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I am really torn. On any given day I can argue for or against Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Biden, and the rest of the the gang. But it does bother me that some of these folks didn't read the NIE report before their vote on the war. Although Biden read it and still voted in favor of the war-but that's not the point.I mean Edwards was on the Intelligence Committee! I mean...geez..he was on the Intelligence Committee!!
He is becoming a walking contradiction. Ridiculously expensive purchases/the 2 Americas; Intelligence Committee/didn't read the NIE report; announced his candidacy in New Orleans/ invested in a group that foreclosed on homes of Katrina victims. He makes my head spin...and yet, I like his thoughtful analysis and plans on several social issues. Help!

I have three questions for all candidates but no one in the media asks them and I haven't heard them addressed. 1) What is your plan for restoring habeas corpus, stopping torture and rendition and closing Guantanamo? 2) Assuming a divided Congress, how do you expect to get your policies enacted? 3) Are you willing to give back the extraordinary rights that Pres. Bush as assumed?

I am a registered Democrat, 61, and a widow. I am so totally undecided: will I cast my vote in the primary for Obama, Richardson or Edwards. I don't really trust Clinton and most likely will not vote for her in the Primary. My most pressing concern right now is to hear more about each candidate's policy for a National Health Insurance Plan. I am currently umemployed and very worried about being without health insurance. I would like very much to join your on-air Democracy Club.

I cannot decide between Obama and Edwards.
Obama is brilliant and a born politician. He will make a great president, but perhaps not yet. He is still, as one of your listeners commented, "too much of a dreamer." Yet intellgence and drive may be sufficient to compensate for his inexperience.

Edwards has learned alot since 2004. He's running a very strong campaign and has taken positions that I respect on issues regarding the economic division between rich and poor, corporate governance, and health care. So what if he lives in a big house? He's a poor kid who made good, and people may choose to be comfortable without losing touch with their roots. Also, regardless of how it looks to some blue-collar voters, he is not an rich "insider," but rather a plaintiff's lawyer, a working-class kid who did well due to drive and brains.

So there is my choice: Obama, whom I admire for his brains and creativity, and Edwards, whom I respect on the issues and regard as politically mature, but who may not have enough support to win the nomination. Assuming that I prefer Edwards, do I throw away a chance of defeating Clinton, whom I regard as too right-wing, by voting for Edwards over Obama, Clinton's chief competitor?

I don't know.

When did the rank & file democrat become so concerned with electability? What happened with learning about the candidates, and choosing the one that represents your beliefs?

I went into this election favoring Clinton and Obama...I think Hillary Clinton has more foreign policy experience then any other candidate, with the exception of Joe Biden. I like Biden, but I think he's better suited for a cabinet position...Sec of State, for example. Obama's time will come, and maybe that time is now. It's the same situation as my hometown Cleveland Browns...Brady Quinn may not be ready for primetime, but they may not have a choice! Sometimes, you take a chance on someone and hope they rise to the occasion. This is how I feel about Obama.

Edwards...I would vote for his wife in a second, but I can't get excited about him personally. I guess I resent the idea that only Southern Democrats can be elected.

To voters...read the candidates books! Read "Living History", "The Audacity of Hope", etc., and get a better view of these people than what the media presents.

I love politics, and I would love to be a regular contributor throughout the primaries.

I favor Bill Richardson because of his thoughtful experience. I do worry about his gun control policy. What is it? What is the policy of the other candidates?

Illegal use of guns by criminals or children needs to reflect on the person who sold or made the gun available. The legal owner of the gun should be arrested as participating in the crime. Yes, this includes murder if the gun is used for murder.

I would encourage you to include non-citizen residents in your discussions. There are nearly 40 million immigrant residents in this country and the election results affect us as much as citizens, yet we are excluded from almost all discussions.

I want Hillary but really I want Bill back I don't think hteyere's anybody better than Billand as Edith Ann would say, that'th the truth

I am undetermined whether I should choose Edward or Obama.

