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Last Saturday, in the comments section of my post, I invited FDL readers to make their case for who among the Democratic front-runners they thought should be president in 300 words or less, and promised to post what I thought were the best (and by ‘best’ I mean most thoughtful and detailed) responses.

Here are the ones I liked the best. Enjoy and comment!

For Obama:

PeteCO, January 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am:

I will say that everyone should read Obama’s autobiography, "Dreams from my Father". That’s what makes him such a compelling candidate, for me. Here is a guy who is about my age, and although he grew up in vastly different circumstances, is of my generation and appears to see things my way on issues like drugs (hands up those who haven’t "experimented" at some time in their lives) and race (content of character, remember that?). I guess what I’m driving at is that he’s the first post-boomer candidate, and doesn’t have any of that baggage (enough with Vietnam, already.) He also has kids who WILL be affected by climate change, so hopefully he’ll take it seriously.

Electing Obama will also send a very clear message to the wider world; Not all Americans are batshit crazy racists and bigots, and majority of the electorate rejects and repudiates the last 20 years of Bush/Clinton dynastic politics. Obama signals that the US is ready to rejoin the community of nations as a mature democracy.

I don’t think that’s 300 words.

Actually, it’s 177. Good job!

Backing Edwards:

Katymine, January 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am

JohnEdwards
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/health-care/

"So this is a smart, serious proposal. It addresses both the problem of the uninsured and the waste and inefficiency of our fragmented insurance system. And every candidate should be pressed to come up with something comparable."

Paul Krugman
The New York Times

One position is to help provide education for children across the world. THE number one way to lower numbers in prison is early childhood education. To contact children to show that America is not the evil purveyor of war but an agent of good we can cut into the next generation of terrorists.

Makes the case for Hillary:

SKY1, January 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am

Phoenix woman, each state is different, and does not necessarily reflect what the rest of the nation thinks. I’m from Missouri, and actually live in a medium-sized city–yet the majority here are religious Republicans who are pro-Bush. Two-thirds in my area voted against gay interests when it came amendment time–thank heavens areas like St. Louis and KC got us Claire McCaskill, stem cell research, and are more pro-gay. I have a friend who lived in Cedar Rapids for a lengthy period of time. She said the people there are typically traditionalists who have a more conservative view of women in society. I understand the Clinton camp knew Iowa was going to be a tough sell before they ever ventured in. My point, please don’t assume the rest of the country will vote as Iowa. I understand that there was only a percentage point difference between Obama and Hillary amongst Democratic voters. What I would like to see, is more understanding of where Obama stands. He’s against the Kyl-Lieberman bill, but didn’t VOTE against it. Is he FOR women’s abortion rights? I don’t know. He never mentions it, as he votes "Present" on such sticky subjects. No interviewer ever brings that up. I’ve only seen one reporter ask him why he was the only state senator in Illinois to vote against a woman’s right to have the records sealed in court after she was sexually assaulted. When asked about the matter, he mumbled, and explained, well, the bill probably wasn’t written right. I don’t know what his answer was, frankly. –And I don’t think he did either. I understand his voting record is quite similar to Hillary’s, so I don’t see the "Change" candidate except for his skin being black. From what I’ve read, his voting record only differs when it came to the confirming Gen. Casey. Obama voted FOR him. Hillary voted AGAINST him. Hillary did her homework and found out he was incompetent (does that sound familiar?), and not as knowledgeable about matters he should have been.

Likes Edwards, but thinks Obama’s gonna take it:

fahrender, January 5th, 2008 at 9:19 am:

i’m a John Edwards supporter. i think he has had the best things to say about economic issues and social issues. he’s focused on the enemies of America, 99% of whom live within our borders and have waaay too much power, politically and economically. he has lead the way on stating his policies and plans.

however, right now i think Barak Obama has a fantastic chance of winning the nomination of the Democratic Party. i think both Edwards and Hillary were hurt pretty badly in Iowa. i think Iowa was more important this time than any previous time because so many candidates of both parties got into the fray so early. Edwards didn’t have the cash but he really put in the time and that should have counted in Iowa. Hillary had the money and the organization but she came out third. both Edwards and Hillary are under the gun. if they change what they are doing now it’s over. if they don’t change what they’re doing it may well be over as well.
i have never seen higher energy and positive vibes than i saw watching the tape of Obama speaking thursday night. the energy came from him and it came from his supporters. this is the kind of phenomena that will energize the American voter like nothing has in a very long time. i don’t know much at all about Obama’s policy plans and who his advisers and cabinet will be but if he takes the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries there will be nothing that can stop him. and i mean he’ll take the whole ball of wax. America will elect him without batting an eye. i hope he already has Secret Service protection.

meanwhile, good luck in New Hampshire, John Edwards. you’re gonna need it.

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  2. Health Care: White House Discourages Making Waves on Reproductive Health and Choice
  3. Memo to Jay Cost: Obama Won a Larger Percentage of the Popular Vote in 2008 than Reagan in 1980
  4. Okay, You Influence Peddlers, Listen Up… Public Option Action Making a Difference
  5. Come Saturday Morning: Things Many Think Are True (But Aren’t)