Except here. The polls DO NOT COUNT in Washington for Democrats WRT the presidential race, only the caucuses. Stupid, but there you go. Something else that Needs Fixing. There are other issues that need voting on, but the federal section of the ballot is a why-bother issue. I don't grok it. It means nothing.
I _think_ the problem is that the Washington primary is part of the state's election system, NOT a party primary. Anybody, even a Republican, can run as a "Democrat affiliate" in a Washington primary, and anyone can vote. The concept is that the state's elected officials will more accurately reflect the will of the people of the state, less that of the party insiders. This has value, but it does not mesh well with the national convention system. Thus, the separate party caucus.
No other state does this, AFAIK, and I don't think I have any other Washington readers. But if I do, please go to your precinct caucus Saturday Feb. 9th. You don't have to be preregistered to vote or as a Democrat, you can do it there.
*nods* He is the lesser of the two evils that remain after the good candidates (Edwards, Dodd, Kucinich) were railroaded out in this year of identity politics. I'll certainly vote for whomever is the Democrat inthe general, but am strongly considering casting my ballot for Edwards if he remains on the ballot here in NY (as he almost certainly does, for logistical reasons). Bear in mind the many polls that showed Edwards the most electable of the three major candidates, and add in the fact that his agenda was by far the most truly progressive of the three, and you understand why the media gave him bupkes in terms of real coverage.
I'll do what I can do elect the Democrat, but I think it's already too late to get the person into the White House that truly would have undone the damage.
[Edited first sentence to get the right person there.]
Little stepsacrobattyFebruary 3 2008, 08:47:13 UTC
Little steps are ok, so long as they're AWAY from the precipice. And actually Obama has some advantages over Edwards even in terms of fixing the damage.
AFAICT, Edwards was very into classic New Deal issues -- fairer taxes, consumer safety, better access to courts, etc. Obama less so, but he's got some of that. On the plus side, I think he's more into civil liberties, the environment, and a sound economy than Edwards. Also, more of a generalist policy wonk, which will be really important in terms of turning the federal agencies back into effective tools for governance instead of partisan weaponry. It's also worth noting that unions have been falling over themselves to endorse Obama, not Edwards, and they know their business better than I do.
Re: Little stepsredaxeFebruary 3 2008, 16:33:23 UTC
My concern with Obama is twofold: first, his repeated (though not continuous) use of language advanced by the Republicans to frame issues (e.g., Social Security "crisis"). I worry that his agenda will be influenced (though less so) by the same corporate interests that seem to strongly influence Hillary's, to the detriment of flesh-and-blood citizens (particularly those of the middle class and less wealthy). Second, his insistence on bipartisanship, while laudable, smacks of unrealism in an age where the opposition has proved itself completely intractable and unwilling to compromise even a split eyelash. I think the salvation of both the country and the Republican Party will depend on the Democrats standing firm, reversing the destructive policies instituted over the last seven (or thirty, depending on how you count it) years, and, most importantly, investigating and holding responsible the individuals and groups that have broken the law and violated the Constitution during this Administration (and prior, if the behavior goes that far
( ... )
And here I thought you'd support Obama because you had him as a professor and knew him to be an idealist. :)
I'm one of the Democrat-leaning independents who despises Hillary... I'll vote for her in the general election if she wins, but I think that even if she becomes President, she'll do dumb things like gut welfare (as Bill did). Though at least she's strong-minded enough not to knuckle under to Congress the way he did.
"idealist" is a little strong -- I think he's honest, and actually cares about the Constitution. I don't think he's a saint. He does strike me as less likely to knuckle under on his core convictions than Hillary Clinton.
Obviously I agree with you on all this. Just note that some polls show that both Clinton and Obama do equally badly against McCain; Obama's advantage with independents disappears against Mr. Straight Talk Express. Hopefully that will change when people learn more about McCain (and Obama, who opposed the war, may be better positioned to criticize him), but it's worth pointing out.
agree on all counts. I saw those polls too, don't entirely understand the dynamic there, but still think Obama probably has a better shot against McCain than Clinton does. Her support keeps dwindling, his keeps increasing.
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No other state does this, AFAIK, and I don't think I have any other Washington readers. But if I do, please go to your precinct caucus Saturday Feb. 9th. You don't have to be preregistered to vote or as a Democrat, you can do it there.
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I'll do what I can do elect the Democrat, but I think it's already too late to get the person into the White House that truly would have undone the damage.
[Edited first sentence to get the right person there.]
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AFAICT, Edwards was very into classic New Deal issues -- fairer taxes, consumer safety, better access to courts, etc. Obama less so, but he's got some of that. On the plus side, I think he's more into civil liberties, the environment, and a sound economy than Edwards. Also, more of a generalist policy wonk, which will be really important in terms of turning the federal agencies back into effective tools for governance instead of partisan weaponry. It's also worth noting that unions have been falling over themselves to endorse Obama, not Edwards, and they know their business better than I do.
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Thanks for the kind words.
Condolences.
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And while I'm not sure Brokeback is my absolute favorite movie, it's definitely up there among the finest. Condolences...
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I'm one of the Democrat-leaning independents who despises Hillary... I'll vote for her in the general election if she wins, but I think that even if she becomes President, she'll do dumb things like gut welfare (as Bill did). Though at least she's strong-minded enough not to knuckle under to Congress the way he did.
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