Name your favorite candidate at this point, and three reasons why he/she is your favorite.

[Skip Intro]

If you can't name three reasons, then name two, or one...



edited for reasonable clarity

[flyarm]

1. GORE..BECAUSE HE IS THE MOST EXPERIENCED ..AND IT WILL TAKE

the best possible person to fix the damn mess this country is in..and i only see gore being able to do so!

[Skip Intro]

5. Hell yes, I agree. The presidency is his if he only seeks it. Otherwise...

I don't know who I really fell the best about.

Edwards, Edwards.

I'd love to see a Gore/Edwards ticket.

Repukes would carry Utah. maybe.

[msongs]

2. howard dean - everything we need nt

[Captain Angry]

7. Dr. Dean is the first (and only) candidate that I have ever given money to.

When a bunch of people wanted him pulled from leading the DNC, I sent more money.

And I'd do it again.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. Any Democrat

Reason One: He or she ain't Bush or a Republican
Reason Two: He or she ain't Bush or a Republican
Reason Three: He or she ain't Bush or a Republican

Happy?

[Skip Intro]

16. Will be in 08.

happy that is. or so my gut tells me.

I know I'll be happy to some extent, because, at the very least, the slime that slithered into the backdoor of the WH is 2000 will be forced to slither on out.

[election_2004]

4. Richardson (of the declared candidates)

1. He has a stellar combination of Executive experience and foreign policy credentials.

2. He is both humble and confidant, making him very electable.

3. He has placed more effort than any other candidate in the Democratic field on issues affecting indigenous people as well as alternative energy policy.

[skipos]

29. 4. He loves diplomacy. 5. Medicinal marijuana.

6. Insanely popular governor from a swing state

[Blue_In_AK]

32. I agree.

I am somewhat bothered by certain things that people have said about him, but so far he has more to recommend him than the others.

[illinoisprogressive]

6. Obama: intellectual, down to earth, involves people, Ability to bring people together

lived in different cultures so has personal understanding of them, Was a constitutional professor and after Bush, we need that.
Oh, 3. sorry

[MADem]

8. Absent GORE....."Undecided"

Three reasons why they are all my favorite:

1. Because he or she hasn't said anything in a debate venue to "sell" me yet. Or make me hate them, or think they suck.

2. Because I like the drama of the contest--it's a crucible to forge the strongest candidate.

3. Because there's still time to make up our minds.

And number four, even though you didn't ask:

4. My ultimate favorite, after all the chatting, whining, debating, advertising, and excoriating, is the Democratic nominee. Whosoever that person might be.

[BattyDem]

9. Gore

He's experienced -- We're going to need someone with experience to get this country out of the mess it's in.

He's respected around the world -- That will help with all those fences we'll have to mend.

He's a true visionary -- He's not afraid to grow and learn and because of that, he doesn't only see problems and obstructions; he sees solutions and possibilities.

[1932]

10. Edwards because

- His persona is so well defined
- His persona is defined in terms that identify exactly the problem with the US today and lead to exactly the right solution to those problems
- And, not only CAN he win in the south, the reasons he can win are important for democracy (his appeal to and concern for the working class)

[rwheeler31]

13. I agree

This can work

[napi21]

11. If the electionwere today, I'd vote for Edwards. I've listened to him

several times, the most recent being at a town hall held on Ed Schultz' program on Mon. I think.

1. He answered EVERY question with a direct and non parsed answer.

2. He supports National Health Care and explains how he would pay for it.

3. He's spent the lastseveral years traveling to many different foreign countries and has met with many of the leaders he would have to deal with as Prez. He knows them and they know him. That's a big advantage.

4. He at least sounds honest and straight forward. For any politician these days, that's a hell of an asset!

[EVDebs]

12. Edwards; he's the most specific in his healthcare, labor, programs

and he's admitted he made a mistake in voting for the Iraq War Resolution, based upon the lies being told to 'sell' the war.

