As an Independent who remains undecided (and less-than-excited) about the Big 3, I'd like to pose a question. Before I do that, I'm going to say that the main reason that I remain uncommitted, is due to highly questionable (or anger inducing) past statements and voting records of the front-running Democratic candidates. Since a candidate who I could easily support is not going to win (Kucinich) or simply isn't running (Feingold or Nader), I'd like to know, at the very least, which bad votes the Big 3 have genuinely apologized for. Granted, it's not the same as not voting poorly in the first place, it's a lot better than nothing.
Below, I'm listing a few of what I consider to be bad votes. I'm asking the Big 3 supporters to respond with a link to a video, audio clip, or article which shows how the candidate in question has apologized - or perhaps managed to satisfactorily explain (their attempts to explain away their votes up until now leave me completely unconvinced) their vote. By and large, the three of them have good voting records; the examples below are largely (ugly) exceptions - but are very important ones.
Iraq invasion authorization
Clinton - YES [Has not apologized]
Edwards - YES [Apologized]
Obama - Didn't vote [Says he would not have]
Continued funding (2004-2006 period) for Iraq occupation
Clinton - YES
Edwards - Didn't vote [Says he would have continued funding]
Obama - YES
Authorization/Re-authorization of the PATRIOT Act
Clinton - YES
Edwards - YES
Obama - YES
Although none of them are perfect, I'd like to be able to vote for whichever one wins the nomination, but it'd be difficult without an apology or non-evasive explanation for the above (Issues 2000 details several, as well as their voting records).
Finally, realize that the votes above are part of what keeps some of us Independents (and Democrats) undecided. What guarantee do we have that they wouldn't attempt to put things similar to the above in place once they get in office? None, of course, but an apology or good explanation would set some of our minds at ease.