Who else has positive things to say about MULTIPLE candidates?

[tameszu]

Time to focus a bit on the positive for at least a few moments.

No insincerity or "damning with faint praise" allowed. No backhanded shots. No harsh comparisons. Just for this thread, please remember the old saying: if you have nothing nice to say, don't post. I mean it. Not even a snarky subject line. You have all of the other 315262626 threads to be sarcastically witty or trenchant.

You can praise your own candidate all you want, as long as you praise other Democratic candidates too.

Or, about-to-be Democratic candidates, since as most people may have guessed, I like Clark.

But I also Dean very much. I am actually unsure which I like better, since I am waiting to see Clark perform as a candidate before I completely make up my mind. The reason I like Clark despite the unknowns is because his public appearances demonstrate that could coherently articulate a hopeful, progressive foreign policy that would represent American Constitutional values better than any president since FDR. He's also very quick on his feet and fills in a lot of demographics in which Dems traditionally lag. But it's not like I will be horrified if Clark doesn't get the nomination; I just want him to enter because I think he could add a lot to the race and raise its profile in the public.

I think Dean's mobilization of the Internet is fantastic and his ability to attract a huge number of new people into the Democratic Party is wonderful. The Democrats have made huge gains, even if they only keep a fraction of the Dean Democrats he has created. I am continuously amazed by how much energy he has inspired in his supporters. He provides a powerful voice to the legitimate grievances many people have against Bush and has done so much to make the media finally notice. And if he wins, he'll trump Clinton's "Comeback Kid." Someone called him the Seabiscuit candidate--that sounds about right!

I also think that Kerry is the cat's pyjamas (sorry for the cheesiness; it's late!). He gets a very rough ride in the press, but he handles it with grace and I've always found his speaking style very distinguished. The first time I saw him on TV, I thought "that man just looks like a President." I also think that it's fantastic that we have a senator who is as liberal as consistently as he has--almost all of the major progressive scorecards put him in the solid 90s. There aren't that many others besides him, Boxer, and Feingold.

So those are my late-night happy thoughts. Please do join in, if you mean it. There's so many other bashing threads in this room, and I think they can have value. We should know exactly what we're buying, and opposition is always healthy. But I also want to see a happy, unifying thread for once!

[VoteClark]

1. Clark, Kerry, and Sharpton are awesome

All three men served their country with honor. Sharpton has great speaking ability. I like to see him raise hell. Kerry is wonderful too. My favorite of the declared candidates.

Clark, is simply the best of all. He is a walking resume. He has done everything under the sun except be a life long politican.

Clark makes me feel safe. He is liberal enought to protect my civil rights and strong enough to protect this country from foreign threats. When he raises his hand and promises to protect this country from enemies, all foreign and domestic, I know he can, and he will.

:kick:
J4Clark

[ryharrin]

2. Sharpton is entertaining as all hell.

Its always great to see Lieberman try to follow him at the forums when they're next to each other.

Kucinich is very close to me as far as the issues go. I love the ministry of peace idea.

[CarlBallard]

3. Briliant idea for a forum

Clark- Almost definately my guy if he runs, Clark has stellar foreign policy credentials, and enough in the domestic arena that Dems shouldn't shy away. His foreign service could inocculate him from many of the charges the smirky campaign will lob at whomever is the candidate. The Draft Clark people have a great line something like "While Clark was getting shot in Vietnam, Bush was getting bombed in Texas."

Kerry- If Clark doesn't run, he's probably my candidate. He's also got the foreign policy chops. He's been wonderful on the environment. He's got more carisma than the last JFK to run for the office. Kerry could also use Clark's line.

Dean- He's had the best campaign so far. I love his willingness to take the campaign to Bush. He understands the internet like no candidate for any office in this country ever has.

Edwards- Best line of the campaign so far: "I want to export American products not American jobs." Edwards has a simple dignity, and would be good help in the South.

Mosley-Braun- She projects inteligence, and confidance. Aside from her demeanor, she's great on the issues. Also she's been ambasidor to Antarctica, and that's just awesome.

DK (sorry I'd spell his last name wrong)- I love his passion. He's a bit to my left, but still he adds so much by his presance.

Sharpton- Come on! Best speaker of the bunch, bar none. At the debates and other public forums, he's just amazing.

Graham- Thanks for Florida. His common touch is evidant not only in his sponsorship of a racecar, but in everything he does. His anti war stance from a different angle than most anti war folks helped add a layer of depth to the conversation. His attacks on Smirky: brilliant.

Lieberman- It's so much fun to see Lieberman debate social conservatives. When they say "we're moral because we oppose abortion" or whatever, his indignation is wonderful. He defines the Democratic position as the moral position, and I wish more Dems did that.

Gepheradt- Mr. unions. He fights hard for the working man and woman every day.

If I forgot any other candidate: oops, I love them too

Basically what I'm saying is that we've got a wonderful party, and loads of great candidates. Whoever gets the nomination, I believe, can win if they work hard. And all of them would make good presidents.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. An analogy.

Kerry is the brain.
Dean is the heart.
Sharpton is the voice.
Kucinich is the soul.
Gephardt is the legs.
Braun is the conscience.
Graham is the id.
Edwards is the gut.
Lieberman is the sphincter.

[tameszu]

8. Cute and clever,

but, no slams, not even for Lieberman! (Unless you are referring to the very positive role our sphincter plays in keeping our guts from falling out of our asses.)

There are plenty of threads on DU to do that. You never know--he might get elected and turn out to be much less like Bush than you think.

And I should also add that he consistently scores in the high 80s on most progressive scorecards.

