You guys, talk to me.

[gateley]

I'm seriously re-thinking Edwards.

I'm disgusted with both O and Hillary, and have a real concern that if either becomes the nom, we're up against the barriers to getting votes, which we've discussed before.

Edwards is the only one who is keeping Iraq in the mix. I don't know what his motivation is, but I'm just glad he hasn't let it drop by the wayside like the other two (of course, nobody's listening to him, but...)

He IS less 'beltway' than the other two, and though I have fears about him as well, not to the same extent as I do about Hillary and Obama.

I still think his promises are questionable, but picturing the three of them in the Oval Office, I have less FEAR than if it's Hillary sitting at the desk, less APPREHENSION than if it's Obama. With Edwards I feel nervous but for some reason not as much.

What do you think?

[Steely_Dan]

1. Well...

I too, have considered Edwards for the very same reasons you bring up. My only reservation about Edwards is that I don't see him being very bipartisan. He is indeed, a fighter and he wants to accomplish a great deal. I admire the fight in him and I would like to see him take on the corporations. I fear, however, that because of his stance, he will be ineffective and be in a constant battle with business and his political adversaries. Every ounce of our efforts should be towards fixing the horrific deeds done by the neo-cons. I'm afraid that Edwards would spend most of his time defending himself.

You know, I do like his idea that all members of Congress and the Senate forgo their government paid healthcare until the rest of America is taken care of with universal healthcare. That would shake things up.

-Paige

[gateley]

3. Well...

I'm already having second thoughts -- and this is just about considering him!

You bring up one of the things that concerns me about Edwards. I remember people LOVING it when he said if they didn't get the health care passed, he would take away the insurance from the Senate and House. :eyes: Despite the fact that would be impossible and was a dumb thing to say, my reaction is that you get more from people if you work WITH them, not THREATEN them.

If we go down a checklist, point by point, there is no one better to fit the bill than Joe.

We are definitely having to settle. I'm just beginning to wonder WHO could beat the Rep, nom, AND do the LEAST damage in the WH?

This is such a drag.

[1corona4u]

7. There is no way he can strip them of their health care...

I find that statement to show his misunderstanding of the system. Not to mention it becomes a lie when he can't do it.

[PatSeg]

2. I just can't go that route

He is less beltway, because he's never really DONE anything - well he co-wrote the IWR. He is almost the Dems Romney. People do change, but Edwards has reinvented himself many times in order to achieve some goal. I really don't trust any of them, but I trust him the least.

I don't think Edwards could bring about any major change, as he is unlikely to get support in congress even with a Democratic majority.

[gateley]

4. I'm all over the place. I think that was a momentary blip. I've been there before

and also alit on Clinton and Obama, then moved on back to limbo.

From beginning with a cast of characters I felt ALL would do a fine job, I'm now afraid of EACH of them for different reasons.

And it's not as though I'm going to wholeheartedly SUPPORT anyone like I support Joe, so I don't know what I'm bellyaching about.

THANKS FOR TALKING ME OFF THE LEDGE, TSEGAT AND STEELY!!

[PatSeg]

5. In our current state of mind

it is probably better to stay in limbo for a while. We're not going to find a candidate of Joe's caliber and it is hard to become enthused about any of the others. It might be easier if we were less informed. Then we could pick someone based on superficial reasons!

[1corona4u]

8. Boy, that's true....

no one compares to Joe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN0ssW0YBwM

:-)

[Eurobabe]

19. I am writing Joe in if he's not on my ballot

but seeing as though it is 2/5 (Overseas primary) he might be on it? Then again maybe not since it is electronic. :shrug:

[1corona4u]

6. Yeah, I'd rather not vote than to vote for Edwards..

I just don't think he's genuine.

[lyonn]

9. Co=writing the IWR has stuck in my throat since he stood with bush

Now we are left with the chosen 3. The best I can come up with in his defense is believing he thought having input could help?? Didn't seem to work tho. Yet he has seemed to learn a big lesson in politics from it. That is important. When he was VP he had to march to Kerry's drummer, even after Kerry conceded I heard Edwards was not happy about it but it wasn't his race. Mostly, he doesn't look bought and paid for. He does discuss most of the issues important to me; hasn't hammered his opponents. The Edwards anger doesn't bother me, in fact I like it. I'm angry and especially with the corporations. The corps are running the country now, give Edwards a chance. Look at the money that Hillary and Barack have from the big boys, scary. That's one of the reasons most of us liked Biden so much, not bought and paid for. Who cares if attorneys back Edwards, that's a good sign for me. We the people need some representation! Course my husband is a retired, suburban atty. Believe me, it is nearly impossible to win against the corps. The corps have more "witnesses" than most plaintiffs' attys can afford.

