I am in the market for a candidate here is the good I see in our current crop

Bill Richardson Has executive and legislative experience. In addition has extensive foreign policy experience. Comes from the region of the country we are most likely to make electoral gains in. We could easily win NM, CO, NV, and AZ with him leading the ticket and the country still a mess. Finally he is the first Hispanic with any kind of shot at a major party nomination. That would be historic.

Hillary Clinton Very accomplished in her own right. Before she met Bill Clinton she had already been on the cover of Time Magazine (for her valedictory address at Wellsley). She is a good campaigner who has won over a skeptical NY electoriate. In addition she has a reputation for being an effective Senator who is able to work across party lines. Bill Clinton would also be a huge asset to her campaign and administration. She would be the first woman nominee of a major party.

Barack Obama A terrificly charismatic campaigner. Great personal story. His experience with Islam would come in handy given our involvement in Iraq. Right on the Iraq war. Would be the first African American nominee of a major party.

John Edwards Best personal story of the bunch. Not only did he rise from modest circumstances to earned wealth he is a terrific husband. His two America message is compelling. His easiness on the eyes doesn't hurt. Would likely put some border states in play that otherwise might not be (places like KY, VA, and Arkansas).

Joe Biden One of the smartest, most candid men in politics. He has literally hundreds of great ideas when he speaks. Would bring a wealth of foreign policy experience to the table.

Chris Dodd Very experienced. Solid liberal record. Able to express liberal ideas in ways that get moderates attention.

Dennis Kucinich Courageous stands as mayor of Cleveland and in the Congress.

Mike Gravel Was elected twice from Alaska and ended the draft.

So add your positives.

for bringing the troops home and also to work on energy independence--focusing on achieving it like we worked on getting a man on the moon in the '60s.

I do not know why, but there is this little voice
telling me I should check and learn more about Dodd.
He wears very well. Watched him debate Brownback at
Boston College with Tim Russert moderating. I must
admit I was impressed. I can visualize him so easily
working with Allies.

I think whomever is our President, Joe Biden should
be considered for Secretary of State.

Hilary has focusing power which in tough campaign will
serve her well.

Obama has a likeabily quotient which helps him.

John Edwards has the issues that are dear to my heart.

You covered Richardson pretty well. His down to earth
demeanor adds points.

Dennis Kucinich--Knowledge of issues is impressive.

Mike Gravel--LoveHIM. "Who the hell are you gonna nuke?"

read the entire thread..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3261770&mesg_id=3262004

Can't cover all the candidates because I've never seen some of them.

Barack Obama - Superb public speaker (nice change from Captain Malaprop). Bright guy, charismatic, sharp dresser, good looking guy.

Hillary Clinton - Also a good public speaker, great campaigner, she has a rep as a good senator. A Hillary run would also bring Bill back to the White House.

Dennis Kucinich - Right on almost everything. About the only candidate offering a genuine change instead of variations on the status quo. Not a great public speaker but has a real talent for the meaningful quip.

John Edwards - Another good looking guy, slick as glass. Heartless as it is to say, his wife's illness might actually help his campaign. Brighter than a professorial owl though.

he has written two books. Not ghost written. civil rights attorney, did a health care bill here in Illinois to cover those under 18. did bills on cameras in interrogations, did a profiling bill, ect.
On an Oct. 2002 public access program explained what he thought would happen if we invaded and he nailed everything that came to pass: secretarian violence, civil war, ect. Stunning video.
From his community organizing background he is great in crossing the aisle and getting the 'enemy' to work with him and bringing people together.
He also attracts alot of support from all parties and walks of life. would be able to bring the country together. And is compared to RFK in his ability to inspire people to do things and work together happily.
He is at ease in so many situations and would not embarass us if the Queen came to visit or abroad.
His wife is very intellegent, strong, witty, warm and a crowd pleaser. Very popular. She would be a strong partner but, not the twofer like Clinton. Michelle does not desire to be co president, or meddle in policy and wants to be herself. But, not a mouse like Laura. She is comfortable with herself and is very classy.
They have 2 gorgeous little girls 8 and 5.
I don't know what you are looking for so, gave you some presidential things and personal.

which is impressive. I do think it is unrealistic to think that Michelle would be able to have her own career given that virtually any career would likely conflict with his being President. It would be interesting to see how that would work out.

recently there was an ad on CNN for some political special they were having - I had the volume off so I didn't catch exactly what it was. But the screen was split equally in three sections & there were photos of HRC, Obama & Richardson. It hit me that we have three minorities representing our party but the republicans have a rich, white man, an old rich white man & an even older & richer white man. Same 'ole, same 'ole. ~~yawn

OMG, Gravel was soooooo refreshing!!! And when Kucinich pulled out his Constitution -- harr! I keep mine in my book bag & one day I forgot my bag was in the back of my truck & I went through the car wash. When I got to work I realized, with horror what I had done. I spread the current day's books on my credenza, one of which was my pocket Constitution & Declaration & other fun facts. As co-workers passed through during the day, my pocket Constitution was the most picked up book. :) Second place was my pocket world atlas. ;)

I like Dodd. I've already sent him a few bucks.

