What is the reason I can't get ONE answer to this question?

[bigtree]

Where has your candidate realized their aspirations or initiatives into policy, practice, or law?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x690725



Is that it isn't a relevant question? Not an important enough one to respond to?

Is it the fact that I'm the one asking?


I'm a Richardson supporter, and I'm asking for obvious reasons. Richardson has a record of actually enacting many of his ideas and initiatives into practice, policy, or law in New Mexico as governor. I've noticed a dearth of ideas and initiatives from the other candidates, but I'm not up to speed on where they've managed to get their ideas or proposals effected into law. It's a confrontational question, coming from me, perhaps. But, I think it's more than fair to ask.

I'm not sure why I can't get a substantive response from a group of folks who regularly complain about the trivia that passes for a campaign.

How about it? Can I get some responses?


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x690725

[AngryAmish]

1. no

[bigtree]

2. no?

to which question?

[WinkyDink]

3. Too bad Richardson likes Gonzo.

[bigtree]

7. have you chosen a candidate to support?

I'm going to be looking for a candidate to support if Richardson doesn't catch on. I plan to be a tenacious supporter for our nominee. I've never shied away from one yet. I do want the info though. It might be a productive exercise. I found out yesterday from sapphire blue that Mr. Edwards is director of a center for poverty. I really knew nothing about that before she responded. It surprised me and made me want to look further.

I am supporting Richardson, but this doesn't have to be a zero-sum enterprise.

[WinkyDink]

15. I like Edwards, esp. his emphasis on helping the poor. My REAL fave is DK,

but I'm tired of windmills (supported Jesse Jackson, Fred Harris, George McGovern,....).

[genie_weenie]

4. You made me promises, promises

You knew you'd never keep
Promises, promises
Why do I believe?


Because most voters have deluded themselves into believing: A) Elected officials are Our servants, B) Everything will be Utopia when my guy gets in...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. big, I don't mean to branch off here, but don't leaf. stay with me on this.

too many supporters of specific candidates simply do not know what ideas they have enacted.

the most troubled supporters have to be Hillarians, with her refusal to take a public stance on any difficult issue, until the rest of the world has spoken. Because she has no stances, as far as you can tell, it is impossible to find any initiative or idea that she worked to enact.

Barack Obama is slightly better. He bravely takes some stances, but is cautious in other ways. HIs problem (some call it an advantage) is the limited duration he has had inside the Bloatway.

Kucinich is easy. Lots of well defined positions on issues, and many efforts to pass bills on those issues.

Richardson, too. I agree with you. the man is great.

[bigtree]

9. and that's why I'll admit I'm challenging as well as inquiring with the question

I'm really looking for actual success in realizing the ideas or initiatives, rather than just championing them. Even Richardson's 'accomplishments' could be seen as less if their effect could be shown to be detrimental or of no use. I would like to steer the debate to this for obvious reasons though. Hope and aspirations vs. effectiveness. The two aren't necessarily opposites, but they can be determinative for some.

[RaleighNCDUer]

22. And how is a minority senator senator supposed to

"(realize) the ideas or initiatives"? For 14 years, they have not set the agenda. For the past six years, they've not only had a hostile majority to contend with, but also a hostile administration. But you expect to see their accomplishments?

By the criteria you require, a candidate must (a) have been out of government for the past 14 years; (b) been a governor; or (c) be a republican.

If you are looking at the senate or congress, you have to look at their positions, not their accomplishments, because the only successful Dem legislation for 14 years has been that acceptable to the repukes.

[bigtree]

25. that's really my point in raising this. should we elect someone based on promises

alone? Or advocacy alone? I'm asking.

[Fleshdancer]

6. It is a relevant question....

And when I choose my candidate, I hope to have an answer for you but for now I'm still in research mode.

[theboss]

8. Hillary! has a ton of success in New York

This is from her website, but she has done a great job in linking up-state farmers to NYC restaurants:

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=240443

Basically, the issue is New York City has a gazillion restaurants, upstate New York has a gazillion farms. However, New York City restaurants don't buy from upstate farms. This is a step to correct that and link the economies between the two parts of the state.

Here is another example of her initiative:
http://www.newyorkwines.org/informationstation/newstouse/news.asp?ArticleID=653

This kind of stuff is "Clintonism" at its best.

[bigtree]

10. Alright! I like that.

And, I had NO clue!

Thanks!

[theboss]

17. Not that I am supporting Hillary! (I honestly don't know where my vote is going right now)

But there is a reason that she is (at worst) going to be Senator for Life in New York. She is much much more of D'Amata "Senator Pothole" type than anyone realizes.

[Fleshdancer]

16. that's cool

That's one of those "why didn't anyone else think of this?" kind of solutions.

[theboss]

23. Here's another one

Say what you will about the Clintons, they produce three times the ideas of any other politicians and actually have the connections to pull them off.

Being Hillary!, she can actually get the head of Ebay to go to banquets in Buffalo with small-business owners:

http://ezraklein.typepad.com/blog/2005/08/hillary_gets_it.html

[bananas]

11. Kucinich is the answer.

Next question.

[bigtree]

12. pretty shallow

I'm not much for sloganeering

Got more? What about for his state?

[lonestarnot]

13. Yes he is.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

14. My candidate has been the best Chancellor of the Exchequer for decades.

But Gordon Brown won't be up for election for another few years...

[WinkyDink]

18. Just the title "Chancellor of the Exchequer" makes me regret the Revolution!

[Wickerman]

19. I'm undecided at this point

Way too early in the game. However, if you don't mind, since you are a big Richardson supporter, may I ask you about your thoughts on Bill's Pro-Death Penalty stance? For a myriad of reasons I am strongly anti-death penalty. That feeling has only increased in recent years as we recognize the supposed tool is inconsistency and unequally applied, used with falsified and incomplete evidence, and is often described as otherwise inhumane.

Forgive me for going off topic, but perhaps you, with your ear close to the ground can offer some insight into how Bill would move from a pro-death penalty state like New Mexico to the national stage, which is becoming less and less tolerant to the shortcomings of such a final instrument of punishment?

As an undecided I don't have anything to contribute on another candidate. Despite that, can you take a minute to give me your assessment on how Bill intends to approach this issue when President?

thanks

[babylonsister]

20. Very relevant; I can't respond because I don't have a candidate yet.

But here's a :kick:

[Czolgosz]

21. Mitt Romney has realized many of his aspirations and initiatives into policy, practice, and law, but

I don't share his values so his record of "accomplishment" does not impress me.

Even Bush has realized many of his aspirations and initiatives into policy, practice, and law, but - again - I don't share his values so I'm not impressed by his record.

When a candidate does not reflect your core values, the fact that the candidate has enacted his values (rather than yours) into law is nothing to get very excited about.

[bigtree]

24. I understand your point, yet, we're not talking about anyone akin to Romney.

If we accept that their ideas are valid, then it would be relevant and important if they had actually managed to enact them.