So. Politics.

[dangermousie]

Of which I almost never talk. Of these three potential Democratic presidential candidates, which one would you pick and why:

Barack Obama
Hilary Clinton
John Edwards

You obviously don't have to be an American nor a Democrat to have an opinion.

I myself am undecided so far, except for not liking Hilary Clinton (neither as a senator from my former state, nor her general politics).

In the interests of fair disclosure, I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I am registered Independent though my politics are perhaps best labelled as Libertarian. Out of the Republican bunch the only one I currently like is Giuliani who is the most moderate of them. I used to like McCain but it was prior to this campaign.

Comments

[ww1614.livejournal.com]

Read my post on Giuliani. He's a NIGHTMARE.

I have a hard time choosing among the three. I really like them all. I think the one I feel most compatible with is Elizabeth Edwards, uh, John Edwards. :) I do think that class/economic issues are incredibly important to focus on, and Edwards will have some ideas. However, I do think that politically, Clinton is the most savvy.

It's a *really* hard choice.

I pick not from those 3

[skippydoo.livejournal.com]

Have you heard of Bill Richardson?

New Mexico Gov., was Secretary of Energy, was UN Ambassador, was a US Congressman for an age.

When it comes to diplomacy he's the man.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The problem with Clinton is that she is such a dividing figure: of all the candidates she is the one where most people are likely to have an instinctive negative reaction to her (which is perhaps inevitable as she had the longest time in the spotlight). Of course, being dividing didn't stop W getting re-elected, so who knows.

I don't care for her politics but also she makes me think (in approach) of a European technocrat which is a viable politican model but not one that appeals to me, as it seems much too elitist in approach of intelligensia knows best.

Re: Giuliani. I am sure he is a difficult person but his politics is largely appealing to me. Before the Republicans went on their crazy embrace of the Religious Right, I would have probably labeled myself as one. Fiscally, and in matters of trade regulation and monetary control, I am a lot more on that side of the spectrum (growing up in a communist country has given me a permanent dislike of socialism). Prior to Iraq craziness, I would have said I was more on the Republican side of the foreign affairs spectrum, but now that I think of it, there was plenty to dislike about both sides.

Of course, I hardly approve of prayer in school or abortion ban or disallowing same sex marriages or what not, so it places me in a huge dilemma of disliking parts of platforms of both parties.

Whoever we get though can hardly be worse than W so it's a step up whoever it will be.

Though on second thought, seeing that a number of candidates rejected evolution? Probably not.

Re: I pick not from those 3

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That is an AWESOME icon.

I haven't heard of him. Must research him now.

[weissman.livejournal.com]

Well I wouold choose the one that I think would be best in protecting the country. None of the above.

Ugh!

Re: I pick not from those 3

[skippydoo.livejournal.com]

Here's a link to his website.

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/

Let me know what you think after a little research.

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

since this is my specialty...

i would have to say i'm an independent *way toooooo liberal*

and i would pick obama........ i understand that his not very experienced but somestimes i think that is what we need, someone who doesn't know the politics of being president..... i am a woman but hillary has been rubbing me the wrong way....

i need someone in office who isn't soooo ummmmmmmmm connected to other corporate associations.... this past eight years, weve been at war, attacked and our economy has sucked.... and there has been issues with how money is being spent........... i would like a candidate that would understand that the reason american schools are behind is because of the way its being taught, and even the lacking of funds for schools that need it. i dislike the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND policy since i have seen way too many students give up.

[grey-fuzzy.livejournal.com]

As far as politics go, I'm somewhat undecided (with Libertarian leanings). Also, I've been pretty busy, and haven't been able to follow the debates, etc. as closely as I'd like. Having said that, I'm biased against Edwards because my mother is a obstetrician, and he used a trial lawyer specializing in malpractice suits. Apparently, he's won some cases against OBGYNs that were really unjustified. Being a New Yorker, I've come to not like Hilary much (I'm not totally opposed to her though), so I guess that leaves Barack.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

I kinda wish any of those two could be combined in a double team. You know, one becoming the others running mate. None of them are perfect and if you could just *combine* two of them...

I like Obama myself (mostly based on his book though, something I'm guessing is a biased source to say the least).

[carviangli.livejournal.com]

I personally like Barrack Obama...I think that he is the best candidate. Don't get me started on Hilary Clinton or Giuliani...ugggh! I don't really know much about John Edwards but I like Barrack Obama because he seems to have his head straight and seems pragmatic but friendly.

