Two Great Choices - One Bright Future

I've thought a great deal about the upcoming presidential contest.  Heretofore, I've been the reluctant bride.  But, if anyone cares, I've made my choices.  And I'm locked in.  (Al Gore, if he joins the race, will be the Wes Clark of '04 - too little too late).

John Edwards for President.  Bill Richardson for Vice President.

John Edwards is the only candidate who I can support who appeals to my FDR-inspired Democratic roots.  It's high time that working class folks - and, yes, organized labor - had a seat at the table of power again.  In short, I'm less worried about Al Queada and North Korea than I am about my job and my mortgage payment.   John Edwards promises to make America work for all of us again.  Even if we don't have much money.

Is the choice I present a backward admission that Edwards is lacking in foreign policy?  Yes.  Fortunately, we don't have to choose between returning to economic justice and having a sane, stable foreign policy.  We deserve and we can have both.  Let me introduce you to Vice President Bill Richardson.

The single most important criteria for a Vice President is that no one (from Wall Street investors to the ChiComs) would shit their pants if they woke up and the VP were President.  On that question, Richardson excels.  If anything, he is overqualified (if under-inspired).  

Bill Richardson is a master of world affairs.  While John Edwards is busy making sure I don't lose my house due to outsourcing, Bill Richardson can make sure my house isn't rendered a permanent day-glo orange due to a nuclear blast.  Sounds good!

Edwards/Richardson '08.  Vote for it like your life - and livelihood - depend on it.  They just might.

•  Edwards/Richardson '08

  With Kathleen Sebelius at HHS, Jennifer Granholm at AG, and William Jefferson Clinton (if he chooses to serve in such a capacity) at Secretary of State.

  And a hearty welcome to UN Ambassador Barack Obama.

  by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:39:03 PM PDT

  •  I could live with that ticket

    but I'm thinking Clark for VP.  He's got the foreign policy experience upfront and personal.

    by Sally in SF on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:53:39 PM PDT

    •  Prefer Clark as VP

      by pioneer111 on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:15:47 PM PDT

•  I want you to promise me you'll eat your computer

  when Gore's sworn in!

  (Al Gore, if he joins the race, will be the Wes Clark of '04 - too little too late)

  Indeed-you haven't been out there getting people to sign a petition for a candidate and wear a button for Gore.  I advise you that his money from "Blood & Gore," the investment bank, will make lots more entertainment and noise than your screed here, Harvey.

  I'll betcha a quarter.

  by ezdidit on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:39:53 PM PDT

  •  I'd eat it

    happily. I'd support President Gore enthusiastically. But I don't think he's running. And, if he does, I think the ship has sailed (at least for people who get in early).

    by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:41:50 PM PDT

    •  Wait & see-- you're not going to believe this...

      There are  people who actually give us money on the street to buy more buttons. They haven't given a dime yet, and I spoke to students and Profs., minorities, people from all walks of life at an upscale cosmopolitan street corner in NY. There are more pissed off WHITE Republican people out there than you can imagine!!

      Get out and stump for your candidate of choice: People who sign a petition for someone who isn't even running are more likely to pony up $$$$ and ask their friends to do it, too.

      Do you think that Gore is stupid? The man HATES campaigning so he's going on a world tour this summer. He'll announce in September, if he can, just to avoid the oddsmakers and the idiot-savant pundits like ourselves. Who are you stumping for today?

      Rock the Vote!!!

      by ezdidit on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 08:48:53 AM PDT

•  Obama all the way baby!!!!

  by wuod kwatch on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:40:20 PM PDT

  •  I will happily

    cast my vote for Barack Obama if he is the nominee. But for now, I support an Edwards/Richarson ticket.

    by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:45:20 PM PDT

    •  See diary above yours

      Richardson Reinforced A Rightwing Frame Today.  Thoughts on that?  

      I like Richardson but I think he is of the old school.  He would not be enthusiastic about Edwards agenda.

      by pioneer111 on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:15:03 PM PDT

      •  Obvious Pandering

        Not to excuse Governor Richarson, but you can find examples of it for each and every candidate in the race.  That's poltics.

        What Richardson excels at is policy.  Note his recent headlines (yet again) regarding North Korea.  Even Bush Minor had to suck it up and let him work his magic there.  

