I have a litmus test for the Democratic candidates.

[kentuck]

If they cannot support ending this war and getting our troops out as quickly as possible, then I cannot vote for them. That is my litmus test.

I cannot support any Democrat that agrees with the Bush policy in Iraq in any manner. If they agree with the "surge", they have lost my support. If they want to keep 50-75,000 troops in Iraq long-term, they have lost my support. If they say they cannot get our troops out until 2013, they have lost my support. This war is immoral and should be ended immediately. The troops need to come home. No more money needs to be spent in that rathole.

[BlueJazz]

1. Yep..I pretty much feel the same way. This whole debacle has..

..cost humanity enough Blood Sweat and Tears.

It's time to bring sanity back to the USA

[OneBlueSky]

21. my litmus test is that the candidate cannot be a lying sack of shit . . . n/t

.

[brazos121200]

2. Getting out of Iraq is very important to me, but

more important I think is how a candidate will vote on social issues and economic issues. Not just say they will vote but really vote. After all, Iraq will eventually be over (hopefully), and then we will be stuck with whoever we have elected, and I'd like to bring some of the mega corporations to heel. Electing someone who will get us out of Iraq immediately and then do nothing on economic issues for the next four or eight years would not be a good idea.

[iamjoy]

3. I Agree, Iraq Is The Least Of It To Me

Iraq is not a litmus test.

Supporting Reproductive Freedom is a litmus test. Wanting to enact some kind of universal health coverage (I don't care if it is single payer or not, as long as everyone is covered) is a litmus test.

Maybe Iraq isn't a litmus test for my candidate because I know Iraq has become a no-win situation.

[fenriswolf]

19. well your in luck

the only candidates who state they will end the war (some in 2 years some in 1) also feel very strongly about those issues as well, just can't vote in the top tier.

[maine_raptor]

4. My litmus test

Does the candidate on the ballot have a "D" next to the name?

[Madam Mossfern]

11. Is there a "quote" option here?

I'll copy and paste here:

maine_raptor (1000+ posts) Sat Nov-17-07 09:06 AM
Response to Original message
4. My litmus test
Does the candidate on the ballot have a "D" next to the name?

This is a disappointing response and in my opinion a dangerous attitude. Would you vote for someone merely because they had a "D" next to their name if he/she supports the war, opposes Roe v Wade, has close corporate ties or generally has a platform that is contrary to your opinions on several issues? Or........do you actually think at times?

[Orsino]

13. Mine is: is this candidate better than the alternative?

And these days, "D" beats "R" hands down.

It's a shame that all a Dem has to do for my support is to be marginally better than a Republican. We need real competition.

[TwilightZone]

5. Yes, because the chances are so much better that the war will end with a Republican in office.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. If you check out recent polls

it is obvious that a majority of Americans agree with you about Iraq. Personally, I think that is why Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are both getting a lot of positive talk around the internet. We have to mount a candidate who will promise to get us out of Iraq. That will be the winning element to the race.

[mmonk]

7. I'm not for the colonialization for free trade economics

ideology of the neoconservatives and the third way either. I will fight it until I can fight it no more.

[slackmaster]

8. My litmus test for a Presidential candidate concerns the root cause of the war

I can't support a candidate who does not give top priority to national commitment to accelerated development of clean, renewable energy.

Our dependence on foreign oil is the root problem underlying the war, and international terrorism. Our dependence on fossil fuels is the root problem underlying global warming and much of our pollution.

[rjones2818]

9. To the greatest page with you!

What's the use of voting for a Dem if they continue disasterous policies?

[ohio2007]

10. ... in '06 they said just that...

in '08 they will say it again.

[Froward69]

12. The only reality based withdrawal plan is

Joe Bidens. The only plan that has not changed over the campaign.:patriot:

[Toots]

14. Are there any that do support it?

I haven't heard of any. I know some want to reduce the number and yet leave a force of some sort there for a while. Do you think if American based oil companies are allowed by Iraq to extract the oil and move it to world markets that American forces should help protect them? Or should American Companies just be shut out of the Iraqi Oil market completely? IMO this whole thing is about oil. Thousands upon thousands of people have died. Should we now just give that oil up? I don't think any President whether Republican or Democrat is going to do that. A Democrat would never have invaded Iraq in the first place but that is now a moot point. We did and now there will be spoils. Should American firms be denied after all this? Oil is a very important strategic concern for National Security. Our military won't operate without it. The dastardly deed has been done. We invaded and occupied Iraq for their oil and we will have it.. Of that I have no doubt....Sort of like how we took the Indians land. Should we give that land back to them? Ain't gunna happen.. Neither will we give back Iraqi Oil..Every single Democratic candidate has stated they will immediately reduce troop levels and end Active Combat in Iraq. If you want all Americans out of Iraq I don't believe you are being realistic. I am not talking about right or wrong here. We all know what is right and what is wrong. What I am talking about is reality. America is not about to give up this new foothold in the Mid East. Let's just get the killing to stop and turn it into strictly business. Their Oil belong to us....Right or Wrong that is fact.....

[kentuck]

15. there will be "spoils"?

"A Democrat would never have invaded Iraq in the first place but that is now a moot point."

I disagree. I don't think it is a moot point.

Should we give the land back? Absolutely. Oil is a commodity on the world market. It's not like we will not have access to that commodity. We may not like the price or the producer but we will have as much access as any other consumer.

Also, there are consequences to making blunders in foreign policy. What should it be for the US? Shoudl we have to suffer any consequences for our actions? Their oil does not belong to us.

With that said, I am sure many politicians, including many Democrats, are thinking just as you have stated above.

[Toots]

17. While I agree with all you have said I don't feel it is realistic

You believe we should give all of America back to the Native Americans we took it from? I also think that is never going to happen. There are consequences to foreign policy blunders of that you are absolutely correct. The rapidly falling dollar is one such consequence. The loss of Prestige and Esteem being another but leaving Iraq without guaranteeing complete access to their oil is not about to be one. Don't get me wrong here. I am completely opposed to this action but I know in my heart that it is going to happen. It is going to happen under a Democrat but the killing will stop or at least slow to a trickle..Republicans will claim Victory but the only Victory will be the theft of the oil..

[kentuck]

18. I'm not sure it is "realism" or...

just the conventional wisdom that is fed to a gullible public. I do not doubt that there are powerful people that want to keep the oil to themselves. However, I do not think the American public should accept that outcome. It does not belong to us. It belongs to the Iraqi people. We invaded that country when we shouldn't have. We have no moral position to stake in this invasion. Not on their oil or any other matter. Our continued presence will not make things better, in my opinion. We have made matters much worse in the last 6 years. We have created more terrorists - not less. The Iraqi oil production is at the same level as Saddam or lower. It is in our national interest to get out of Iraq as soon as possible, in my opinion.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. Fotunately, my ballot has a spot to write in an anti-war candidate.

Which I will have no trouble doing if the best the Democrats can do is come up with someone who will continue the war in Iraq and keep "all options on the table".

[LWolf]

20. So do I.

My litmus test:

They have to walk their talk, have a record of doing so BEFORE primary season, and their talk has to have merit.

[puebloknot]

22. My litmus test is their announcement that they will roll back *all*...

...of the unconstitutional laws and signing statements from this criminal administration's tenure in The People's House. No halfway measures. I want to rewind to the time before Selection 2000, and go forward from there.