Can you describe your candidates' appeal in 100 words or less?

[Armstead]

Why do you like the candidate(s) you favor? Can you describe it in about 100 words or less?

I'm asking because I think it might help to provide some insight as to what we all are looking for, and why certain candidates ring your particular chimes. ...If you choose to play, please try to keep it positive (rather than bashing specific other candidates) and specific....And, let's assume that Bonzo the Chimp would be better than Bush.

As for the 100 words, it's just a suggested guideline, as the point is to crystalize your perceptions.
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Okay, I like Dean so here's my own effort:

Dean is basically a mainstream moderate politician, who understood that the nation has gotten too unbalanced to the right and to the corporate agenda. he also acknowledged that the Democrats are partly responsible by not providing a counterweight. I believe his goal is to restore the balance and revive the best side of the spirit of liberalism, while being pragmatic.

Early in his campaign, he also realized that it is possible to overcome the disconnect from politics that everyone has long complained about, by turning to the grassroots. He also says what everyone instinctively knows, but doesn't say aloud. His personality was suited to this, because of his natural blunt straightforwardness. I believe Dean has grown personally by listening to sources outside of the stale conventional wisdom of the elite. I believe of elected he will begin to steer the system back in the right direction.


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As for my second favorite candidate, Dennis Kucinich:

DK is at heart, a traditional, lunch-bucket ethnic liberal Democrat. He has also added a level of spirituality to that, seeing the world in terms of connections too. While that aspect may seem "flaky," Kucinich's actual agenda is actually very practical, and he says what many people really want, such as universal health care. He is pointing the way to a destination we all want to go, and can go once we overcome the stagnation of our present system.

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Okay those are my tries. Anyone else care to step up to the plate?

[Armstead]

1. Kick for the daytime

Well I guess this idea went over like a lead balloon. :-(

I thought it might be a good way to help clarify the basic message people see in their particular candidates. Anyone on the day shift care to give this a try?

[Straight Shooter]

2. Agree with your Dean and Kucinich assessments

I will add, for both of them, the courage of their convictions and the willingness to take responsibility for their actions are the reasons for my respect and support. Political pioneers in the truest sense. The same applies to Wesley Clark. Upsetting the status quo is not a fear in their hearts, because neither truly belongs to the same-old, same-old status quo.

If it weren't time to go to work, I would include more, but I'm sure you'll get some interesting responses throughout the day.

:kick:

[robbedvoter]

3. Clark is the candidate who inspired me from the start.

A socratic warrior who put everything on the line to stop genocide, passionately commited to civil rights, separation of church and state and public eduction.
He was fearless in opposing the thugs in their intent to start a war in Iraq
http://www.forclark.com/story/2004/2/1/84318/48694
and is the one candidate taking on PNAC
http://Blog.forclark.com/story/2004/1/3/124236/0081
He is decent and brilliant and respected worldwide. He is uniquely positioned to repair W's multiple messes.
He is electable too - since he has crossover appeal. While his views are probably amongst the most liberal of all candidates, the four stars innoculate him from the bad connotations the media ascribed the word (which he is not ashamed to use, unlike others)
As Michael Moore says: he is a gift to us - let's hope we are not too dumb to miss that.

[dsc]

4. Dean treats his friends, and the country, like adults

It would have been easy for Dean to advocate gay marriage in Vermont and watch it go down in flames. It would have been easier to dither as the constitution got changed. Instead he told gays that marriage wasn't going to happen and fought like hell for marriage lite. Thanks to him, gays and lesbians have a foothold in an all important battle for equality.

Similarly, he treats us all like adults. We can't have it all and he actually says it. Unlike pretty much every other candidate in the race he is honest about what can and can't be done. No tax cut until the bills are paid.

[DakotaDemocrat]

5. Clark enticed me during his stint on CNN,

Sold me on his positions and vision for this country's future,
Emboldened me by his press statements directly at Bush,
Motivated me with his Families First Tax Plan,
Inspired me with his impassioned view about his work in Kosovo,
Humbled me about lifting up those less fortunate in the richest country in the world,
Influenced me with his 10 Pledges to the American people when deciding on sending troops to war, and he
Promised me a Higher Standard of Leadership!

[floridagirl4clark]

6. Clark for Real Courage

Clark in Kosovo: He didn't want a Rwanda repeat on his watch. He had the chance to stop genocide and took it. He took the responsibility, he took the heat.
When asked about detaining Arab-American suspects, he went out on a limb and brought up Guantanamo w/out being asked. He would get real charges, real trials ASAP. He said it made him sad to have the US associated with this outrage.
I listen to him and I feel FINALLY someone who's main focus is the moral dimension to these and all issues.
He is real passion, real courage, real caring, real leadership. I'm totally committed.
Bonus: no girlfriends, no lobbyists, no free condos just SERVICE and GUTS for America.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi floridagirl4clark!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Fleshdancer]

7. This doesn't include everything, but this is what first impressed me about

Howard Dean:

He was the first to pass Civil Union legislation. He did it even though it was uncomfortable for him. He did it even though he recieved death threats and had to wear a bullet proof vest. He did it even though many thought he was throwing away his political career. Equal rights meant more than personal political aspiprations and this, my friend, is leadership.

[dsc]

8. It is pretty telling to me

who is and who isn't participating in this thread. So far Clark, Dean, and Kucinich represented. Kerry and Edwards unrepresented.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. John Kerry

John Kerry is the only candidate running with a solid record on environmental matters. So solid, in fact, that the League of Conservation Voters gave him their earliest endorsement in their entire history.
John Kerry's liberalism is not new found but exists on paper in a 35 year history of causes such as Iran Contra investigations (something he TOOK upon himself) and BCCI (which he pursued even to the dismay of some in his own party)and founding VVAW.

John Kerry introduced on of the FIRST bills ever banning discrimination in the work place based on sexual orientation.

His tax plan rolls back cuts for the rich while keeping the working class in mind ( a group Democrats have been losing)

John Kerry has the MOST experience of ANY in the field on foreign relations.

[dsc]

12. the only candidate with a solid enviromental record

and the first bill to outlaw anti gay discrimination in the work place? I think you need to look at Lieberman in both cases. Lieberman has solid 100% from every single enviromental group and first introduced an ENDA type bill in CT in the late 1970's as majority leader of the CT Senate.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. We are talking national bill and as I stated

if Lieberman were ahead of Kerry with the League of Conservation voters, then why did he NOT get their endorsement?

[dsc]

17. maybe they knew how bad he would be as a candidate

and he sure has been.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Dennis Kucinich

has been out in front on the issues all this campaign season, whether proposing single-payer health care, attending anti-war and anti-corporate trade protests, or protecting BBV activists. A rousing speaker, he can bash Bush with the best of them, but more important, he has a coherent vision for what American could and should be, both in terms of its domestic policies and its relations with the rest of the world. He is the only candidate who wants to reverse the Reagan revolution.

[maxr4clark]

11. Yes

[Armstead]

14. Well that was certainly a concise answer

although not exactly what I had in mind.

[rucky]

16. Three Words for Kucinich:

Leading by Example

everything he does & everything he stands for boils down to those three words.

[Forkboy]

18. Easy

Kucinich because he seems to be correct far more often than the other candidates.

[katieforeman]

19. please see my post- "Edwards is the most electable"