To Chairman Howard Dean & Superdelegates,

As an "04" National Delegate for Sen. Kerry, Henniker Democratic Chair,
a dedicated Woman for Obama, and Co-Chair of NH Educators for Obama,
I believe that Super Delegates such as Sen. Kerry, Sen. Kennedy and Gov. Patrick
should not have to vote along with the Primary results of MA.
They have all ENDORSED Sen. Obama and should be able to vote for Sen. Obama.
I also feel that votes of FL & MI are not valid, first due to the fact that Hillary was the only name on the MI ballot...
come on...how bias is that?
Second, with the fact that Candidates were not aloud to campaign or even step foot in FL...
You need to re-think this situation out!
Do the elections again, the right way maybe.
Make it "Fair and Balanced" in everyones favor, or don't count it at all.
No way will this be a fair Victory for Hillary,
if she is allowed to keep the delegates from FL & MI
due to the way she won them.
It is up to you to do the right thing!
You are in control and need to make the right decisions for the American people.
"Don't Let Me Down"
Peace, Beatles and Barack,
Brenda MacLellan

Going into the NH primary, I was still unsure of who I was voting for. Several candidates from each party appealed to me on various issues. I consider myself a social liberal, but a fiscal conservative. As you can imagine, this poses quite a problem with regards to elections. To make my final decision, I decided to hunker down and do some serious research. I read transcripts of debates, looking at positions statements, and examined the candidates' voting records. The voting records, in particular, were eye-opening. I was surprised to see exactly what each candidate had voted for or against, as well as which bills they remained simply "present" without taking a stand. Many of the records contradicted statements candidates had made.
I would urge every voter to do his or her homework. You might be surprised to find that the person you thought was the best pick is, in fact, someone who, in reality, is not aligned with your values or opinions. There are many websites that let you actually see how candidates line up with you on important issues, such as abortion, taxes, immigration, guns, education, gay marriage, etc. No matter how the election turns out in the end, you can, at least, feel confident that you made an informed decision based on fact, not fiction.

I'm so glad that NH was as big a "surprise" as Iowa. It demonstrates loudly and clearly that the people speak far more eloquently and accurately than any poll or pundit.

I've been very disheartened by the way the media has controlled this process through exclusion and selective coverage, and by discouraging voters from exercising their true feelings because they employ their Jedi mind control and tell us who we should view as electable and who is not worthy of our time, attention, or ballot choice.

Did anyone else notice that Ron Paul was the only candidate that networks (not C-Span) cut away from during his post-primary speech? These same networks have excluded legitimate presidential candidates from debates and repeatedly denied them the same attention and coverage that the other better funded candidates enjoyed ... despite the fact that those are the very opportunities (as Bill Richardson pointed out) that level the playing field for non-celebrity candidates and offer meaningful exposure to the electorate.

I hope the pollsters and the pundits (and the parties, sorry John) will stop being so controlling and let the people speak ... the candidates and the voters.

Thank you, John, for engaging in real conversation about whether party politics works and the role of independents and the primary process. This is the kind of conversation that needs to continue well beyond this election. As an independent I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in what is closed to many. We need to fix this primary (and campaign) process in so many ways, so more voices and more voters can be heard ... rather than dictated to or denied.

I just rode the wave back from Concord. I know now at 48 yrs. old tomorrow, that I will never to listen to the polls again. I congratulate now, all the Hillary supporters and wish that Chris Mathews never ever had a voice. If there seems to be a probblem it's not the voters, it's the media. How do you loose a state that you are ahead in the polls by 10+ percent. But not to sound lame, New Hampshire is an interesting place. It was a weird night for me, but I will go to bed thinking about Thomas Dewey. Once again, congrats to all the Hillary supporters.

By Tami Littleton, in Nashua

The road going past my voting precinct was jam-packed on my way to work this morning. (I heard later that McCain and Romney had both stopped by.) It was still a mob scene driving past at 1 pm, and I waited in a considerable line at 3, which is usually quiet. If this race has excited so many citizens to vote, then it’s a success already! Nashua’s polls close at 8pm but I wonder how many will still be in line then??

