Support of the death penalty in 2016 should be completely disqualifying, or is it just me?

[anti partisan]

Yet Hillary took the debate stage last night and unapologetically defended the barbaric practice, using the very conservative "it is the government's role to bring vengeance to bad people" line of argumentation.

I guess she isn't in any hurry to join the civilized world because it goes against opinion polling and focus groups.

When the Republicans beat the war drums again and sway public opinion in the direction of more senseless war, what will President Clinton do? Will she listen to her opinion polling or defend what is right yet unpopular?

I wish there weren't so many reasons to be all in on Bernie but his opponent keeps serving them up

[PeteSelman]

1. There are many who believe as you do but also many who don't.

It's certainly not a non-starter for me. Some crimes absolutely deserve the ultimate penalty.

[DrDan]

2. no way - I am against it but recognize others feel differently

debate it, introduce legislation, vote . . . let's do it the right way, not via some dictatorial path

[NorthCarolina]

3. It's a complete disqualifier for me.

Can't speak for anyone else of course, but for MY money Bernie had the best response: "The Government shouldn't be in the business of killing people". The world is barbaric enough without adding more killing to it. Lock them up and throw away the key if you want, but strapping to a table and injecting who-knows-what into their veins is not the act of a moral or compassionate society.

I for one am simply hoping that (a) we elect Bernie, and (b) we progress to a more advanced society that values it's people above it's elite.

[HereSince1628]

4. A legitimate goal of government is to promote public safety

I have never understood the role of government to be vengeance. So, I'm with you on this.

IMO, this is just another example of HRC revealing her social philosophy leans conservative.

[Uponthegears]

5. For me, absolutely

It is one of very few single issue litmus tests I apply to Democratic Party candidates.

The death penalty is not simply morally reprehensible, it violates the 8th Amendment (notwithstanding the ridiculous arguments to the contrary by Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito and to which a majority of the Court acquiesces by silently agreeing to uphold the practice). << I expect some push back here, but I will wait until it happens before taking the time and space to explain why I am correct.

That being the case, it makes no difference whatsoever whether public opinion is for or against capital punishment any more than it makes a difference whether public opinion is for or against the freedom of speech.

To sacrifice the principles upon which this country was founded for political expediency is a moral failing which does indeed disqualify a candidate from any consideration unless the choice is between two candidates who are guilty of the same moral failure.

[shraby]

6. To me, the real question is: Which party do we want selecting the Supreme Court members

to fill any openings in the next 4-8 years?
The Democratic nominee gets my vote period.

Any one who doesn't feel this way has not thought out the long term problem of the Supremes going further right if a Democrat isn't in the White House.

[bigwillq]

7. No, it should not be disqualifying (nt)

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. I can't see myself getting behind anyone who supports it. nt