Reply #12: I like Dean on the issues... [View All]

[Orangepeel]

I think that reducing the deficit is important for a strong economy and I favor rolling back the tax cuts to do it. I like Dean's committment to reproductive rights and civil unions. I believe that the defense budget should be reallocated, to increase wages and benefits for service people, but cutting it isn't a make-or-break issue for me. I believe that Dean's stands on reforming NAFTA and health care make more sense than Kucinich's given that they have a more realistic chance of coming to fruition (we're electing a President, not a dictator who can do anything he or she wants).

I also don't discount personal appeal and electability. A candidate can't do anything without being elected first. Dean speaks to me in a way Kucinich doesn't. Both are angry at the administration, but Dean has the unique ability to channel that anger into hope and empowerment. Kucinich supporters most likely feel that Kucinich does this better, but, given the intensity of the reaction to Dean, I believe more people agree with me (but that's what primaries are for).

I also think that it will take an innovative and incredibly creative campaign to compete with bush and his $200 million. Dean, because of his personal appeal and brilliant campaign tactics, has a huge leg-up on being able to run a truly national, truly grassroots effort. This is special and unique and we should take the fullest advantage of it.