Meanwhile, my phone rings unceasingly with last minute taped messages from the candidates and ‘Get-Out-The Vote’ calls (“Have you voted yet?” “Do you need a ride?”). In a few hours, it’s all over but the countin’ and cryin’. It’s been a great party, but the peace and quiet will be welcome! But for these next 3 hours, to paraphrase that famous American orator, Mr. T,…..”I pity the fool” with no caller-ID!

Put on another pot of coffee and break out that popcorn – this could be a late night!

It has been fun to be part of the New Hampshire Primary experience. Obama is not a god, but he is someone who captured the spirit of America at it's best. People in Iowa listened to him and voted for him. People in New Hampshire asked him questions and voted for him. Obama won the last Democratic election because of the principles of democracy. I hear the line outside of Nashua is already a mile long to see Senator Obama and I am glad others have become part of this proud New Hampshire tradition. I am heading to Concord to meet with the young and the old Obama campaign workers. Larry the next beer is on me. I hope along with Barack Obama that people continue to use their voice to fight for the change, that many people in this country deserve. It is good for this country that people continue to participate and that their voice will be heard in the halls of Congress.“Obama in 08”. It's fun to get to ride a wave.

Spoilers. Give me a break. I believe the independents like the opportunity to review candidates on both sides. In my years of voting, I have voted for Rep and Dem. However, I did not due so to "throw a vote". I actually would like to see a new party emerge that would be a viable option. I am getting ready to vote within the next couple hours and after hrs of reviewing issues and the candidates comments, still are not 100% sure who I want to get my vote.

With all due respect, John. Where did you ever get the perception that voters who do not declare have some hidden agenda and malevolent purpose? If you're happy with the way the two party system has worked for us recently, then by all means remain a part of it. Personally, I feel very strongly about not labelling or limiting myself and remaining open to ideas and issues. My right to vote should not be connected in any way to whether or not I ascribe fully to the tenets of a political party, particularly when our two parties have become increasingly stuck, homogenous, exclusive, controlled and controlling. We need a wealth of ideas and independent minded public servants to solve the real problems, address the real needs, and speak to the concerns of the broader population. It's not working right now. We have us vs. them all around us, and nothing gets done when it's all about finger pointing, divisiveness, and gridlock.

Embrace the diversity of the voting population. This upswell of independent minded voters marks a needed change in a mindset. It's time for fundamental change in the way we do business in Washington currently. I am hopeful that all of the grassroots excitement and participation we have seen, of which the independent movement is a part, will not wane after primary time or the general election. We need a majority of the people to remain informed, involved, and engaged by our public servants who have a responsibility to represent the many not the few.

Larry, We pray you have peace and rest in Heaven.
We have never met a sweeter, more gentle man.
Our prayers with you Edie.
Brenda and Bob

"Two Things" First, the next time the young supporters of Obama go to a 100 Club Dinner, I will read them the rulebook. Second, Hillary may have experience, but that does not mean the Republicans appreciate her experience. She will have a harder time convincing moderate Republicans to vote with her. Some people just do not like her and her husband Bill. They are not as perfect as some people try to make them look. I was teaching 7th grade when the President embarrassed himself, and for a few months I could not even mention his name in class without a snicker. Hillary and Bill are two hard workers, but they also have cut the throats of few people over the years and not everyone is happy with them. Where was Bill when Rwanda needed him? What about his dealings with the Chinese? What about her votes on Iraq and Iran? This other thing on the blogs, about Obama being like George Bush because he is a likeable guy. That is crazy talk. They are from two different worlds with two different visions. Obama is practical person who obviously enjoys hard work. Obama's ideas in many ways encompass the Democratic party. With Obama you get an intelligent, practical, hard worker who does not carry the baggage. The Clinton's carry baggage and in Iowa and in New Hampshire their baggage missed the train.

