Specifically, back from my family vacation during which I had no internet access of any kind. It was interesting getting all my news from the NY Times I bought occasionally or from CNN Headline News which I watched very infrequently. For example, I learned a tiger killing someone in San Francisco is as important a news story as an assassination of a major political figure in Pakistan for one thing. I also rediscovered that family is what is most important to all of us, whatever family means to you. I hope and pray your families all had a wonderful holiday season.
It’s Iowa Caucus day and I’m exhausted — not from the political coverage, just plain old worn out. My body is not made for lots of physical activity anymore and that’s what our trip entailed. However, despite my fatigue I have given some small thought to whom I’d like to see do well today. So here are the two candidates I endorse and recommend to anyone participating in the caucuses in Iowa, or who will be voting in the upcoming primaries this month.
First, I would ask you to support Chris Dodd, because I believe in rewarding good behavior. Frankly I don’t care what his motivations may have been, but almost single handedly he forced Harry Reid to back down on passing George Bush’s “I can spy on whomever I want and no one can stop me or my pals in the telecommunications industry” FISA legislation. He deserves our thanks, our money and maybe your vote, if you can spare it. I’d like to see him remain in the race as long as he can. Doing well tonight would be one way for his campaign to keep going.
Second, I have, like many others in the blogosphere, decided that John Edwards’ message resonates with me more than the message of anyone else running for the Democratic nomination. I’m sorry, but I just don’t trust Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama, based on who is contributing to their campaigns, if for no other reason. Edwards comes across as a man on fire — a sincere, heartfelt, authentic progressive. I love Dennis Kucinich for all that he has done, but his campaign is dead in the water right now. Edwards has the momentum, and supports much of the same political agenda that Kucinich does. If I was an Iowan I’d be an Edwards’ supporter today.
And, for a very personal reason, I would like to see Elisabeth Edwards as First Lady. Having two people dear to me, my wife and my sister, recently suffer from, and endure treatment for, cancer, I can’t tell you how much I admire her, and also her husband for standing beside her. Many, many marriages founder after a health emergency like Elisabeth has gone through, and continues to go through. Many husbands especially leave their wives after a breast cancer diagnosis. John has stood with Elisabeth all the way through her journey, and that speaks highly for his character in my book. I believe the two of them together would make a powerful force for change in this country. Indeed, they would make the most powerful and effective political couple for change in the White House since Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in my opinion. And boy are there a lot of changes that have to be made.
So that’s my 2 cents worth. I don’t normally post much about the horse race aspects of politics here. That’s BooMan’s beat, and he does a great job with it, far better than I could do. But BooMan does let me post here without censorship or editorial control (though I’m sure there are times he wishes he had taken the time to edit my write first and ask questions later style of blog posting), so I might as well tell you what I’m thinking about who I would like to see become our next President. Doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things I suppose, at least not by my lonesome. Blogs, however, aren’t about a few alpha dogs leading the pack, they are about the great mass of “We, the People” taking charge of the alpha men and women whom we permit to govern this country as our representatives.
So, now I’ve had my say. I’d love to hear your thoughts. This is a conversation after all.
And, finally a belated Happy New Year to you all, in what I hope will be a far better year, one filled with more justice, more liberty and more happiness for all of us in these United States of America.
Steven D
