Our guys and gal kick ass, their guys suck ass

or so says the New York Times in a recent set of articles comparing voter enthusiasm for Presidential candidates. First the bad news for the GOP:

Interviews with dozens of Republicans across the country this Labor Day weekend found that despite the already lengthy campaign, which started almost a year ago, many candidates have made either no impression or a negative one, and many voters are still chewing over their options.

Then again, with John McCain and Rudy Giuliani trying to out Cheney each other, Mitt Romney's flip-flopping, and Fred Thompson campaign from the seat of a golf cart, why would they? And how about on our side?

Forget the “lesser-of-the-evils” talk typically heard from Democratic primary voters around this time of a presidential campaign. Interviews with dozens of Democrats here and across the country this Labor Day weekend found them enthusiastic about their presidential choices and, if slightly nervous about potential weaknesses in their candidates, confident of victory in 2008.

Say goodbye to invasions of privacy and oil-rich nations, and hello to universal health care and alternative energy. Looks like we have a lot to be happy about: just remember these candidates don't elect themselves, we need to get in gear, and work hard for our people at all levels of the ticket.

Candidates Avoiding Michigan?

The New York Times reported yesterday that some of the Democratic candidates for President are signing a pledge not to campaign in states that move their primary before the sanctioned dates of the DNC. The article may be found here, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/us/politics/02dems.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=login

Michigan is a critical swing state in the general election and a very important state in all elections. To not campaign in this state is both foolish and insulting. Michigan's population proves to be a much more decisive state than New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, and Nevada. Michigan is a very diverse state both in population and in issues. We have an economic crisis that needs to be addressed on the national and international level. We have a wide variety of Democrats believing in all kinds of issues, from union woes in the UAW to environmentalist concerns amongst the Great Lakes.

I support Governor Granholm in her pledge to sign the legislation to move our primary to January 15th.