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A resolution: I will vote in the presidential primary
By Rob Golub
"I resolve to learn about the candidates for president and vote in the Wisconsin presidential primary Feb. 17."
If you can make and stick to the above New Year's resolution, you'll be a few steps ahead of much of Wisconsin. People around here don't vote much. Only 44 percent of Wisconsin's voting age population turned out for the last major election, the 2002 race for governor.
Thanks to the Internet, it's easier to get informed than ever before. You can actually take a test to see who you should support at SelectSmart.com/president. To get your feet wet before you take the test, here's an introduction to each of the Democratic candidates, along with a quote on what may be the most important issue facing this community: jobs.
President George W. Bush is the only major Republican candidate for president, so we focused on the choice facing those voting for a Democratic candidate.
What she'd like us to forget: Oh no, she's a lawyer. She practiced for 20 years. She was a U.S. senator for just one term and lost her bid for reelection. Does New Zealand really count as foreign policy
experience? Random facts: In New Zealand, she was made an honorary member of the Te Atiawa Maori people. She favors gay marriages. She's the only woman running. "We can and must take the `men only' sign off the White House door," she said.
Wesley Clark Home: Little Rock, Ark.
Birthdate: Dec. 23, 1944 Major accomplishments: Retired four-star general and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander. Led Operation Allied Force, NATO's first major combat action, which has been credited with saving 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Awarded Silver Star and Purple Heart for service in Vietnam. Graduated first in his class at West Point.
What he'd like us to forget: Oh no, not another guy from Arkansas. He has the same first name as the annoying Wesley Crusher from "Star Trek.". Some top military officials have not been supportive of Clark's run. A British general reportedly refused to follow Clark's orders once, saying he didn't want to start World War III. Clark is accused of flip-flopping on issues.
Random facts: Capt. Clark was shot in the shoulder, hand, hip and leg by the enemy in Vietnam while on jungle patrol.
Clark on jobs/economy: "My three-part strategy devotes $100 billion over two years to jump-start job creation without increasing the deficit: .... First, I'll create a $40 billion Homeland Security Fund .... Second, I'll create a $40 billion state and local tax rebate fund to relieve pressure on state budgets .... 3. Grow jobs, especially in manufacturing. Finally, I'll promote incentives for job creation and remove barriers to job growth, especially in manufacturing - where America has lost 2.5 million jobs under President Bush."
Howard Dean Home: Burlington, Vt.
Birthdate: Nov. 17, 1948
Major accomplishments: Governor of Vermont, 1991-2002. Practicing physician, 1981-1991.
What he'd like us to forget: Dean was once a volunteer on the 1980 Jimmy Carter re-election campaign. He does not appear to have foreign policy experience. Vermont is one of the smallest states in the union. Its population of 600,000 makes the state just about three times more populous than Racine County.
Random facts: All the talking heads on TV say he's the current front-runner for president. As lieutenant governor, Dean became governor in 1991 with the death of then-Governor Richard Snelling. His three-legged cat is named Katie. Rocker Joan Jett is a Howard Dean delegate.
Dean on jobs/economy: "My economic policies for America are based on four fundamentals: Repeal the Bush tax cuts, and use those funds to pay for universal health care, homeland security, and investments in job creation that benefit all Americans. Set the nation on the path to a balanced budget .... Create a fairer and simpler system of taxation. Assure that Social Security and Medicare are adequately funded ...."
John Edwards Home: Robbins, N.C.
Birthdate: June 10, 1953.
Major accomplishments: Current U.S. Senator from North Carolina.
What he'd like us to forget: He's a former trial lawyer. Some say he's too cozy with trial lawyers, opposing reforms aimed at controlling runaway lawsuits. His first elected office was his U.S. Senate seat, which he won in 1998.
Random facts: He does not talk to the deceased, like the similarly named John Edward of the TV show, "Crossing Over With John Edward." He loves to run. Edwards ran in four 26-mile marathons. His nickname is John. Really. Edwards' given name is reportedly Johnny, but he started calling himself John because it sounded more
professional.
Edwards on jobs/economy: "Instead of giving tax breaks to companies that move their headquarters overseas, we should offer tax incentives for companies to manufacture here in America. We should be exporting American products, not American jobs."
Dick Gephardt Home: Saint Louis, Mo.
Major accomplishments: Missouri Congressman since 1976. House Democratic leader from 1994 to 2002.
