Here is why I will vote for whichever the Democrat gets the nomination

[SemiCharmedQuark]

I originally supported Kucinich all the way. But he was deemed too liberal by voters. The fact is, over the reagan years and especially over the george w. bush years, liberal has become a dirtier and dirtier word to the American Public. Each term of republican rule makes it harder to get a liberal elected president.

Four more years of a republican presidency with snide comments about "the democrat party", "liberal democrats" the evil of "progressivism" will make it harder to get a liberal elected. I believe the only way to do this is to start moving the party back towards the left. I think of it like trying to roll a sliding boulder up a hill. First step? Halt the boulder from sliding further down the hill. Next, move the boulder. It's tough to start, but once you've gotten going, it gets easier. Then you keep rolling. Allowing a republican to win is just stepping aside and letting it slide further downward. You make it even harder for the next guy to try.

I'm not saying that I'm perfectly happy with either of the two candidates running. But I believe if we can get a democratic president, we can get a more liberal president the next time and a more liberal president the next time. This is basically what the republicans did. They started by allowing moderates to take the stage. These seemed palatable to the American people. Then the nominees just got crazier and crazier.

I think to really move the party left, that's the best we can do for a first step. I believe the real change is going to come from the house and senate. This will also be harder with Fox running the presidency.

I'm not saying you have to vote for democrats, but that's just why I will support the nominee.

[bain_sidhe]

1. And here's why *I* will, too

The President of the United States

Controls and staffs the following Executive Branch Departments

Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Health & Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Housing & Urban Development
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of The Interior
Department of Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of the Treasury

Nominates candidates for the following Judicial Branch positions

Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims
Federal Judicial Center
Superior Court Judges
U.S. Circuit Court Judges
U.S. Claims Court Judges
U.S. Court of International Trade Judges
U.S. District Court Judges
U.S. Supreme Court Judges
Territorial Courts
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court
United States Bankruptcy Courts
United States Courts of Appeals
United States District Courts
United States Sentencing Commission

Appoints staff to the following Regulatory Agencies

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Drug Enforcement Administration
Employee Benefits Security Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Election Commission
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Labor Relations Authority
Federal Trade Commission
Food & Drug Administration
Occupational Health & Safety Administration
Securities & Exchange Commission

These lists aren't complete, but I believe they get my point across.

**edited to add the top line, which I missed in my copying (I've posted this list before, you know, and will keep doing so periodically, just to remind us all that our vote "elects" more than just the President...)**

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. That's right. If McCain wins, no more 5-4 court. And suddenly torture is legal.

And in come the anti-abortion laws to circumvent roe v. wade

[Debi]

3. Good post

on a side note...my son has that Stitch doll :hi:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. Thanks

I have that doll too!

[Breeze54]

4. Yes we do have to vote for Democrats or we're skrewed!

At least until that elusive 3rd alternative party has enough money banked to fight the good fight and mean it.

We all need to start acting as a group too and not a bunch of ferril cats! :P

No matter what Dem was going to be elected, I would have voted for them.

Rethugs make my skin crawl.

[bain_sidhe]

6. Kick for recs

Com'on people... With all the candidate bashing posts here, can't you find it in your heart to comment/recommend just ONE post that helps us keep our eyes on the prize... a Democratic President?

I know many people think their candidate is the best--I think they're both good myself--but to me the ultimate goal to have a Democrat in the White House. This country cannot afford another 4 years of a Republican administration. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this country won't really be this country anymore if we get another 4 years of the FriendlyFascism party.

[Alexander]

7. Excellent reasoning. Here's my reason.