2004 Elections: Democratic Party Contenders

as in most things our judgement is coloured by our experiences, I am a major Gary Hart fan mostly because in the olden days he and i worked on a project together when he was a Colorado Senator. he was the type of person you could just sit down with and talk over issues and problems without any political context. that impressed me.

Very good, PDid.

I thought Craven had me yesterday, but no.

I thought the bunny would see, because she's so intuitive, but I haven't bumped into her.

I didn't think it would be long. Using same colloquialisms, etc...

Almost came back as Lash, but Lash had alot of baggage. Desired to practice kinder and gentler. (Some of those Bush catch-phrases are useful...) I have liked it much better. Don't think I'll take the old moniker.

Was plodding away at Extreme Politics, and promie suggested the site. I became curious to check in and see what was going on. Decided to stay.

Who among the Dem crop do you like so far?

My favorite seems to change often, Sofe.

I started off a big fan of General Clark's, but he's so coy I think he's only going to manage VP or Secretary of State in 18 months.

Probably Bob Graham, if I had to commit my delegates right now.



Uh, no.

I could refer you back to something I posted in this thread previously, but I'm happy to put up the Senator's words for your edification:




Finally, a Democrat who has the guts to fight back.

The talking heads were making very positive sounds about Graham around the time he was having his heart surgery. I haven't heard much from him recently.

You want to talk about a bulldog! He's a toughy.

Has he been speaking? Keeping quiet? He does have probably the most impressive resume. Gephardt seems to have his credentials used against him, as many blame him and Daschel for the bad mid-terms.

Kerry's 'back at you' remarks were in my link, as well. Still, the pundits say he is straddling the war fence. (And I'm referring to the pro-Dem pundits.) He voted to back Bush, yet he criticises. He fought in the war, yet he threw his medals and protested against it. None of this is off limits to him, but it hazes his 'straight-forwardness'.

Since you know my basic core beliefs are conservative, I want you to know when I show up here, it isn't with a Dem bashing agenda. I really like to discuss campaigns, and take my GOP-colored hat off when I come to this thread.

Hello there. LG. Glad to see you.

Latest news is that one of the guys who was on Senator Torricelli's fund-raising team has now joined the Dean team. Is this significant?

Dys - think there is the remotest chance that Gary Hart would come in? At the moment, he would be my first choice, but, as has been said, early days make changing choices.

mamajuana, re Hart he has for the past few months beome very visible here in Colorado ( he still lives here) but has said very little about politics, everyone here is curious. as i am sure you know Colorado is a solid Republican state yet Hart has always been very popular here.

LG aka Sofia's back!!

LG aka Sofia's back!!

Yip, Yip Yippee!!!!


Great to see ya!!

Sophie

You got me...had no clue. And 'kinder, gentler' is a good idea for all of us (particularly any member of the family who coined it)

max--
That is the neatest greeting I've ever seen. You cut a dashing rug.
I want to nuzzle you.

blatham--
I think my haircut threw you off.

Now, if you will all just agree with everything I say...

I can't explain why but the avatar made me think it was you. Then other factors made me think otherwise.

Welcome back!

Despite what the polls may suggest, I think there are a significant number of "pro-war" people who would be very open to a viable alternative candidate. They may "support the troops", but that doesn't mean they like the direction Bush is taking the country.

Bush's main selling point is fear. It is what keeps him in power. If people aren't afraid then they will start asking some very uncomfortable questions (uncomfortable for Dubya).

Whoever gets the Democratic nomination has to hit Bush hard on the promotion of fear. He has to make it clear that a real leader offers the hope of prosperity as well as the hope of security.

Hmmm...

That may make a good campaign slogan.

In a speech Wednesday in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Kerry said President Bush so alienated allies prior to the U.S.-led war against Iraq that only a new president can rebuild damaged relationships with other countries.

"What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States," Kerry said.

CCN

Oho!

I do wish Rummy would curb the rhetoric. If I was only his mother... I would've washed his mouth out with soap on several occassions and given his a smart slap across the back of his head.

PDid is correct. Many who support Bush's actions are hoping either he will wake up a Born Again diplomat, or some shining conservative, who can play nice will emerge on the scene. Or, some reasonable other-partied candidate may draw me to the dark side for the first time since Carter's first campaign...

But, I won't support someone who bows to the will of Europe. I guess I'm not asking too much...

Oh yeah. An important political statement:
Suck it, Frenchy.

Thanking Craven for greeting.

regarding the French, I think the time has come to show them American mettle. As long as we can read and hear about incidents regarding US soldiers graves on french land, lets send them some videos of one of our own KKK cross burnings and then have a Congressman submit a bill to either return the statue of libery or simply blow it where it stands. Besides, frogs legs taste just like chicken anyway.

Sofia -- Ideally, if someone were running against Bush from within the Republican Party, who would you want it to be? I've often felt lately that some are so disgusted with the Democrats that they would be drawn to a competent, moderate Republican... But more relevant, a number of moderate Republicans that I know want Bush outta there along with his entire crew, but find no one to vote for among the Dems and will likely not vote. But if in the Republican primaries a contender turned up.... ah, that's another story...!

We could make her up like an old French whore and send her back across the pond in a really, really big wine bottle...




(I don't know whether that's funny, or if I am outraged at meeself...)

This man frequently gives allotta people diarrhea, so squeeze your sphincter---
McCain.

I want campaign reform! I think he doesn't give a **** what people think, and I do love that. (But, he probably isn't the best diplomat... so that wrecks my main motive for change.)

Haven't heard (or paid attention to) his thoughts on the current diplomatic crisis. Have you?

PDid, dys, any libs-- What Republican could you find tolerable?
You know I am listening to Lieberman with great interest...

I like McCain. I understand he is personally somewhat unlikable and you're right about the diplomacy angle. Diplomacy has moved a lot higher on my list too but I still give campaign finance reform top billing. It's the cause of so many of the other problems. Opponents sure don't have the First Amendment argument all to themselves anymore...!

I think Lieberman is one of our very worst, to be honest.

www.garyhartnews.com/hart/
i too like McCain but i find him way too single issue. I have never seen/heard him wax International or Economic. what is refreshing about him is that he has character.

Sofia - why do you like Lieberman? What strong pull does he hold for you? And why do you think so many dems have backed away from him? (Which is also a literal question, since I understand he is very much up close when he talks to you.)

Dyslexia - you should frame that. There are any number of fine points between bowing to the will of Europe and trying to impose your will on the whole world. As I read it, What "old" Europe was trying to do was reach some sort of arrangement with the US on more far-sighted views of this Iraqi invasion. What a lot of other people in this world have learned the hard way is that you really do need the cooperation and relationships with other countries. Imperialism may start with war, but trade keeps it going. And "Old" Europe and the rest may be strong enough to figure out their own trade agreements.

The Bush people do operate on fear and threats - Powell seems to have taken the threat version with him on his last trip - but he didn't get that far. The fear factor doesn't seem to be such a big motivating force in Europe anymore.

And here at home - I agree, PD, what we need are the tough ones, who refuse to be intimidated and insist on the other priorities. After all, once this thing in Iraq ends, then what?