As I sit here in New Hampshire, anxiously waiting for the primary on Tuesday, I am still very up-in-the-air with regards to whom I will vote for. No candidate has presented an overwhelming case for him or her. I have begun to change my approach and think about who I want the LEAST to be in the White House. Who is the lesser of all evils, so to speak? I am also taking into account which candidate stands the best chance of winning it all? Each candidate has at least one or two key demographic areas that, if they vote in their trational manner, could shrink their chances of winning considerably. No one candidate seems to be a true favorite amoungst their own party? Should that be telling us something?
I work with many people who are very devoted to their particular party, be it Republican or Democrat. Even they cannot seem to fully support one candidate over the other. Tonight's debate will certainly give specific candidate's some momentum going into's Tuesday's primary. The results of the Iowa Caucus has not appeared to sway the opinions of voters here as much as some might have thought it would.
As a science teacher, I have been fantisizing about methods of morphing various individual candidates into one perfect President. Hmmmm.....I guess I will have to just keeping dreaming.....

The Democratic turnout in Iowa was fantastic. Obama has inspired a ton of young people to become active in the political arena and that in itself will help make America a stronger and better balanced country. I was at the Hundred Club Dinner last night and once again the young passion of Obama supporters was everywhere. I know other candidates can claim their support from the young, but the Obama campaing has really rekindled a torch. There are some who are complaing about the crowd surging to the front last night and they have their reasons. If you decide not to vote for a candidate because young people showed their enthusiasm, then the Obama campaign does not need your vote. I could list 100's of reasons why I decided not to vote for Hillary, but one of them is not because of the politics she plays. Political tricks and showmanship have been part of the Clinton playbook for decades. We will remain active over the next few days helping to get the vote out. On Monday my son and I are going up to Dixville Notch to film the historic voting at midnight. We are making a DVD for the History Channel and the NH Political Library. It should be interesting. Try to go see a candidate in the next few days and become part of the New Hampshire first in the Nation Primary.

In the glare of the bright lights, let's not lose focus.

We don't need a candidate that's about name, money, power, brand, party or glitz.

We need a candidate of the people and for the people.

That candidate is John Edwards. John Edwards is the candidate of the people. The people have been ignored for too long. Let's make it about the many this time, and not the few.

HIs candidacy is not about him ... it's about you and me.

One year down and one year closer to GW getting out of the White House. It is important to remember how the Bush administration has been a disaster for millions of people. It is important to remember in the year coming up that we need to elect a democrat that will pass health care initiatives, make efforts to improve our environment, be committed to making education a top priority and turn our foreign policy in the right direction. The world needs a break from Cheney and Bush. They have made their millions and will make millions more while they are still alive. They have robbed the bank of human kindness and should be shown the door. The bottom line for every democrat is to pick someone who whose policies are good but whose ability to get elected is better. If we can get a democrat into the White House, I feel the American people can push that President to accomplish many positive goals. There are really only two choices Edwards or Obama. Obama is not a superstar. Obama's ideas are not new. But he has proven over this campaign and in his choices in life that he picks the right avenues to travel. He has excellent skills in judgment and he we be able to work both sides of the isles. John Edwards is a good man, but he did not help win one state in the last general election and I do not want to take that chance this time. OBAMA IN O'EIGHT. Happy New Years.

I can't help feeling that this election is a clear crossroads, a fork in the road if you will, with the direction we take making all the difference in our collective future. The future does not lie in the hands of one man or woman, but rather in the hands of all of us ... now and after the election. Whoever takes office, it will be up to us to hold them accountable for their actions ... and to taking action of our own, independently and collectively, to ensure that our interests are being served and the issues close to our hearts (and heads) are being addressed.

Either we keep spiraling into the abyss of debt and deficit, dismal foreign policy, Constitutional erasure, widening class divides, undue and unchecked power among corporate interests, and less and less true representation of the American people in Washington ... OR we will elect a leader who will not solve all the world/s ills, but will definitely lead the way to a brighter chapter in our American experience and evolution as well as a more positive, responsible role in the world community.

We all know this. The question is: WHO?

During my primary journey I looked at the merits and issues of each candidate through direct and supplementary sources, virtual and personal contact, printed materials, media coverage, citizen media commentary, and candidate appearances (to me, the most valuable). The debates were no help because they didn't do much to reveal the candidates or their ideas. They were more like rapid fire game shows, tongue in cheek talk shows, and sometimes a combination between the WWF and Saturday Night Live.

