she has one of the greatest minds of her generation.

I look forward to a better world with Madame President Hillar Clinton.

Edwards through South Carolina.  he's going to surpise a lot of people there.

understand the thought process as you have laid it out. If you have been an Edwards supporter for some time you know that this election is more than about the winner and loser. The supporters of Edwards believe in spreading the messages of the Senator far and wide. If you feel like that is beneath you and need to support an eventual winner, you made the right decision. Respectfully, I think it stinks.

She's not mine, but good for you.  I'm still firmly behind NFC.

A very valid analysis of the electoral prospects of Clinton and Obama.  I also want a candidate that has been thorougly attacked by the right wing and is still standing: Clinton.  She's more than motivated to take it right back to them after 16 years of their hostility.

My signature will tell you how I've felt for the last year.

Thanks. I agree with your assessment of the candidates.  

Clinton is a great Democrat and I believe she can deliver the change in government that so many of us yearn for and some populist policies that will help the day-to-day lives and earning power of the poor and the middle class. And I admire her endurance, her toughness, her courage, and her heart.

..... with you opinion of Hillary, not your choice of her necessarily.

Yes, she (among many others) made a monumental mistake voting for the Iraq War Resolution.  She has, however, voted against additional no-strings funding, and has promised to begin withdrawing our troops if she becomes President.

I actually don't believe that for one second. Why? When popular opinion was for the war, Clinton authorized it. Now that popular opinion is against it, she strongly favors withdrawal. Is there ANY evidence that she bucked poular opinion? What happens when popular approval goes up because of some transient successes?

HRC is experienced.  She really is "Ready to Lead" from day one.  She has a 35-year career.  She is a sitting, two-term Senator from the State of New York, where she draws support not just from the Democratic bastion of NYC, but usually conservative upstate NY as well.

1. 35 year career is different from a 35 year career in elected office. She has had seven, yes count that, seven years in elected office.

2. Yes, she won in upstate against who again? The former mayor of Yonkers? She spent $36M to beat a second-rate candidate! She damn well better have won upstate. This is as ridiculous as Obama's claim about winning in the 'reddest' part of Illinois. Sheesh!

Hillary Clinton and her husband have to be the most thoroughly vetted politicians in the history of the Republic.  There is nothing - n-o-t-h-i-n-g - that hasn't been been drug out into the light of day about the Clintons.  All the smears have been smeared.  All the dust has been busted.  All the dirty laundry rummaged through. All the closets snooped.  It is finished.  And Hillary is still standing.  Not only is she vetted, she's unbelievably freakin' tough.

Word.

Recently, a close friend said, "Hillary Clinton would be a good president, but Barack Obama might be a great president."  My friend might be right.  But again, Obama hasn't been vetted, and has never really played hard ball campaign politics at a level higher than the State Legislature.  I cannot risk this vote on what might be, not when our country is in such dire straits.  Not when we have lost so narrowly in the last two election cycles.  I have to go with a known, tough, experienced, competent candidate.  And that candidate is Hillary Clinton.  I know she would be a very good President.  She might even be a great one.

I kind of buy this. If you're terrified about losing in 2008, she is the safest best. I can't disagree with this. I also think she's the safest bet to NOT win in a landslide. Still I like diaries that are more than mundane diatribes. Rec'd!

Finally (and thanks if you've labored through my ramblings this far), I am incredibly excited at the very, very real possibility of seeing either the first woman president, or the first African-American president.  I never thought I'd live to see the day.  The lesson there, IMO, is never, ever give up on this country.

I wish I shared your optimism. Hillary lacks the persona to go over the head of establishment and get PEOPLE to pressure their lawmakers. Her success is predicated on winning an insiders' game. Obama and Edwards have the appeal necessary to get the American people involved in the process and pressure the establishment. Change can come through both routes. For the first time in a long time, I'm leaning to trusting the people-route.

I salute you, brother!

You said:

His race for Senate was against Alan Keyes.  I'm pretty sure anyone with a "D" after their name would have made quick work of Mr. Keyes.

I know this may be nitpicking but... his Senate race was actually against Jack Ryan who withdrew after his divorce papers revealed his penchant for sex in public places. Keyes was a last minute replacement thrown up by the IL GOP to fill the ballot. Why Keyes, you might ask... Well, because Obama had already built up a pretty healthy lead over Ryan before his withdrawal and the only person willing to take a public thrashing in exchange for seeing his name on another ballot was Keyes. The truth is, Obama had run a pretty impressive campaign up to the point of Ryan's withdrawal.

I'm just saying...

anymore?

But you have an opinion nonetheless.  I know Predictor is not wavering from John Edwards.

You're not falling in love, or picking your dream date, but selecting a president.  Your calm even handed approach means you won't be disappointed in the inevitable compromises, back tracking and shortcomings that are governance, AND you'll be an independent enough supporter to smack her over the head when it's deserved.  Congrats!