Snowbound in New Hampshire

As a participant in this project, I know that I'm supposed to be out and about, talking to people about their views of the New Hampshire Primary and the candidates who are running this season.

This has been a snowbound weekend in New Hampshire. So, instead of listening to others, I've taken time to think about how I feel about the upcoming election and the group of individuals who are campaigning to represent the Democrats next November against George W. Bush.

I heard General Clark speak last week and although I didn't have the opportunity to shake his hand, I can now say that I've seen eight of the primary candidates in person.

I was sitting next to a couple who were still searching for the candidate to support. They pointed out a friend who had introduced Governor Dean at an event the week before. They commented that, although the friend had made a glowing introduction, it would seem that she was still looking for more information before casting her ballot in January. I found that reassuring.

I, for one, am very frustrated by the fact that Howard Dean appears to be so far in front of the pack. Who is he, really, and what makes him qualified to be the next President of the United States? I can't get passed the feeling that he's another governor with aspirations to the highest office in the country with limited experience in those areas where we really need it the most.

I never thought I'd feel this way, but I really believe this time, I'm more concerned with America's place in the world than how we handle domestic issues.

Whether you consider it an asset or a liability, I'm confident that Democrats know how to take care of the citizens of the United States when it comes to domestic programs. If you consider the first six candidates in the poll rankings (Dean, Kerry, Clark, Lieberman, Edwards and Gephardt) all but Clark have experience in the political process and determining domestic policy.

I'm not eager to fumble through another four years where our President needs on-the-job training on how to be a world leader. I'm feeling "been there/done that" with the idea of seeking out experienced advisors in critical areas where the President lacks the first-hand experience - like international affairs and world diplomacy.

The election is next November; the new (hopefully) President will be sworn in on January 20, 2005. That's more than a year from now.

Bold statements of non-support of the policies leading up to Iraq and rolling back the tax cuts already in effect represent things that happened in the past. I need to hear more from the candidates - especially the current front-runner - on what they will do with the real world they inherit on the day they are sworn in as President. This is the kind of information I need to know in order to make an informed decision when I vote in the Primary next January.

The candidates are getting together for yet another debate here in New Hampshire this week. Wish I could say I was going, but I'm not. Instead, I'll be at home watching it on television, hoping to find some answers to my questions...and what I hope are similar questions on the minds of other New Hampshire voters as we get closer to decision time next month.