I will be the first to admit that I am deeply disappointed that Al Gore did not get into the 2008 race for the White House. He had a certain élan that is lacking to me in the current candidates; a certain je-ne-sais-quoi if you will. Sure Sen. Obama comes off as a rock star, but I'm not impressed with his resume. Nor am I impressed with John Edwards' resume. I like Bill Richardson's resume, but his campaign has been amateur hour for the most part. (I do think he has some funny and fun ads.) I'm not sold on Sen. Clinton as she has the 'debate disco' I learned so long ago. (You move a little here, move a little there, always keep moving, and no one knows what you're doing.)
There is Chris Dodd and Joe Biden... then there is Dennis and Mike... Not really bowled over by them either. I know what I want, but I still haven't found what I'm looking for...
Sen. Obama never inspired me to the heights he did others and then there was the McClurkin flap which really turned my stomach. I'd like to see him as VP more than lead the ticket. For me his lack of experience is a big drawback.
Given the experience this nation has had over the last seven years I don't want some on the job training going on in the White House. However, that doesn't mean I support Sen. Clinton because her 'experience' isn't direct. She was in the White House for eight years, but does that translate into making hard choices or decisions?
Sen. Edwards, I do like him, but again a one term senator who left office four years ago - what exactly is he bringing to the Oval office? He has an economic message, but can he make a choice when it counts? (Does he understand the difference between Sunni and Shi'a? Is there a fully integrated strategy to address multiple issues at a time and still move the ship of state in a single direction?)
Now, if I have a problem finding a candidate to fit what I'm looking for among the Democratic field, I'm glad I'm not a Republican because McCain is about the only 'sane' choice on that side of the fence. (By the way I have a gut feeling that Gov. Huckabee is going to be the VP choice for the GOP no matter who the nominee is.)
I don't need a 'wow' factor to grab me, but I do want a backbone, some principles, some experience, some signs of wisdom, and at least some display that there is some competence there. I'm not seeking perfection but I am looking for an adult to run the country and fix the awful mess we are in.
There is a nice mix in the current field, but I'm not sold in any direction. I'll take my time to see if my instincts tell me anything. I know what I want it is a simple matter of trying to settle for the best available combination I can find.