African American
In reply to the discussion: Number23's poll of polls!! Vote here now!!! [View all]wildeyed
(11,243 posts)I try to read a candidates positions before I watch them stump or debate and try to think about my vote as a valuable resource and investment in the future. Which candidate will be more likely to yield returns? It is too easy to get emotional with images. I feel that I can exercise better critical thinking if I read first.
After reading both candidate websites, I felt there was a lot of rhetoric and very little substance to many of Sanders' positions. I agree with him on many issues, but see no concrete plan on how to get them accomplished.
Clinton's statements are full of policy detail. So for instance, she has a policy statement on how to make things better for small business. It might not sound exciting to someone who does not actually own a small business. But I do and can attest that she really gets it there. She has clearly talked to a bunch of business owners and knows the nickel and dime of what we need to succeed. Sanders is talking about big picture economics. But I don't see that he has formulated much policy beyond that. So that was the first point for Clinton, in my book.
On racial justice, Clinton has a bunch of concrete suggestions to make the system better. Some of these are already a priority with my regular, local political organizers, and because I trust their judgment, I trust that she is also correct. Sanders is clearly aware of the problem, but it is all rhetoric. And also, the way he wrote that section borrows terminology heavily from the writing of MLK and Coretta Scott King, which kind of bothers me. This is the one I am thinking of:
I must remind you that starving a child is violence. Neglecting school children is violence. Punishing a mother and her family is violence. Discrimination against a working man is violence. Ghetto housing is violence. Ignoring medical need is violence. Contempt for poverty is violence.
Sanders goes on about "Political Violence" "Economic Violence" etc. and talks a bunch about MLK. I love MLK, but using his legacy extensively for a campaign rubs me wrong. So second point for Clinton.
And there is the online Sanders supporters. Third point for Clinton.
She has done more to protect women's reproductive choice, which is huge for me right now. I strongly believe that women should have dominion over their own bodies. The fact that I have a 16 year old daughter is my skin in the game.
On the negative side, I was really angry with her at the end of the last primary. She was desperate, angry and said some things that were hurtful and wrong. Point against Clinton
I liked her debate and Benghazi performances. +2
I was a very early Obama supporter last time, so it is not like I was Hillary Clinton's greatest fan, "voting my vagina" , or only willing to go with the sure thing. I was completely persuadable to another candidate.