The search for the right candidate

Anyone who has been visiting this web site since at least October knows that we are torn between two candidates: Barack Obama and John Edwards.  Each has their positives and their drawbacks:

Barack Obama:

• Correctly emphasizes why judgment should trump experience.
• Correctly opposed the Iraq war even when it was unpopular to do so.  Neither Clinton nor Edwards can say that.
• Refused lobbyist money during this campaign.
• Correctly isn't for Hillary's idea of forcing every American to have private health insurance.
• Lived abroad for sometime, and would help combat the ideological disease of ethnocentrism.
• Was humbled after college while working as a community organizer in Chicago.  As we have come to realize, especially after these last six years, humility is something that no president should lack.
• Is not really an effective debater.  Comes across during debates as unsure of himself.  He stutters at times.  He even has a tendency to lose his temper when challenged by an alternative point of view.

John Edwards:

• Correctly opposes the Iraq war at the moment, even though he voted for it back in 2002.
• Unlike Hillary, he does not support future combat missions in Iraq.
• Is a definite populist on economic issues.
• Has not taken lobbyist money during this campaign.
• Opposes forcing all Americans to have private health insurance.
• Unfortunately, would spend more even at the expense of the national debt.
• The best debater of all Democrats.
• Brings out the emotional side of what Democrats stand for.
• Comes across to some people as phony.

Comments

[george]

Edwards:
- campaigned for 3 years in Iowa and is still losing.
- has less cash on hand than Obama and Clinton by far.
- already lost a general election as VP.

I like John Edwards. I really do. When I watch the debates, he's the star in my opinion. But Obama is the choice here. He's the most likely to be a real uniter. and that's what the country needs.

[fred]

Who could even consider Edwards? He is a lying chameleon and comes across to me like the worst used car salesman I have ever had the dishonor of meeting.

Don't like his issues? Don't worry, they will change next week.

[Janice Perkins]

Any of the three candidates would make a good President. I will support whoever wins the primary. I think they are all three good, strong candidates and any of them would be a good, strong President.

I feel that many voters will not support a woman. With Sen. Clinton, many people don't like her, for no other reason than she is a woman and/or a Clinton. I do think she would make a good President. But we have to win this election or I fear it will be too late for our country.

I think that Sen. Obama would make a wonderful president, but I also feel that many voters won't support a person of color. It isn't fair, especially in this day and age, but I really want a Democrat to win this coming election.

I like John Edwards, because he is a good, strong, and fair person. I think he will be a great President. He seems to be running for all the right reasons, by wanting to give back to this great land. Hopefully putting it back to what we use to be, before George Bush's administrations. We have to get out of this war before our country goes broke.

I feel like Edwards will be a President for all of America: poor, rich, white, black, male and female. That he will pull us together and unite us again. I am a strong union person, I feel he is also. The common person needs someone in our corner, and I believe he is that person.

It is really a hard decision to make; they are all three exceptional people, smart, tough, honest. I am glad that they are all three in public service. We are lucky to have them in the Democratic party. The country is better because of them.

I will be proud to support any of them, but my vote is for John Edwards.