[monmouth]

10. The HRC/Obama dust up is and will continue to cause real divisivenss (sp?)

One of the things I like about Edwards is that the corporations, media mostly, hate him, he must be doing something right and they fear him. When we lost Joe, we lost "our" perfect candidate. However, there will not ever be a "perfect" candidate. Edwards does have quite a few things going for him. He's tough, I like his wife, no scandals in the background that we know of. Like everyone else, John has learned lessons, he's smart and won't repeat mistakes. His re-inventions are minor. Hill re-invents herself every two weeks or so. Barack is a fine man and someday down road he will be the first black POTUS. But our country is in real trouble and I don't feel he's equipped, at this time. to take on those tasks. I don't know, this is my thought for the day, who knows, I might be for someone else tomorrow.

[stlsaxman]

11. I think Edwards, Obama and Clinton all the time- back and forth- to and fro...

it drives me batty that Joe's not in the race anymore and i hear little bits of his speeches in all the candidates (mostly when poorly plagiarized!).

i suppose i'll continue wandering undecided until i approach the touch-screen voting machine on Super Dooper Pooper Scooper Tuesday....















AND I'LL SMASH THAT MACHINE TO TINY BITS!!!!!

:argh:

[gateley]

12. Yeah, me too - although by the time my primary gets here, I'm guessing

it'll pretty much be a done deal.

As I said, I'm just toying with the ideas of the others -- I really want the one who scares me the LEAST. Nice choice. Joe! Joe! :cry:

[WheelWalker]

13. I'm not planning on jumping off the plane until

just before it hits the ground. I'm with Corona...I don't think JE is genuine, although he appears genuinely disappointed that he hasn't been able to close out this election's American Jury. Joe hit it on the head - with a black and a woman, each with a realistic chance to become POTUS, there's not much oxygen left for anyone else. BO needs to get over himself and spend some time getting something done for a few years. He's just not ready for prime time. The fact that he thinks he is, is downright worrisome. HC brings downside to the table, but that's so with anyone who's been around the Horn a time or two. I think she can handle the job just fine, but she can't shake the reality that she's linked to the good ol' boys. I do give her gender points. Her being a woman has a HUGE upside as far as I'm concerned. The question I have with HC is, will she be a woman or will she be one of the good ol' boys. I'm thinking movement to her chromosomes might be the reality if she's elected. Sort of like the unexpected shift of Sandra Day O'Connor after she joined the Supremes. But there is so much that can happen between now and the convention...well, like I said - I'm not leaving the plane till just before it hits the ground.

[KingOfLostSouls]

14. it really sucks for us and richardson supporters

having the two most qualified candidates in the field, and actually since probably LBJ.


then being told, "well we don't want people who can do the job correctly."

[gateley]

16. And Dodd, too. nt

[Blappy]

15. Not sure either

there is a lot that can happen between now and the GE. Since most of you probably have yet to vote in the primaries - just consider voting for the candidate you see as having the best chance of winning against the repukes. I get to vote (again) sort-of, at the convention in mid-March, so it will be a tough choice. I did back Edwards in '04 at the caucus, but am not convinced the populist aspects of his stump speech are for real. His record may suggest it is not so much - ah well, a couple a months to ponder it.

[gateley]

17. Bottom line, I'll vote against the repubs.

I just wish there was someone I could honestly feel GOOD about voting FOR. I don't feel that way about any of the current three.

I might as well accept the fact that with Joe gone, that ain't gonna happen.

[Eurobabe]

20. me too, but I will have found a new use for duct tape in doing it.

[elleng]

18. I've decided to write in Joe.

I've thought for a moment about each of those left 'standing,' and am not happy.

I've thought for a while that Ob is too light weight; doesn't have the necessary experience to pull off such an enormous job. Read this a while ago here, and I recommend it. Thanks, corona:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-070325

I suspect that Edw wouldn't have the skills to do the jobs, in particular with Congress, assuming he knows enough about foreign policy etc. Don't think corps will allow him to happen, either.

HRC will obtain and/or has the skills and knowledge necessary, from what I've seen, but she's really a corporatist and I won't support that.

IF any of these state that Joe and/or Wes Clark will be part of their admin, I'd support him/her.

This is horrendous after waiting all these years. Dem circular firing squad has to go, but won't.

Sorry, all.