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Tag(s): Democratic; Presidential Campaign; Presidential Campaign Democratic; Presidential Campaign Democratic; Presidential Primary Elections
Group(s): Democrats (unofficial)Add to My Group

November 5, 2007 at 09:39:19

Picking A Democratic Presidential "Winner" Candidate

by Stephen Crockett Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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Let me start this column with a personal admission, I like all the Democratic Presidential candidates. Frankly, every single Democratic contender is far superior to any of the announced Republican candidates. Picking a “winner” candidate for Democrats should include the ability to get elected in the general election, the ability to govern effectively and a proven commitment to the core values of the grassroots Democrats.

My personal belief is that former Senator John Edwards and Senator Joe Biden are the best choices. Both are extremely intelligent. They are both obviously sincere and strongly committed to Democratic values. In my personal opinion, Edwards and Biden can win in many of the red states against any of the potential Republican candidates.

Edwards and Biden have genuine roots in working class America. They were not born to wealth and power like George W. Bush. They understand hard work can lead to success with a little luck. Both candidates want to keep access to opportunity open so poor and middle class Americans can move ahead. They want all Americans to have a better lifestyle than their parents.

It is my belief that Biden and Edwards both would try to do something to curb the exploding federal deficit without curbing those essential government programs that actually help the majority of average citizens. I believe they would reverse the anti-working class, anti-middle class bias of the Bush Administration immediately. I believe they would curb excess corporate influence in those agencies of the federal government that should be regulating corporate excesses.

Biden and Edwards have long track records of being friendly to organized labor. The Employee Free Choice Act would certainly be signed into law under either candidate if they were elected. Senator Joe Biden has been a friend of American workers since he was first elected to the US Senate in 1972. He has a 35+ year proven record. Former Senator John Edwards has been actively walking union picket lines and speaking up aggressively on behalf of the labor agenda since leaving his US Senate seat to seek the Presidency.

Neither candidate is very good at spinning their records or positions to win votes. Both are just straight shooters who tell the truth. I find this refreshing after 7 years of Bush-Cheney lying and deception. With the Republican candidates, we are going to get more of the Bush-Cheney treatment. I am not sure the nation could survive another Presidential term of Bush-Cheney lies, deception and failed policies.

Edwards and Biden are not going to let the Republicans lie their way back into power without revealing the truth. Both men are certainly fearless! They would both be good fighters for truth, justice and fairness.

Both candidates have a very strong commitment to the rule of law, American traditions and the US Constitution. They would not permit the politicization of the Department of Justice to continue. They would not nominate radical Right Wing, partisan federal judges. They would preserve American civil liberties. They would restore respect for America around the world.

Biden and Edwards will not lie to the public. They are realistic leaders devoted to making government work for the little guy. They have not sold their souls to Wall Street or international corporations. They will not be controlled by lobbyists.
I hope the 2008 Democratic Presidential ticket includes either Biden or Edwards or both. Any ticket that includes either or both would be a winner in the election. More importantly, it would be a winner in office!

Written by Stephen Crockett (co-host of Democratic Talk Radio http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com and Editor of Mid-Atlantic Labor.com http://www.midatlanticlabor.com ).

www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com

Stephen Crockett is co-host of Democratic Talk Radio and author of the Democratic Voices opinion column.

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4 comments

Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Under that criteria

"not born to wealth and power like George W. Bush" "would try to do something to curb the exploding federal deficit without curbing those essential government programs that actually help the majority of average citizens" "would curb excess corporate influence in those agencies of the federal government that should be regulating corporate excesses" "not going to let the Republicans lie their way back into power without revealing the truth" "certainly fearless!" "strong commitment to the rule of law, American traditions and the US Constitution" "would preserve American civil liberties" "would restore respect for America around the world"

This is a criteria that Dennis Kucinich fits into except you exclude him. And there is no clear mentioning of why that may be. But here is why Dennis will always be better candidates than them...

"Neither candidate is very good at spinning their records or positions to win votes. Both are just straight shooters who tell the truth."

Spinning denotes that they will have to explain their failures and make it seem like what they failed to do or understand does not matter now. Dennis won't have to spin anything because his record is impeccable and remarkable---just what the Democratic Party needs a candidate to have in order to get elected with the idea that "anybody but a Republican" is better. After all, the idea that anybody but a Republican is better fails when Republicans show that Democratic candidates waffle too much.

Dare I say that if I see one candidate get accused of "flip-flopping" and let it rise to the level it did when Kerry ran, I will not defend them. That's why my vote goes to Dennis Kucinich. He won't ever have to defend against the Republican cry that he is a flip-flopper because he has clear defined principled stances on every issue in America which he can rationalize beyond the soundbite CNN or MSNBC may desire for intense and unfettered scrutiny.

by Kevin Gosztola (212 articles, 114 quicklinks, 70 diaries, 811 comments) on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 11:35:38 AM

Stephen Crockett is co-host of Democratic Talk Radio and author of the Democratic Voices opinion column.
Stephen CrockettStephen Crockett is co-host of Democratic Talk Radio and author of the Democratic Voices opinion column.

Dennis is a good man!

I had the pleasure of meeting him at the DNC at an event sponsored by The Nation. I find him impressive.

I do not think he is as strong a candidate as the two I mentioned in the general election unfortunately. He is certainly a strong friend of labor. I love his position on so-called free trade!!!!! His just being in the race helps the Democratic Party. In no way can I criticize your choice of who to back.

We are lucky to have so many fine candidates.

by Stephen Crockett (127 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 113 comments) on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 10:48:15 AM

I'm a 29 year old male.
TyI'm a 29 year old male.

Stephen Crockett

Crockett is either completely clueless or is a corporate shill. What Democratic values does he think Edwards and Biden have, supporting illegal wars and occupations, totalitarianism, and globalization? As far as honesty neither of them is honest and both are financed by big business. Neither Biden or Edwards have done anything to uphold the Constitution and civil liberties. They are not friendly to labor as they both support free trade agreements and the WTO. Stephen Crockett like the candidates he supports is nothing but a liar.

Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that is honest and has integrity. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate defending the Constitution, standing up for the common person, and who stands for peace, liberty, and justice for all.

by Ty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 821 comments) on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 11:32:43 PM

Personal attacks are not called for & your facts are wrong

Edwards is highly critical of free trade agreements. In fact, he is the most critical of so-called free trade of all the major candidates. Edwards is not accepting lobbyist donations and has called on all other candidates to refuse them.

I am very active with organized labor. It is likely that I am more committed to unionism that you are.

I have been following Biden's career since 1972. Biden is certainly a friend of labor. Ask any union activist in Delaware. I know hundreds of Delaware unionists and they praise Biden. My personal office is at the UAW Local 1183 office in Newark. It is located between the ATU 842 and the Delaware State AFL-CIO office. I am active with the National Writers Union (UAW 1981) and OPEIU Local 277. I serve on many Central Labor Councils in the Mid-Atlantic. I am a UAW CAP (political action) delegate in Delaware and Maryland. I am an associate member of USW.

My record of opposition to the Corporate agenda speaks for itself. Try reading the hundreds of articles I have written on the subject. You can find them all over the Internet.

I have met most of the Democratic Presidential candidates personally.

Your arguments are based on ignorance of the facts and show you have not done your homework.

by Stephen Crockett (127 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 113 comments) on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 10:42:18 AM