I've never been "undecided" before. This is a weird feeling.

[musicblind]

I live in Asheboro, NC and I'm heading to vote with my whole family at 2:00 pm.

If you look at my posting record, all the way back to 2007, you will see that I am a long time Clinton supporter. I really do like her and I think she is a wonderful woman.

But now, I'm honest to goodness torn between Clinton and Sanders. I had been an ardent Clinton supporter because I think she has the gravitas and fortitude to win in the general. I feel like I can trust her and her husband on foreign policy issues. I know, I know... she has the Iraq vote against her. I don't think that outweighs everything else that she has going for her.

However, in recent weeks, I've discovered how much I really, really like Sanders' policies.

Then again, Sanders said in an interview, that he ran as a Democrat for media coverage. I'm a Democrat through and through. I want to vote for one. I want one representing us.

Then again, I really did not like Clinton's answer on the death penalty at the last town hall. I am firmly against the death penalty and I don't know what I was hoping for in her answer, but it was definitely something different than what she said. And the money from big corporations does make me wonder. I realize that you have to fight fire with fire, but it is amazing how much money Sanders has raised without a direct superpac.

However, I do think her college plan is much more realistic than Sanders. Sanders likely won't get most of the things he is promising done, if any. I fear he will be uncompromising if he is president and that being uncompromising will lead to four more years of gridlock.

Also, Hillary is a little younger, and that makes a full 8 years more likely and I admire that she had a solid stance on healthcare as far back as the 90's. She cared about that. I know Sanders has too, and I give him credit for that as well, but she DID take a stance on this issue when it wasn't the flavor of the generation.

But, if we look at someone's past. Sanders was a civil rights protester and Clinton was a Goldwater girl in her teens. I know that it was her younger teens. I read her biography and she acknowledges and owns that part of her youth, but still... when you see someone chained to another person because he believes in that so strongly and you see it from such a young age... that's a powerful image.

This is the first time I have ever been in the so-called "undecided" category. Even in a primary, I've always known who I wanted. I voted for Clinton last time in the primaries after attending stump speeches from both. I was in love with both Clinton and Obama at the time, but felt Clinton was going to have a better chance of getting elected. The results proved me wrong. Obama won in a LANDSLIDE. Maybe I am wrong now?

If I vote for Sanders, I don't want it to be seen as a vote against Hillary. My vote for Hillary last time was certainly not a vote against Obama.

I'm not as diehard certain as you guys are (in both camps), and part of me wishes that I was. I take voting very seriously and I always have. I've watched ever debate. I've read both websites. I've even watched the snl skits. But I still just, I don't know.

I hope that I know by 2:00 pm.

I'm not looking for propaganda from either side. I don't want people to tell me how evil Hillary is or how naive Bernie is. I don't vote based on those things. I vote in a very detached and analytical way. I guess, I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my system and that is why I posted them here.

Hmm... this was a long and pointless stream of consciousness rant. Sorry about that! I've just had all of this going on in my head, and I couldn't think of a more relevant place to post my thoughts as I head into the voting booth today.

[bullimiami]

1. I feel the same.

I have pros and cons for each and will happily vote for whichever gets the nom.
Im going voting this afternoon with no idea who I will pick.

[Lucinda]

3. Happy voting day!

You'll figure it out!

[musicblind]

5. It's so good to know I'm not alone!

It really helps to know that there others going through this same thought process lol.

Thank you for sharing. I wish you the absolute best, whomever you pick!

[Lucinda]

2. Maybe think about the one thing you think most needs to be done, and who would be best for the task?

You'll know when the time comes. As long as you vote, it is all golden!

[musicblind]

8. That is an interesting excersise.

I will do that. Healthcare for all, LGBT rights and civil rights are my biggest issues. I'll try playing out the different scenarios

[Lucinda]

12. I hope it helps!

[questionseverything]

16. please vote for the guy that believes healthcare is a right

that is actually the first step in universal coverage,understanding that people should not die of some treatable disease because the money is not there

[KPN]

9. Good advice!

I would just modify it a tiny bit to add my advice. Maybe think about what is the most important thing for our country right now in your view, and who represents that best.

Good luck with your choice and happy voting. Whatever you decide, it won't be wrong.

[veronique25]

4. touch the 'bernie lever' in the voting booth, take a deep breath, and move america forward!

win or lose, bernie's america rules!

you'll feel so much better already!

[7wo7rees]

6. Good luck. Peace.

At least you are concerned and informed and voting!!

[Kelvin Mace]

7. I am not going to get into a big effort to try and convince you

You have to do what your conscience dictates. Good luck, and thanks for making the effort to think it through. I see to many people who don't give this the consideration it deserves.

[dana_b]

10. Well it's great that you are going out with your family

Whatever you decide, just do it from your heart and try not to worry about what others think.

