I live in CA - who should I vote for?

[Jack_Dawson]

I'll probably vote for General Clark just because I'm pissed I never got the chance to vote for him before he dropped out. But if anyone can make a convincing case to me and my girlfriend for going in another direction, I'm happy to listen.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Kucinich has vowed to use his support to continue a progressive

movement within the party. I sent in my absentee ballot yesterday with his name checkmarked as I think it goes a long way to allay concerns that progressives are ignored. I want Kucinich to know he has supporters in that mission.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Hooray, another vote for Dennis :^D

[eileen_d]

13. I thought you were writing yourself in?

;)

I'm voting for Kucinich here in Montana FWIW

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. That's in the general where I can really fuck things up for Kerry

;-)

Cool! One vote for Kucinich in Montana probably scores him a delegate:evilgrin:

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Well, I'd say Kucinich

if you are interested in protecting American jobs and getting the US out of Iraq and the UN in.

Same for if you have any interest in the quality of the water you drink and the air you breathe.

And also if you want to see justice done again the $hrub. Dennis will not let all these uninvestigated stories lie around once he is in office. He'll get Bu$hco for what they've done to our country and this world.

[Nashyra]

4. My parents, sisters, brother, sister in law

and probably at least 20 other people from the frome rSac Clark people that I know personally are voting for Clark, unless it seems that Kerry will need their support. Go for it, it was fun causcusing for Clark in Nevada primary.

[redqueen]

5. Kucinich, no doubt

He's the only candidate running who seems to give a damn about the issues that matter.

BBV anyone?

Free trade needs repairs? I'll say! These agreements attempt to or outright impose a mandate on the country to privatize things like the water systems. Water! They're privatizing this substance, so crucial to life, with absolutely no regard whatsoever for the well-being of the people.

Kucinich is the only candidate running with the balls to stand up and fight the corporate takeover of government (and the world).

[goodhue]

10. exactly

[sadiesworld]

6. Go with Clark (who knows?!) unless the gap between Kerry and

Edwards tightens, then vote Kerry.

[JI7]

7. vote who you WANT to vote for

if you REALLY want to vote for clark even though he dropped out you should do it. but if you want to vote for one of those still in the running, vote for whoever you want based on whatever you decide from that group. i'm voting for kerry of course. but you should vote for who you want. check out candidates websites and see if any of them appeal to you enough to vote for them. if you don't really favor any 1 from the rest of the 4 left, then vote for clark.

[JustinCredible]

9. Does it matter how many delegates there are

for each candidate in the end? I am probably also going to vote for my choice candidate even though he dropped out of the race. Part of me wants to do it to make a statement, but also because it seemed that the number of delegates for each candidate was supposed to somehow influence the winners of thier platform.... Is that correct?

[jansu]

11. Thank goodness, someone else is telling people to vote their choice! But..

Dean did not withdraw, as someone else posted in answer to this query. He stopped campaigning and he has asked us to still vote for him. That is what I am going to do this March 2nd, or if he tells us he is supporting someone else, I will change my vote to whomever he is backing. I trust him to be my President, so I will trust him to know which other candidate is best.

A brokered convention gives the power to the people, which is a good thing. JF Kennedy was chosen from a brokered convention and he went on to win!

Vote your choice in the Primaries! Support and fight hard, Work by any means you can, send money and vote OUR Nominee after the Convention, no matter who that is!

[NuckinFutz]

8. The only honest one left...

Kucinich

[VOX]

12. In CA too -- the primary's the time to vote your conscience!

My wife's voting for Kucinich, and I'm voting for Edwards -- the guy's flawed, but I want him on the bottom of the ticket. He can bring it and the GOP is deathly afraid of his broad appeal.

Come November, we will both punch our ballots for the Democratic nominee, which would appear to be Kerry. Not our first choice by a long shot, but we *will* vote Democratic!

[Hand]

14. Vote for...

The Democrat! :silly:

[RichM]

15. Let me convince you in 100 words that it should be Kucinich.

Kerry is clearly poised to win the CA primary & most of the delegates. Your vote will make no difference in the outcome. This gives you, as a primary voter, a "free vote" - you can vote your heart and conscience without fear of contributing to some kind of electoral disaster (like Florida in 2000).

Now, why should it be Kucinich? His program is basically for truth in government, pro-peace, pro-environment, & for restoration of the balance of power between corporations and individuals. He wants to spend tax money on things that will benefit the great majority of Americans - like universal single-payer health care; and NOT spend money on things that only benefit a narrow slice of the populace (like most weapons systems & hugely expensive occupations of foreign countries).

