I'm getting the impression I don't need bother to vote in the primaries

[sjdnb]

Seems it's a done deal -- Clinton or Obama and, quite honestly, I am not satisfied with either enough to put forth much, if any, effort to support them.

And, what is really disappointing is that for the first time in eight or nine years, the public seems to have caught on to the ruse the GOP has been running ... and, this is the very best we can offer? In my opinion, we had much better candidates in 2000 and 2004. Rather ironic.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Can you be more defeatist? Express your opinion of who would be best. Vote!

[sjdnb]

3. I did in 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004

and many local elections in between -- and, work/worked as a volunteer (the last ten years in a very red district - not fun at all).

But, this election cycle, the primaries seem sown up and it's not like one of them won't get the nomination if I stay home -- it IS the primaries, after all.

I just can't see myself organizing phone banks, etc, busing folks around, canvassing through the 'snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night' etc. for either one. Just being honest.

Maybe I'll change my mind for the GE, but, I am disappointed.

[terisan]

12. I think it good to vote for a non=front runner & work for an issue not a candidate.

The politicians and media have left the people out of the process. I believe that whoever wins the election in 08 is going to be beholden to the power structure and that what we need to become is strong presence pushing the elected official in the direction we need to go. Every additional angry but directed citizen we can muster is a plus.

I loved that anti-Kravis demonstration the other day. Some of these big money moochers should be run out of the country on a rail......maybe a boat..... all the way to Dubai (you can bet they have already traded their dollars for euros annyway). They are anti-patriots. The US needs to become too hot for them......it is how we can save our country.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. When you vote in the primary...

For the candidate of your choice...

You send a powerful message to the powers that be...

My candidate doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell either...

But I'm still going to vote for him!

I'm all about sending the message!

Believe me, the party elders are listening...

[Frustratedlady]

6. You truly believe the party elders are listening?

I'm getting so disenchanted. I worry we spend too much time watching the "stars" and not paying attention to those with less financing.

I'm going into the caucus with Biden as my candidate. My kids, their spouses and my grandkids are mostly doing the same.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I hope they are.

If we don't speak, then they will have no reason to listen, will they?

Kucinich is my candidate...

I will vote for him.

[sjdnb]

8. The imperical data would imply otherwise ....

Most folks want out of Iraq ... the Dems ignore/cave;
Tons of evidence indicates hearings on Iraq, Iran, Defense Contractors, etc. should be VIGOROUSLY pursued;
But, at every turn, the 'party elders' are the first to back down -- often, without the semblance of a 'fight'. They have the wind at their backs, yet, still for some inexplicable reason, the GOP are able to steamroll over them every time. And, it's not just the 60% thing --- often, the leadership just appears unwilling to pursue any tactical maneuver that may make them have to 'put up a fight' and, potentially, lose support for some other mandate they have waiting in the wings..

So, even if they were "listening" - why should I care.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I hear you...

But we still need to struggle to make them hear us.

If we don't speak, then they will have no reason to listen...

And then they could rightfully say that they didn't hear from us.

We must not give up. I refuse to do that.

[sjdnb]

19. I lost a lot of confidence during the Kucinich Impeachment

vote ...

"House Democrats on Tuesday narrowly managed to avert a bruising debate on a proposal to impeach Dick Cheney after Republicans, in a surprise maneuver, voted in favor of taking up the measure."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3828274

Just once I'd like to see them reach for something just because it's the right thing to do ... not because they know in advance they'll get it because of some back room negotiations that usually result in Bush/the GOP getting what they want OR because they're afraid of losing and looking bad.

"Democrats are poised to hand President Bush upward of $50 billion in Iraq funding with no strings attached, and they've already offered to cut $11 billion (cut in half) from their domestic spending bills."

Now, what ya wanna bet, the Dems will further cut the $11 billion even though, IMO, they should have held out for the Iraq withdrawal timeline, partial war funding, AND thrown in the $22 billion.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/08/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3594771.shtml

[globalvillage]

4. Vote anyway.

I'm undecided, but leaning Biden.
I'll work for and vote for the nominee in the general, of course, but I'm also not inspired by the 'top tier'. Still, any one of them (except perhaps one IMO) is better than any Repub.
Go with your gut on primary day if you have to, but vote.

[Capn Sunshine]

5. Seems like I've read this post online a lot.

what's the point? Either you're for real and living in a basement sucking on old batteries, or you're one of the 91st keyboard Division of secret agents from Freep and LGF

Same effect. Disruption and bitterness.

Try working for something you believe in, it might change your POV.
And you should be ashamed of yourself letting any online bulletin board influence you.

[sjdnb]

17. Huh?

Since when did sharing an opinion/observation become an invitation for incivility?

[PatSeg]

20. A little understanding and compassion would be appropriate

A lot of people get discouraged, especially when they feel like money and media are calling all the shots. Its been a really rough seven years and many are tired.

I understand how you feel, but I still hold out some hope that things will turn around. We'll see.

[1corona4u]

7. So, vote for Biden...

there are other choices..

[tammywammy]

9. Vote anyways!

And vote for who you want.

[BadgerKid]

13. Question: do the top two candidates run together

or does the front-runner pick the person to run for Vice President?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. Whoever gets the nomination picks his/her running mate...(nt)

[madrchsod]

15. by the time i vote it will be decided

oh hell as far as i`m concerned my candidate does`t stand a chance anyway....

[troubleinwinter]

16. Please read the first words in my signature, written by a modern patriot

“What a ballot is- It is not merely a piece of paper, it is me...it is my voice. Each of us should guard it more than we would our most prized or precious possession. That ballot protects our other possessions. Without it you have no say. Over the last couple of years I have been adamant about the need for a voter verified paper ballot. It has been the driving force behind what I have done and will continue to do. To me, my ballot is the most sacred sacrament of the secular religion we call Democracy." ~ Andy Stephenson, 2005

Don't let ANYONE (Dem, Repub, DUers, or anyone else) discourage you, demoralize you or otherwise keep you from voting.

[MonkeyFunk]

18. If that's what you believe

then don't vote. Who really cares?