I have fluctuated between Dodd, Paul, Kucinich, Richardson, and Edwards. I had the opportunity to see four candidates in person, sometimes more than once. They all have good credentials, a sense of what needs to be done, and a passion for accomplishing what the American people are hungry for.

Kucinich was my Constitutional hero and most passionate at first. Gravel a proven maverick, but maybe a bit too much. Dodd is presidential, credible, experienced, and direct. Richardson has so many credentials, some I hadn't even remembered. Biden is a foreign policy expert with a wry sense of "duh" going on. Obama is articulate, innovative, and cerebral. John Edwards has the sincerity, integrity, passion, and comprehensive vision of all of them combined.

I came out on the blog here for Kucinich a while back because I really believe that people need to vote their conscience without a mind to polls or pundits. I have since discovered a bit of hypocrisy on the part of Kucinich in that he refuses to debate challengers in his home state, but cries foul when he is excluded at the national level. I was dismayed by this as a vocal supporter of debate inclusion.

So it was back to Dodd, the first knock at my door, and clearly the most presidential. His issues are my issues, his plans sound and sincere. I had rooted for Biden and Paul to enter the race, and that they did, but they did not win me over in the end. Not for anything they are not, or did not do, but because there are so many good candidates to choose from. Edwards still tugged at me from my gut, having learned more and more about him through books and appearances, but I still did not know to whom to commit.

Then I went to see Edwards again at Daniel Webster College on December 18. I also went to see Obama on the 19th. I had to know what to do, and somehow knew this would tell me.

It was clear to me after seeing Edwards (and comparing Obama) that he embodies what I am looking for in a candidate more so than any other.

First and foremost, he inspires a trust that runs deeper than the others. The kind of trust you afford a close family member or best friend. This man will not lie or sell out. He's got our backs.

Second almost tied for first, he is driven by a passion so clear, so deep, and so long held that I know his fire won't fizzle after the lights go down and the crowds go home. It comes from that place under your heart that aches when something is very, very wrong and/or very, very important.

Third, he has the most substantive and sensitive approach to each of the issues that I hold dear. In fact, the issues that he addresses in depth and with effectiveness are too numerous to name in this already too long blog entry (energy, healthcare, our role in the world, trade, education, poverty, Constitutional rights, international law abidance, human rights, and on and on and on).

Fourth, those that stand beside him know what they are doing. His campaign representatives are by far the most knowledgeable, determined, and dedicated. And he will choose from the best, across all lines, to fill his administration with excellence and integrity.

Finally and as important as firstly, he knows where the problems are rooted and isn't afraid to expose them. He will not simply Band-aid symptoms but has a vision to treat and strive to cure the diseases of corruption, greed, and deception that run rampant in Washington and rob us of our trust, our freedoms, and our opportunities.

Edwards is the man. I trust him, appreciate his quest to serve us, and stand with him as America rises up. I hope you will too, because the impact of this election will be far reaching and irreversible.

My thanks to the Globe for this opportunity, and to my fellow bloggers for their thoughtful consideration and articulate input into the collective discourse.

By Tami Littleton

McCain has the momentum now in NH. Door-to-door volunteers in our neighborhood today. His commercial and mailings about the Christmas exchange with his captor in Vietnam are very powerful and garnering a lot of attention - not an easy task when we've already got 2 ft. of snow on the ground AND it's only days before Christmas! (Yikes!) Surely, a man molded by such profound experiences can be trusted to do right by all of us.

Huckabee is still not well known in NH. His (nice!) Christmas commercial might elect him pastor, but not a wartime President. The red sweater vest just ain't gittin' it done for Rudy. Romney's flip-flopping is a turn-off. (Just how many "Massachusetts Miracle"s could there be?) Hillary’s the only qualified Democrat and she’s just too liberal for me.

So I'm going with John McCain. And now that it's almost time to choose a dance partner, I think NH might go for him as well. Should I put a sign in my yard? I'm not a bumper-sticker type. (Besides, how could it stay upright in the snow...??....LOL....

