What do you look for in a presidential candidate?

[cynatnite]

It's a combination of things for me and not necessarily in this order...

They've gotta be a dem
They've gotta have a good chance of winning
Intelligence, strength, compassion, empathy, humility, curiosity.

Probably some others I'm not thinking of right now.

[SharonRB]

1. That's a good start, but

I'd add honesty and integrity to that list.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. their name has to rhyme with Schloshlama

i lucked out this year.

:)

[bobbolink]

3. Commitment to poverty issues.

First and foremost.

I'm tired of being invisible.

[Greyhound]

5. Kucinich or Edwards? n/t

[LSK]

10. how about both?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/LSK/127

[Greyhound]

12. I can live with that. n/t

:kick:

[bobbolink]

16. I worked for Kucinich in '04. He dropped poverty. EDWARDS is the only one actively

pushing it now.

I've explained it a lot, it gets Kucitizens angry, but I don't have the energy to deal with it anymore.

They all need to push Dennis on poverty!

[Greyhound]

27. Done.

:kick:

[bobbolink]

29. Thanks! n/t

[OHdem10]

4. Courage to stand for average Americans and the less fortunate

members of society.

My test: When put to the crunch and a vote is before them will
they stand for Middle Class and Less Fortunate or will they
invariably vote in favor of Business and Corporations.

There must be fairness to business also, but there are Democrats
who I can count on to look out for Business Interests over
Middle Class and Less Fortunate.

There is a difference between Compromise on Serious Legislation
and worshiping at the altar of Corporatism.

Compromise means GOP gives something and Dems give something.
The Dems should not be the only side giving.

[bobbolink]

18. Thank you. Few Dems remember us poor folk anymore!

The Dems have already "compromised" themselves off the planet.

It's time to hold the line.

But, they won't.

[RiverStone]

6. Dennis Kucinich

DK is the ONLY Dem in the field who has consistently and relentlessly represented our party's values -particularly on Iraq.

He walks his talk and is not influenced by the party elite - he speaks for me.

I look for someone who speaks the truth. He does.

[NeedleCast]

7. I Look For

Someone who doesn't make me think "I wish there was someone else I could vote for."

They're becoming few and far between.

[emilyg]

8. For starters

someone who will not say - childrens learn

[Malikshah]

9. Well, I did lose a wristwatch a while back. ....

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I look for unvarnished humanity...warts and all.

[LSK]

11. Electability, honesty, policies

[MazeRat7]

13. Experience and Judgment are at the top of the list...

Yes, they must be a dem, but no they do not have to be "processed"... I'm looking for someone that has a great resume, kind of like if I was "hiring" someone.

At this juncture, that resume had better include some serious foreign relations policy.

MZr7

[Johonny]

14. I'm looking

for a regular guy that I can have a beer in a bar with.

[wildbilln864]

15. Integrity....

honesty, and understanding of the common man's struggle!

[lpbk2713]

17. A sense of ethics would be a refreshing change.

Something we haven't seen in the Executive Branch for at least six years.


Ed. to add: Also someone who would listen to the advice of his close advisors instead of going full speed ahead on his own foolhardy preconceived course of action with little or no concern if it is contrary to what his advisors say.

[shanti]

19. honesty, integrity, compassion

and last, but not least, intelligence! and no sell-outs!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. One that backs a parliamentary system. So, he can be fired when he screws up.

[HughBeaumont]

21. DUH! Whether or not they look like a Marlboro Man!!!

The second criteria is that they HAVE to have a last name I'm familiar with. Something . . .what's the word . . . DYNASTIC!!

:+

[Bucky]

24. like this guy?

of course he's not running. But here's a current candidate looking just as tough as the Marlboro Man

[nam78_two]

22. Someone who takes environmental/poverty issues and science seriously.nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. A brain, someone who can read, someone who can speak the English language without mangling it,

someone who's not arrogant, it would be nice to have a prez who knows what it's like to be poor and can have empathy and a little compassion for those who are. The next president MUST know Global Warming is real and care about the environment.

[FrenchieCat]

25. Someone who has good judgment, does the hard work of understanding all of the issues without relying

on advisors, has proven political savy to get realistic campaign promises realized, and who's overarching priority once they get in the WH is working to get this nation back on track without distractions.

[Roxy66]

26. Honesty and candor....

They need to be able to say things that people really dont want to hear...like the fact that Taxes help run this Country. Republicans have been brainwashed into thinking Taxes are evil

[Manifestor_of_Light]

28. Like Bill Clinton, but a real liberal that wouldn't vote for NAFTA.

CAFTA and now free trade has become SHAFTA to Americans.

[bobbolink]

30. or Welfare Deform???

That kind of real liberal?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

31. Somebody who understands what the country needs, can explain it to the people,

and is willing to rally support and fight vested interests to take care of these needs.

I don't want anyone who has to consult with PR flaks to figure out what s/he should say.