I am well aware that my usual beginning of the primary choice almost never makes the long arduous journey back up the river to spawn a Democratic Party nomination. And in some elections, I have chosen not to make a pick. But in this one, we need to challenge Mr. "I am always Negative and if you do not like it I will send someone to break your kneecaps" Trump with a positive candidate. The equivalent of a bright and shining Obama/Carter. So far, Beto has gleamed the brightest for me. But if someone else turns out to be brighter and more positive, I am open to reconsideration.

very positive. I'm not hearing him being very specific on a lot of hard issues though. He seems a bit dodgy to me so far. I admit, I didn't follow him a lot in Texas during the Senate run, because I wasn't was interested in the issues there, only the outcome in hoping he beat Cruz.

I actually have a funny story on when he complimented me on a Dem donkey lapel pin I had just purchased.

He has the Obama charisma, but he's not in my top 3 for candidates. I like him as a senator, but he is not in my top 5. He hasn't done anything to set himself apart from the field.

I will fall in love with someone during this process, but no matter who wins the I will fall in line and vote for them.

but I agree.. a bad democrat is better than a good republican any day.

the "good republican".

Everybody starts somewhere, and I would wager a guess that most if not almost all of the "undecideds" have a favorite they just haven't shared with the group.

If Kamala drops out, I'll pick a new fave, probably Inslee if he's still in.

At the end, I'll vote for Trump's opponent, the final Dem nominee.

it's hard for me to choose right now because I'm not exposed enough to all the different candidates. Although I watch MSNBC for my news and regular watch their performance in hearings in the House and Senate tv, I haven't seen anything to get me behind anyone.

And that is that the ruling class is stealing money from the hard working middle class, with help from Trump and Republicans.

Only Warren has made this her top issue. She knows how to restrain Wall Street and the rich donor class who controls 98% of all politicians.

Now that she is running though, she just doesn't sound as sincere as she did to me as when she wasn't running. She sounds too rehearsed as if they are just memorized words now. The passion isn't there for me. It might just might be me. It might just be all the passion has been sucked out by my disappointment in our government's inability to do something about tRump. I do like Warren's solutions. She is more willing to put them out there than some others.

It is a new experience for all first time candidates.
There will be many advisers giving all sorts of advice.
Ignore what you will see on TV .
I already know Elizabeth Warren will be the best to take on the mighty money machine
controlled by the top 1% and which sucks the juice out of hard working vast middle class.

The "Stump speech" is very important for this reason.

I want to wait for awhile, learn more about the unfamiliar candidates, see how the whole thing starts to shake out.

I saw Inslee on Rachel the other night and he got my attention, but now seeing his ads, they kind of lose me. I'd like to see more detailed proposals from him and the rest of them.

I saw his ads for governor and knowing nothing about him (then) he impressed me.

I am open to change, especially as I see who is best about handling the inevitable negative attacks and performs well in debates.

Needs to get some specific proposals out there.

based upon what I have seen of him discussing the issues of automation and the need for a Universal Basic Income. Saw him last fall on C-Span Book TV on a panel from the Brooklyn Book Festival. Checked out his website and like his well organized, thoughtfully considered plans and platform. He seems to have pretty much every topic addressed.

You may agree with him or not, but it is worth a look. I believe he has a lot to offer and his policies and plans seem to be well thought out.

from what I have seen thus far.

so I ranked them and picked the one I thought was best.

You have to pick someone to get active behind at some point.. that may not be the person who ends up getting the nod.. Thank God for the platform.. it gives us all something to rally behind, even if our first pick does not make it... My question to you, is how can you NOT have started backing someone??

my answer to you is, there are too many people that I don't know enough about that I feel I should write off without giving them a chance. I have a lot of homework to do and this is part of my assignment. I want to hear from others why they think their candidate makes them want to vote the way they vote.

Joe Biden was my choice before anyone else had even declared.

" what criteria did you use?" History, character, honesty, and diplomatic acumen.

" Are you flexible to change?" Yes, if Joe Biden chooses not to run.

Again... I like Joe... man, he's old though...

.... To get this country back on track and save its reputation around the world for at least one term, maybe two. I would almost guarantee a Joe Biden presidency would set up a a strong path for a successor.

As for your OP? I didn't find it rude at all, and was glad to answer.

someone that knows what it takes to work with the legislature.

.... will be how the next president handles foreign policy. Joe Biden has the experience, and is respected around the world. The problem with the other candidates is that I have seen little or no experience concerning foreign policy. The younger and more inexperienced candidates might hire or appoint that experience, but nothing can replace a president who is willing and capable of setting the tone for his or her administration.

I figured no better place to start than here.

Skinner said to pick the person you would vote for "NOW" if you had to vote. I have two I really like Inslee and Harris. I would also voter for whoever the nominees is in the end. I could also change my mind later on.

My first choice was Sherrod Brown. I've met him, talked to him, listened to him, and I liked everything I heard. But he dropped out.

Then I watched the Sat night show on CNN where they interviewed Pete Buttiegieg.

WOW! That did it. He's my choice.

I know he's a very long shot, but what the hell! I'm with him until he drops out, or if the miracle happens and he gets the nom, then till he wins the White House.



How did I know? I trust my instinctive feelings a lot. I've lived a long time and when something's right, I know it.

Pete is right.

but... too early. Need to hear more on issues. Especially pathway to single payer healthcare from everyone. Would love a system like Medicare for basic healthcare and let insurance companies bid on supplemental policies.

but I'm confident Pete will earn your support in due course. No need to rush to declare, as some of us have. We all go at our own pace.

I have met her. I voted for her twice. I will give to her campaign and probably phone bank and knock on doors for her.

