Another Gore supporter throws in the towel.

[Ravy]

After watching the debate last night, I think the republicans will finally get their shit together and nominate Huckabee, and he will be tough.

I don't think we have the lock on the presidency that I previously thought we did, and I don't think it is wise to sit on the sidelines anymore.

I will be supporting Edwards.

I will not be one of those talking shit about any of the other Democratic candidates. They are all good choices, just not mine.

I admire Hillary's organization, and if she is nominated, I will support her and I believe she will be elected. But, will she be the *best* president we can get? That is the deciding issue for me. I like her fire, but I think Edwards has more. Both have been invested in Presidential races, and both have been subject of the RW attack machine. Nothing has stuck to Edwards.

I admire and agree with Dennis' politics, but I don't think he has the temperament or political skills to lead our party. His recent comments concerning Ron Paul have confirmed this for me. Even though he is proven correct time and time again, he has not shown the ability to bring other politicians along with him. I would rather have someone correct 80% of the time, and actually inspire change by having the ability to bring enough others to their way of thinking.

Dodd lost me completely when he embellished on what the oath of office for President was, and the fact that he thinks protecting the people trumps protecting the Constitution.

Biden is a good man, but I don't think he has a shot at the nomination. Edwards should pick him as VP though. Secretary of State is a good spot as well, but Biden would have the best chance to bring the changes necessary if something should happen to Edwards.

Obama is the perfect choice to follow Edwards. He just needs a bit more seasoning, imho. If he is nominated, however, I think he would make a great President. I admire and respect him greatly, but I am not sure he has what it takes to *win* the presidency, with his "change of politics" attitude. Politics has not changed. He is clearly my second choice, however, should something happen to the Edwards candidacy. If you are keeping score, I am saying that he would be my third choice to actually *be* president (behind Edwards and Biden) but he jumps over Biden in the chance to be nominated category.

I don't think Richardson has a chance of being nominated either. Organization is just not there, and the ability to build an organization is exactly what you need to do to become President, and to be a good President once you are there. He would be a good SoS, and maybe that or VP is what he is really running for.

I don't want to leave out Gravel, as the debates do, but like Richardson, he just can't seem to get a campaign going, so how could he lead the country? Unlike Richardson, I don't believe he has the temperament to play a high profile role in an upcoming administration, but maybe somewhere he will fit well.

Edwards has been battle-tested. His anti-corporate mentality would serve us very well in the WH. I believe he will be a straight-shooter. I think he has the ability to draw a consensus. He is my choice.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Huckabee won't be the nominee--he's working for Rudy. They have a pact.

This is widely acknowledged. If you ever see Rudy taking on Hucky, then we'll talk--but even Chrissy Matthews knows that Hucky is on Rudy's payroll to take down Mittens and the Fredster.

[Ravy]

3. Stupid of Rudy then.

If Huckabee takes Iowa, does well in NH... in other words, builds up momentum, he will roll over Rudy.

[TwilightGardener]

6. No--he's actually just as corrupt as Rudy, believe it or not. Everyone's making

a big deal about Rudy billing taxpayers for trysts, but Hucky screwed taxpayers in AR for things like pantyhose and use of the state plane. He's been investigated for ethics complaints 14 times. And, he helped free a convicted rapist, leading to the subsequent rape and murder of another woman. Believe me, if Hucky ever got traction in a state that Rudy needs to win, Rudy would take him down. Notice that the most insanely fetus-obsessed guy has never attacked the only pro-choice GOPer guy--there's a reason for that.

[Ravy]

7. I didn't intend this to be a Huckabee thread.

Whoever they are going to nominate, they will be serious.

[Blue_In_AK]

19. The reason I know in my heart that he's corrupt

is that he had Don Young (Pig. Alaska) heading his legislative exploratory campaign committee. That just reeks, especially coupled with the fact that Don Young receives more campaign contributions from Arkansas than he does Alaska.

[rateyes]

2. IMO, Huckabee will be the GOP's nominee...

and, I agree that he will be tough to beat. He will be impossible to beat if we nominate Clinton, IMO. He will win EVERY Southern state, including Arkansas, and he won't lose any of the Red States that were Red in the last election, if Clinton is our nominee.

We need someone who can hold the blue states, and pick up a couple of southern states.

[TwilightGardener]

4. LOL!! He won't win Arkansas. Hillary outpolls him there, by far. They hate him in AR.

He was a corrupt, petty crook.

[rateyes]

5. I hope you're right....

I think you're wrong.

[napi21]

17. Read the article at this link and then tell me it will be HARD to defeat

the Huckster!

http://sacdcweb01.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/


Thanks to another DUer who gave me that link when I asked why Ar. hates Huck.

[robinlynne]

22. I believe that would be our man Edwards.

[AndyA]

8. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

Although I want Obama to fix the anti-gay issue that is surrounding him. If he's a smart man, he should know that he needs to address it. Until he does, he's totally lost me.

I will vote for Hillary if she's the nominee, but I do not feel she will be the best choice, nor do I think she will do much to change/improve things.

Edwards is the guy to beat the Republicans, and he's also the one who can bring about the real change we need.

