A Dozen Preferences for a President

[Sparkly]

This is just MY personal opinion; your mileage may vary! Feel free to share your own preferences, opinions, and criteria.

1. Super smarts. I want a president who’s brainy to the point of nerdy and wonky, and one who doesn’t shy away from speaking that way. That doesn’t mean speaking in a way that’s confusing, but it means answering questions and discussing issues – the whole range of issues -- in a very informed and informative way, beyond superficial platform statements. One point for Gore and Clark.

2. Commitment to country, early on. I love an early moment in their lives that reflects a decision to serve their country, especially militarily. This is a point for Kerry, who volunteered for dangerous Navy duty in Vietnam after graduating from Yale; Gore, who volunteered to go to Vietnam as an army journalist, despite his father’s opposition to the war as a senator, and Nixon’s political fears about the young Gore being harmed; and Clark, first in his class at West Point and Rhodes Scholar whose talents could have taken him in another direction. All made remarkable choices when they had ample other opportunities.

3. Teaching experience. I think teaching involves organizing and presenting ideas in a way that no other field does. It involves careful thinking, communication, and interactions with young people, as well as mastery of subject matter. Points to Gore and Clark.

4. Familiarity, from experience, with all walks of life. Direct, ongoing contact with different racial, socio-economic, regional, religious backgrounds. Points to Edwards and Kucinich, based on their upbringings; to Kerry and Gore, based on their military experiences; and to Clark, based on both.

5. Foreign policy experience. I mean experience beyond sitting on committees, “visiting,” voting, or talking; I mean direct diplomatic experience as an expert and a US representative with head of state status. None of this “well the vp could make up for that.” This means the ability to hit the ground running on Iraq and other disasters. Points to Gore and Clark.

6. Staunch liberal on social issues. Clear stances on women’s rights, civil rights, gay rights, workers’ rights; unafraid to be considered “Liberal.” Points to Kucinich, Kerry, Gore, Clark.

7. No Congressional “strings attached.” Not only no voting record, but no congressional lobbying connections, deal-making, political debts, fundraising question marks, etc. One point to Clark.

8. Ability to unite the country. Granted, there’s a lunatic fringe who will never be placated, but in general, I want a president who can put the past 35 years of GOP-propagated strawmen, stereotypes, and schisms behind us. The polarity of parties, red/blue states, north and south, urban and rural, Christian and non-Christian, rich and poor etc. is surely NOT as deep as the things we hold in common. I want to see the baggage of the Vietnam era laid to rest at last. It’s not just about being from the south, because I think Dean could have done well there; it’s more about biography, background, and broad appeal to various factions. Big point to Clark, for ability to bridge the historic divide, and willingness to take it to Fox; smaller ones to Obama and Edwards.

9. However, I’d love to see a bonafide New England Liberal elected president! Call it my own personal bias, or see it as a hoped-for end to the southerners-only requirement. One point to Kerry.

10. Strong appreciation of the arts. I know, I know, with so many other priorities at hand, this seems frivolous, and so nobody’s really talking about it. Nobody’s even asking about it. I think it’s an important key culturally, historically, and in terms of basic humanity, on so many levels. No points to anybody in particular.

11. Married to ultra-strong spouses. I mean the kind of spouses who get their own attention, to the point of being controversial; who’ve had their own careers, who seem independent, who could easily overshadow the candidate. I think that shows a willingness to partner with equals in a very close way, and I admire it. Points to Clinton and Kerry, and also Edwards (if only because Elizabeth strikes me as being smarter and better-spoken than he is).

12. Straightforward, consistent, clear, honest. The quality of not mincing words or pulling punches, while remaining tactful; of being so clear in the first place, words from several years ago hold true today; of answering a question directly and fully without drawing on scripts. Point to Clark (despite the incessant twisting of his statements out of context); perhaps a point to Obama, as well.

So, my preferences for president add up to Clark first (no surprise), Gore second, Kerry third.

What are your own criteria or preferences?

[Eric J in MN]

1. Wants the US to spend 1/10 as much on the military. NT

NT

[glide625]

2. Essential!

A he or she who won't embarass the rest of us on a continous basis. Considering the usual parade of fools running for office, I only hope you elect someone who will remain as much as possible off of the television, out of the newspapers and away from microphones altogether. Best if, once elected, they never leave the country such that they won't embarass us while overseas. Considering the growing irrelevance of the U.S. gov't, the best President would be one unseen and unheard.