[Carlo Marx]

11. Sanders college plan doesn't punish poor kids, making them work for tuition.

Tuition free college works so well in Germany that Americans can attend. As for cost, Obama was sending $80 billion every month to the big banks through "quantitative easing", we can surely invest the $70 billion per year cost. The GI Bill was one of the most successful investments in modern history.

[UMTerp01]

13. I too am undecided

Let us know how it worked out buddy. I don't vote til April and find myself no closer to making a choice.

[GardeningGal]

14. One issue made the difference to me.

I want corporate money out of our elections and there's only one candidate that is campaigning that way. Let the election support the will of the people, and not the will of the corporations.

[PoliticAverse]

15. When you get there vote for whichever candidate you choose. You never have to tell anyone...

who you actually voted for, that's your right.

[PADemD]

17. Try isidewith.com before you vote.

[jeff47]

18. On Gridlock

However, I do think her college plan is much more realistic than Sanders. Sanders likely won't get most of the things he is promising done, if any. I fear he will be uncompromising if he is president and that being uncompromising will lead to four more years of gridlock.

There will be gridlock no matter which candidate is elected. The Republicans will not suddenly accommodate Clinton. For example, they will not suddenly expand the ACA after voting to repeal it 60 times just because it's Clinton asking.

IMO, neither candidate's plans will pass in at least the first four years due to this Republican gridlock. So part of my decision is based on who I think can better reach the voters who have been sitting out elections so that we can break the gridlock.

Clinton is a good technocrat. Technocrats are not inspiring. She can't fundamentally change the dynamic where about half of voters do not bother to vote.

Sanders has a chance of actually changing that dynamic. He could get the "there's no difference between the parties" people to see a difference and get to the polls.

[disillusioned73]

19. Thanks for sharing your thoughts..

I'm sure you are not alone.. all you can do is vote with a clear conscience and that should be enough.. Whomever that is, enjoy the day.. cause us folks waiting till next month feel left out of the process and for that you should feel like you are in the thick of it - very exiting.. enjoy and let us know how the turnout looks in your experience..

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. Even though I am supporting Bernie I understand why you can feel torn

I've spent a lot of the last two decades defending her from viscous right wing attacks, and some of the 2008 campaign defending her against what I believed were some over the top left wing attacks.

I will only comment directly on one thing you said. I am actually the Chairperson of our Town's Democratic Committee, but I remain clear on one thing:The Democratic Party exists to serve the people, not the other way around. When I was a lot younger I registered in the Peace and Freedom Party, because I felt then that it came closest to representing my beliefs. Ultimately, that is what counts. Later I came to realize that in our essentially two party system it was possible for a third party candidate to be a spoiler helping to elect the wrong major party candidate - as in Ralph Nader in 2000 etc. But at the very local level it is different because voters can know you personally, and you can win on smaller party tickets, sometimes using them to defeat an incumbent who had grown too comfortable in their sense of entitlement to their office.

Bernie won as an Independent at the local level and proved himself in office. When he made it to Congress though he immediately joined the Democratic caucus and has remained a loyal part of it - never shopping around his vote. Had Bernie ran for President as an Independent this time I would have opposed him - but as we all know he didn't, so I am happy to embrace him. He has the values and priorities of a FDR Democrat, and that is the Democratic Party that I am proud of and belong to.

Good luck with your decision. We need more people to take their vote as seriously as you do.

[JFKDem62]

21. Educating our children, letting them see doctors when they are sick.

Preserving social security for senior citizens to live in dignity.

Fighting for clean air, food and water.

Fighting corporate greed, over turning the oligarchy.

We have to decide if we are going to continue our descent into third world status
or join the civilized world. Time to be citizens of the 21st century.

All that said, you must vote the way you think best.

[democrattotheend]

22. I understand how you feel

We have 2 great candidates and I was undecided for a while. I ultimately decided to support Bernie because his views are more aligned with mine and I really admire his willingness to stick to his principles even when they are unpopular. Another big factor for me was his independence from corporate money. Many candidates claim that they are not dependent on corporate money but he is one of very few politicians for whom I actually believe it.

I had the same concern as you about Sanders being unwilling to compromise enough to get things done, but some things I have read recently assuaged those concerns. A recent article in the Washington Post showed that he is well respected on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. In some ways, I think he may be better positioned to move things through Congress because he served in both houses, giving him both relationships with legislators in both and knowledge of the inner workings of both chambers.

Regarding his comment about getting media coverage, I can see why it bothers you, but I think it was an honest answer, and I think it is great that he is running to effect progressive change within the party. I wish more left wing candidates would do that instead of serving as a third party spoiler who helps elect Republicans by taking 2-3% from the Democrat in a close election.

