If I were Gravel's campaign manager I would make him watch the LOGO forum

[dsc]

over and over again before the next debate. This was by far his best performance. He was much calmer than normal and came off great. In comparision to every other forum this was a close to flawless performance by him. Kucinich also came across well. But he has been good in other forums (notably the AFL CIO forum).

On the bad side, Richardson (wow get this man a handler). Edwards also was less than impressive. Among the majors, I was most impressed with Obama. He fleshed out his record to a degree I had no idea existed. I could see myself voting for him in the primary when I might have not done so before.

I really feel lame for not being able to make up my mind and had hoped this debate would do it for me, but I am still totally undecided. Richardson needed to make the sale with me but instead he all but undid the sale. I came in deciding between Richardson and Edwards. Now I am deciding between Kucinich, Obama, and Edwards.

I will say this. It is great to see an HRC forum. It is great to see 6 of our candidates agree to compete for our vote. Dodd and Biden, you have some explaining to do.

[Ediacara]

1. Gravel did well and also badly

He was the most humane of anyone on the stage for the first few questions, although he went into some rant about the drug war when asked a question about HIV rates in black gay men.

ON EDIT: The majors (and I include Richardson in this group since he's running even with Edwards or better in some early states) did a total weasel job, but Richardson may have killed his campaign with some very poorly chosen answers.

[Colobo]

2. It was a tough question for a man from Alaska who

probably hasn't really had to deal with issues in the black community before.

[dsc]

3. As a recovering alchy I really liked Gravel's answer there too

but can see where it might have appeared unrelated. What in heaven's name Richardson was thinking I will never know.

[Ediacara]

4. Well, I generally agreed with what Gravel was saying

I was just so confused about the non sequitur nature of his answer.

[FlyingTiger]

5. You're getting ahead of yourself.

If I were Gravel's campaign manager, I'd be getting my resume ready.

[countmyvote4real]

6. I agree. I'm now totally confused.

When I review what they were saying, where and how they were saying it, I'm more undecided. And yet, I've been able to finally cross Richardson off my list. He does not represent me.

Let's start with the "where and how." These were solo interviews and the candidates did not have to compete or out shout other candidates that were not present on the stage.

I think that Kucinich, Gravel and Clinton balanced the best tone of the small room in their delivery. This is a subjective, yet substantial factor in how one is perceived in the media. I found them to be the three most relaxed candidates or at least the most comfortable. Richardson was beyond relaxed. He was boring and totally wrong on his positions.

Obama and Edwards still seemed as if they were talking to a crowd at Soldiers Field. While I may have agreed with some of their answers, I was left feeling distrustful by their delivery. Then again, do we elect our leaders on their ability to speak or make speeches? GWB kind of makes this an either important or not so much qualification.

Let’s move on to the “what.” I’ve already crossed off Richardson for delivery, but the main reason that I can’t support him is that he apparently considers GLBT issues to be a lifestyle choice. HR Clinton was most masterful in her composure, but it’s clear that GLBT is just another lobby to fund her campaign. She’s not going to do a damn thing until she thinks our struggle is “long term” enough for her.

Well, I’ve managed to strike at least two candidates from the list. (Dodd and Biden crossed themselves off the list by not appearing at all. It’s good to know they have other priorities.)

So, now I’m left with four Democratic candidates that appreciate our struggle for equal rights. Two of them fully embrace our equality for full marriage status (Kucinich/Gravel) and two that will support our equality only as second-class citizens under civil unions (Obama/Edwards).

What is a GLBT person to do?