With 205 votes cast, the winner of Raising Kaine's readers' poll of Democratic 2008 contenders is Barack Obama. In the end, the poll received a large number of votes (205), indicating a great deal of interest among the Virginia Democratic netroots in the 2008 race -- even if the February 12, 2008 Virginia primary doesn't matter much.
While the poll was not scientific, I do believe it fairly represented the sentiments of the Democratic netroots community here in Virginia. Thus, Barack Obama and John Edwards were clearly the top two favorites, with Obama barely edging out Edwards 75-69. Also, keep in mind that Obama has been endorsed by Governor Kaine and others like former Lt. Governor Don Beyer, while John Edwards has been endorsed by DPVA Chairman Dick Cranwell. So, actually, these results somewhat mirror the split among state Democratic officials.
In contrast, Hillary Clinton -- whose campaign has former Kaine for Governor campaign manager Mike Henry as its Deputy Campaign Manager -- trails far behind the two frontrunners in our poll, with just 14% of the vote. No other candidate registered above 5%, with Chris Dodd finishing dead last -- behind Dennis Kucinich and Joe Biden -- at 1.46%. Yesterday, it was announced by the DPVA that Dodd didn't make the ballot in Virginia. Not good for Senator Dodd.
Thanks to everyone who voted. I'd be curious to know why you made the choices you did. Please use this a thread to discuss your choices.
Certainly these polls will show how the political activists, especially the younger generation, will vote.
How will us older folks vote? That is a question to be answered Feb. 12.
Maybe there will be more insight at the JJ dinner on Feb. 9th. I imagine most or all of the candidates will be there.
Most everyone is saying the candidate will be determined by then. With as close that this 3 way race is, in state wide polls and National polls, it is my opinion it is too close to even think that.
Of course none of them are endorsing HR 676, so it is still confusing if any will bring about the best Health Care reform for all Americans and remove the burden from those industries that provide health care.
Compared to other candidates, Bill Richardson has experience in executive positions and in foreign policy positions. Nobody else has that combination in either party.
He is strongly in favor of bringing the troops home quickly and has little baggage to make it difficult for him to do it.
His Mexican heritage will make his participation in the immigration debate very interesting, if the Republicans want to make it an issue. In debate, Bill handled questions about driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants very well - (paraphrasing) we allowed it in New Mexico, reducing the number of unlicensed drivers and uninsured drivers, and made our highways safer. It's a public safety issue, not an immigration issue.
If experience matters, then Bill is the right choice.
I also can't help but be worried about the fate of Senators and former Senators in elections over the last few decades. In 2004, 2000, 1984, 1972, and 1968 the Dems ran a Senator or former Senator and lost. All three of our wins (and two of our losses) in that time were Governors who never served in the Senate.
I must agree he has the credentials and I could back him if he is the candidate.
1) His experience and results as Governor of New Mexico
2) His experience and results as UN Amassador for the US
3) His experience as a diplomat that have earned him 4 nobel peace prize nominations
4) His experience as Secretary of Energy
5) His 12 years of experience as a congressman
For god sakes.. COMBINED Hillary and Obama have less experience in captiol hill than Governor Richardson.
Obama, and Edwards and HIllary talk about change and experience.. but none of them have fought for change while in office and the level of experience is limited at best.
The reason Gov. Richardsons answers are long is becuasse he knows the ins and outs of the question.. he doesnt rely on sound bites fed to him by his debate coach prior to the debate..
The other 5 reasons to make the Top 10.
6) Is the ONLY candidate that wants us to get completely out of Iraq... all the others want to keep troups there and say its for diplomacy or that Gov. Richardson is niave.. in his plan. I am sorry the three headed monster (Obama, Hillary and Edwards) have as much REAL diplomatic experience as a local auto mechanic does about working on the space shuttle. What part of UN Ambassador and 4 Nobel peace prize nominations for his diplomatic efforts does everyone miss?
7) Is the ONLY candidate that HAD dealt with Immigration issues that effect the states.. as Governor of a BORDER State.. !
8) Is the ONLY candidate to BALANCE A BUDGET
9) Is the ONLY candidate to actually pass laws that affected peoples health care coverage, protected the enviroment, lower taxes, and improved schools DIRECTLY...
10) Is the only candidate that has actually DONE what he says he will do as president..
2) Will unite Virginia Democrats like no one else. With Obama at the top of the ticket and Mark Warner next we will a reall chance of carrying Virginia for the presidency, along with perhaps two seats in the House. Not only is Obama best overall, he is best for Virginia.
Again, I'm sure you weren't thinking that, but that sentence can be read two ways.
I think it would be brilliant if Obama chose Tim Kaine though.
Mind you I like both Edwards and Obama.. They have great ideas and great passion. But thats not what we need in a president now to fix the mess left by the Bush legacy.
It really comes down to it we need a president with the ability to run at full speed from the beginning, not have to think about what he will do and rely on a ton of advisors to understand the complexity of what he got elected into.
No matter who becomes president they will all rely on about the same set of democratic advisors. The difference is Richardson will take advice from them.. not guidance and have to be educated by them into what he needs to do.
What I find funny is Gov. Richardson has been mentioned as VP for the Edwards, Obama and Clinton campaign. So he can give a air of experience and make the voters more comfortable that someone with the experience will be there to back them up.. If he is that good.. then why is he the top VP choice for everyone and not the front runner? It's ridiculous.
Charles
This is a very interesting poll by Gallup, focused on not just Hillary but really the relative strengths of different candidates. I liked the questions -- which candidates are feared, which candidates excite, and which candidates are party members willing to work harder for.