Oh, make no mistake, I have very strong opinions about both - but until recently I felt my own peace-of-mind was more important than trying to sway others to my way of thinking on either of these topics.
Now ... here I am - talking politics with these questions.
Did you watch the first two Democratic Debates this past week?
What did you think?
Is there a candidate that can challenge our current wreck of a president
and bring our country back to sanity?
I watched both nights. I know these are 'early days' in the election process. But the issues facing us are gravely important. An attack on our democracy from the inside out is happening every single day. We must right our course as soon as possible. Another four years on this self destructive path may damage us permanently.
My goal in watching the debates was two-fold: Who the heck are all these people AND, most importantly, is there a candidate among them that can confront and stop the re-election of the worst President in our history?
My goal in watching the debates was two-fold: Who the heck are all these people AND, most importantly, is there a candidate among them that can confront and stop the re-election of the worst President in our history?
You will notice that I said nothing about their policies. Sadly, we have moved away from that kind of intelligent discussion. It isn't about the issues any more for most of us. It is about selecting a leader who will not be an embarrassment on the world stage, who will recognize our international friends and enemies without Cliff Notes, who can speak with intelligence and in complete understandable sentences, who gives thought and research to issues before Tweeting his mouth off, who will respect our democracy, our constitution, our laws, our institutions, and ALL human beings. We have none of that now.
That was what I was looking for. Was there someone like that on the debate stage?
There were several candidates I thought could do the job, had great ideas and could be groomed to demonstrate the qualities I listed! But there was only one who I believe would remain cool under the sizzling glare and auditory assault of Trump that would shower down on them in the campaign ... only one who might be able to turn the tables and make Trump look even more foolish than he is now.
My pick is not the front runner - Joe Biden.
Joe Biden - is a likable, well known, knowledgeable and a courteous gentleman. We hunger for those qualities in our leader - after 3 1/2 years of Trump. However, Trump will walk all over Biden in the campagin. Our electorate has become more combative and argumentative under Trump and would probably see Biden's positive qualities as weaknesses! I guarantee Trump would hammer that assessment over and over again into the electorate's psyche until voting day (and after, remember "Crooked Hillary?" We will ever get passed that!!) Don't get me wrong. I would be thrilled to see Biden win a general election but I don't think he could win against Trump. I also believe that although Biden looks good for his age, we need the energy and focus of a younger leader. As one debater repeated several times - It is time to pass the torch! I agree.
I think Kamala Harris has the steel spine needed to beat Trump. She is direct, focused, and intelligent. I watched her question Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the hearings. She is like a laser beam that cannot be distracted or deflected. During the debates Harris was more likely to speak calmly and deliberately - something Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren can't seem to do when expressing a point of view. Both of them seem to slip toward the unfortunate stereo types of 'older man bonbastically talking' and 'excitable female.' Kamala Harris appears to have no 'skeletons in her closet' to trip her up during the campaign. And she is not an 'old white man!'
Does it seem like I am focusing on cosmetic qualities rather than the real substance of a candidates' message? Yes ... I am. After 3 1/2 years of a President who is filled with warts and puss-festering talk and actions - we could do with a little polish in our leader. The quality of anyone's 'message' won't beat Donald Trump. What will beat this President is someone who can 'give as well as they get,' who can turn Trump's snappy slogans back on him to demonstrate his empty promises, and someone who can remain steady as a rock (and Presidential) while doing it! So far ... Kamala Harris seems to be that woman.
My pick is Kamala Harris.
I think Kamala Harris has the steel spine needed to beat Trump. She is direct, focused, and intelligent. I watched her question Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the hearings. She is like a laser beam that cannot be distracted or deflected. During the debates Harris was more likely to speak calmly and deliberately - something Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren can't seem to do when expressing a point of view. Both of them seem to slip toward the unfortunate stereo types of 'older man bonbastically talking' and 'excitable female.' Kamala Harris appears to have no 'skeletons in her closet' to trip her up during the campaign. And she is not an 'old white man!'
Does it seem like I am focusing on cosmetic qualities rather than the real substance of a candidates' message? Yes ... I am. After 3 1/2 years of a President who is filled with warts and puss-festering talk and actions - we could do with a little polish in our leader. The quality of anyone's 'message' won't beat Donald Trump. What will beat this President is someone who can 'give as well as they get,' who can turn Trump's snappy slogans back on him to demonstrate his empty promises, and someone who can remain steady as a rock (and Presidential) while doing it! So far ... Kamala Harris seems to be that woman.
While I typically don't care about age, race or gender in picking a leader,
wouldn't it be just the MOST delicious situation EVER
wouldn't it be just the MOST delicious situation EVER
to see Trump taken down by a strong qualified mature Black Woman!
I think she could do it.
I'd like to see her do it!!
I think she could do it.
I'd like to see her do it!!
What do you think?