I don't like it that people like Hilary Clinton because they want her to be the first 'female' president...ummm Bill Clinton's going to be running the show behind the scene. I don't like Hilary Clinton although she is smart-she is too crafty.

Guiliani might have 'helped' New York but...he is just horrible....

I'm not American(proud Aussie) but my history teacher is and our class has intense discussions about this and from all that I've heard Barack Obama seems like the best choice.

But it's so weird...it's not 'compulsory' to vote...it is here...and I think thats the best^_^

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Out of curiosity, why do you dislike Hilary Clinton?

[kitkat-cat.livejournal.com]

I'm not American, I'm not even European, although I have lived in the UK for a looooong time. I guess my political leanings would be right of centre with big splodges of liberalism...hmm, that's a bit strange isnt't it?

From t'other side of the pond, I would say that I intensely dislike Hilary Clinton. She's too brash and too ...just too! I also wonder at her reasons for staying with Bill! I don't agree with people who say that they would vote for her simply because she's a woman and it's time there was a female president. This sets a dangerous precedent i feel. i mean, should there be some kind of conveyor belt system for every under-represented section of community to become the president!?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Any one you like this election?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree with every word. Voting for someone just because she is a woman is silly. Especially since she only came to prominence because of her husband.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

a. She only came to prominence because of her husband
b. She is willing to say/do anything
c. she is too left and not left enough (basically I am more conservative than she is on a bunch of stuff and more liberal on others)
d. she seems a bit of a technocrat

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I dislike the idea of compulsory voting. You should be free to vote or not. I dislike the idea of compulsory most anything, unless it directly harms someone else. Libertarian here :)

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Re: combining. Interesting idea. Probably what will happen, too.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Didn't know he was a malpractice lawyer. Hmmm

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

i need someone in office who isn't soooo ummmmmmmmm connected to other corporate associations....

I agree. Never going to happen for either party though.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

When do they usually start talking running mates? Because I can't shake the feeling that they could send some powerful messages with who they pick (like Hillary picking somebody who would soften her image or Obama picking somebody very experienced).

Though, again, from the outside, most contenders look pretty equal, it seems odd to me when people bring up inexperience for Obama. I mean hasn't GWB proven that you can do it? (well, though that is probably a bad example...) But still, I mean if even a guy like him can survive and get reelected as long he has a team behind him...

I do wonder if Hillary could really be elected. The way the atmosphere and public opinion often seems to be against her, it seems really doubtful. But then I think of the cases of other women who made it into mighty powerful positions (Angela Merkel and Margaret Thatcher) and neither of them are really what you would consider charming, likable or sparkling. Though, both of these came from the conservative ranks, so that might have had something to do with it (why they could rise and be accepted despite not being all that endearing).

[weissman.livejournal.com]

I actually like Giuliani, I think he is the most socially liberal republican canidate ever. Basiaclly a pro-choice republican.

[katranna.livejournal.com]

Voting for her just because she's a woman is crazy, but not voting for her because she is "too brash" and "just too" (great, solid, logically-reasoned opinions there!) is fine? :-P

I don't like Hilary either. But I don't like her because of her politics, and her character as it relates to her politics. It worries the hell out of me that a lot of people dislike her for being "too brash" and can't articulate why--it really feels like people just can't handle a woman who isn't tough-but-sweet or whatever.

[katranna.livejournal.com]

Don't like any of them. At all. Was not terribly opposed to Obama up until a few weeks ago, but now think he's as much of a puppet idiot in his own way as the rest of them, though not as bad as Hilary.

Don't even know if I'm going to vote for anyone at this point.

[janlake83.livejournal.com]

yeah it seems politicians are very very synonymous to corporations....

ohhh well a girl can have her ideals...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Ummm, play nice? :)

I don't like battle-axes of either gender, but I could overlook it if I liked her politics.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Write me in as a candidate? ooops, not eligible...

[katranna.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be mean to kitkat... it's just a pov I hear a lot and it frustrates me... nothing against you personally, kitkat. :-)

[carviangli.livejournal.com]

Personally I like compulsory voting because it forces everyone to state their opinion and have a say- I dunno I like it. We had this talk about it when we did "P.I.P" (participation on politics)...I can't wait to vote^^

[kitkat-cat.livejournal.com]

No Probs! :)

At the end of the day, it's not like I can vote for her even if I wanted to. I was only expressing my personal opinion. :)