I would like to participate in the decision making survey to select the best president in 2008! Please contact me if there is any seat available to take a part in this operation. I am originally from Japan, so I can contribute my foreign views over the U.S politics.

I wish Hillary would just come clean and stop supporting the privatization of Iraqi oil.

Obama needs to make this public as does Edwards!

I’m a registered Democrat and I’m totally undecided. I like John Edwards and thought he was a much better candidate the Kerry. I also like Bill Richardson, who seems to be more of an intellectual than the other candidates. We should remember that a Senator hasn’t been elected president since Kennedy.

Brian,

Given the admirable stated mission you just gave for your show, I am a bit disappointed that there has been no comment on WNYC's decision to not broadcast its famous "GAVEL TO GAVEL" coverage for the Petraeus/Crocker hearings this week. The "Listener Service" person I spoke to claimed that this represented a "programming decision" intended to allow for "continuous coverage." But that, of course, is what WNYC provided on air in the past. The net effect was to reduce the number of WNYC listeners who could hear this fairly important testimony. This, in turn, creates the unfortunate appearance of WNYC playing nakedly partisan politics. Most disappointing that no one speaks out on this -- particularly in light of your conversation with Mr. Dean about the need to hear all viewpoints.

Brian,

Why do you like the rest of MASS MEDIA, continue to fail to mention equally all canidates????

Everyone bitches because we only have a two-party system. This primary decision is our chance to have people be heard.

Please.. where is Mike Gravel? Obama/Clinton is all we here from the media.

-arg.

I am a registered Independent and comment online for the show fairly regularly. Why only do the "clubs" over the phones? A true "Web 2.0" spirit would include the message forum as well, wouldn't it?

Let me know WNYC guys,

the Intellectual in Long Island City, Trevor

I want more info about Gov. Richardson. I like his view about the Iraq War. I'd like more info about his views and his past.

Chris Dodd was very impressive on Charlie Rose two nites ago. I'm excited he is there to raise the bar for all the candidates.

I would really love some kind of policy breakdown, including pluses and minuses. Often it is hard to really compare and contrast the different candidates because it is either happening in a quickie debate format or in individual articles/websites. I get a sense of who I favor but I really am unsure how the different candidates stack up on a wide variety of issues.

I really think you should stop that nonsense about Kucinich or anyone not being able to get in. It's really time the media (that includes you) present a level playing field. I personally would vote for Kucinich but registered as an independent will prevent me from voting in the primary and if he should make it to the election he would get my vote. If he doesn't make, I've decided to not vote in the presidential category this time 'round. I've decided that I will no longer go with that crap about voting for the "lesser of the two evils." Maybe you should give him a 20 segment as you've done other candidate. In fact, invite them all on one at a time in a segment. That would level the field more or less, no!?

I would love to hear from some undecided voters in my age range (mid-20s)! I'm so sick of my generation slacking off when it comes to voting. I believe that part of the reason is lack of knowledge about the candidates. Thank you, Brian, for this helpful segment!

I am in a unique situation.
Currently enrolled Democrat, yet undecided.

I will be re-registering as a republician
to become a spoiler...

oh well

I know Obama and Clinton are the only contenders (unfortunatly). I'm holding out though because neither of the two EVER talk about Iraqi OIL. Or the REAL reason we are at war.

Isn't it shameful. We NEED ANSWERS!

I'm an undecided voter who is registered independent.

I listen to WNYC streaming and because I am unavailable to call in during work I would love to make regular posts and answer any questions posed whenever this Open Phones segment reoccurs.

With respect to my ultimate voting decision, I will most likely vote for the candidate who:

(1)comes closest to "telling the truth" about the current situation in Iraq (i.e. the harsh realities as detailed weekly by Mr. Gosh on your back in July)

(2)details the specifics of his/her Iraq plan that I believe will best address these realities.

(3)is forward looking and has fresh ideas re: both domestic (health care, social security) and international policies (climate change, terrorism)

I'll limit to the above for posting purposes. Thanks!