After watching the CNN / YouTube debates, I have a much better idea of where the various Democratic candidates stand. It seems clear to me that the choice is between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. It’s not just because they have the most money contributed to their campaigns, or that they have fame compared to the other candidates… They had the most focused and calm positions on the various issues and they don’t let the difficult issues trigger hasty or temperamental responses. Instead, they had poignant and rational replies to the various unorthodox ways in which the YouTube viewers asked the important questions. It follows suit with my moderate-to-liberal views on the issues to have a president who is willing to institute change, but do so with consideration.
Mike Gravel was the only one to mention the FairTax, so I give him credit for being able to put the idea out there – but unfortunately, I think it did more to harm the cause than help it because of the rest of his unrestrained responses to the other questions. It now makes the FairTax look like an extreme idea rather than the noble and intelligent measure that it is.
I’m really looking forward to the Republican debates. It will be interesting to see if they are able to respond to the same difficult types of questions as the Democrats.