My ideal candidate -- Biden with Edwards/Kucinich's message

[Armstead]

Unfortunately it has to be hypothetical, but I think if Joe Biden were to become more like Edwards and Kucinich on his message -- traditional liberal/progressive Democratic values -- he's be the ideal candidate IMO.

Biden brings the quality that strong politicians have. A combined sense of committment and enjoyment. When I say committment, I mean an underlying seriousness of purpose, and sharp intellect. By enjoyment, I mean that twinkle in the eye and casual sense that characterized FDR, JFK, Reagan and Bill Clinton.

I've often admired his straight-talking. Even his tendency to bloviate is largely due to his desire to answer questions in detail, rather than sound bites....I've disagreed with his support for the Iraq War, but at least he bothers to look at the details.

What bother me about him is his underlying acceptance of the status quo. He doesn't address the root causes of many of our problems. Rather he dismisses anything too "liberal" as unrealistic.

Edwards and Kucinich are taking positions that I believe would be much more prominent in the campaign if they were more effective messengers. Alas, Edwards seems to have let his anger get the better of him, and Kucinich has a hard time connecting through the media filter.

If wishes were fishes.....

[frogcycle]

1. He's already the ideal candidate

His heart is in the right place on progressive issues. Making more-inflamatory remarks about them like Edwards and Kucinich would not make him a "better candidate." It might be more inspiring to you, but not to the masses. Get him in there, support and encourage a progressive agenda. That is our best bet.

Being realistic but pushing the envelope is smarter than being idealistic and getting nowhere.

[KittyWampus]

2. If Biden took on Edwards' faux populism, then he'd be just as fake as Edwards is now.

And he'd be just as weak in the GE when the GOP would then SLAM him for being inconsistent.

BTW, Biden IS LIBERAL.

[Armstead]

3. Populism isn't faux

It is a simple fact that corporations and the elites have gained power and wealth at the expense of the majority. The middle class is slipping, the lower classes are stagnant (at best) and the influence of those at the top has grown disproportionately.

Acknowledging that fact -- instead of dismissing it as a position of "the left" -- would not be a fake position.

[1corona4u]

4. I disagree...

Joe is just fine the way he is. I think he has a lot more support than people think he does.....