[liberal renegade]

3. no dynasties allowed!

first and foremost imho.

[Mass]

4. Excellent thread.

Your criteria are well thought. However, I think there are a few points I would differ with you:

3-teaching experience: while Gore and Clark's experiences are more recent, Obama has also a teaching experience, I think.

5-While Gore and Clark have had this experience as chief of state, experience on the foreign committee, particularly at a high level, should not be neglected. In particular (just preaching for my guy here), Kerry has been involved in direct negotiations for Clinton in VietNam. I would also add Obama. Though he does not have the type of high level experience you are talking about, his personnal history gives him an international view that nobody else has.

I would add a few criteria to that, once of them being a strong committment for environment and global warming. I would give strong points to Gore, Kerry, and in a lesser degree (largely because he has been on the subject) to Clark, which is one of the few who has impressed me with a real committment on the issue.

The two other points I value particularly are:

1 - Importance given to international relations: Kerry, Clark, Obama, Gore.

2- Importance given to everyday issues: healthcare, jobs, schools (particularly early education): Edwards, Obama, Kerry. (I may be missing some people because I do not know their views).

Based on these factors, my 4 preferred people: Kerry (no surprise), Gore, Obama, Clark.

[Sparkly]

5. Thanks for your thoughts!

:hi:

I'd really like to know if Obama has teaching experience!

Please add your thoughts to a thread I just posted about VP preferences, too!

[Leilani]

15. Obama taught Constitutional Law

at the University of Chicago.

I think he also scores in the strong wife dept.

And he's brilliant; head of Harvard Law Review.

Lawrence Tribe said he was the smartest student he ever had.

[blm]

23. "we shouldn't re-litigate HOW we got into Iraq" has become a standard line for Obama

on news programs.

I am curious why someone of such legal acumen would say those of us who want investigations into Bush's path to war want RE-LITIGATION of how it happened when it was never litigated in any official way at all.

It sounded just like the 'brilliant' James Baker who was quick to claim that we had a count and then a recount and another recount when many counties had never even had a first recount.

He made it sound as if it was officially recounted, and Obama is making that same implication about Iraq war investigations, as if the legal investigation has already been officially settled.

I'm certain he KNOWS the word re-litigate means to litigate AGAIN.

[welshTerrier2]

25. but we should litigate WHY we got into Iraq

have you noticed that not a single Dem (i issue that as a challenge to all) has asked the question "WHY did bush push for this war???"

why must the "common wisdom" in the Congress be stuck on "in spite of the president's good intentions, blah, blah, blah" ??? even those willing to venture "way out there" and suggest that bush lied refuse to say WHY he lied ... left behind is the disturbing implication that he lied for "pro American, legititmate" reasons ...

until the brightest spotlights are beamed directly at the WHY, we will muddle around with this war until the next one is started ... to end all wars for greed, a courageous Congress must rise up and tell the American people the truth about WHY we invaded Iraq ... all the other hand-wringing and "that darn old president" are inadequate ...

[blm]

26. Agree - examining the Why and How reveals the actual agenda and it is THAT

agenda that estabilshment Dems will help to protect, just like Clinton did and does.

[Leilani]

30. I was simply posting biographical data.

I find that not many people know a lot about Obama.

Because he grew up in Hawaii, he interested me, & I decided to do some research on the man.

Facts remain facts.

If he was to be in a position of power, I don't know how the hell he would handle investigations.

I do know he carries none of the Iraq War baggage of who voted how, & for what reason, & who changed positions, & etc, etc.

And for me, he represents a breath of fresh air.

[blm]

31. I think being antiwar is good, but being anti-investigation into war is not good.

.

[katsy]

6. k/r excellent analysis.

Any of the 3 would thrill me and even a combo P/VP among those would be great.

Gore/Clark would be a formidable match, no?

We need all the big guns we can get what, with brownback in the race (snicker snort snort).

[sandnsea]

7. Adding a Kerry point #10

One of the coolest moments of the primaries was just before the Iowa caucus. JK was in a school cafeteria and was at the end of his talk, I think in a Q&A session actually. They got to talking about education and off JK goes, talking about arts and dance and music, how important this was for children and their development as well-rounded adults. It was great seeing these old farmers nodding their heads, they want the best of everything for their grandkids too. They know the only time some kids get exposed to any of that sort of thing is in school. After school programs that included an arts component, and putting arts in the schools in general, was part of his campaign to change NCLB. He gets a definite point there, and on foreign policy too.

