——Pete Buttigieg
I have watched most of all four debates and can’t help but wonder if any of the candidates can play the role of “Superperson” and save us from our man-made destruction. I believe they all mean well, and if I was forced to chose today I would probably vote for Mayor Pete because he seems to be leading with his head rather than his heart, but his age and lack of Washington experience/connections might stand in the way of success.
I fear that even if one of the progressives were to garner enough votes to win, their radical ideas would never get pushed through a congress peppered with radicals on the opposite spectrum. I do like Kamala Harris’s strong humanitarian heart and take-no-prisoners attitude, but some of her ideas are a bit too progressive for me. I don’t see conservatives or wealthy people as my enemy and would like to find that happy place where we can compromise to make a better world.
Elizabeth Warren is a strong woman with a good heart and a proven track record, and I believe that she could do a good job as president, but I fear that she might turn off the same voters that refused to vote for Hillary Clinton. If Democrats want to win this time, they need to pick a candidate who can appeal to all factions in some way and then support that candidate completely.
Bernie Sanders is a bit too radical and way too grumpy for me. I know he means well and has always been a hero for those in need, but I believe age has worn away some of his tolerance for those who think differently then he does, and being president means working for the betterment of everyone. Joe Biden, on the other hand, definitely shows tolerance for both sides of the aisle, but I fear he somehow fits the mold of all those who preceded him, and we need to bring in a little fresh air if we want to save ourselves from stagnation.
I was a Beto fan when he was opposing Cruz and thought he might be the one to bring both sides together, but his performances during the last two debates were lackluster, and his platform lacked the strength I am looking for in my next president. The rest of the group is made up of obviously intelligent men and women who each have one or two planks in their repertoire, but there is not enough substance to build a real platform.
So I am brought back to, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the 37 year old Harvard/Oxford educated war hero with a platform most closely aligned to my beliefs whose uphill battle seems to be strengthening him. I heard him speak on the Bill Maher show several months ago and was impressed with what he said and his manner of speaking. I have followed him closely since then and believe that with a strong vice president to help him face the battles ahead in a split congress, he might just be the hero that we are seeking.
It is early though, and there are many rough days ahead for all of the candidates, but there is one thing that I know for sure. If the democrats want to win this election, then they need to get behind the chosen candidate whether he/she is their original choice or not. Proving a point to a world who couldn’t care less by not voting because your candidate didn’t make the cut is both childish and dangerous. Find the candidate, Democrat or Republican, whose platform most closely matches your beliefs and do your patriotic duty and vote in November 2020.
The book I read/reviewed this week, Spiky by Ilaria Guarducci(author) and Laura Watkinson (illustrator) was as confusing as this year’s democratic choices. It is a well written children’s book with a good message, but there is enough darkness in it for me to offer a warning. I am not sure I want my little one to read about pulling the wings off of butterflies, even if there is a happily ever after ending.
As always a complete review of this book follows my blog.
Happy reading,
- Beverly