Who do you like so far?
I watched a couple of hours of the winter DNC on Saturday. I assure you it pained me to have to watch that smug bast*rd Howard Dean for that long, but I wanted to hear what to expect out of the candidates for '08.
Joe Biden has never had an original thought in his lifetime. He loves to claim other's words and work as his own and obviously didn't get a clue after the '88 campaign that America is not interested in him. He's also been caught over-stating his educational credentials. Biden is in love with himself and it showed in his speech. He's a stale six term senator.
I was real impressed with Bill Richardson, he's got a dynamic personality, and seems like a guy you'd love to have lunch with. In addition, he's got experience in the U.S. diplomatic corps, four time Nobel peace prize nominee, secretary of energy (though his tenure is considered by some to be a black eye), served in Congress, and by all accounts has cracked down on crime and created quite a few new jobs in New Mexico as Governor. He understands the success of traditionally conservative economics by creating tax cuts in New Mexico to help bring about creation of jobs and prosperity. Who knows, we might even finally wind up with a workable energy policy.
Something else which would not hurt him is his Hispanic heritage.
Richardson could garner a fair amount of GOP swing votes. Depending on who the final candidate is for the GOP, I would have to seriously consider Richardson if he were to win the Democratic nomination.
Mike Gravel- Where did they dig this guy up? He was a senator from Alaska from '69 through '81. He's got a stodgy appearance and demeanor that's better suited for the GOP. [
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I didn't stick around for Vilsack, I went to the gun show and excercized my second amendment rights. [
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My opinion on the other front-runners:
Hillary Clinton- She does have the insight of being an integral part of a pretty successful White House administration, and will have eight years of Senate experience under her tush. Experience like that is hard to beat. However, she's one of the most polarizing political figures of our time and lacks any sort of charisma. She even has Bill Clinton's most loyal supporters fleeing to Obama's camp.
Other part is, she will do what is politically expedient, before she will do what is right.
Barack Obama- tons of charisma, African American, Muslim roots- all window-dressing issues which would draw image-driven rather than issue-driven voters.
Other than that, what experience does he have as a leader? A state Senator and by '08 he will have served one term in the Senate. Hardly what I would call the best leadership credentials in the pack. I think he will be someone else's running mate.
John Edwards- Clinton-esque charisma without the Clinton sleaze. Incredibly likeable guy, but what leadership qualities does he have? Six years in the Senate. Great Horatio Alger story, but is he still really in touch with the down-trodden?
Al Gore- Does he really have the guts to run in the same race as Hillary? With the Clinton's propensity to dig up sludge on their opponents, I'd think Gore would be too easy a target. Has about the same relevant experience as Hillary.
Secondly, he's a huge hypocrite. He can thank tobacco largely for his old family money which has provided a cushy life-style, yet went after the industry with a vengeance. Other than talking about protecting the environment, by all accounts he doesn't walk the walk in his personal life. As well, there are much more charismatic contenders in the race.