If you do decide to vote for Bernie, it will not be a vote against Hillary - it will be a vote for a candidate you decide better represents your views. In 2008, I felt that I was voting for Obama, not against Hillary, and that is how I expect to feel this year when I finally get the chance to vote for Bernie next month.

[Carlo Marx]

23. Cabinet appointments have tremendous influence on policy.

I live in the Rocky Mountain West and Obama's first secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, was a wealthy rancher and his policies were horrible on wildlife and the environment. Obama gave him a lot of autonomy to run the department and so he restructured the US Fish and Wildlife agency to use flawed science to delist endangered species at the behest of wealthy ranchers (people like the Bundys).

[femmedem]

24. it's wonderful to have two terrific candidates to choose from today.

I think Bernie will help Democrats down ticket by increasing turnout among the young and disengaged. And I think he will have a better shot winning the GE based on his support among independent voters.

I do think he is true to Democratic party ideals of the FDR era.

Whatever you decide, I think it's wonderful your whole family votes together.

[RKP5637]

28. Same for me. Bernie reminds me of the old time democrats that were really for all the

people and supported FDR policies.

[ChiciB1]

39. It's Already Happening Here In FL, With DWS Seat... Tim Canova

has decided to run AGAINST DWS and she's NEVER had an opponent. He's doing very well and getting a LOT of support. I so hope he wins, but of course if DWS doesn't win and it's Hillary as the nominee she'll have a YUUUUGE job in a Clinton Administration. That's a "for sure" big cabinet appointment because she's helped Hillary so much for so long.

[ucrdem]

25. Trust in the Lord. She'll tell you which lever to pull.

..............
p.s. this one has been around for a while ...

[RKP5637]

26. It's a tough pick! I like both of them. I voted for Bernie, but it Hillary is the nominee I will

have no difficulty voting for her. Bernie's messages resonate very well with me.

[bkkyosemite]

27. I do not understand how someone can be undecided. There is a huge difference

between Hillary and Bernie. Bernie tells the truth, Hillary does not. Bernie is very smart and Hillary has to use her team or she will say the wrong thing which she has many times. She voted for the war in Iraq and now has stated that Bush would give her huge amounts of money for NY. Honesty is the most important reason you vote for someone. My vote will go for Bernie.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

29. What makes someone a Democrat?

I'm a Democrat through and through. I want to vote for one. I want one representing us.

Is it the letter after their name, or is it the policies they support?

[Jackie Wilson Said]

30. Sounds like a person with good choices/options. Are they perfect? Nah, but nice to have

options that dont suck, eh.

[Lorien]

31. For me (and the rest of the planet I believe) this is a life or death vote

because we've run out of time to act on climate change: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/14/february-breaks-global-temperature-records-by-shocking-amount?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+USA+-+Version+CB+header&utm_term=161806&subid=18164759&CMP=ema_565 and Bernie is the ONLY candidate running who will be willing to take the steps needed to fight it and possibly buy us a little more time. We're talking lights out by 2050 (do a few Google searches and you'll see that this is optimistic). Hillary is a very strong supporter of fracking; she even pushed it on Countries that opposed it while secretary of State. Under Hillary, Climate Change would worsen considerably, leading to food and water shortages, massive refugee emergencies, more wars, and far stronger storms. Nothing is worth that risk in my book!

Bernie has the best chance against all GOP candidates. He carried every single town in Vermont in the primaries, has the highest approval record in the Senate, has no enemies on the hill, and has a much stronger record of accomplishments as a legislator than Hillary does. He carried 70% of independents in Michigan, and theirs is the votes that really counts in a general election. Hillary is very vulnerable for more reasons than I can list, but do consider that Trump gave her huge donations over the years and claimed that she did whatever he requested of her in return. I fear that he has information about those transactions that could devastate her in a general election.

Some essential links:


Bernie has a MUCH better record of accomplishments as Senator than Hillary does: https://pplswar.wordpress.com/2015/10/21/fact-bernie-sanders-got-more-done-in-the-senate-than-hillary-clinton/

Electing Bernie would usher a wave of "Bernie Democrats" into Congress: https://newrepublic.com/article/129047/bernies-army-running-congress

Under Sanders, incomes and jobs would soar:http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/08/news/economy/sanders-income-jobs/

Bernie has plenty of foreign policy knowledge: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/bernie-sanders-foreign-poicy-213619

The pragmatic case for Bernie Sanders: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/the-pragmatic-case-for-bernie-sanders/462720/

By Pres. Clinton's own advisor: Why the media and party elite are rushing to nominate the weakest candidate: http://www.salon.com/2016/03/08/hillarys_inevitability_lie_why_the_media_and_party_elites_are_rushing_to_nominate_the_weakest_candidate/

[yodermon]

32. Republican obstruction will occur REGARDLESS of who the Democrat is.

I would rather have someone standing strong for true liberal values WHILE being obstructed, *instead* of having someone who will "compromise"... and then have that compromised position be attacked as lefty socialist communist argle bargle, which is *exactly* what will happen when Clinton is president.

