Undecided again!
Before tuning in to the "last debate before the NH Primary" I thought I had pretty much made up my mind about who I was going to vote for - now I find myself wavering again - I am less unhappy about this than I am frustrated - Glad that there are several candidates that I like and actually believe embrace some of my "values" - I am frustrated that the choice is going to be difficult for me and I might not even know until I walk into that booth next Tuesday.
While I still believe that Howard Dean is a loose cannon - so to speak - and he is not even near the top of my list - I actually found him to be humble this evening.
The debate had a nice tone - no one really discounted anyone else on stage, It was more of a conversation than a debate - and while I am wavering again I really enjoyed it. Some, actually most of the candidates, while clearly answering the questions posed, were able to state their position as well as let thier personalities and sense of humor show through.
I watched the debate with my Dad who is in the hospital right now. He is a very (proud) conservative Republican. I am so amazed at how two people can hear the very same thing and interpret it so differently. The doctors were concerned that his blood pressure was too low - they are no longer worried!
I spoke with another friend of mine who also watched the debate (a fellow Democrat) who has made up her mind. She is voting for Joe Lieberman - for the very reasons I like him - she is voting with her heart. I believe that Joe Lieberman has the integrity I would like to see in a president - At the Labor Day parade last May his supporters were chanting a little song ~ "Take out George and put in Joe" ~ that has stayed with me - If it were only that easy I would be singing it too! I do not think it will be that easy . . .
. . . . . So I have been leaning towards John Kerry - BUT after the Iowa Caucus I really had to take a closer look at John Edwards ~ so I did that tonight! It is funny the things that stay with you though - When Edwards first announced his candidacy I was approached by some of his followers about his Daughter Katie coming to our after-school program (Girls Inc.) in Manchester to facilitate a book drive. I explained that while we would be happy to help with a book drive to support youth I was not able to advocate, or allow them to, (on behalf of the agency I work for) for any one particular candidate - they still came but never followed up. I have two rather large boxes of books still waiting for pick up. They said they were coming back the next day. Now I know that it was not Edwards himself that made these arrangements however, the people he surrounds himself with are a reflection of him. Will he follow through and who will he surround himself with when and if he gets to the White House? John Kerry on the other hand is married to a very strong, smart and bold woman. She is outspoken and she puts her money where her mouth is! Now if he surrounds himself with people like her and holds his own then I have to pay attention.
I have to thank the press for taking such care this year in making sure the candidates were heard rather than the reporters - If people who have never voted have not come to believe that voting, or having the right to vote, is one of the most awesome rights/responsibilities we have then they must have their heads in the sand. I have learned so much.
Due to other things going on
Due to other things going on in our family lives Thursday, I could not watch the debate.
However, this is a superb reaction to read. Especially it was good to see that Pat Barrs was undecided for pretty much the same reasons I am.
I had decided for Carol Mosely Braun. I knew she could not win but wanted to show support for her values and unique experience. When she dropped out of the race, I thought I'd have to support General Wesley Clark.
Then a co-worker made a strong pitch for Dennis Kucinich, and I promised to look at him seriously for the first time. My co-worker has gotten information from Kucinich's web site, but I wanted something making it easy to compare and contrast candidates.
NHPR had links to good web sites for that. John Kerry took the strong lead from that hunting. He and Howard Dean had been my first two "leading men." Now it's John Kerry leading, with both Dennis Kucinich and Joe Lieberman still in the running for my vote.
So I also am still undecided.
My decision is Made. Edwards
My decision is Made. Edwards is my choice. Asside from Kucinich, he is the only candidate who continues to speak on real issue and in a positive manner. The questioners did their best tonite to steer him away from issues that really matter to Americans. It seemed like they were trying to trap him into saying something that could be used against him after he wins the nomination. Edwards didn't fall for it. He's sharp and honest and humble. I can't wait to see him take on Bush.
CJ
On Morning Edition today,
On Morning Edition today, there was a segment on a Conservative Action meeting in Washington D.C. Those interviewed talked about Bush's performance as president and how conservative they saw him (not very, which scared me). They also commented on who of all Democratic candidates they most feared as a rival to Bush come fall; almost unanimously, it was John Edwards. As an Iowan who stood for Edwards on Monday, I shared some of Pat Barrs' troubles making the decison. For me, I want the man best able to beat Bush because we in Iowa are suffering. But although polls in Iowa showed early on either Dean or Gephart taking our state, I was worried about the electability of both men. I decided on Edwards before the polls reflected his new momentum because I wanted to vote for someone I liked. Anyone who could rise from a lower income and social rung to his current position is a man who gets things done. He's had the little help with finances, manpower or endorsements this campaign and is still wowing people. Two more things and I apologize this is long (like you, I've thought and thought about this election): My father died three months ago, after coming to America a young man from his home in Silesia on the Eastern Front in WWII. He suffered immensely and although he was pro life, was a staunch Democrat and would have been frightened badly by the Republican assertion that dissent means lack of patriotism. The second is my eight year old is reading over my shoulder and says to New Hampshirites, "Anyone but Bush! I'm not paying for Iraq!" Good luck to you all.
Adriana B.
After watching Joe Lieberman
After watching Joe Lieberman last night at the debate, I am more convinced than ever that he would make a great president. Joe has the foriegn policy know-how that we need in these trying times, plus he differs with President Bush on health care, the environment and other issues that this president has abandoned. Joe is a moderate who will not back away or flip-flop on issues just to get votes. Joe has joined forces with John Mc.Cain to write the homeland security act. Joe will reach across the aisles to work with Republicans to get things done while not backing away at the core issues he holds dear.
Joe has the best chance to beat Bush and the Republicans know it because the Republicans can't use their stock and trade dividing issues on Lieberman like they can on other candidates.
Joe Lieberman is a proven winner in the political field and will make the tough decisions to make America stronger and keep this country safe.
Gary Sartori
I was first charmed by the
I was first charmed by the innovation and impressive results of Howard Dean's Success by Six program, that in the last 10 years has dropped child sexual abuse by over 70%, physical abuse by over 40% and teen pregnancy by nearly 50%. I also like his ability to balance the budget, and leave his state one of two that were solvent after this debacle of a Bush administration economic policy and the stock crash following 9/11.
The final thing that clinched my choice was his totally correct lack of support for the Iraq War and his assertion that America is not safer since Hussein was apprehended.
For me he is really a doctor that delivers.
I don't know whether he will be able to survive the media maelstrom, but I will vote for him anyway.
I could never support Edwards because of his involvement with the Patriot Act. A lawyer, of all people, should know what the Constitution and Bill of Rights are about and preserve them.
Doris Pulaski