Re: the debate... at the risk of sounding like a party cheerleader... you go, Dems!

[LuckyTheDog]

We have a good, serious group of candidates. Any one of them would be a better president than anyone in the Republican field -- or anyone likely to be in the Republican field.

I am encouraged.

I disagree with some of the Dems on some issues. But I certainly would not consider withholding my vote from any of them in November of 2008.

[klook]

1. I agree.

I don't like any of them 100%, and I certainly prefer some more than others, but they are an impressive bunch.

At one point during the debate, I thought, "Wow, none of them are dumbasses!" In a gathering of Republican presidential candidates, easily a third of them will be outright dumbasses. The rest will be a blend of unethical, fundamentalist, and sociopathic.

[CitizenLeft]

2. *nods head*

It's refreshing to hear intelligent discourse about critical issues, without hearing prolonged "uuuuuh, uhm, uhhhh" or outright outrageous horrific stupidity like "torture, yeah, why not?" (that was a paraphrase of the repugnant Republican debate where they were all tripping over each other trying to prove how eager they were to torture terrorists, or potential terrorists, or even NON-terrorists).

Even the worst Dem candidate is head-and-shoulders about their best - however their "best" is defined.

[Tara_NM]

3. It was great wasn't it

It was exciting indeed. I was extra proud to be a Dem tonight!

The only one that left a bad taste in my mouth is the guy from Alaska. He just seemed too bull headed to me and this country does not need anothermy way or the highway man in the White House. We have had more than enough of that w/ Bush.

[plantwomyn]

4. Encouraged? Maybe.

Aren’t they “Progressive?”

Wasn’t it great to see all of the Democratic candidates for
president raise their hands when ask if they would get rid of
“Don’t ask don’t tell”? Some of them even talked about
Domestic Partnership and Civil Unions.  Gov. Richardson even
mentioned covering us in hate crimes law. Doesn’t it make you
all warm inside to see how inclusive they all are?
NO! NO! NO!
Because then they talked about leadership. They talked about
making the hard decisions. They talked about coalition
building and non-discrimination and returning Americas “moral
authority”. Well then show the leadership and moral authority
by making the hard decisions, building a coalition and stop
discriminating against gay citizens. 
If they need talking points go to HRC’s website. Read the
GAO’s Jan. 31, 1997 report B-275860 which lists the 1,049
“federal laws in which benefits, rights, and privileges are
contingent in marital status”. If 1,049 violations of the
equal protections clause of the constitution aren’t enough
then read the GAO’s Jan 23, 2004 report 04-353R which lists 89
additions to those violations, to total 1,138! 
The GAO has made the case that there is discrimination in the
DOMA. Repeal it and demand that the 14th Amendment to the
Constitution includes all citizens, gay and straight. 
If you don’t think the “freedom to marry” is a civil right
read LOVING v. VIRGINIA, 388 U.S. 1 (1967) “Marriage is one of
the "basic civil rights of man," fundamental to our
very existence and survival.”
If you need moral reasoning read Reflections on “Marriage
Equality” by John H. Thomas, General Minister and President,
United Church of Christ, Sept, 2005. 
This is the most well thought out, inclusive and spiritually
based argument for marriage equality I have ever read.  I’m
sure Sen. Obama has read this since it is written by the
leader of his church but I am curious why Sen. Obama falls
shot of endorsing the insights and inclusiveness of his own
church.
These candidates want to be the “Leader of the free world”.
Yet when it comes to the military our leadership has failed. 
As Sen. Biden pointed out our allies in Iraq have openly gay
solders serving. Their presence hasn’t “demoralized” or
affected the morale of our solders. As Sen. Biden said “I
don't know the last time an American soldier said to a backup
from a Brit, "Hey, by the way, let me check, are you gay,
you straight?" I’m reminded of the old Marine saying “If
the Marine Corp meant for you to have a wife it would have
issued you one.” Our solders do not make policy, they take
orders. And yes it is ridiculous! 
When one of these candidates wins the first thing they should
do is what Sen. Dood said “Well, I'd kind of restore the
constitutional rights in our country. This administration has
done great damage to them. I would do that on the first day. I
wouldn't wait 100 days on those issues.” And then include and
empower gay people as full citizens of the United States. This
can be done by Executive Order as a civil matter and
Presidential Directive as a matter of national defense. It
would be great to see one of these vehicles used to support
the “rule of law” instead of evade it.



:think: