It's OK. I'm not judging. All of us have lied at some point during the course of our lives. I'm just not going to kid myself that there is some paragon of honesty in the field of presidential hopefuls. In a broader sense, I'm not looking for someone who claims any sort of moral purity. I prefer someone who has fucked up at some point (provided it isn't to the same degree as Dubya). I mainly want someone who recognizes problems, studies them, and proposes solutions. I want someone that can articulate what they're thinking in a clear, concise manner. I want someone with a generally hopeful outlook and the ability to be self-deprecating. I'd also prefer someone that doesn't make me want to rip my fucking ears out each time they speak. I need a break from that.
So, I can immediately rule out all the republicans. That was easy. They all suck.
Now, when it comes to the "lower tier" candidates, I can rule out Gravel, Biden, Dodd (who impressed me recently with his stand on the telecom immunity deal), Richarson and Kucinich. It pains me to do that to Dennis. Ideologically, he represents my views more than any candidate. However, as much as I like him, he does not have a chance. Admitting that is equally painful for me because I know that if all the people who like him but say he doesn't have a chance actually stood up for him, it might help. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be enough. The country just isn't ready for him at this point.
So how about the front-runners? I've said before that it makes me very uncomfortable to think that someone from one of two families could potentially hold the White House from 1988 to 2016. Sorry, Hillary. Besides, I've never been satisfied with her explanation about her support for the Iraq War. In addition, I hate to think of the media shitstorm we'll have to endure if she's elected. She's out.
I like Barack Obama. He has most of the attributes I look for in a candidate. He's come clean about his youthful indiscretions. He's a good speaker. He was also right on Iraq from the get-go. I don't know, though. If he gets the nomination, I'll gladly vote for him, but he hasn't excited me the way I hoped he would.
I have never been a big fan of John Edwards. When he ran in '04, he always seemed a little too slick for my taste. He seemed to be saying the same thing over and over. Lately, though, he's been growing on me. He seems to have the right idea on Iraq and health care. He recognizes and addresses the great disparity between the wealthy and poor in this country. I think he's far more electable than the other candidates. To be sure, he is still a politician and will always be subject to my scrutiny. At any rate, I get a good vibe from the guy and it has absolutely nothing to do with his hair.
OK, maybe it has a little to do with his hair. So he's got my support for the time being. Oh, look, he's blushing.
15 comments:
He's my guy too-my family and others I talk to like Hillary or Richardson-esp since we are in NM! But I like Edwards. Yes he's slick, but he does have good ideas and wants to take the country back toward where we should go I think. And yes he has a good chance to win. Kucinich is my ideological choice too, but, yes he doesn't have a chance in hell. Its ok to support a candidate for the statement you are making, but, then again, we as progressives have to think realistically.
it's all about making the best of baaaad choices. Which is no doubt why no one bothers to vote anymore.
None of them get my going, though Richardson was saying the right things to me last year and he doesn't stand a snowball's chance. I'll wind up voting the ticket, be it Hillary, Edwards or Obama.
I think you have a lil' man crush on him.
He may need to borrow your nose hair trimmer.
Thanks for the information, Chris.
I'm not sure who I'm voting for yet but you gave some good opinions.
Micgar- I'm not expecting any candidate to radically deviate from the status quo, but I would like someone just a tad more deliberative than our current bozo.
HL- True, but I want to avoid making another catastrophic choice like the last wo time.
WP- Yeah, me too.
MVM- Nah, but Fred Thompson - now HE'S hott!
Fred Rogers- Welcome! Cool blog! Anyone with an avatar like that is welcome 'round here anytime!
Teri- Thanks. Just so long as you don't vote republican, we're cool.
I might just vote for you! Are you on the ballot?
Great idea Teri, let's write in Chris!
I'd love to vote for him. As VP under Al Gore...
Awww. You two are BFFs.
I think Monkey/Love is the sexy choice - c'mon, you know you want it.
I endorse John Edwards - read his wife's book.
I also endorse AL FRANKEN for US Senate here in the great state of Minnesota.
I think he's adorable. If he wins, then both Canada and the US will have leaders with righteous hair.
I've liked Edwards for a long time and it's driven me nuts that such a wide spectrum of voters and commentators have bought right in to the MSM fixation on his hair.
Good endorsement.
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