred]

56. 1968, Eugene Mc Carthy.

But I would love to vote for Al again. nt

[Uncle Roy]

105. Same here. First vote I ever cast, and only candidate I ever LOVED.

I was so annoyed when RFK finally entered the race after sitting on the sidelines while McCarthy challenged LBJ on his filthy war.

I like Kucinich today for much the same reason: he was speaking out against THIS filthy war while everyone else was dithering and waffling.

Then as now, if you are one of the first ones to be right about something, the press labels you as odd...

[slackmaster]

57. 1976

:argh:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

58. 2000. And I still Love him! eom

[Carrieyazel]

59. 2000 Gore. But 1992 Clinton was the last time I voted with FEELING!!!

[ceile]

60. Howard.

Still upset he didn't the nom.

[TheFarseer]

61. Never

although I could have voted Perot in '96 and I didn't. Certainly would have been a better vote than Bob Dole!

[ms liberty]

62. 2000. You nail it. K&R. n/t

[MzNov]

63. Thomas Jefferson

[Gabi Hayes]

65. what are you doing this weekend? care to go out and

refresh the tree of liberty?

[MzNov]

73. if I can find it, yes, yes I am.

[Gabi Hayes]

76. good luck, as it's about as common as the Eastern Chestnut after the blight. you know

the quote I'm talking about, right?

[stranger81]

64. Let's see . . . . . that would be NEVER. [n/t]

[youthere]

67. 2004.

I wasn't thrilled Kerry won the nomination but I sure grew to admire that man. When it came time to vote, I cast mine for Kerry proudly.

[Inuca]

70. 2004 n/t

[burrowowl]

71. McGovern

[Bonobo]

72. Believe it or not, it was Dukakis.

[Hoof Hearted]

75. The Billster! Mr. Bill!

I thought he was great.

[bobbolink]

78. When I wrote in Shirley Chisholm.

I miss her.

[YvonneCa]

79. 2004...

...I believe it was November 2nd. I had been to a rally in Las Vegas 3 days before to hear him speak. He did FOUR rallies that day out west. When he left LV it was about 8 p.m. There was a rally in Albuquerque later that night. That was when I learned that most of what the media had been saying was spin.

I still wish John Kerry was in the White House. The country needs him...and Al Gore. I believe in both of them...STILL. :patriot:

[goodgd_yall]

80. I really liked Muskie

EDIT:Previous poster reminded me: Shirley Chisholm. I don't remember which year she ran, but I LOVED Shirley.

Muskie didn't make it to the General.My top choice inevitably never wins the primary.

But, looking back, I think Jimmy Carter was a great President. The greatest of any that I had a chance to vote for. For some reason, though, I wasn't that enthusiastic for him when he ran. I think I was drawn more left than I am now at the time of that election.

[alarimer]

81. Never

I have only resigned myself to voting for the lesser of the evils. I like Gore NOW but when he was running, he did not inspire me at all.

I liked Clinton a lot but he had a lot of baggage and I was definitely disappointed in some of the things he did.

[illinoisprogressive]

82. never

[Spirochete]

83. 1976 and 1980

When I wrote in Frank Zappa both times. Mostly I seem to be voting against people I hate. But I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for Gore to jump in.

[Der Blaue Engel]

85. 2004 n/t

[LWolf]

86. The '04 primary; the first and only time. n/t

[shugah]

90. 2000!

Albert Gore - only prez candidate that i voted for that i loved the very second i voted. i liked Jimmy Carter and was happy to vote for him (love him more now ... most of the time), voted happily for Bill twice (my first prez vote winner!).

I was thrilled about Gore being president - i spent the whole of Bill Clinton's 2nd term in joyous anticipation of the Gore Presidency. the most intelligent politician of our day, a man born and raised inside the so-called beltway with vision that extended to the whole country. and he was hot besides! and so smart. aware of the real problems at home and in the world at large. intelligent, experienced, in touch, aware, sexy, savvy, smart.

my heart remains broken that he was never sworn in. i don't know if i'll ever get over it - particularly in light of what has happened instead.

i do not think he will run again. i want to see him drafted. but when i recall how the 2000 election played out, i can't find a reasonable way to compel him. really, as much as the republican party needs to disintegrate and re-form if it can, i can't help feeling somewhat similar about the democratic party. we sure let our candidate down (by 'we' i don't mean 'us' - i just mean that no one had Al's back - at least not in a way that would have made the difference).