[spooky3]

18. I like all of the reasons expressed above (by all pro-JRE posters).

Also (and this is related to those reasons), I think he will appeal more to independents than any of our other currently announced candidates. None of our candidates will appeal to the ultra right so I am not interested in pandering to them. But I think there are a lot of people in the "middle", which according to polls share the views of most Democrats. If we reach out to them, as I think Edwards does most effectively, I think we have the best chance of winning in 08.

[cloudbase]

14. Obama

He is:

1. Clean

2. Articulate

3. Hasn't been in Washington long enough to have picked up too many bad habits.

[Skip Intro]

15. oh lord. n/t

[cloudbase]

19. Just havin' a little fun.

I'd actually like to see Wes Clark get the nod. He's got significant diplomatic experience, and the military background would resonate with many on-the-fence conservatives. We Dems are in an enviable position of having no truly bad choices. Some are better than others, but none are dogs.

[k8conant]

17. Dennis Kucinich

1. I agree with him on all the issues (see http://kucinich.us/issues)

2. He presented Articles of Impeachment against Dick Cheney today.

3. He has consistently done what he said he'd do and opposed the war in Iraq.


I also like Edwards, Obama, and Gore.


I don't trust Hillary although I wish there were a woman running I could support.

Richardson and Biden are neither here nor there for me right now.

For now, I'm putting my money on Kucinich (literally).

[Wwagsthedog]

22. Ditto

except that I only like Al Gore if not DK.

[Debs]

25. I agree

Kucinich

1) An unabashed liberal.
2) He says exactly what he means.
3) He stood up against this war from day one.

[Czolgosz]

20. Obama - he's right on gun control, right on the death penalty, right on the war. I also like Edwards

who is right on health care, right on poverty, right on protecting the middle class.

Kucinich deserves an honorable mention because he's right on almost everything, but I will have to go with Obama or Edwards because I despair the likelihood of Kucinich winning (I reserve the right to switch to Kucinich if his campaign catches fire).

Likewise, Gore and Clark deserve honorable mentions because they are also good on a great many issues, but I will have to go with Obama or Edwards because I despair the likelihood of Gore or Clark running.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

21. Gore and Clark

Brilliance, experience, common sense on both.

Of the declared candidates I'll take Edwards or Kucinich. Only Kucinich is liberal enough for where my head is at. We need some %$#@ socialists running!!!

[JohnLocke]

23. Edwards

1) Clear, positive vision for America
2) Detailed policy proposals that he is good at articulating
3) He can actually win in the South and West

[More Than A Feeling]

24. Gimme Johnny E.!

1) Public Financing

2) He listens

3) The most pro-worker candidate in the race (except for maybe Kucinich).

[elizm]

26. I'll give you SEVEN reasons...

Obama had the good judgment to oppose this war; he worked for 'the people' BEFORE he ever decided to get into politics and not just when he decided to run for President; he has the ability to bring people together; he has the passion I desire in a candidate; he has the most liberal voting record of all of the candidates; he will bring badly needed fresh blood and ideas to Washington; and he INSPIRES me!

[bklyncowgirl]

27. Of the declared candidates, Richardson but I'm not married to him as yet.

The next president has to clean up the mess that Bush has made, repair our relations with other countries and put us on a more sustainable path.

Richardson

1. Has the executive experience that makes me think he could be an effective president.

3. Has exceptional experience in diplomacy.

4. Has promoted and implemented programs for alternative fuels, environmental protection, mass transit and clean manufacturing in New Mexico.

Barack Obama or John Edwards and if Gore gets in that changes everything.

[wyldwolf]

28. Oh, that is easy - Bill Richardson 1-2-3

1. The most solid resume, most experience, and a Governor.
2. DLC (it means something to me.)
3. Popular and from a Western swing state.

[primative1]

30. At This Point : Edwards ...

Edwards continues to pound home the themes we all have to live with. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to understand what we Americans would like to see our leaders attentions focused on. But somehow, of the major announced candidates, only he gets it.

