Democrats' Quandary: All The Candidates Look Good

Large crowds and shifting poll numbers among the top three Democratic candidates may indicate voters' overall interest in the election rather than unequivocal support for a single one. After all, in the Des Moines Register poll, about a third said they could be persuaded to choose someone else before Thursday evening.

At an Obama rally at Roosevelt High School, it was almost impossible to find a parking spot--all the more impressive because it's the first day of the year and below ten degrees.

Yet, as a woman hurrying into the gym noted, "A lot of people are saying they're going to all the candidate events because they haven't decided yet." She herself is undecided. Her motivation for coming was as much to see Obama as to give the exchange student she's hosting an opportunity to see the American political process.

Several other people in the crowd admitted to being out of state but simply curious about the Iowa caucuses. "I wish my state had this," said a woman from Massachusetts, visiting a friend in Des Moines.

"I'm here because I'm a political junkie," said Tommie Arnold from North Carolina.

When Obama asked how many people were definitely caucusing, most hands went up. However, when he asked how many were caucusing for him, some of those hands went down.

Having said that, support for Obama--at least among the stragglers in the back of the gym--was enthusiastic.

"I'm fired up!" said Benita Jones, who cited Obama's integrity as the main reason for voting for him. Up until a few months ago, she was undecided.

Paula likes Obama's values and new ideas; but, she added, Edwards and Clinton are both excellent.

Brendan Comita, who pointed out that there have been only three Democratic presidents in last forty-one years, said Edwards and Clinton are great candidates, but he believes Obama is the only one who can win a national campaign. "I wanna win," he said. "I'm sick of losing."

Barbara Briggie-Smith was perhaps the most enthusiastic Obama supporter, mouthing along several lines from his stump speech and bouncing up down during the big applause lines. "Edwards and Clinton are good, solid candidates," she said, "but I believe Barack Obama has passion and can lift our nation up in the eyes of the world."

In a somewhat more ominous line, Steve also voiced his support for Obama. "I haven't felt this strongly since McGovern," he said.

The last word, however, goes to an undecided voter, who had caucused for Edwards in 2004 but was now leaning toward Obama. "My dilemma," he said, "is that the Democrats have so many outstanding candidates."

Comments

[whatsthatsound]

I'm enthused by the quality of the D candidates, more so than I can remember having been. I would be so happy to vote for any of them but Hillary, and even her I will unhesitatingly cast a vote for to defeat any of the James Bond villain rejects the Republicans are serving up.

I would just like to see Dennis Kucinich continue to stay active and exceed expectations. I feel quite certain he can play the role that Ralph Nader could have played if he had listened to Michael Moore's advice. Be the conscience of the party; make whoever wins the nomination know they have to work to win his endorsement and sway the people of this country longing for the biggest changes. He's probably just too smart, too authentically himself, and too lacking in charisma to win the prize for himself. But he can be like the mouse that roared, and wake the Democratic Party out of its doldrums.

[factanonverba]

I have never cared for Hillary and now I am seriously souring on Obama. After the year we have just been through, I've had my fill of bipartisanship. You can't compromise with evil. It's time to make a break with politics as usual and the politics of hope. It is time for someone who can take the fight to them. John Edwards.

[onepartysystem]

The one who looks really good to me is Kucinich. Too bad the system probably won't allow him to become the nominee.

But any Democrat, even the one I'm not crazy about, would be much preferred to any of the Republican candidates. I just hope that supporters of candidates that lose the Democratic nomination will march in lockstep behind the eventual nominee.

[Nutcase]

I beg to differ.

When the two MSM-anointed leading candidates both are funded largely by corporations that operate in a manner completely antithetical to our interests and fill their staffs with high-paid lobbyists, I find them neither distinguishable from the Republicans nor acceptable to anyone who appreciates what the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for.

Any of the other candidates running under the banner of the Democratic Party are acceptable.

[PulSamsara]

Kucinich endorses Obama for 2nd Choice to himself in Iowa !
Good for you Kucinich ! (& Biden too if so !)
Good for Iowa !
Great for America !

Barack Obama for President .

It’s time to Rise and Shine again.

[grendl]

We need a team of rivals, as Doris Kearns Goodwin titled her book about Abraham Lincoln, a Republican who enlisted many of his enemies to join his administration.

Maybe this year we should focus on unity in the Democratic party, maybe even reach out to the likes of Chuck Hagel on the other side of the aisle. Instead of try to win at all costs, maybe this election we should concentrate on respecting fellow candidates, and accentuating the positives.

Of course it's just a pipe dream, in this world of cutting down, TMZ style. But then some blogger said this was a year to dream.