On the vote for the Iraq war we do know one thing. Senator Hillary Clinton voted for it, and gave missle pounding speeches on the floor of the Senate. That is a fact! We do know as Dennis Kalob has pointed out, that 23 Democratic Senators voted against the war. I have been saying that one fact for years. It was not a slam dunk by our Democratic Senators. An interesting fact is, only Democratic Senators who voted for the Iraq war have run for Preseident. Those 23 who voted against the war, well they have not run for President. It seems if you were going to run for President in 2004 or 2008 on the Democratic ticket you had to look powerful and patriotic.
Obama has recorded interviews during the Senate vote on the war in Iraq, stating he was against it and it would be a mistake. If Obama had been a Democratic Senator, maybe there would have been 24 that voted against the war in Iraq. That is what we know. We also know that Senator Clinton gave President Bush another green light to do his vodoo on Iran. We do know that Obama missed that vote on the campaign trail, but in a Concord Monitor editorial he said he was against it. The real question is with all Senator Clinton's experience, why she voted for these two acts of war in the first that place? I was against the war in Iraq from the start, and I have only been to Washington a few times, so how important is Washington experience? That is what I want to know.

Every election it seems that the most viable candidates in my eyes are always the ones who get the least amount of air-time. Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo. I'm an idealist when it comes to this, it shouldn't be about who can talk the loudest, who gets the most airtime, or who can attack his opponents the best. It needs to be about who has the best vision and intentions for our great country's future.

I know so many people that are my age who have given up on politics because they don't feel that they can make a difference. They all feel that the only ones with a voice in DC today are the lobbyists and the media. The truth is that our system only works if everyone who has a voice uses it. More importantly in our two-party system, people need to vote not just in the general election, but in the primaries and caucuses as well. If you don't, then your voice will never fully be heard and you'll always be left deciding between other people's choices.

It is going to get interesting in the next few weeks. Hold onto to your holiday hats!!

I really don't like Governor Romney, but I feel sorry for the owner of the company that lost his landscaping job at the Romney's mansion. There are a number of folks in the Bush administration that are casuing more harm to this country then a few landscapers. There was a time when I did alot of landscaping and getting a job like the Romney's mansion was your bread and butter. I wonder how many people were hurt by this person losing his contract. Does Rudy really care? So what is important in Politics? Is it a resume, is it experience, is it connections, is it money, is it a family name, is it character or is it a good sense of judgement? I hope it does not come down to who is raking your leaves.

The media continues to make it confusing for lots of people. The best thing to do is to read, to study votes, and to look at issues. Vote for someone you feel comfortable with, who you would consider following into the a new era that is rapidly approaching. Because in the end we are voting for a leader. Don't listen that much to the media and do your own research. The bottom line is that in this country many people don't even vote, so your vote really is important to all of us. I wish those folks who lost their job before the holidays good luck. Like I said, I really do not like Governor Romney's political agenda. He did not lose my vote because of who he hired to do his lawn.

I have wracked my brain, burned up my internet connection, read every piece mailed or dropped off, talked to and corresponded with representatives from numerous campaigns, and listened very carefully to the insights and logic of my fellow Americans near and far, related and unrelated, Republican, Democrat, and independent, young and not so young.

In considering the themes, qualities, and propensities important to me as a voter, an American, there is only one candidate that I cannot rule out, and that I can feel good about in terms of the following:

--Who will never lie to me?
--Who will uphold and protect with passion my rights and the rights of all people?
--Who can I trust dealing with foreign and domestic friends and foes with a level head and not a heavy hand?
--Who can think for themselves without depending upon a cabal of politicos with varying agendas and act according to the heart and mind that I trust with my vote?
--Who understands, respects, and is most passionate about what American really is, means, and should be?
--Who has demonstrated political courage, rejected partisanship, spoken and acted boldly and wisely without worrying about personal political fallout?
--Who is in it for us, for all, and not for personal ambition or power appetite?
--Who really cares enough about the people of the world and our country to actually champion the issues espoused during the election and not abandon vital causes hoping nobody will notice, claiming they were too big to tackle and it was everybody else’s fault?
--Who is the only candidate who has stood in the Capitol and fought for impeachment (of political dictators who have perpetrated crimes and trampled on the Constitution, international law, and individual rights)?

