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Bloggers Staying Neutral on 2008 Candidates

Chris Bowers at Open Left today writes about why progressive bloggers aren't endorsing individual candidates in the Democratic presidential primary contest.

Personally, I am not endorsing an individual candidate because there's more than one in the current race I'd be happy to see get the nomination.

I also think a few of those running for President would make good vice-presidential running mates.

That being said, I have not shied away from opining that Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are my faves so far, while Big Tent Democrat has expressed a preference for Chris Dodd.

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    I've endorsed Chris Dodd (none / 0) (#1)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 01:11:18 PM EST
    And I must say J, you seem to favor Hillary though of course you have not endorsed her. Am I misreading the situation?

    Oops (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 01:11:59 PM EST
    Bad reading on my part. You state the situation clearly in your post.

    Parent
    I was in the midst of adding your endorsement (none / 0) (#3)
    by Jeralyn on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 01:18:59 PM EST
    to the post when you wrote your comment. It's now noted that you've expressed your Dodd preference.

    I really have no hesitancy about endorsing a candidate as soon as I make up my mind. It just seems like there's no hurry and I'm enjoying the luxury of hearing good ideas from many of the candidates.

    Parent

    My comment was fact challenged (none / 0) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 01:22:02 PM EST
    Your post covered the bases.

    Sorry.

    Parent

    I had endorsed Vilsack, as BTD knows (none / 0) (#5)
    by teacherken on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 02:03:12 PM EST
    because he was the only one who had come out against reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.  I warned Tom at the time that it was probably the kiss of death given my track record:  Hollings for '84, Tsongas for '92, Bradley for 2000, Dean for 2004.  Of the people I supported in the primary only Dukakis got the nomination.

    I am now neutral.  I very much like the way that Edwards is addressing the issue of poverty.   My issue of education is insoluble absent addressing poverty.  And I worry at the increasing divides in this nation.  For all of his previous work, until this week I had not seen Obama address the issues surrounding poverty in a fashion that spoke to me.

    I could probably support any of the top 6 in a general, although as a resident of Virginia I worry about the possible effect of Hillary down-ballot, even as I think she would win the general (she would carry Florida against all except maybe Thompson and would carry Ohio against all - lose either and the Republican cannot win).    Much of the political leadership in Virginia has followed Tim Kaine and supported Obama, but there are also significant pockets of support for Edwards.  What I have seen for Hillary is somewhat more muted, although present.  I have seen no meaningful support for any of the others.

    It will be interesting to see how they play at yearlykos (and Jeralyn, since you grew up in New Rochelle not far from where I lived in Larchmont I do hope we meet) and I am surprised that Biden didn't commit to come.  Right now the Kos community tilts towards Edwards, and we are already have our equivalent of last cycle's Dean-Clark wars (remember, BTD?).  

    Then, my remaining neutral is probably not of any great significance.  I have some visibility, but I am not a major name.

    Peace.

    I endorsed Vilsack also at the time (none / 0) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 02:06:09 PM EST
    I give endorsements like candy . . .

    Parent
    Didn't you say "in theory" on blogtv? (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 02:14:47 PM EST
    That's *Future President* Edwards (none / 0) (#8)
    by chemoelectric on Sat Jul 21, 2007 at 03:06:38 PM EST
    It is polite to address the Future President by his title.