Honestly, I don't give a damn who endorsed who tonight

[derby378]

I just want to know which Democratic candidate is going to get us out of Iraq immediately, revamp health care rather than giving windfalls to health insurance companies, banish torture forever from our military and justice systems, protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, destroy the USA PATRIOT act in toto, and resume the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

All this while safeguarding and strengthening our Second Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights.

Until then, the newspapers can endorse whomever they damn well please. I know what I want out of a Presidential candidate, and if any of the candidates want my vote, they know what they have to do to earn it.

So get to it, people.

[TwilightZone]

1. That's an interesting combination of demands.

The best of luck to you in finding a candidate that meets them.

[derby378]

2. Russ Feingold, bless his heart, was my first choice...

...but he bowed out way early. So right now, I'm looking at Bill Richardson. Not perfect, true, but I think he's on the right track.

[TwilightZone]

4. Nobody's perfect, of course.

I certainly would have liked to see Feingold run, in part because he would have added much to the conversation. His perspective is intelligent and conscientious.

I like Richardson, as well. He's definitely an atypical politician, and he doesn't seem afraid to say what he believes and not just what is politically expedient.

[aquart]

12. Yeah.

A lot depends on the Congress we get. The pushiest possible liberals would be nice. Any running?

[Hieronymus]

3. John Edwards is your best bet ...

Hillary won't get us out of combat for some time. Her health care plan could take 8 years. Obama won't cover every American for health care.

[derby378]

5. But Edwards is not friendly to the Second Amendment

He just released another policy statement a couple of days ago threatening another gun ban if he's elected. If that happens, say goodbye to a Democratic House and Senate.

I like John Edwards, don't get me wrong. Got to see him speak in person last year. He's got a great populist vibe going. But I'm trying to think about the long-term effects, too.

[Hieronymus]

8. What was his position on gun ownership? Was it against automatic

assault weapons? Handguns?

[derby378]

9. Semi-automatic firearms

He wants another national ban on them.

[tammywammy]

11. Automatic weapons are already for all intents and purposes banned

Joe Blow can't just go and get one.

[msongs]

6. well that leaves out obama and clinton nt

[MH1]

7. Richardson. n/t

[derby378]

10. That's where my vote is currently leaning

I admire Mike Gravel's chutzpah, but he seems just a little too unpredictable for me. A President should be somewhat even-keeled.

[MH1]

14. It's unfortunate

that Richardson apparently doesn't have and hasn't hired the major marketing skill that is required to run an effective presidential campaign.

I do think he would probably make the BEST president for a wide swath of the electorate, if only they knew his record and were willing, as I am, to overlook his less than great stage presence during the debates.

But people won't know about it because they either don't know how or can't be bothered to look it up, and they are seduced by the media glitz of the other campaigns. So I am resigned to just getting a nominee who can win and will be a better president than any of the republicans (which is not saying much).

[annie1]

13. Richardson