I also disagree on your 'no strings attached' assessment. Clark has made some money on the lobbying side of the coin, so he's not clean there. I don't know exactly what was in your mind when you only included him, I don't know of any problem Gore, Kerry, Edwards or Obama have in that area.

[vireo]

9. He's also the only musician of the bunch

As far as I know.

[FrenchieCat]

13. Clark plays the piano.....

[ripple]

8. Obama meets 1,3,4,6, & 11

And in my view, more points than he received where he was mentioned.

Not that I have a favorite candidate or anything... :P

Your assessment of Clark is right on, though! :-)

[karynnj]

10. Many things are subjective

but Kerry clearly is as entitled as anyone to the the Foresign policy expert point. Madeline Albright, in her new book quotes from Kerry's 1966 Yale speech - where he spoke of the need to understand the culture of the area and suggested that Vietnam's culture wasn't be considered. (from memory - I read it months ago). She quoted it as way ahead of the time - and he was 22 years old!

Kerry, who has been on the SFRC for 22 years was considered a foreign policy expert before he ran in 2004. You likely saw the foreign policy debate - he was excellent. He also has a foreign policy vision that makes him a very strong voice. I think he is competitive in this area with Clark and Gore.

He also has been considered one of the smartest Senators in DC.

[MasonJar]

11. I want BIG points for the environment. Points to Gore and Kerry. I

do not know how Hillary and Obama and Edwards and Clark stack up on this issue, but I do know Gore and Kerry are 1 & 2.

[babylonsister]

12. Very nice list, Sparkly. Lots of food for thought. nt

[zann725]

14. Criteria, excellent. My choice? Kerry (no surprise).

But also as I read through the points, I felt each precisely described JK's strengths.

[Apollo11]

16. Tipper not strong enough for ya?

First of all - I don't agree that we should select candidates on the basis of their current spouse - or lack of spouse. Any more than we should select candidates on the basis of their religious faith - or lack of faith.

But something tells me that Tipper would be more than capable of providing President Gore with exactly the kind of support he will need.

As for Kerry - don't get me started. Annuling your first marriage to the mother of your two daughters so you can marry a rich Republican widow who still says her first husband is the love of her life. You would give Kerry a plus-point for that?

In Gore We Trust :)
www.algore.com
www.algore.org
www.draftgore.com
www.draftgore2008.org
www.patriotsforgore.com

[Mass]

17. LOL - I am not surprised you're a man.

BTW, your story concerning his wife is totally stupid.
1/ The marriage between THK and JK was before the annulment and 10 years after Kerry and his first wife separated.

2/ Would you prefer that THK forgot her first husband because she remarried? What is your point.

Apparently, you have issues with strong women, I see. Sorry, babies, but sometimes, wives can do more than being behind their husband and smile, or ask that video games and movies are censured.

[Apollo11]

19. What story about my wife ??

But if you really want to discuss this ...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no way that Kerry and Teresa could have got married in the eyes of the Catholic Church unless and until his first marriage had already been annulled.

Given that his first marriage had resulted in children, Kerry must have convinced the church that his first wife was "mentally incompetent" at the time of their marriage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annulment

When Kerry put the annullment on the public record is a whole other question. I guess if you are a Kerry fan then you will have access to all the dates and details.

THK calls herself Teresa Heinz. The Kerry part was only added for a few months during the 2004 campaign, after she switched her party allegiance (maybe that was temporary too?)

You don't forget your first husband but you don't have to publicly embarrass your second husband by telling the media that your first husband is "the love of my life". According to the New York Times, Teresa's homes are filled with photographs of her first husband.

I am also in my second marriage - and if I spent so much time talking about how much I loved my first wife, I would be out on the streets - let me tell ya!!

[Mass]

20. The dates are public record in the Boston Globe and even they

have concluded it was NO big deal, as has Kerry's former wife, who stayed his friend until she died last year.

For the rest, it is their business and none of mine or yours. (the your wife was a typo, corrected by now), except of course, if you think you can elevate your guy by telling these stories. For a moment, reading your post, I thought I was in freeperland.

[Apollo11]

21. None of my business

I agree, but if you look at point 11 in Sparkly's list - it implies that Kerry is a better candidate because of his track record in the marriage arena.

I don't know if Teresa is stronger than Tipper. Does it matter?

I do know that both Kerry's wives were/are way richer than Tipper.

Should we count that fact for or against Kerry? I get confused ...

But as long as Kerry stays out of the race for 2008, then it doesn't matter ...

