Letters to the Editor
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The Media Decides who we take seriously.
This is getting pathetic. We think the only "viable" candidates are the ones the media talks about because these candidates the only ones who get the media talking, and we expect the rest of the nation to be so unconcerned and unserious that only a "buzzed" candidate can win, right?
Well we wouldn't need to worry about campaign finance reform if we would just rip our eyes and ears away from the "Boob Tube" and start thinking for ourselves.
And stop being so concerned about "viability." This is one way we get spun into thinking the way others want us to think.
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The 4th Branch of the Government
In 21st century politics, a 4th branch of the government has emereged, the media. It is this branch that has candidates disappearing left and right.
The media has become a powerful tool in presidential politics, similar to a virus, spreading through the public and making victims out of candidates. George Allen was victim #1, he went from presedential candidate to unemployed thanks to a little home video that hit every media outlet. John Kerry was #2, his botched joke became fotter for every political talk show, headlined the national news, and all but ended any chance of re-running for president. (and one could argue the media also led to his loss in 2004) Bayh is the lastest victim, going to New Hampshire and getting no love from the media, seeing the cameras swarm to Obama, he decides to drop out.
Now I'm a fan of Barack Obama, but I'm weary of the media making him out to be something he's not. He's a great speaker, a great writer, but when it comes down to it, his views are not all that new, and let's rememeber if eleceted he'll be dealing with a broken middle east situation, he has little to no foreign relations experience.
But you know what, I'll embrace the 4th branch, and say let's elect Obama. He's telegenic, well spoken on camera, and most importantly, when other countries see that the US has voted an African American as the leader of their country, perhaps we'll get a clean slate from old allies that have become angered by the arrogance and ignorance of a group of white men who decided to go to war with no planning...
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The Seven Dwarves
While I'm about as enthusiastic as supporter of democracy as the next guy, I hope against hope that the "hey, look at me and my pet issue" candidates don't stick around in '08 long after their long-shot hopes for nomination have been dashed. I see no reason why we need to have nine or more podiums every week or so for yet more primary debate sessions when we all know the real race is between four of them at most, whether they still actually have a shot at the nomination, or they're still deciding to which possible winner they will pledge their delegates.
Of course, if they still insist on hanging around as long as they get to "debate" every week on C-SPAN, perhaps we can work out some round-robin scheme where the the candidates debate head to head. That would be far more productive, and provide the minor candidates with a more effective forum for getting their "pet" issues, many of which I must admit should be discussed, out there.
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Thought we were voting for the environment
Those who voted November 7 and those who will vote in 2008 give the environmental issue to the Dems by a wide margin. Voters think that Democratic leaders will get us clean air, and off the oil and off of dependence on the Middle East.
The issue is not that simple, and the Democratic candidates and leaders have been running the hell away from the issue. Well, we don't have six or ten years to "wait for a break" to change policy to save the atmosphere. Pelosi, Reid, and these earnest candidates are missing the golden moment of Democratic ascendency when they should be talking up what our teenagers' world is going to look like in half a century.
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Factual Error
Gov. Richardson is half Hispanic.
The Newsweek article even points this out.
Please consider revising.
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Leaving out Gore, Clark and Richardson
The three most electable candidates, the three candidates with the best chance of beating the Republican nominee, and the three candidates with the strongest leadership credentials.
Gore has established himself as a serious national figure, doing critical work on issues that impact the future of humanity, let alone the American people. He deserves consideration until he declares unequivocally that he's not running.
Richardson is a red-state governor with half-Latino heritage. He is an experienced officeholder and should be on anyone's short list for potential candidates.
Clark is the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a retired four-star general with progressive positions, who just spent the last two years working to help the Democrats take Congress. He has huge crossover appeal.
I wish the media would take a break from their senatorial lovefest to remember that Americans don't vote for senators to be presidents. JFK was the last sitting senator to become president, and the last one before him was WARREN HARDING. Americans vote for vice presidents (Gore), governors (Richardson), or generals (Clark). It would be nice to see the electoral process actually unfold, instead of having a media-driven coronation.
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The media and the right are convinced it is Hillary, I disagree.
I live in Illinois and, in 2004, by the time our primary rolled around, it was already ordained that Kerry would be the nominee. I was totally uninspired by him. I much preferred Howard Dean. This time around we are being told by the media that Hillary Clinton is the likely nominee. I think that Hillary would be a disaster and that she would stand no chance of winning. I agree with the letters that say that she is very mechanical in her speaches. She sounds like a politican, not a human being. I would definitely prefer any of the other candidates. If you listen to the right wing talk shows, they have already nominated Hillary Clinton. My assumption is that they want her because it would give them a great bashing opportunity. I don't think she stands a chance of winning the general election because there is a lot of sentiment against her, even among Democrats and women. I supported Kerry in the last election because the alternative was the idiot we have in the white house now, but I did so without feeling good about it. I would like to see a Democratic candidate who can communicate and inspire. That person could be Gore, Edwards, Obama or Kucinich, but not Hillary Clinton. I really hope that she does not get the nomination.