I'm a Democrat. If I had to vote for a Republican, I'd vote for McCain, but that's not saying a whole lot. Of the Democrats, I'm leery of Obama -- he promises a lot of hope, but I'm not sure what brass tacks he offers. Does anyone else remember a candidate from seven years back who said "I'm a uniter, not a divider?" Handwaving hope and sunshine is easy. Where the rubber meets the road is where it gets interesting.

Clinton has brass tacks. She has brass, period. She's driven, devoted, dedicate. I would rather she win the nomination over Obama because of her experience, but she has her own emotional baggage. I suspect her winning the Democratic nomination will increase Republican voter turnout like no other factor in this election.

That said, Clinton has a good track record and a decent set of ideas. I'm not afraid of "the nanny state." If we're going to allow people to sue encompassing entities (governments and corporations, both of whom will pass the cost to us) for their own stupidity, then those encompassing entities have the right to try to protect them from their own stupidity.

I am very much in favour of universal health care. The corporations have had a try at it and failed miserably. The only group I know who has universal health care is ... ex-congressmen.

That said, I think Edwards has the best set of priorities for the everyday American. People who work hard, save as best they can, but each night go to bed wondering if they can financially survive even a broken bone, much less a chronic diagnosis.

Of course, having said that, I've doomed him to another four years of vanquished hopes.