i believed in Al Gore before wanting Al Gore to be president was cool! ;-)

edit: extra word

[Zomby Woof]

91. My first choices have never been the nominee

I admit, my first choice in 2000 was Bill Bradley, one of the best senators of the past 50 years, instead of Gore. My estimation of Gore increased as the campaign went on, and I supported him quite strongly. He had served ably as VP, which has never been an office noteworthy for granting distinction. My contempt for Bush and his family had been more or less a constant since the 1980 race, so any Democrat would have gotten my enthusiastic support. I remember not being too keen on Gore when he ran in 1988, when he was quite a hawkish centrist. In fact, when Clinton chose him as his running mate in 1992, I felt kind of let down.

I liked Kerry a great deal in 2004, but was less certain of him than I was with Gore in 2000 (although Kerry at least didn't have Lieberman on his ticket).

I can't say I loved either Gore or Kerry with the most wholehearted enthusiasm, but I felt secure enough supporting them.

Going back to Clinton in 1992 and 1996, I admit he was not my first choice on his initial run, but I got fully behind him in 1996, when he became the first Democrat re-elected since FDR in 1936. I firmly believe he is the greatest politician of my lifetime, and we may never see another with his gifts for another 50 years. So much unrealized potential, some due to his flaws, some due to the obstructionist Republicans. Regardless, he did quite well in the balance.

I was one year too young to vote in 1984, but after seeing Mario Cuomo's keynote speech at the Democratic Convention, I wanted him to run instead of Mondale. I knew when I saw that speech, I was a Democrat. My leftist impulses found a voice.

As for Gore in 2008, my opinion of him has never been higher, for which a great deal is owed to his post-2000 career. If he would run (and I am still quite sure he won't), I would say he would get the most enthusiastic support I have yet mustered for a candidate, turning my 1988 opinion of him a full 180 - a twenty year transformation that owes itself to some mutual changes and maturity.

My motto these days is that we need more kick-ass Harry Truman Democrats and fewer kiss-ass Harry Reid ones. :-) But Al Gore in 2008? That will do.

My current choice is Edwards, who has some of Bill Clinton's and Gore's gifts. I like Obama (also gifted with Clintonian charisma), but I think he is gunning for VP and he knows it. Edwards/Obama is my preferred ticket right now.

My prediction: Clinton/Obama vs. Giuliani/Romney. I won't predict the outcome yet. If Gore ran, I could see a Gore/Obama ticket. I will say that this may be the most exciting race in my political life.



Edit: typos, but there are probably still a few

[PassingFair]

92. D-E-A-N! n/t

[JI7]

95. 2004, John Kerry

[Forrest Greene]

96. Loved? Never.

Liked, 1976.

[dysfunctional press]

97. my first election was in 1980, and Carter didn't run...so...never, i guess.

i wasn't as fond of Al in 2000(the whole lieberman mess, and beating up on my man bill bradley and all)...but this time around, my heart is Al's for the plucking.

[mark414]

98. never...but i didn't turn 18 until 2003

though i will say i'm looking forward to voting for obama

[Vektor]

99. 2004.

I don't think I'll ever love a candidate quite like that again.

[flyarm]

100. 2000...without a doubt!..RUN AL RUN...he will always be my pres!!..

and then again in 2004..with Kerry/Edwards

but today..the only person i think capable to get us out of thei mess ..with the smarts..with the diplomacy, with his experience..Gore is my man once again..only now even more so..i believe he is the only answer to our survival for our republic democracy.

fly

[stlsaxman]

102. 2000 n/t

[Solon]

103. Never. n/t

[recoveringdittohed]

104. 1980

I've moved well to the left since then (and changed parties) and have mentally thrown the Reagan Administration under the proverbial bus.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

107. Never, yet.

I was too young to vote for Bill Clinton, and although I consider him a personal hero to me now, back then I only liked him mildly.

I actually did not vote for President in 2000, the first year I could have voted for President. I wanted Al Gore to win over Bush, but I had some issues with him, and being that I was registered to vote in Maryland which would have easily gone to Gore anyways, I just decided to abstain. I deeply regret that decision today, even if my vote would have been symbolic.

I liked John Kerry a lot in 2004 but I can't say that I loved him.