I can think of a number of good things to say about Joe: he's very strong on the environment and demonstrates how someone with strong religious commitments can be pro-choice and pro-any number of

I met, for the first time, I have to admit, but I haven't been out talking politics with a lot of people, a Lieberman supporter. Yes, they really do exist! And maybe someone in the Democratic Party should listen to them, even if they don't think the party should adopt their policies. Basically he--and I believe other people who support Joe--are very liberal on domestic policy, but hawkish on foreign policy. If Joe can keep those people in the fold and get them to indirectly keep listening to the other candidates, then he's doing some good.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

17. Of course I was referring

to the very positive role our sphincter plays in keeping our guts from falling out of our asses.

Mighty important, that.

[MercutioATC]

5. I'm supporting Dean, but I really like Kerry's idea to exempt the first

$10k of income from FICA withholding and eliminate the FICA cap. I hit the cap in September of each year, so it'll cost me money, but I think it's the BEST way (as far as taxation goes) to help the working poor.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. I've always thought that that line should be at the poverty line.

Somewhere between 12-14k.

[MercutioATC]

10. I won't quibble over a couple of grand...either would be great.

.

[AWD]

7. I have positive things to say...

...about 8 candidates.

9 when Clark announces.

The candidate who I can't be positive about...well, I won't say his name, but it rhymes with Joe Lieberman.

[CarlBallard]

9. Um

If you're going to call a post "I have positive things to say..." would it kill you to say some positive things? Or at the least not bash one of the candidates with it. Please say some positive things about those 8 or 9 candidates, I'd love to hear it.

[AWD]

13. Actually

would it kill you to say some positive things?

Actually, it would. I have a condition which can be fatal if I'm asked to speak in positive tones about more than 5 people at a time.

Frankly, I'm very hurt by your casual attitude towards my life-threatening handicap, and I feel that you should learn more about disabilities such as mine.

If you want to learn more about "Repeated Praise Syndrome", consult your school library.

[CarlBallard]

14. lol

but school is out for the summer and I'm in my mid 20s

[AWD]

15. I'm just glad...

...that you took my post for what it was. A joke.

Truth be told, I didn't have the time to formulate all my thoughts on each candidate and post them, or I would have done so. i have an order in my head, but it gets fuzzy and flip-flops after the first 4.

Dean
Kerry
Kucinich
Graham

Then the rest

[LWolf]

11. Okay

I think we did this last week, but I can say other things as well.

I love Carol Mosley-Braun. I like her position on the issues. I like the way she expresses herself. I'd love to see a woman or a minority on the ticket; both is an extra bonus. I'd love to see her on the ticket as VP this time around; more experience under her belt for the future.

I love listening to Sharpton. I usually agree with his issues; he only has one position I can't support. He has to be the best at one-liners we've got going. I also really like the way he speaks his mind; very straight forward, no prevaricating, no worry that someone might not agree with him.

I think Kerry is a good moderate; I think I can count on him to offer more than lip service in support of those serving in the military. His military experience is a plus and puts Bush to shame.

Edwards promotes the development and use of renewable fuels; he's young and I think he has a promising future ahead of him.

Lieberman: he speaks his positions even when they are unpopular with his audience. He and Gore beat * in 2000.

Kucinich: Heart, mind, soul, spirit, determination, integrity, courage, HOPE, and a true commitment to the people, all wrapped into one small, fiery package. Go, Dennis. We need you.

Gephardt: Good moderate, plenty of experience.

Dean: Can fire up supporters. May attract swing repubs/moderates. Doesn't hesitate to go after bush.

Graham: He's not bush. He's a democrat elected by Floridians. He seems very friendly. Garrison Keillor likes him.

[TheReligiousLeft]

16. Garrison!!!

Wow. Really! That changes everything, he shoot from spot 3 to spot one... Well, not quite, but if Garrison told the Lutherans to rise up and invade the White house I'd be grabbin' my machette.

[mndemocrat_29]

12. Great Thread

John Kerry-He has military expertise, is a liberal senator who can appear moderate in elections, he would easily win New Hampshire, and appeals to all demographics.

Howard Dean-He can excite voters (better than any of the other candidates thusfar in the campaign), he knows how to use free media, and can raise some serious money.

John Edwards-He's a southern senator who can steal appeal to his moderate base while voting liberally.

Carol Moseley Braun-She's a magnificent speaker, has some wonderful ideas, and I just love watching her on C-SPAN.

Al Sharpton-Another terrific speaker. He has terrific one liners that would be wonderful in a debate against Bush.

Dennis Kucinich-He's so passionate about what he believes in.

Joe Lieberman-He appears like a very honest and open person.

Dick Gephardt-He has the unions backing him, he's so strong on labor (we need a candidate like that) and he appears like a genuinely nice guy.

Bob Graham-Has a rural appeal about him that would play well in both the South and the Midwest. He personifies toughness and honesty when he speaks, yet doesn't appear like a bully.

[phillybri]

18. I'll give positives for all 10....

1. Kerry is a true liberal w/ amazing foreign relations experience.
2. Clark is a hero w/ an amazing background and business savvy.
3. Dean has some serious balls and is bringing a ton to this process.
4. Kucinich is the most liberal of the bunch.
5. Moseley-Braun is a wonderful lady with a great vision and a truly compassionate heart.
6. Sharpton is wildly entertaining and far more intelligent than most people would give him credit for.
7. Edwards is amazing at engaging people.
8. Gephardt is a true union hero.
9. Graham probably has the biggest stones (politically speaking) in the race. Very trustworthy guy.
10. Lieberman is not George W. Bush.