I think Biden has appeal to a wide scope of voters, although, probably not a large percentage of DUers.

Edwards would be a formidable candidate. Especially if the repubs go with an old white guy. Especially if he is really old -- thinking McCain here.

Each & every one of our candidates is better than any & all of theirs. Americans want change, but do they want it bad enough to out do electronic voting by voting in huge numbers? They better.

would restore humility to the White House. I think that's much needed after the arrogance of the current horse's butt or an administration.

I think he's a bit of a chameleon, and not in a bad way. We are a diverse nation, and need a president who remembers he is the president of the United States of America, not just the people who voted for him and contributed big bucks to the campaign. For example, John Edwards seems perfectly comfortable talking about his faith without feeling the need to cram it down everyone's throat at every opportunity. I think he really connects with people, and we need that in a candidate.
I think some of the other candidates may be "right" more so than John Edwards, but John Edwards has a better chance of getting things passed by a Congress that is split nearly evenly, and in a country that is more purple than blue or red.

I like that he's actually gone to New Orleans and helped with Katrina recovery. I like that he's participated in Habitat for Humanity projects. I like that he's trying to encourage community service through his One Corps program, promoted on his Website.

Oh, and dsc - Thank you for having a post that concentrated on the positive rather than negatives of our candidates.

It is so nice to see a positive thread about all of the candidates.

And thanks for your great comments about Biden :)

No matter who wins the nomination, we will be lucky.

It would be great if we had more posts like yours as it makes one feel good to be a Democrat.

A POSITIVE look at our outstanding choices.

Edwards...I would add, understands poverty and would address the ways to alleviate it. This must remain a high priority for any Dem.

Clark...not on your list because he hasn't announced, and may not...is high on my list because the next President may have to end this war, and for certain will have to repair the military. That's important, and I think Clark is the best choice for it. A diplomat and understanding of the needs of the troops vs. "military."

my personal favorite is Gore but I think he isn't going to run. I also don't think Clark is running either. But if either annuonces, I will rerun the thread.

on a regular basis... say a few times a day so we all have talking points about why these candidates are qualified to beat the publicans.

I feel that there are a great manny issues facing our planet...some more critical than others.
We could endlessly debate these but one thing for sure we can agree on: These issues need attending to. My simple analogy: if you arrive at the scene of a car wreck and you can plainly see the injured in need of attention and there is an ass blocking your progress do you wait for the ass to move out of the way or do you move the ass out of the way?

It is my belief that any attention given these issues ultimately must filter through the White House. The slime soiling our sacred White House right now has a history of moderating, attenuating altering and in some cases stopping that much needed attention given to these issues. Because I feel that any attention given to those issues while these asses are doing what they do so well, much of the worlds critical issues can not get that urgently needed attention.

So my first priority, above all others regardless of how nobel and just, is to remove the blockage before moving forward. I do not see waiting till '08 here either. So as much as I would love to see all the candidates talk about impeachment, I am stuck with but one candidate, Dennis Kucinich. He has HR 333, the bill to impeach dick cheney. That is my single focus. I only wish the rest of America sensed the urgency as keen as I. If the other candidates felt as I, then perhaps I could look to their good points here as well.

That said, refreshing post here...sorry I may wind up attracting flames to it because I feel so strongly here...

There are positives for each of our candidates. We have an embarrassment of riches compared to the Rethugs.

I plan to support whoever gets the nomination and I applaud your positive approach!

Julie

Would be better than the best the Repukes have to offer. I happen to think Richardson and Kucinich are the cream of the crop, but I'll support which ever candidate wins the nomination.

I hope the campaign doesn't get so nasty that the winner alienates the rest. I think this list also might just represent the finest Presidential cabinet of all time.

Very inspiring and what's great about DUers :hi:

:kick:

although there are a group of naysayers here that will dispute that notion.

I think if we were to win NC we wouldn't need it due to us winning in a rout. We are just too conservative when it comes to federal offices.

but I think there's a 50/50 chance NC would step up if Edwards were at the top of the ticket.