Try this experiment

Pretend that the candidate you support isn't running. Now think about who your second choice would be. Don't mention your fiurst choice candidate. Just say a few positive only things about this second choice and why you would support him or her. I think we'll see that all the candidates have positives and maybe these negative bashing threads can tone down a bit.

I hope you'll give it a try.
I'll go first

My second choice would be Howard Dean.
He's honest, bold and has drawn in supporters. His campaign excites people and makes them feel they can be part of the political process again. He makes people want to be involved. His stand on policies are solid and right for the country.

Successful Senator with a long history of supporting Liberal causes. War hero. Overall cool guy.

for giving it a try. Guess not too many people here interested in trying a positive approach. Bashing is so much more fun, not.

for the reasons you gave. I have some misgivings about him but overall I think he would do a good job and I do have a lot of respect for him.

but I think if my candidate were not running, I would support Carol Moseley-Braun. I think what she is doing is great.

I ask with all due respect. My number one candidate is not dropping out. Edwards would be my second choice if I thought it mattered.

YMMV. My state doesn't vote in the primaries until May, so perhaps many will have dropped out. Nonetheless, I don't see how it matters!

As stated in my original post, I was hoping it would be an opportunity for us to look at the positve qualties of the other candidates instead of this trend of "my candidate against the other candidates" within our party. We seem to be having an internal war instead of a war against Bush. Supporting and fighting for a candidate is good but it seems to have gotten out of hand and turned so negative as to be damaging to our ultimate goal. On hindsight I probably should have asked everyone to list the positives of all the other candidates not including the one we presently support.

asking for positives on all candidates. I thought it was a great idea but was pretty busy at the time and never had a chance to add my input. I'll try it now here:
(No particular order, by the way)
1. John Edwards had many great ideas. He has a fresh face and seems to be a geniunely good person.
2. Al Sharpton is really the only candidate to speak his mind honestly without regard to being "politically correct" or how it will affect his campaign. One of the main themes of his campaign is to register new voters - which I think is a very noble cause.
3. Dick Gephardt reminds me of my grandfather (that is a good thing). I like the fact that he stands up for Clinton's accomplishments and those who worked with Clinton.
4. Carol Moseley-Braun always says the right things, as far as I am concerned. Her ideas are well thought out and good, IMO.
5. Joe Lieberman speaks about issues that are important to many Americans. He also is one who stands on Clinton's record.
6. Howard Dean does a good job of pointing out the problems with our current administration. I agree with him that America is NOT safer just b/c Hussein was captured (but, then, I was never quaking in fear to begin with - could that have been part of his point?). Also, I do agree that Bin Laden should be subject to the same rules of democracy as anyone else. What is so bad about standing on our principles?
7. John Kerry does seem presidential to me. The fact that he is committing his own money to his campaign signifies that he is dedicated to the race.
8. Wesley Clark is a man who was drawn into the race as a result of genuine concern for our country. He believes that he has leadership abilities that can work to the benefit of all Americans.
9. Dennis Kucinich first attracted me b/c he was talking about the importance of the farm economy. That is something that is very near and dear to me since my livelihood is indirectly related to it.

because he, too, has very progressive, pro-working-people policies--unlike the remaining seven candidates (partial exceptions for CMB and Kerry, but only partial).

and he probably would be my second choice if not for Carol. It may be silly, but I would probably support Carol just b/c she is a woman and, I think, trying very hard to advance women's issues.

except Lieberman.

Great liberal senator, and because national security will be the number one issue in the GE, in my opinion.