Clark knew that the Iraq war was based on lies, and NO ONE has been clearer, stronger or more consistent on this point than Kucinich. Clark also supported an admirable array of progressive values: he was pro-labor, pro-choice, pro-environment, & supportive of progressive taxation. Kucinich is strong on all these positions, too.

If Kucinich fails to garner more support, future would-be progressives in the Dem Party will find it harder to move to prominence. People will say, "Well, Dennis Kucinich stood for peace, the environment, and against abuse of corporate power. And look where it got him -- nowhere!!" This kind of thinking will encourage the Democratic Party to slide still further to the right.

If you have a "free vote," you should use it to express what you think is the best possible direction for the party, overall. You can still vote for the nominee in November, after sending a signal of support for progressive values, in the primary.

[Jack_Dawson]

16. Hey that was 291 words!

I like your argument though. Very well-articulated. Let me do some thinking...

[Bad Thoughts]

17. Kucinich or Kerry

I voted absentee ballot in Massachusetts for Clark, so I don't have to worry about this dilemma. You could still do the same. However, if you want to vote for another candidate--one that would be an extension of your support for Clark--I would suggest either Kucinich or Kerry. Kucinich is a grassroots kind of guy; he takes a deep interest in policy issues; he seems to be interested in foreign policy (although I find him to be something of an amateur); he supports same-sex marriages; and the "department of peace" resembles plans that Clark had for international development and conflict resolution. Kerry would be more closely aligned to many of Clark's positions--perhaps slightly more conservative. Clark's endorsement makes voting for Kerry easier. I have difficulty justifying voting for Edwards as a Clark supporter. There have been many questions raised recently about his interest, knowledge of, and commitment to foreign policy and security matters (see this article) He opposes NAFTA and that is about it. When it comes to fp, Edwards is a one-trick pony.

[w4rma]

18. Edwards, to help prolong the primary. (n/t)

[youngred]

19. For the remainingcandidate closest to Clark on the issues

the only one is Dennis Kucinich. Certainly not Kerry, though Edwards comes Close.

Gen Clark was my second choice from when he entered the race because his platform second-most closely matched my own. A vote for DK is a vote for reform within the Democratic party!

What issues are important to you and where do you stand, that would help us in trying to convince you

[katieforeman]

20. How about Edwards?

1.) Edwards and Clark are both future oriented candidates. One of the things I liked about Clark was his focus on the future. He had his plans for 5 years, 20 years, 100 years. Edwards is also focused on the future. Edwards, like Clark, has the ability to lead by inspiration and by articulating a coherent vision for this country. Edwards' vision of One America appeals to the best in people, and in his Real Solutions policy booklet available at his website he specifies his plans for moving towards that vision.

2.) Because Edwards doesn't have the military credentials of Clark, he is more likely to choose Clark as a running mate than Kerry is.

3.) Edwards, like Clark, has appeal in the South and would force Republicans to spend time and resources there.

4.) Edwards, like Clark, cannot be labelled by the Republicans as a Washington insider or career politician.

5.) Edwards, like Clark, comes from a working class background and is a self-made person. Both men have an understanding of ordinary Americans from personal experience.

6.) Edwards, like Clark, has a positive, optimistic style that will help this country move beyond the politics of personal destruction and change the tone in Washington. Furhtermore, by articulating a coherent, positive vision of One America, Edwards frames a debate the Republicans cannot win. We must not let the Republicans continue to set the agenda. Edwards plays offense, not defense.

Finally, I think Edwards is the most electable. He connects with ordinary Americans. He does not have a long voting record for Republicans to attack. He knows exactly who he is and what he is all about as a candidate. His message is consistent. He is very persuasive and he is a fighter.

I know Edwards doesn't have the foreign policy experience of Clark, but he does have more foreign policy experience than Clinton, Reagan, or Carter when they were elected. As a member of the Senate Select Committee on intelligence, he has travelled to places like Afghanistan and Pakistan and met leaders there. (Remember Bush couldn't even name the leader of Pakistan in 2000.) Furthermore, unlike Bush, Edwards has the integrity, judgement, humility, and intellect necessary to make good decisions on behalf of the American people.

Because Clark has withdrawn from the race, Edwards may be your best second choice.

Whatever you decide, thanks for voting and lets beat Bush in November!