[Ravy]

20. Agreed.

That type of stuff needs to be dealt with quickly. Platitudes are not a replacement for action. It will come with time. If he doesn't get the nomination this time, he is far from done.

[waiting for hope]

9. Welcome aboard Ravy!

Glad to have you among our number. Edwards is going to make an excellent President and you are right about this - he has the fire (and passion) in his belly to do this.

:hi: :bounce: and a :kick: and a :thumbsup:!

[Ravy]

21. Thank you!

:toast:

[progressoid]

10. I have some reservations about J E but he seems to rise to the top every time I consider the field.

[Ravy]

23. I think my biggest reservation was

that we have a great chance to nominate and actually elect a woman, a black, and/or a hispanic and here we go again with another white man.

However, I came to the conclusion that since this country is in horrible shape, and is likely to be worse by the time the next president takes office. We have to go for who we think is best, not just who would do an admirable or even great job, as tempting as it is to break the string of white men sitting at the helm.

[annabanana]

11. I'm leaning your way, too.

And for the same reasons. (I sure would like to see a few more heavy endorsements, though)

[Ravy]

24. I am pretty heavy...

though probably not in the way you mean.

:dunce:


Seriously, he has some great union endorsements, and really *walks the line* with them. I admire that.

[tex-wyo-dem]

12. You have nailed my sentiments exactly...

I don't think I could agree with you more.

I was also a Gore hopeful (still won't totally give up hope until the convention), but with every passing day I realize the likelihood is diminishing at an ever increasing rate. With that in mind, my support is also behind Edwards as I think he has the best combination of populist/progressive ideas for real change, organization, recognition, leadership qualities and "electability." Like every other candidate, he's not perfect by any means (much of his voting record while he was in the Senate, for instance), but like every person and politician, views and positions change over time and I accept his admission of being wrong about a lot of the things he supported in the past.

I, like you, will not bash other Dem candidates as I feel any of them would make a good president (some better than others, IMO, obviously :)) and all of them would be 10,000x better than any of the knuckleheads the Rethugs are running. The last thing this country needs is a Rethug president for another four to eight years.

So, in short, GO EDWARDS!!

[Ravy]

26. Thanks!

It was the vision of a republican running a close race that finally kicked me in the ass to switch to someone actually running. They didn't mention Bush by name much (only twice), but other than on immigration, they sounded just like him.

[Krashkopf]

13. I'm glad the THEOCRATS taking a principled stand supporting Huckabee

I am glad to see that the Religious Righties are taking a principled stand, and falling in behind their man, Huckabee.

It is good to see that they are going to vote their collective conscience, and, secondly, it is good to see them split the GOP into a lot of little pieces!

Krash

[Ravy]

27. We will see if Rudy wins the nom..

if they sit at home or not.

[Catchawave]

14. thank you for your reasons.

K&R for praising without tearing apart other candidates.
:hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Huckabee coming from behind is not a surprise. If the GOP nominates someone pro-choice like Rudy

the lie that the "values voter" theobags are all-powerful will be revealed to be a sham.

I disagree with you about Dodd and Edwards, though. I like Edwards, but he lost me with his pandering on the "immorality" of gay marriage, and his "but think of the children" answer when it comes to sanity on the drug war and decriminalizing marijuana.

Dodd has stood up strong on a whole range of things- like FISA. He has a solid record. I think he's a good candidate.

[Ravy]

29. Dodd's response about the security/rights issue

really troubled me from the last debate.

I think he really understands, he reportedly sent in a question to last night's debate about that very issue which allueded (to me) that he wished he could answer that one again.

I may be judging him unfairly over a small incident where he misspoke-- but rights are something near and dear to me, and to hear him answer with a Bushista type answer really made me blow a gasket.

Other than that, I think he is great.

[LSK]

16. I agree with almost everything you says

Except I move Obama over Biden.

[Ravy]

18. I do too, for the top spot.

As I stated in the OP, his organization vs. Biden's has shown me he can do the job... he will be able to do the job even better after 4 or 8 years. The reason I moved Biden over Obama as VP was for his foreign relation experience and the ability to bring consensus in the Senate.

They are *all* good people. Obama is dynamite now. He will be C-4 next time.

[rucky]

25. If Huckabee can come from behind like that...

Why would you count out all the "second tier" candidates (read: Biden) because they're not leading right now?

:shrug:

[Ravy]

28. Because I don't see the enough differentation for

Biden to break out of the pack and come to the front.

Huckabee is different from the rest of the republicans. Whether he is or not, he seems truly compassionate and "folksy".

Biden is great, and I think genuine, but he doesn't stand out enough from the others. He is right on most of the issues, from my perspective, has great insight (he proposed how to fix Iraq long before that became the prevailing thought) but he didn't create the organization or differentiate himself enough to have a big following. He is competent, steady, and a statesman, but not an ass-kicker, and America (in general) needs a kick in the ass.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

30. Really great post! I agree.

Thank you, for the best post I have read in quite awhile.

[Ravy]

31. Thanks for reading.

It feels invigorating to finally take a stand.