Yes, you read it correctly. I, Pliedes, the far right conservative, am going to register as a Democrat for the 2004 election.

Why, you ask?

Let me explain something first.

Being the President of the United States is one of the toughest jobs around, and with the job comes countless choices. Now, many of these choices are policy issues (abortion, taxes, spending, etc) but many of them, are not. Every politican has their handbag of ideals and stances, but a big part of the job of the President is so much more than simply a left or right stance on an issue.

I think George W. Bush is a great example of this, and I would be content if he was elected to another term.

But what if he isn't?

I'm going to register as a Democrat in order to vote in their primary. I look at the field of Democrats, and sure, they all have their stance on issues, but who would I was in the Oval Office?

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I would like this man, Wesley Clark.

http://www.clark04.com/images/splash_story23.jpg

Info on Wesley Clark - (only partial info)
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He went to West Point at the age of 17 and graduated at the top of his class in 1966. He also earned a Master's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

From 1997 through May of 2000, General Clark was NATO Supreme Allied Commander and Commander in Chief of the United States European Command. In this position, General Clark led Operation Allied Force, NATO's first major combat action, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.

In the summer of 2000, General Clark joined Stephens Group, Inc., and served as a Managing Director for the financial services firm from March, 2001, through February, 2003. He was most recently chairman of Wesley K. Clark & Associates, a strategic advisory and consulting firm. He is the former Chairman of the Board of WaveCrest Laboratories, a firm developing a breakthrough electric propulsion system. He also founded Leadership for America, a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering the conversation about America's future.

specific stance on issues

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I've watched countless interviews and debates with all the candidates, and Wesley Clark is the only one I really trust. He actually seems like a sincere person who hasn't been too polluted by Washington politics. He has proved his leadership time and time again, and I would feel comfortable with him leading America.

I look at the other field of Democratic challengers, and I don't really see anyone else I would be content with representing me. Howard Dean, who is the current frontrunner, really bothers me. He seems like too much of a politician. I just don't find him to be a very sincere person.

Regardless of if you want all the jazz in Iraq to be done right now or you believe in staying as long as necessary, Clark is the right guy to finish it up. He has already been through such a thing when he led troops in Kosovo and all over the Balkans during the Clinton Administration.

In 2004, I'm honestly going to register as a Democrat. I want to ensure that Clark gets the Democratic nomination, that way I will feel confortable with America's leadership no matter who wins.

[ November 18, 2003, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Pliedes ]

Not a bad idea pliedes.

You may have an ugly bastard joining you on this expedition.

-Ugly Bastard

It's really a good idea. Honestly, I'm not to worried about Bush not being the Republican nominee, so I may as well pick the Democrat I'd like.

Yeah, I'm not going to vote for the Democrat I like, but rather the Democrat I think has the least chance of beating Bush (but still a decent chance of getting the Demo bid).

-Ugly Bastard

The Democratic nominee will either be Dean or Clark. I think they both don't stand a very good chance of beating Bush, but just in case something happens, I want Clark in there.

Dean just really bothers me.

Pliedes, although I am definitely not as conservative in my thinking as you, I would count myself as a pretty hardcore Republican. This plan is actually one of the best I've heard from you... kudos my man. I have to register here pretty soon, and I may just have to do that. Clark seems like a pretty straight shooter, not to mention he's former military, which makes him a-ok in my book. Clark has my preliminary vote

You'd actually be quite surprised.
When you're back in town we'll have to talk some politics, just for shits and giggles.

I think I'd just feel dirty registering as a democrat, no matter what the reasoning behing it is.

haha all you republicans....plotting already....its cute...it really is....

Pliedes, unless your political ideology has chancged since we were in AP Government last year together, I don't think there's any way I can match up to you. As for Shaw, our thinking has always been our do whatever it takes, ruin as many people's lives, so long as we can make a name for ourselves as ingenious voters, no matter how many friends we lose or people we leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long as we can make a name for ourselves as ingenious voter, no matter how many friends we lose or people we leave dead and bloodied and dying along the way?

We didn't cover a lot of stuff in AP Gov. If you're refering to mock-Senate thing though, well, I just wanted to win (and boy did we).

Shaw, MeGustan basically just laid out our strategic goals right there...

oh well that is good to know...doesnt matter who is best for our country just as long as your guy gets in there huh!!!! and if we keep a republican in office they are going to be ruining ALOT more lives then what they already did

a____________________lot

Oh, oh, oh. I know! I know!! .................sextuple?

Oh and since this is about politics and such. Pliedes, what's going on with the "War In Iraq" thread? I was all geared for the debate, but it's become dormant.

[ November 19, 2003, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: Fruitacious B ]

That was a nice bump, fruit.

I know I'm way late on this comment...but I must admit that this comment did make me fart. Nice work.

-Ugly Bastard

Do you mean select to vote democratic in the primary, or actually register (pay money for a year membership) with the democratic party? I vote Repub in my primary, b/c Libertarians don't have a primary to vote in, but I don't have to be registered.

I'm pretty sure he means just registering as a Democrat when it comes time to vote in the primary.

-Ugly Bastard

You have to declare a party in order to vote in primaries, so I'm declaring myself a democrat. When it comes time to vote, I can choose whoever my little heart desires.