Do not tell me that Dennis Kucinich is not electable. If you give him your vote, he most certainly is.

We need to break away from the Washington, DC status quo and the fear instilled in us by parties, the media, and the current political and geopolitical climate and choose to hire a President who cannot be bought, bullied, or puppetized and who will listen to us. If we support an effective leader who builds an effective team, we can reclaim what has been lost here and abroad. Do not forget that ;of the people, by the people, and for the people; demands participation and vigilance. We elect our leaders, but do not hold them accountable. Shame on us. Lets get it right this time, and then follow through.

By Tami Littleton, in Nashua

I was in a good-sized focus group last week -- reacting to Romney ads happened to be the subject that particular night. It was a very well mixed group and they all had interesting contributions. Among the things I heard from the group were:

#1 – and the most important -- the group HATED the negative ads. Reaction was: the candidate doing the attacking mustn't have much to say/offer if all he has to talk about is "the other guy". Most just changed he channel when they came on.

#2 - the group agreed that we are looking for a statesman, someone from either party who can inspire us, who can rise above the sniping and bickering like Giuliani and Romney did in the last Rep. debate.

#3 - Don't trust Romney. He flipflops. (although no one cared for the attacks on Romney’s religion either)

#4 – Disappointment with the field of candidates. Republican favorites were Huckabee, McCain, although there were people who were leaning towards almost every single candidate in the field (both Dem and Rep.) They said McCain and Huckabee were the only ones who were actually answering all questions without resorting to the “canned campaign messages” at every single opportunity.

#5 – Much as everyone likes Obama, most were disappointed that he chose to run this time around as they feel that “he’s not ready for prime time just yet”; it’s too soon, not enough experience yet, not his time yet, but were going to be watching him in the Senate and look for a chance to support him next time around.

As time winds down towards the New Hampshire primary, I'm feeling very torn with regards to the candidates. On the Republican front, I have always had a lot of respect for John McCain. I have found him to be a man of integrity and very patriotic. On the Democratic side, both Clinton and Obama have captured my interest, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare. As a teacher of low-income students, those are both areas dear to my heart. I find that all the candidates seem to be saying whatever they need to in order to get the votes. I have still not found the magic formula for deciphering political code and getting to the naked truth of the candidates' rhetoric.

Wow

After watching the Republican Debate, all I could think of was "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." Before I went to bed that night I took my bible and propped it against the door to help keep the immigrants out. A sense of humor is key. I thought Huckabee was good. I met him once and he made me laugh a few times. But to be serious, there are many times the Democratic party scares me, but last night the Republican candidates frightened me.

Bob

Did anyone else notice how during the debate last night Hillary Clinton's face and name were highlighted again and again? Does anyone else feel as I do that the Republicans want Hillary to be nominated and that is why they add to the pervasive propaganda that she is the clear and overwhelming frontrunner, thus discouraging voters from voting their conscience for fear that their candidate has no chance against Hillary and must vote for someone who is closer to her in the (cough) polls? Do we really need more years of Clinton bashing during a time when there is so much to be done and changed? Please, please, please, people, do not vote for Hillary and reject the way that Republicans and major media sources try to mind control truly fed up Americans into allowing more of the same by not standing with those who reject the status quo unequivocally. The real movers and shakers during this election are us. No one human being can undo what we've done to our planet, our reputation, our neighbors, our way of life, our future. Please pay attention to the shades of thought police, big brother, and doublespeak to which we have been subjected and become accustomed. Don't be dulled. Don't be used. Don't follow like sheep. Speak with your vote and speak out about your ideas. It is more important than ever to recognize and reject the deception, arrogance, greed, corruption, and callousness that has created so many messes to be cleaned up by ... ???

You know what John Kjellman, I'm pretty sure that there is no way Clinton is going to support the things that matter to me. You can't get any more "woman" than me, a stay at home mom of 5. Keep supporting the people that hold the interests that are close to you. Besides it seems that one day Hillary is the tough woman who can handle the "boys" club and the next day she is riding the coat tails of that... eeek! "man", her husband! What has Hillary experienced that will pertain to the normal woman out there anyway!