Birthdate: Jan. 31, 1941 What he'd like us to forget: He's another admitted lawyer and the ultimate Congressional insider. He ran for the Democratic nomination once before and lost.
Random facts: Gephardt was president of his college fraternity. His 1999 book, "An Even Better Place: America in the 21st Century," is given four out of five stars by Amazon.com.
Gephardt on jobs/economy: "There's a reason why I'm the only candidate proposing an international minimum wage that raises global living standards and levels the playing field of global trade. And there's a reason why I'm the only candidate offering a universal pension that follows you from job to job. I believe the only way we beat George Bush is to offer bold ideas to the American people. We have to give people something to vote for and not just against."
John Kerry Home: Boston Birthdate: Dec. 11, 1943 Major accomplishments: U.S. senator since 1984. Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1983 to 1985. Kerry was a Navy lieutenant from 1966-1970 and was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. He co-founded Vietnam Veterans of America and was a leader in the Vietnam anti-war effort.
What he'd like us to forget: Good grief, another lawyer.
Random facts: Kerry rides a Harley. He served on a gunboat in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Kerry testified to Congress in 1971 for veterans against the war.
Kerry on jobs/economy: "The first thing we have to do is to roll back the Bush tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. Fiscally responsible tax cuts for working families can grow the economy, but there is no excuse for special tax cuts for the rich. Then we can create jobs and invest in our
people."
Dennis Kucinich Home: Cleveland, Ohio Birthdate: Oct. 8, 1946.
Major accomplishments: Member of House of Representatives since 1996. Former Ohio state senator and mayor of Cleveland.
What he'd like us to forget: He's just one of 435 Congressmen. Some would say his stance on the World Trade Organization (see below) amounts to protectionism, which is what helped cause the Great Depression.
Random facts: Kucinich has proposed creating a federal department of peace. He is considered one of the more liberal candidates. He reportedly drinks hot water instead of coffee and tea. Kucinich is a vegan.
Kucinich on jobs/economy: "The World Trade Organization has ruled against tariffs on which the U.S. steel industry depends. The WTO would similarly rule against modifications to NAFTA being proposed by various candidates for president. If the United States is to be free to negotiate fair trade agreements that protect jobs, the rights of workers, and the environment, then there is no alternative but to repeal NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO."
Joe Lieberman Home: New Haven, Conn.
Birthdate: Feb. 24, 1942 Major accomplishments: Attorney general of Connecticut from 1983 to 1988. Ran for vice president in 2000 and came awfully close to winning. U.S. senator for 14 years.
What he'd like us to forget: Lieberman asked Al Gore for his endorsement and didn't get it. Dean got it instead.
Random facts: He's considered more conservative than many Democrats. Lieberman's religious beliefs prevent him from working on the Jewish Sabbath, which starts Friday night and ends Saturday. He has missed his state's Democratic nominating convention because it falls on the Sabbath. He even missed it when he was a candidate.
Lieberman on jobs/economy: "We need to strengthen enforcement of trade agreements; provide tax credits to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States; promote innovation through federal research and development policy; leverage federal purchasing power; create tax incentives for investments in manufacturing modernization and expansion; and strengthen manufacturing workers' skills."
Al Sharpton Home: New York, N.Y.
Birthdate: Oct. 3, 1954 Major accomplishments: Ordained minister since 1964. Former candidate for New York mayor, U.S. senator (twice) and state senator. Founder of National Action Network and National Youth Movement.
What he'd like us to forget: He's better at running in elections than winning them. Sharpton has been accused of inflaming racist passion in the past. For example, he made public accusations regarding the alleged rape of Tawana Brawley in New York. The alleged 1987 assault by a gang of white law enforcement officers was rejected by a grand jury and labeled a hoax.
Random facts: Sharpton became an ordained minister in 1964 at the age of 10. Sharpton was once a touring manager for singer James Brown. He has led many civil rights demonstrations and has challenged alleged instances of police brutality.
Sharpton on jobs/economy: "First, use our tax dollars on economic development, improving schools, protecting the right to vote here at home before we ship our dollars overseas to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan .... Create Tax Fairness by reversing the Bush Tax Plan for the wealthiest and giving the biggest tax breaks to the working people of our nation."
Sources: Associated Press, vote-smart.org, issues2000.org, campaign Web sites and press releases.
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