Jobs:Poverty:NAFTA

Its really more like one reason than three.
After years of class warfare AGAINST the working class, its time we got a candidate who will fight back. Seems like the other players are all on the other team.

[1932]

35. From the early '70s to today the defining reality of life in US is assault on middle class

I cannot vote for a candidate who does not talk about this.

It's so obvious that this is the problem that I'm sure every candidate knows it and those who don't make it the central theme of their campaign must be satisfied with the concentration of wealth in fewer pockets.

[churchofreality]

31. !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hillary !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because she has the political skill. She will fight back. She is very smart and will bring the world back together after Bush pushed everyone away.

[Greyhound]

33. Dennis Kucinich because he is honest, he is on our side, and because he is RIGHT!

The articles of impeachment are just the latest example of his being willing to do what is right, even when it is not popular (especially with the whores and criminals that run Washington DC).

ETA; there are several other candidates and potential candidates I would have no problem with, but none of them have taken stands or made the plans to make the changes we need.

[ieoeja]

34. Obama: because he has "it".

That was one of the reasons I supported Clinton in the 1992 primary (the other was his decision to continue following the Gennifer Flowers revelation instead of bowing out a la Gary Hart the previous election).

I fear I may be as disappointed as I ultimately was in Clinton. But it's early, and I may change my mind. Last election I started out for Dean ("at last, a PRO-GUN Democrat running for President!"), switched to Kerry, switched back to Dean ("we have to compete in all 50 states") and flirted with Clark but ultimately settled on Dean.

To date Clinton and Gore are the only primaries in which I voted for the winner.

[benEzra]

36. Richardson, because he is pro-choice on guns

and would be the one to finally lay the "Dems'll take yer guns" meme to rest.

[PresidentObama]

37. John Edwards.

Reason #1: I think it's time someone addressed healthcare, global AIDS, and poverty in this country. I believe Edwards has the best vision to address these all important issues. His healthcare plan, in my opinion, is exactly what America needs right now. His vision of ending poverty in 30 years is bold, yet some what achieveable. And whether we achieve it or not, we should be working towards that goal. All in all, these issues haven't been given the proper focus in the past. Edwards is going to place them out in the open as our nations leader, and I believe he'll lead on this issues as President.

Reason #2: He's shown a lot of personal characteristics that I look for in leaders. When he admitted passionately that he was wrong on his vote to authorize this war, it showed the ability to say "I'm sorry" and to admit mistakes. I don't want another stubborn President. And we all know John Edwards is passionately against this war now. Not only that but the trust, the love, and the unselfishness him and Elizabeth have in their relationship is the envy of all. He looks like a great father with a very healthy family, and a very loving wife. Looking at his family with the love and unselfishness I see with the Edwards, and his ability to admit fault and still lead to correct those mistakes, I see the true character of John Edwards. He's a very passionate, loving, compassionate guy who this nation could use at this moment in time. Like I said, I'm sick of stubborn Presidents. I'm sick of arrogant Presidents. And I believe Edwards is exactly the man we need leading.

Reason #3: I believe out of the three top candidates, he has the best opportunity to win. Let me make it clear, I think all the candidates could win. But he's our best hope. Not only will he carry those states John Kerry and Al Gore did, I think he'd be very competitive in states that we haven't won in a while. I could see him competitive in MO, NM, AR, FL, OH, PA, NV, CO, LA, VA, and IA.

[Tippy]

38. Gore...

He is the only person the rest of the world would listen to. I believe he is capable of uniting our country and restoring our Constitutiion..

[goodhue]

39. Kucinich

Courage
Hope
Peace

[bluethruandthru]

40. If the primary was held today...

I would vote for Edwards.
I really wanted to support Obama, but he seems to be trying too hard to be politically correct. I want to hear straightforward answers. Obama seemed a bit rehearsed last night. I still like him, as I do all the candidates. I wouldn't have a problem with any of them.