Letters to the Editor
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Why can't they just be running mates?
Just curious. Again.
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Re: running mates
All six of them?
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I'm tired of these things
I devoured every one of them in '04. But these... ugh. Frankly I'm tired of seeing the candidates snipe at and insult each other, especially as I know they'll invariably turn on a dime and start fawning all over/complimenting the eventual nominee and insisting they can think of no one better to run the country than him or her... after basically calling him/her the devil for a year and a half.
There has to be a better way than this monotonous, repetitive and ultimately pointless exercise in ugliness and hypocrisy.
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Kucinich and Gravel
The debate wasn't worth watching since Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich weren't invited. How is it that when a majority of the nation and an overwhelming majority of Democratic voters are strongly opposed to the Iraq war that the two candidates who are the strongest opponents of the war not allowed in the Democratic debate? Sign this petition to make sure that Gravel,Kucinich, and Ron Paul are allowed to be in all future debates. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2489/t/5103/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=752
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Anti-War Exclusion
This debate is memorable for only one reason: the views it did not include.
The last Iowa debate marked a turning point in the Democratic Party for designing rules that conveniently cut off participation of the two strongest anti-war candidates. While the party may see this as eliminating problem candidates that somehow reinforce the view of the public that the party is "weak" on defense or terrorism, this conclusion is flawed. Even among supporters of the war, there is a broad recognition of the strength of conviction needed to voice dissent from the ongoing media and ruling elite endorsement of the actions in Iraq. One can only conclude that this party is either out of touch with many voters or in is in fact tacitly endorsing this war policy. Judging by the actions of Pelosi, Reid, and other leading Democrats, it may be the latter.
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No Kucinich no vote for any of these Bozos...
The very fact that not one of these candidates objected to Dennis Kucinich being barred from this so called debate shows that none of them are of the character or timber we should demand of a President of The United States..!
Simple as that..!
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Running mates
Depending on the ability to get along, I'd expect the also-rans in the process to become VP candidates. Just think what Biden would do for Obama's candidacy. Edwards, if he loses hope early enough in the race might add some charisma to Hillary's candidacy. No one's going to touch Kucinich, regardless of how fond of him Salon readers are.
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Just a thought
I'm sorry you were bored. Gee. Have you ever thought about changing jobs? I may be mistaken, but once upon a time, long before reporters and anchors and pundits were being paid millions of dollars to swig brandy and exchange quips about this candidate's hair or that candidate's laugh, some stalwart souls in the fourth estate actually enjoyed their jobs and went after the meat in a story with a vengeance. At least that's the way it seemed to me. Now all the press consists of is a gaggle of Marie Antoinettes whose attitude seems to be, "Let them eat scandal!" Get up off the chaise longue and take a look around. The world's still a pretty intersting place, if you just give it a chance. Heck, there might even be a decent story in the candidates' health care plans, or, I don't know, their vision of a post-Bush American foreign policy. "Honesty and wit are so rarely combined," says Monsieur Bellegarde in the French film "Ridicule." Exactement, mon amis.
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All six candidates?
Where were Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich?
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The "Debate"
When is as debate not a debate?
When the participants merely mouth oft repeated remarks that reveal nothing.
That was the "debate."
John Edwards was the only front runner who even came close to expressing the issues confronting this nation.
Biden and Richardson were on target, but Richardson's New Year's resolution to "lose weight" was selfishly revealing.
All of their resolutions should be to help this nation emerge strong and free again beginning with troop withdrawal.
Edwards was the only candidate who expressed these views.
I wish Hillary had explained to what she was referring when she made that remark last week that Obama was too far to the left.
It would have been pertinent if the moderator had included that remark in her questioning. "Senator Clinton, how far is too far?"
The answer is that Clinton, like many of her GOP opponets has gone too far.
John Edwards is the man.
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@ Malusinka
"Edwards, if he loses hope early enough in the race might add some charisma to Hillary's candidacy."
Really? He didn't bring any to the Kerry campaign.
I don't think the Democratic nominee should look to their competitors for a VP, for the following reasons:
1. Hillary, Edwards, Obama: All of the three frontrunners are one or two term senators. Given the fact that the nominee's lack of experience is going to be made an issue, it hardly makes sense to amplify it with a VP with a comparably thin resume.
2. Biden, Dodd: On paper, Biden and Dodd don't look bad. They do have the experience. But they're both from small states which already vote Democratic and don't appeal to any particular demographic that the Democratic presidential candidate will need.
3. Richardson: Richardson might not be a bad choice, since he has a good political resume and his Latino heritage might be expected to help Democrats in states like New Mexico and Colorado that have substantial Latino populations. His performance on the campaign trail so far has been lackluster, however, and I could see him getting torn apart in a vice-presidential debate.
I was discussing it with my father last night and we concluded that Wes Clark would be a good VP pick. He brings a number of things (Southern, military and foreign policy experience, charisma) that might complement and counterbalance the qualities of the candidate.
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YOu asked Where were Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich?
Where were Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich? the Des Moines Register never ask candidates to participate if they have campaign offices in IA. They do not have offices in IA and so they were not invited. Besides they are both too nutty anyway.