democratic youtube debate

Okay, I watched most of the Democratic Youtube debates the other day, and here are my impressions of the candidates:

Mike Gravel:


He didn't get much time, but I appreciated his candor, which made me like him as a person. However it's obvious his honesty is much too much for the American people. A few unflattering close ups made him come off as angry, uncontrolled, and sweaty. And since he got so little time, I didn't know his stance on many issues until I went to his website. To my surprise, his view matched mine in almost every way. The only possible exception would be in Iraq. He favors an immediate withdrawal with strong diplomatic action. I prefer Joe Bidens plan, which I will get to.

Gravel's views:

Iran: Opposes military action, wants to pursue diplomatic solution.

Global Warming: Emission caps and fighting deforestation. Working with India and China.

Women's Rights: Pro-choice.

Gay Rights: For same-sex marriage and adoption. Opposes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Education: Revoke "No Child Left Behind". Give schools proper funding and approach education "comprehensively"

Gun Laws: Gun owners should be licensed as well as properly trained.

*Sigh* Too bad he hasn't a chance in hell.

Joe Biden:


The one way he stood out from all the other candidates was that he had, amazingly, a plan for Iraq. I was so frustrated when watching the debates with how eager everyone was to slam Bush, to say how they either, like Kucinich, opposed the war from the start, or how they opposed it now. But no one, except Biden, had a plan any more thought out than withdraw troops immediately, either with or without residual forces and to pursue a diplomatic solution. Bidens plan is to divide the country between the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds with the central government in charge of dividing it's resources evenly. Troops would remain in mixed cities, including Baghdad, to keep the peace.

Also, he supports a no-fly zone over Darfur to stop the genocide.

So right now, I guess my two favorites are Gravel and Biden. My favorite front runner is still Obama, and I lost a lot of respect for Clinton and Edwards for not really answering any of the questions. I respected Richardson's response to the problem in Darfur, and Kucinich's opinion on gay marriage. Chris Dodd didn't make any impression on me, he just seems to agree with everyone else.

Well that's it for now. More on the Republicans eventually...