        To me, that's impressive, despite what rhetoric he may have put forth on the Sunday gabfests (which no one watches).

        by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:23:04 PM PDT

•  I love your ticket

  It would be a balance in skills and geography. My preference is Edwards and I am thrilled about his chances, but I'll take any of the Democratic candidates over the dreck being offered by the 'publicans. Scary, all.

  by alasmoses on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:43:04 PM PDT

  •  To be clear,

    I'll be voting for the Democratic ticket, whatever that may be, without reservation.

    by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 08:46:49 PM PDT

•  Edwards Now Is My #1, Richardson My #2

  I would love this ticket, I just wonder if Richardson's experience would overshadow (as he does everybody else running) Edward's. Just a thought.

  I would prefer, as somebody else said, Edwards/Clark. But my gut from what I've read here and in other places Clark doesn't have any desire to be second to anybody.

  But then again he spent his entire life serving the United States, so asked to serve again I'd bet he'd do what he has to do to win the White House back.

  by webranding on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:02:10 PM PDT

  •  Wes Clark is an Honorable Candidate

    General Clark is obviously an honorable man.  I respect him immensely. Please don't take offense, but I don't see his electoral appeal.

    That said, if he's on the ticket, I'll certainly support him.  (I've supported many a ticket I don't understand - I'm a Democrat.)

    But this cycle seems unique to me, in that if you're not in now, it's almost like skipping Iowa.  Even for my revered Al Gore.  (A shame, that.)

    I want to support someone who's in early, and not reluctant to fight.  John Edwards didn't want to concede in '04, and he's never stopped fighting since.  That means something to me.

    by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:09:45 PM PDT

    •  Oh I Agree, I Like the Fight In Edwards

      In another comment tonight I said:

      If you look at my signature at the end of message you might get the idea I don't care much for losing. I like to take it to people. Heck, I was one of the people that thought FNC should have held the debate in NV. You know, go into the lions den, win one, and walk out pumping your fist in their faces as they boo you. I hope Edwards campaigns in every state possible and makes the right move resources to states where they expect an easy, no pain win. But that is just my two cents.

      It means a lot to me as well that Edwards likes to fight. If I stopped fighting in my personal life when I was told I was to small to play that sport, or not smart enough to do that I wouldn't be where I am today. When somebody tells me I can't do something I want to do it even more.

      by webranding on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:14:32 PM PDT

      •  Amen.

        And we absolutely can have a populist, modern-day FDR in the White House.  We absolutely can have universal healthcare, just like every other Western democracy.  We absolutely can defeat hunger and poverty.  

        As they say around my neck of the woods, "Fuck what they told you."

        by HarveyMilk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:18:31 PM PDT

        •  Just In Case My Inital Post Wasn't Clear

          Edwards is my pick at this point. It is early, but I've read everything on his site and there is nothing I don't like about either him, his stances, or his wonderful wife.

          He has my vote, my money, and any support I can give him. Period!

          by webranding on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:21:14 PM PDT

•  Welcome aboard!

  I recently found myself opting for Edwards as well. And I find your diary persuasive. There will be a time to pull together (and so we shouldn't trash others' choices meanwhile), but primaries are about preferences. We're not the Republic Party, we can discuss options before pursuing them.

  All that said, you've nailed it: we all can and should prepare to close ranks behind whomever wins the nomination next year.

  Meanwhile-- choices, choices!

  Peace out.

  by Immigrant Punk on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 09:49:51 PM PDT

•  Lots of excellent choices

  Edwards, Richardson, both look quite good to me.

  Al Gore, though, if he throws his hat into the ring in the fall... This campaign is going to be a painfully long one, giving an advantage to a late comer. And one with great experience, one who's previously been elected POTUS, and one who's won an Oscar!

  I also like Clarke, Clinton, Obama...

  So many excellent choices.

  by ChuckInReno on Sun Apr 15, 2007 at 10:03:13 PM PDT

•  Please do NOT use 2008 alone

  as a tag for election diaries.  The standard tags for presidential campaings are:
     

  2008 elections, president, primaries

  Fixed in this diary.

  Copy and paste them into a note on your desktop or something so you can reuse them for the next 10 months.

  Many Kossacks bookmark tag links so it is easy to find new diaries on favorite or hot issues.  Some even add them to their blog rolls to make them easy to find regardless of what computer they are using.  That is an excellent reason to learn to use standard tags in your diaries.

  Thanks!

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  by SarahLee on Mon Apr 16, 2007 at 07:52:38 AM PDT