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Apr. 27, 2007 Last evening was the first Democratic Presidential Debate of the 2008 election season. (Thursday, April 26, 2007; 7:00pm est. MSNBC) I watched the eight contenders with rapt attention. The hour and a half question and answer session with Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich, Obama, and Richardson enlightened, entertained, educated, and surprised me. It was especially interesting to see first hand how each prospective candidate might respond to an array of topics and issues from healthcare to war and much more. Let me share some of my responses to their various replies here with you. Senator's Biden, Clinton, Dodd, and Edwards held their own as one would expect from such polished and experienced persons. It was no surprise to me that each of these four potential candidates espoused comprehensive and logical ideas about how best this country could be run and possesses the leadership capabilities and expertise to get us there. All intend to beef up our ports, borders, railways, and air terminals to create a safer America. All support some form of unified healthcare program for all American's. All support reforming our immigration policies without amnesty. All support punishing the employers of illegal persons instead of the illegals themselves. All realize the importance of having good and credible intelligence data on which to make important global decisions. All support transparency of government toward working better with and for the people of America. All support ending tax credits for big businesses as the Bush Administration is so fond of in favor of supporting tax credits for the small business owner. Honestly, I would be equally and truly honored to support and vote for any of them as president of the United States in 2008. Kucinich had some novel ideas about how best this country might evolve if he were elected president and I liked much of what he had to say. He supports many of the same issues and topics as the above mentioned group of presidential leadership candidates, but differs with respect to others. He has researched and supports legislation that would criminalize certain actions that this administration has purported, instituted, supported via lies and deception and continues to portray as harmless and necessary to the American public at large. Kucinich dislikes how the Bush Administration uses fear to manipulate the people in America and the world with respect to this ill-fated war on terror. He favors impeaching Cheney as do I. He supports Gonzales resignation because of a job poorly done. Kucinich is securely second tier, but I like his ideas enough to give him my full support if the DNC should select him as their favored son. The best kept surprise and least known candidate for me was Gravel, Former Senator from Alaska. I honestly had no earthly idea Gravel was even in contendership for the 2008 presidency. He was well versed on all topics and outspoken on the issues of grave import to all people of America and the world. Gravels fresh perspective gave him credence in my book. He dislikes drilling in eco-sensitive environments around America and champions the environment as a wonderful natural resource for all to enjoy. He sees the wisdom in getting and keeping our allies as well as conversing with those that have differing opinions and perspectives from us. Gravel seems to have a keen grasp on the shortfalls that this administration continues to support and cover up, as well as, a plan for how to clean up their messes around the globe. He was outspoken and candid perhaps to a fault. His fearless singular voice was one of and for change, severe change, but changes that can only improve the perception and reputation of America around the globe. Gravel is another contender in what I term the second tier, but in my opinion he is not to be overlooked just because the frontrunners and solid second tiers have incredible name recognition going for them. I give him a thumbs up and would be proud to lend him my support! Previously, I have given complete support for Obama. Obama still holds the second most coveted position under Senator Clinton and has given her a run for the money. I especially liked him because of all that he has given back to the people who elected him to office. He champions the environment, education, energy independence, and healthcare all of which are near and dear to my heart and bear great import in my vote. Obama's downfall in my esteem could come from his perspective on preemptive strikes; in that he supports them to some degree depending on the circumstance. Under no circumstance can I endorse such things. I feel there is no substitute for diplomacy. There is no circumstance, in my opinion, that would necessitate such abrupt, rash, and decisive decisions and no candidate who supports such will get my vote. If I am mistaken in Obama's reply to this question or circumstance and he can prove that he is worthy again of my vote I lend him my full support and apologize for this brash judgment. Richardson had some interesting opinions and thoughts about how he might change things in the oval office if he were elected president in 2008, but he, in my opinion, is the single least likely one to get there. Richardson says that his experience as governor will help him to do a good job for America if elected to be president in 2008. However, in my opinion, his stance on things like gun control, immigration, and healthcare fell far short of those ideas espoused by the other candidates in contendership for this presidency. Richardson had some words of encouragement initially for Gonzales plight with regard to those asking for his resignation which to me shows how little thought has actually gone into his inability to grasp the gravity of the circumstances. Therefore, if Richardson were the only one left standing that may be the only remote possibility whereby he might get my vote in 2008. Reference: MSNBC coverage of the First Democratic Debate 2007, Thursday, April 26, 2007, 7:00pm est ------------ About the author: Michelle Malsbury was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. Currently she resides in Florida. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management. She has just been accepted into Doctoral College and will begin that three year journey in the fall of 2006. She plans to write her dissertation on "The Economic Feasibility and Sustainability of Alternative Fuel Sources". Travels have taken her from Europe through the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and across much of the United States. She is joint founder of the Apalachicola Yacht Club (AYC) and holds the post of secretary/treasurer. For the AYC she drafted the Constitution and Bylaws outlining membership rules, regulations, and guidelines. She enjoys outdoor activities like sailing, water-skiing, hiking, bike riding, working out, and fishing as well as reading, music, theatre, playing with her two amusing pets (Abu Chez, her 7.5 year old Australian Blue Heeler and Zack, her three year old yellow tabby cat) and writing. "Three Years With Adonis" is the first to be published of several books that she has written. It is now available in all the better bookstores, but can also be found and ordered at Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com, Barnesandnoble.com, or ordered directly from her web sites, www.3yearswithadonis.com, www.threeyearswithadonis.com, or www.MichelleMalsbury.com. In addition to "Three Years With Adonis", she has authored four other books and three screenplays while continuing to explore all that life hands her. Email Michelle Malsbury: zackywacks@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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