[karynnj]

27. Kerry's former wife backed him 100%

It is also clear that there is nothing in their divorce or the annulment that reflects badly on the Senator. She wrote two books on depression and one on divorce. She made it very clear that she initiated the divorce. She also made it clear it was because she could not deal with being the wife of a politician.

Her twin brother is still Kerry's best friend, which wouldn't have happened if Kerry had treated her badly. She suffered from bi-polar disorder - which is known from her books. To my knowledge, Senator Kerry never spoke of this or said anything less than positive about her. Kerry took his responsibility to their daughters very seriously - For years, leaving DC each week after the last vote and returning to Boston. Their very obvious respect, love, and affection for him is clear. They also both seem to share most of their father's values which speaks to the depth of their relationship.

The fact that the Boston papers (that go after him and other MA politicians for anything) and the Republicans didn't go after this are very likely because there is nothing there. From the known facts, Kerry acted with great kindness and as a gentleman towards her in an unusually tough situation, never blaming her or her illness even if it would have made him look better.

[wisteria]

22. What point are you trying to make.

The annulment was mutually agreed upon by Senator Kerry and his first wife, Julia. There children are wonderful productive, caring citizens so none of the problems in their parent's relationship have appeared to affect them adversely. Senator Kerry's first wife remained close to him and even offered to defend him against the SBV in the 2004 election.
As for Teresa, it was the Governor of PA- Ed Rendel who persuaded Mrs. Kerry to switch parties. She is a loyal woman who believed in the old Republican party, like her late first husband, but found after time, that that party was gone and it's members were being replaced with the likes of Santorum.
Mrs. Kerry may use Teresa Heinz at times simply because it is her business name and people more readily recognize her under that name in business circles.
Actually, as long as I have been following the Kerry's Teresa has always been referred to as, Mrs Heinz-Kerry or simply Mrs. Kerry.
Now, I think it says a lot about their bond and their commitment to each other when they can disagree politically at times, and Mrs. Kerry can openly morn the tragic loss of her first husband without the Senator feeling threatened. That says alot about a man who is secure in who he is and it says a lot about Mrs. Kerry, because the Senator still has connections to his first wife Julia Thune's family,through her brother, who remains a close personal friend and adviser to the Senator.

[Apollo11]

24. mutually agreed?

I read that Julia Thorne had opposed the annulment (on wikipedia.org).

It only matters here because in the OP Sparkly was giving John Kerry extra credit as a potential President because of who he married.

I just think that Al Gore made a great choice when he married Tipper. If he doesn't deserve any extra credit for that - then neither does John Kerry.

[MBS]

28. Julia Thorne and Sen. Kerry remained good friends

after the divorce; their cooperative and mutually supportive parenting, and the two wonderful daughters they produced, says everything you need to know about the classiness and sense of responsibility of BOTH of them. They kept in touch after the divorce (I remember seeing a newspaper article about their lunching together when they both came out to LA for their daughter Alexandra's graduation from film school. . ) Kerry spoke movingly and publicly about her after she died, as a wonderful mother and most worthy person. His comments are recorded in obituary in BostonGlobe , also in the very personal speech he gave to Lance Armstrong's Live Strong Conference, alluding to her battle with cancer, along with that of his own and his dad's. Her statement of support for Kerry in his 2004 campaign, and her desire to come out and support Kerry after SBVT slander speaks volumes, as she was a very private person, who hated politics and public life (and, along with her depression, also public knowledge, had to have been key elements in the demise of their marriage): she truly had high regard for her ex-husband, and it felt to me that the regard was mutual. These are good people for whom divorce was a truly painful event, and, judging by the quality of their daughters, and their apparent support of each other's lives, they handled the situation as gracefully and thoughtfully as any pair of humans could handle it.

Sen. and Teresa Kerry also deserve huge credit for the work they've done to blend their two families, while still honoring the memories of their respective spouses. You can't do this without a strong and thoughtful relationship between strong, thoughtful, and good people.

These are all first-rate, real-live responsible adults, all worthy of respect. They certainly don't deserve the trashy remarks you've been throwing around here.
By the way, I agree that Tipper's great, too, and Al made a great choice ! You don't need to indulge in slander of other people to try to push your favorites forward.

[rox63]

29. She goes by Teresa Heinz at times because she heads the Heinz Family Philanthropies

It's her professional name. She has no problem with being known as Teresa Heinz-Kerry or Teresa Kerry in non-professional settings.

[baldguy]

18. You want Bill Clinton for President.