© the eyeranian

Democrat's Candidates

Howard Dean is not out yet, as he certainly has the money and organizational structure to mount a comeback. Wesley Clark looks more and more like a fish out of water, but one can't underestimate the influence and command of his buddies, the Clintons, and that may be enough to make him a legitimate contender still. John Kerry comes across as, well, as a politician. A bit too sleek, a little too shifty, a lot like what drove many to vote for the folksy fool from Texas.

For those in the ABBOL club (Anyone But Bush Or Lieberman), that leaves John Edwards. The guy (yes he may look very young, but he is a fully grown guy!) has very little experience, and I'm not sure if that's so bad running against W. He is certainly photogenic and comes across as a charming buddy you wish you had. Politically, I find very little in common with him, despite the fact that his stomp speech: ""Today under George W. Bush, there are two Americas..." is just brilliant (just watch his "victory" speech from Iowa here).

Let's see how well he comes out of New Hampshire. If the ABBOL masses are large enough out there, he may be a very legitimate option. Now I do hope he is not the same man that often crosses over plus S.

Spending a day in Los Angeles, it became obvious what a conservative right-wing environment I live in. I had never seen so many Dennis Kucinich bumper-stickers in total of all my days combined as I saw in one day today. I have written about him before and I think regardless of agreeing with him or not, it is hard to not concur that he has really stood out amongst the democrats. The guy comes across as genuine, caring and trust-worthy. Qualities that will keep him very far from the oval office, regardless of his point of view. I really wish he had a chance. I think we'd all be living in a much better world if he did.

I didn't think I'd be saying this, but I am going to write Al Sharpton and congratulate him on the way he has conducted himself during this campaign. I don't know how much money he has left and how long he'd be able to continue, but as I look at the goals he set for himself in participating, he has been most effective.

He said "I am running for President of the United States to make sure that ALL the voices in our Democracy are heard loud and clear" and he has certainly been heard. Not in a sensationalistic and sloppy way either. He has been dignified and most respectable, raising his issues and without compromising his principals. Looking at some of his top ten reasons for running, it is fair to suggest that he has already succeeded, at least in some small way:

Increase political consciousness and awareness. Stimulate more people to get involved in the political process. Raise issues that would otherwise be overlooked—for example, affirmative action and anti-death penalty policy.

For that, I am glad he chose to run and wish more people from what may not be considered main-stream choose to find ways to raise the profiles of the issues they hold dear. We'd only be living in a democracy, if ALL voices have an opportunity to be heard. Particularly the ones in dissent.

Posted by Pedram at January 24, 2004 11:47 PM