Happy Thanksgiving and many more to enjoy.
It seems in some new polls that the Barack Obama campaign has taken a small lead in Iowa. Good news for their campaign, but the question they need to ask is why are they ahead? Obama has spent over sixty days in Iowa and only 25 in New Hampshire! That may be the reason, but I sense something stronger. In a recent poll that is not about issues, but about voter’s beliefs or possibly their values, voters have found Obama very appealing. In a poll about who is more honest and trustworthy Obama came in first. In fact, Hillary Clinton came in fourth behind Edwards and Richardson. She received some of the worst scores on whether she is honest and straightforward. It is something I have a difficult time with. This is an issue that is connected to Bill and I hear it more often when I have discussions with people about politics. I teach at a Middle School outnumbered by women, and it seems to be the number one issue among women who are not aboard the Clinton crusade. They do not trust Hillary. That will become a huge factor in the General Election.

What this country seems to be searching for is a President we can trust. We are looking for a leader who is honest and straightforward and who does not carry baggage that is filled with bricks of distrust. That type of baggage will slow down our next President in Washington, to accomplish some major goals. Obviously under the Bush administration the Neocons have steered the ship of State, especially in foreign policy, to a land of make believe and distrust. Nobody really believes anything they say. The list of what the Bush Administration has lied about has already filled a few books, but they are not the first Administration to do so. I have been involved with politics on many different levels and one of the things I have always thirsted for in a Candidate is the honesty factor. To tell it like it is and project a future that will not be tarred and feathered by distrust. The constant lying in politics is one of the reasons why I hate politics.

In this General Election, the Democrats will need a candidate with broad appeal across the Nation. Democrats cannot run a campaign based on winning Ohio in 2008. We need a candidate who can run and win in as many States as possible. Yes, there are issues that divide the candidates, but if a voter in Arizona or South Carolina walks into a booth and already feels the candidate is not honest, straightforward or trustworthy well forget it. It's not going to work in the voting booth and it will not work in Washington DC.
It looks like Obama is doing better in the polls because people actually feel they can trust him. Good for him

As a teacher, I often speak to my students about doing what is right, not what is popular. Why is it that we want young people to aspire for better but we do not ask our the same of our leaders? We allow politicians to take large contributions from private industry, knowing that they will favor them when it comes to policy-making decisions. Candidates claim to be acting in the best interest of the people, but we know this is not truly the case...at least not totally. There have been attempts at campaign finance reform, but it has been taken to only a minimal level. We have to do more to minimize PAC money and punish those who abuse the process.

Having reviewed the article pointed out to us by James Smith of The Boston Globe (our gracious host) which describes the reporter's and Andy Smith's (pollster's) interpretation of a recent survey conducted amongst likely voters, I am struck by some common themes among polls which have really been bugging me. First, we are never given the details of who was polled and how (except total numbers ... and at least this time Mr. Smith polled more than 30 people to draw these conclusions). Second, the results really reflect the current feelings of party affiliated voters and ignore the very large percentage of voters who are independent. Third, there is no mention of the huge percentage of voters who designate "undecided" as their current choice ... a percentage in each category so large that the final choices of those voters could result in some big surprises at primary time.

What these polls do that I don't agree with is to constantly rehash what we already know, naming "frontrunners" when the number of undecided voters (those who in my experience are not for the frontrunners) could really leave a lot of play in the game, and serve to discourage those voters who have not sworn their allegiance to one candidate from "gambling" their vote on a candidate who has been labelled unpopular, marginal, or unelectable.

I have yet to see a poll that is put into context, considers all possible error factors, or even matters when each individual vote matters right now and will and should add up at the time and in the way intended ... primary time.

Why do we feel a need to know how candidates are "doing?" Why don't we focus on getting real information out to real people and let the voters do the analyzing? The only polls that matter happen in the voting booth.

