So, there's this primary election

[redbird]

As many of you know, there's a presidential primary on Tuesday in a number of states, including New York. I'm a registered Democrat. Right now, in New York, that means my choices are Clinton and Obama (in this state, you can only vote in the primary of the party you're registered in--I had a teacher in high school who always voted Republican but was a registered Democrat, because the Republicans seldom had primaries).

I was going to vote for Edwards, but he has withdrawn from the race. Neither Clinton nor Obama strikes me as absolutely wonderful (or I would have been supporting that one already). I'm open to suggestions about who I should vote for. Preferably based on policy (voting records and/or consistent statements by the candidates, not "this guy who supports $candidate said X once" or "s/he looks like s/he would do thus-and-such"). Don't bother telling me that other people have endorsed someone--if you're someone I know and like, your endorsement means more to me than that of a Kennedy, or your state legislator, or your favorite newspaper, even if all you have is a hunch.

Comments

[kip-w.livejournal.com]

It's a tough one. I don't know, but I know that if Edwards's name is on the ballot, I'm voting for him anyway. I'll support the nominee in the general election, whoever it is.

[redbird]

If nobody (individually or collectively) persuades me in the next 46 hours, I might do that as well.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of that, too, when we vote on the 12th. If there's enough who do it, it may pass on a signal when they pick VPs or Cabinet.

My problem with deciding is that I like what Obama says, but I don't know that he'll do it, or be able to do it. I think Clinton will do things, but I may not like them. Caroline Kennedy compared Obama with her dad, but JFK was not president long enough to actually do much. He had a lot of words and plans, but who knows what would have happened if he'd lived? Basically, my idealistic side wants Obama and my practical side wants Clinton.

[(Anonymous)]

Now that push is coming to shove, I guess I'm backing Clinton. Obama spends too much time demonizing my side and making nice with churchy types and trying to woo conservatives. If I'd still been unable to decide, his "Harry and Louise" flyer would have pushed me over.

Obviously, I'll vote for the nominated Democrat, but I'll be less unhappy voting for Clinton. Obama has a lot of rhetoric, but when I see him gleefully piling on and claiming racism in comments where there wasn't any, I'm not reassured of his personal goodness.

[redbird]

For which value of "my side" is he demonizing your side?

[kip-w.livejournal.com]

There's an anonymous comment replying to your thing here. I just want to say, "I'm kip_w, and I made this comment."

One thing to add: Clinton's been getting hit by the noise machine for over a decade now. I don't think she'll be underestimating the threat from that quarter.