Author: Kevin Lawver

So, I kind of killed nonDependant today. I’m no longer going to actively add content or try to create a community there. I’m leaving it up because a LOT of people get to the site through search engines, looking for The Constitution, and I think that’s kind of cool.

I just don’t have time, and didn’t see it going anywhere. Oh well… maybe next time.

I just posted some thoughts about primaries over at nonDependant. Spurred by Wes Clark’s decision to drop out and my guilt at changing my vote at the last minute. I voted for Edwards. Why? Because I knew Clark was in freefall, and that the only way to provide a foil to Kerry was to vote for number two. Edwards and Clark were stealing each others votes, and I knew that if Edwards was going to make it to the “it’s down to two” race, I would have to go with him. I feel guilty for it on one level, and am still questioning my decision.

The primaries are supposed to be about voting your heart. You use your head in the general, and swallow whatever pride you have and vote for the lesser of two evils (OK, I didn’t do that in 2000, which I also feel a little guilty about). I had to go with my head and vote for the “next best thing” yesterday morning.

I’m sorry, General Clark. I really like you, what you stand for, and hope you have a place in the next Administration. I hope you run for office again, and have better luck. You’re a national hero, and have my respect.

To the General’s supporters, I’m sorry. I feel bad for you. You stood for a dream that you could help create a “new standard of leadership”, bring an outsider to the White House and change the empty rhetoric, lies and vacuous promises of the Washington machine. I’m sorry it didn’t work. It’s a good dream. It’s a worthy goal.

Mr. Edwards, I hope you do something with my vote and take it somewhere important. You seem like a good man, a good father, and would make a good President. I hope your stump speech is as genuine as it sounds, because it’s damn good. It’s inspiring, and reaches for a better America for all of us. It embraces the best ideals of our country, and I can stand behind that.

Honestly, I want the primaries to keep going for a while. I like watching the attention paid to the process. I like watching the numbers, and seeing the refinement of the candidates’ message that comes from constant campaigning. I hope that the Democrats take all the attention their getting and turn it into a win in November. Anyone running (OK, anyone but Sharpton and Dennis) would be better than Bush.

Lies, Lies, and Damned Lies. This President is a liar, plain and simple. Spin it however you want, Republicans. The man is liar, habitual, and serious. He’s not lying about marital infidelities. His lies are ruining our economy, putting our soldiers in danger needlessly, and are directly related to the deaths of over 500 American soldiers, and over 3,000 innocent Iraqi civilians.

The man shouldn’t just lose the election. He should be impeached. His lies are dangerous, irresponsible, and are the basis for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” I would consider leading our country to war under false pretenses, spurious evidence and apparently deliberate deception qualifies. Of course, I’m no lawyer, but the man is corrupt. You can’t have that clear an appearance of evil, and that many lies in one hour without suspecting to the point of official enquiry that there is actual corruption and wrongdoing there.

Of course, it won’t happen. It should. If honestly, the President has nothing to hide and wants to know “the truth” or “the facts”, let’s get to them. Stop the deception. Stop the lies. Stop the evasion. Tell the truth, finally. Let the 9/11 commission do their job. Give them everything. Let the Iraqi Intelligence commission look into the use of the intelligence and not just the gathering. Give them subpoena power. If you’ve got nothing to hide, stop making it look like you’re trying.

I’m sure you’re all on the edge of your seats over this one. I’ve talked about it ad nauseam since September when I decided I didn’t have to decide who to vote for right then. Now, I do. The VA primary is Tuesday, and I’ve finally made up my mind. Right this minute, I’m comfortable with it, but I reserve the right to change my mind before then.

I’ve decided to vote for Wesley Clark. Why? Why not just vote for Kerry and be done with it? Because I don’t have to yet. I like Kerry, and I think he’ll make a fine President if/when he becomes the nominee. But, he’s an insider. He’s been in Washington for a very long time. He’s part of the machine. Honestly, I had a hard time not sticking with Dean. But, I’ve watched him as a candidate fall apart in the past week and a half. His stump speech doesn’t have the same spark it used to. He doesn’t have the passion I admired before, and I’ve realized that I really don’t agree with him as much as I do Clark or Kerry. I like Edwards too. He is one of the most engrossing speakers I’ve ever seen, and his stump speech is inspiring. But, there’s something about him I just don’t get yet, and until I figure it out, I can’t vote for him. I’m picking Clark because he’s a viable outsider. He’s a man outside of the Washington machine (as outside as anyone can get and still be viable as a Presidential candidate). He has military experience I respect, has sound economic plans (well, as far as I can tell – they make sense), and seems like a moderate who can get other moderates from both sides to work with him.

So, there you have it, who I’m voting for and why. And unrelated to any of them, I haven’t seen anything about any of the candidates coming to Virginia next week. That disappoints me. I’ve only seen Dean in person and that was way back in August. I learned a lot at that rally, and would love to see one or two of the others in person. I don’t see any yet, but if anyone in Northern VA hears of anything, please let me know.