Ponderings...
Before I get to this month's general election prediction, I decided to look into candidates a bit. As I do have left leaning political philosophy I decided to forgoe getting angry and stuck with the democrats for my support search. So I've gotten my first feel of the candidates from their websites now. I believe my current preferences are as such:
1. Tie between Bill Richardson and Barak Obama - Richardson has the experience and seems reasonable on the issues, Obama looks more impressive on the issues and has tons more detail about his positions currently posted than any other candidate, and thus far I like what I see. So a toss up presently between these two as my first choice.
2. Chris Dodd - Good, not awesome, issues positions. Kind of an old fogey though.
3. Tom Vilsack - This surprises the hell out of me really that I'd have Vilsack this high presently. But part of it is that the rest of the field doesn't impress me presently that much. Ok on positions and he has gotten a little smarter about the whole DLC vibe of late. Do note however that when he was up for reelection, I didn't vote for him.
4. John Edwards - I know some people love him to death, but he may have the Wes Clark problem of 2008. Lots of shinnyness and enthusiasim, but I need substance. He has a little, but not enough to satisfy me.
5. Mike Gravel - Who the hell is Mike Gravel? Former Alaskan Senator. Pro-smart on iraq and some other things, wants national referendums (I'm very pro democracy), Con-has what I feel is an insane tax plan. If it wasn't for that part I probably would of put him 3rd despite his long shotness.
6. Dennis Kucinich - Lefty enough for me, but kind of a fool and an asshat.
7. Joe Biden - Speaking of asshats... Mr 'I'm announcing I'm running for president' (again and again) is good on a couple things, but he's way to corporatist for my tastes. Sen. Biden, stay in the senate where you can at least average out your annoyingness. Also talks way to long for what he's trying to say, which I'm not looking forward to in the debates.
8. Hillary Clinton - I know her site is an 'exploration' website, but come one, give me at least one issue page. Add that to my previous opinion that she could be an outstanding candidate but is choosing the campaign model of the late 90s and not the early 21st century, along with running on name recognition only at this point, oh and not showing real convinctions on Iraq, and... you get the picture.
9. Anyone who hasn't announced - Because if you don't announce and actually run, I won't vote for you! Suprise!
Ok, now dear reader, its up to you to try to sway me to change my rankings or to consider candidates I haven't listed here. I dare ya!
1. Tie between Bill Richardson and Barak Obama - Richardson has the experience and seems reasonable on the issues, Obama looks more impressive on the issues and has tons more detail about his positions currently posted than any other candidate, and thus far I like what I see. So a toss up presently between these two as my first choice.
2. Chris Dodd - Good, not awesome, issues positions. Kind of an old fogey though.
3. Tom Vilsack - This surprises the hell out of me really that I'd have Vilsack this high presently. But part of it is that the rest of the field doesn't impress me presently that much. Ok on positions and he has gotten a little smarter about the whole DLC vibe of late. Do note however that when he was up for reelection, I didn't vote for him.
4. John Edwards - I know some people love him to death, but he may have the Wes Clark problem of 2008. Lots of shinnyness and enthusiasim, but I need substance. He has a little, but not enough to satisfy me.
5. Mike Gravel - Who the hell is Mike Gravel? Former Alaskan Senator. Pro-smart on iraq and some other things, wants national referendums (I'm very pro democracy), Con-has what I feel is an insane tax plan. If it wasn't for that part I probably would of put him 3rd despite his long shotness.
6. Dennis Kucinich - Lefty enough for me, but kind of a fool and an asshat.
7. Joe Biden - Speaking of asshats... Mr 'I'm announcing I'm running for president' (again and again) is good on a couple things, but he's way to corporatist for my tastes. Sen. Biden, stay in the senate where you can at least average out your annoyingness. Also talks way to long for what he's trying to say, which I'm not looking forward to in the debates.
8. Hillary Clinton - I know her site is an 'exploration' website, but come one, give me at least one issue page. Add that to my previous opinion that she could be an outstanding candidate but is choosing the campaign model of the late 90s and not the early 21st century, along with running on name recognition only at this point, oh and not showing real convinctions on Iraq, and... you get the picture.
9. Anyone who hasn't announced - Because if you don't announce and actually run, I won't vote for you! Suprise!
Ok, now dear reader, its up to you to try to sway me to change my rankings or to consider candidates I haven't listed here. I dare ya!