The republicans have attacked ALL DEMOCRATIC POSITIONS, even the centrist/3rd way/compromised positions, AS SOCIALIST LEFTWING COMMUNIST LIBERAL EEEVIL. All this has played out over 30+ years and it is precisely how the political dialog, the "overton window" has moved so far to the RIGHT over the years.

Compromise is fine as long as you start your argument from a position of STRENGTH (e.g single payer). Clinton and Obama before her are PRE ANNOUNCING their positions as compromise positions (e.g. public option). That begins the dialog from a weak point, and the true compromise ends up being squarely in the right-wing's camp (e.g. the ACA with individual mandate, the Heritage Foundation's dream from early 90's). See? Right wing positions become "communism" in the eyes of the rightwing, fox news, hate radio and a vast portion of the general public.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm looking for a champion for liberal values, not a champion for compromise.

[Sunlei]

33. same here, either would be a decent President. I donated only to Senator Sanders because he

needed the campaign money. I wanted his voice heard, his policies heard by Mrs. Clinton. I expected him to give Mrs. Clinton a run and still hope she will take heed of Sanders policies. I voted for Sanders.

Note how popular Bernie is with the D primary base Mrs. Clinton. Even if you win Mrs. Clinton, 40% or more of voter you NEED, aren't going to be to happy or satisfied with backing you.

I want her to team-up with Sanders and unite the Party.

[musicblind]

34. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded.

I did vote, and I am at ease with my choice. You guys all made great points, including a person who private messaged me. I appreciate you not being hyper-partisan and just giving your thoughts and opinions.

I ultimately decided to vote for Senator Sanders. That vote was not a vote against Hillary, but a vote for Sanders. I like Hillary a lot and I hope that she becomes president if she is the Democratic nominee. But I felt that I had to vote with my heart. Last time I voted with my head for Hillary, and I thought Obama would not be able to win the general. Obama proved me wrong. After reading what you guys said and what the people over on Atlas said, I felt this was the right choice.

I do not believe Hillary is night and day different than Bernie or that she is an evil person. I appreciate the people who were able to respect that and give me constructive feedback in this thread. Thank you.

As for turn out, in my small county, there was no wait. My mom asked the polling woman who handed out the ballots and she said it had been a 30 minute wait most of the day, but we just missed the crowd. I hope she is right.

I did not see a single Bernie sign or a single Hillary sign. I only saw signs for Trump... which terrifies me.

Then again, Randolph County is one of the reddest counties in the nation. I would move, but all of my family is here.

[disillusioned73]

38. Good for you..

[demmiblue]

41. If you have not seen this before:

Wonderful choice!

[lumberjack_jeff]

35. I am undecided to this extent: If Sanders is not the nominee, I am undecided on voting. n/t

[kath]

36. Same.

[ChiciB1]

37. The Reality Is This... If Bernie Ran As An Independent He Would Have

essentially been called a Naderitte! For most of his career he has voted WITH the Democratic Party and most of his legislation has actually gotten BI-Partisan support. Is that not better than the GRIDLOCK we have now??

I've watched Bernie on Thom Hartmann's Show for years, Brunch With Bernie and his message has always been one about UNITING "we the people!"

Because he was VERY TRUTHFUL about his thoughts and the reasons he decided to run SHOULD be and indication that he wants to speak for himself.

HE DID NOT WANT to split the Party. It's as simple as that. When he first ran for any office he called himself a Democratic Socialist and has always said this is WHO HE IS.

Vote for Bernie, he may not have voted on every single issue that we all agree with, BUT none of us AGREE on EVERYTHING. And the person who has basically LIED outright has been Hillary. In the past two weeks there have been about 5 outright lies from her. I do not know if she doesn't UNDERSTAND Social Media or if she just thinks it's not going to matter!

You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words! We saw here and it WAS shown on ALTERNATIVE News Networks that Bernie was standing right behind her when she presented her Health Care Program back in the 90's.

It shouldn't be too hard. Frankly, most of us here think he's MUCH more like the REAL DEMOCRAT running this time around. I've been I've been involved in politics going way back to Viet Nam, he's probably the most honest DEMOCRAT I've ever been proud to support.

AND, he does work well with both sides and has GOTTEN a lot of legislation passed. Just m two cents!

[OhioBlue]

40. I've been back and forth for months

my politics are closer to Sanders, but I thought Hillary had the better chance at winning in a general. I changed my mind in recent weeks.... I have no idea what will happen on the R side, but if Trump is their candidate I think Sanders is our only hope.

[NCTraveler]

42. K&R

Love this.

"I live in Asheboro, NC and I'm heading to vote with my whole family at 2:00 pm"