I have a really hard time understanding how Republicans especially, can place the blame on our new Democratic majority in Washington, for not bringing our troops home with comments like this, "The Democrat Party pretty much swept the last election with promises to bring home the troops, but they are not home yet. How effective were all these politicians?" Democrats can only be as effective as, President Bush's veto pen will allow them to be. I wish Republicans would accept the truth and the blame for this horrific tragedy of a un-winable civil war in Iraq!
A real mess was handed to the "new Democratic majority" when they were put into office.
We should have never gone into Iraq for many proven reasons... especially because it's apparent, there is no way to get all our troops home safely at the same time. Giving President Bush the authority and a blank check to send our men and women to Iraq without a clear exit plan was the wrong way to vote! We were told we were un-patriotic if we didn't support the Iraq war. What a lie. I am tired of lies and politicians voting for political gain. People should realize that Senator Obama spoke out against this vote, when it was un-popular to do so. Barack showed principal and judgement knowing it was wrong to go into Iraq, and that it would be even worse to get out. So much for "Washington Experience"!
I will vote for the candidate who has the guts to stand up and make a hard decison with sound judgement.

Brenda MacLellan

Checked in on the blog here and looked up this endorsement of which you write. Landed on the NY Times page showing a picture of the smiling Guiliani with Pat Robertson. Doesn't this image scare the hell out of anybody? Here are the poster children for us vs. them (whoever "them" might be at the moment ... foreigners, gays, civil libertarians). A lot of people are campaigning on themes of fear and exclusion when we really need to be thinking about the protection of rights and the fostering of a sense of community (and responsibility) here and abroad.

The Republicans have a narrow and negative flavor while the Democrats have this broad, vague grandiose sense of something but they don't know exactly what.

The candidates who have a positive message, purport to have bold intentions, and operate from a position of innovation vs. ideology are not the frontrunners (according to the media). Why?

There are big problems to be addressed, and people forget that while we determine the next group to target (hmmm), 70% of the world's population goes to bed hungry, diseases are spreading out of control, people are dying by the thousands at our hands, and we continue to build a lifestyle based on resources that are dwindling faster than anybody wants to admit.

I do hope people will not blindly fall in line with whoever seems to get the most attention, but rather get behind the candidates who give the most attention to the real priorities we face as a people. Let's not support candidates who promote fear, hatred, exclusion, war, torture, resource theft, prejudice, or greed. Sorry, Rudy, you don't make the cut.

One of our esteemed fellow bloggers hit the nail on the head when he described the experience and value of having in-person exposure to and/or interaction with candidates. We here in New Hampshire are so lucky to have so many opportunities to actually see, hear, or even meet and talk to the presidential candidates. In a world of clips, spots, quotes, tag lines, blurbs, barbs, etc., the ability to size up a human being in person, and compare that impression to their two dimensional media persona is very useful in getting a true feel for a candidate.

Now, more than ever, we have access to candidate schedules of appearances, candidate websites (though lacking in substance), and campaign contacts who actually will communicate with you via e-mail, phone, visit, etc.

I have had the opportunity to grill many a door knocking representative and to see and hear candidates in person. It has made all the difference to me as things unfold.

I would like to encourage all voters to find a date and location where a candidate will be appearing (not just "your" candidate) that you can attend and experience.If you can't do that, write to some candidates to ask your questions (via website e-mail perhaps). Or call their campaign headquarters where someone will be glad to talk to you.

Engage the candidates in order to come to your own conclusions, knowing that you have explored what is important to you thoroughly, without relying on secondary or tertiary sources whose information has already been filtered through another's perception.

Is it me, or are the moderators of the televised debates preventing rather than facilitating actual dissemination of information, presentation of ideas, perhaps even a direct candidate to candidate exchange once in a while? I think the debates have become just another means for the media to control what the American public hears in order to advance an agenda instead of providing a forum for all candidates to participate and to engage each other and the voting public.

I'm so tired of hearing who the frontrunners are, who is attacking who, and will the candidates make this pledge and that. I would like to make up my own mind as to who is foremost in MY evaluation and to receive large amounts of diverse and substantive information in order to arrive at that evaluation. The parties and the media do not respect the American voter. They are caught up in the tired old partisan rhetoric that keeps us from actually getting anything done.

Let all the candidates speak. Limit the moderator's role. Include actual questions from the public. Make it about democracy by encouraging speech and freedom. Make it about what this country needs by not getting caught up in what keeps us mired in our present problems, but addresses ideas which might result in a better future.