I used the diary title to attract attention, but I don't want anybody to STFU. I actually want everybody to speak up for their candidate! I do want this diary to be positive, and I don't want to leave out any Democratic candidate. But there's a catch.
Details on the flip....
My mama always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" She was somebody who actually LIVED that. She's somebody who could have "niced 'em to death" as Edwards says won't be possible with big corporate interests. I didn't inherit the nice gene from her, but since her death 8 years ago, I try really hard now to be more like her.
So, I want everybody to list the main reason they're voting for their preferred candidate. State it in terms of something that may be persuasive to uncommitted voters, but don't qualify it by comparing them to another candidate. You can say your candidate has the best plan or best idea or similar, but don't say your candidate's plan is better than another candidate's plan (no calling out) or that another candidate's plan sucks.
THEN, after you've stated why you're voting for your candidate, say one nice thing about the other candidates. Let's just go with the top three for right now, but if you want to say nice things about Gravel or about a candidate who has dropped out, feel free to add to your post. You don't have to say you like any of the candidates, but please give one genuine compliment about them.
I'll go first.
I am voting for John Edwards because I believe he has the courage of his convictions to stand up for the working men and women of America, having never lost sight of where he came from. As a single parent who has gone from minimum wage (at $3.35) up to more than $80k/yr., with a few stretches of welfare and food stamps in between, I know what it's like to be poor and I also know what it's like to not have to worry about every little expense. I prefer not worrying, personally, and I believe John Edwards plan is the best way to get the economy going again so that less people will be worried about their bills, their kids' educations, their mortgage or rent payment, and their future.
I believe Barack Obama is one of the best public speakers I've ever heard. He is inspiring and it's no wonder he has so many supporters. He's proven that running a positive and uplifting campaign can draw more people into the political process.
Hillary Clinton has always been a trailblazer. She's brilliant and dedicated, she is a survivor, and I believe she is also a fighter. And I realized today that, even if she doesn't get the nomination or if she does and somehow doesn't win, she will at least have blazed a trail for other women to follow. I believe women will be looked at as serious presidential candidates from here on out because of her.
Okay. Who's next?
And here's a gratuitous Pootie pic. Can't have too many of those, IMO.