![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
markbernstein56I watched both debates, all the way through. I did think there were some standouts.
To set the baseline: Marianne Williamson is obviously not qualified to be President. But I would still vote for her, in the incredibly unlikely event that she becomes the Democratic candidate. That's how much I want Trump out of office.
My top five Democratic candidates are, in current order, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, Pete Buttigieg, and Cory Booker. My opinions may change with time and exposure.
(Note: The most powerful moment of the Thursday debate was Harris' takedown of Biden. But the second most powerful belonged to Buttigieg, and consisted of five honest, humble words that you almost never hear a politician say: "I couldn't get it done.")
Your mileage may vary, and that's fine. It's a diverse field, and I don't just mean in terms of gender, race, etc. There's a range of philosophies and approaches here, with differing priorities. There are disagreements on how to deal with issues ranging from health care to immigration. My point being that you ought to be able to find someone you can vote *for*. And forget all the pundit-based noise about electability and likability. Vote, with a clear conscience, for the person you think would be a good President. Then turn out in November to vote for the Democrat, no matter who it is.
Don't give in to broad-brush cynicism. "None of them are worth a damn" is a trap, false and dangerous.
To set the baseline: Marianne Williamson is obviously not qualified to be President. But I would still vote for her, in the incredibly unlikely event that she becomes the Democratic candidate. That's how much I want Trump out of office.
My top five Democratic candidates are, in current order, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, Pete Buttigieg, and Cory Booker. My opinions may change with time and exposure.
(Note: The most powerful moment of the Thursday debate was Harris' takedown of Biden. But the second most powerful belonged to Buttigieg, and consisted of five honest, humble words that you almost never hear a politician say: "I couldn't get it done.")
Your mileage may vary, and that's fine. It's a diverse field, and I don't just mean in terms of gender, race, etc. There's a range of philosophies and approaches here, with differing priorities. There are disagreements on how to deal with issues ranging from health care to immigration. My point being that you ought to be able to find someone you can vote *for*. And forget all the pundit-based noise about electability and likability. Vote, with a clear conscience, for the person you think would be a good President. Then turn out in November to vote for the Democrat, no matter who it is.
Don't give in to broad-brush cynicism. "None of them are worth a damn" is a trap, false and dangerous.
no subject
Date: 2019-06-30 06:44 pm (UTC)There are definitely several others (e.g. Bullock, Hickenlooper and Ryan) I think would better serve their party and country by running for the Senate. I don't see them breaking through to the front of the presidential pack (though I could be wrong), but they may have a decent chance of flipping a Senate seat.
And yes, I will vote for whoever has a (D) next to their name come next November. The jobs, health, rights and even lives of too many of my friends (let alone my own family) are at risk for me to do otherwise.