She has experience as AG and Senator.

She grew up in Oakland where life is always a struggle. So she knows about the grittiness of life.

She is a daughter of immagrants, a woman and of a minority race.

She just doesn’t have a rehearsed ten talking point campaign speech like another candidate I won’t mention.

In hearings she is prepared and asks the tough questions.

I don’t see anyone else who can hold a candle to her.

Up close and personal...

Like most of DU at this stage, I am not really committed to anyone, but I was impressed by Harris during the hearings and Inslee is the only candidate so far as I know who says that global warming is his #1 priority.

I'm looking for toughness though, which for me rules out Beto. I love Warren's policies and will lobby for her to hold a cabinet position but I canvassed for her and I think it would be risky and problematic to have her as a nominee. I ran into the same irrational hatred against Warren that so many had against HRC, and while it isn't fair, it would be rowing upriver from day 1.

Joe Biden is also the most qualified candidate the Democrats have for President.

So it would be very important who is picked as his vice president. I do feel it will take someone with experience to quickly repair what tRump has done and get us headed in the right direction. It would be nice to have a candidate offer a 12 year plan with a strong ticket.

Worst possible approach, IMO, and that applies to any endeavor.

There has to be a foundational focus and boost, essentially stealing a few percent to the good without devoting much time or applying any subjectivity or stress. Otherwise you are starting from scratch every day. That is simply too much of a burden. Few are good enough to weave through all the decisions and emerge calmly and logically on the other side.

I prioritize electability. Versus an incumbent that means charisma. I would prefer a male above female due to misogyny as very real. The ones who seem to want a female are the same types who believe Texas is in play right now. That is very poor handicapping, on both ends. It is ignoring the deficit of many percent instead of taking steps to apply the few percent in your favor.

I would also prefer young over old, for reasons I've mentioned recently and emphasize on sports forums all the time. Only recently has the NFL studied and grasped the value of drafting players who are below the typical age instead of above. The difference in results is enormous. That should have been obvious all along. Early demonstrated excellence is exponentially more valuable and significant than late blooming stiffs.

Everything pointed to Beto first among those handful of criteria. I am not thrilled with the recent revelations from his past but they would be more problematic among our primary voters than in a general election. Unfortunately, Democrats are overly obsessed with those meaningless day to day variables, while general election swing voters basically don't care at all.

I'm seen and heard a lot of hopeful speeches, but I need to know where the tax money is coming from and where it is going to. Will his libertarian tendencies drive his economic policies? He hasn't said yet. I'm waiting.

When he announced, I already knew his devotion to Medicare for All, free tuition at public universities, and making Social Security more generous.

I don’t think I’ll switch to another candidate as long as he’s running.

And for the record... Bernie would have won.

The question asked was "If I were to vote in a presidential primary today, I would vote for..."

The answer could change before next year's primary.

I’ve glared at the map below for more than 2 years now...

My early choice is all about who I think is best poised to change enough of that red to blue in 2020.

I don’t give a crap about positions.. positions are important for Senators and Representatives I support. The POTUS doesn’t draft bills that execute positions. Congress does. The only position I need the POTUS to have is that she or he will sign Democratic Party led bills, and bills that support the Democratic Party platform when they reach her or his desk, AND veto the Republican agenda ones.

Statesmanship that will begin to restore our image abroad is likewise important to me this cycle. All of our candidates have this imo.

Will pick a great cabinet, and make great choice appointments. Again, I don’t see any weaknesses here in our field of candidates.

So, it boils down to the map.

I am 100% flexible to change. As this goes on, if another candidate seems more likely to win the primary, and win that map she or he has my support.

vote for in two years.

I heard Buttigieg speak in CNN town hall and really, really liked him. I don't even know who the majority of the others are. I'm answering the DU question of who I would vote for TODAY.

and I have already changed once, from Warren to Inslee.

For myself and possibly others, we have legislation that is extremely important to us and has been for some time. My 3 issues of top importance are climate change, income inequalities, and diversity and inclusion for the new emerging nation. Warren and Inslee have prominently worked on at least 2 of these issues.

I also struggle to vote for candidates who voted for the War in Iraq, although I have done so twice before. Excessive ties to financial industries are a non-starter in the primaries. I like future oriented candidates, and prefer younger if possible - both Warren and Inslee are on the upper end of the ideal age, IMO. Also mindful of how well a candidate can engage the whole party through a genuine connection to grassroots Democrats.

That's it in a nutshell. Looking forward to putting the work in to win the presidency and Senate in 2020!

But in Nov 2020, I am pulling the lever for which ever candidate has a -D after their name

fact that 51% of the population has never been represented in the office of the President. I like Kamala, and I think she is the woman most likely to be elected. And I think she'd be a great president.

That being said, if she doesn't win the primary, there are many other candidates I would be ecstatic to vote for. Inslee is very impressive. A ticket with both of them would be my dream. I love Liz, but I don't think she'd win a primary. O'Rourke is also great, and I'd be tickled to vote for Joe again. Cory and Amy would be fine with me. I think both are fine people.

If they win the primary, I would vote for the following but hold my nose to do it: Gabbard, Gillibrand and Sanders. I find all of them to be ridiculously divisive and right now the last thing we need is division. I wish none of them were running.

..genuine and NOT perfect. And I hope for a Biden-Harris ticket..but I pinky promise I will vote for who/mever the Dem candidate is.

I am open to change if the debates show that my preferred candidate can't effectively stand up and clearly articulate his positions. I can live with either one of the four people that come into the race with current or past executive experience (Hickenlooper, Inslee, the Mayor of South Bend, Ind, Harris as Attorney General of California).

Simple as that. Yes, I am open to changing my mind.