Dean overtakes Libertarian

On my personal results on the SelectSmart Presidential Selector that is…

Periodically I’ll go take the quiz and see what the results are. They update the selector with new or better information periodically, but probably more significantly my views and opinions morph over time. I know W is driving me to the left of where I once was by his whole approach to everything. And while I generally keep a Libertarian philosophy to most things, I am softening on that and being more practical in some areas and beginning to say, “Well, OK, for THAT maybe Government involvement is OK…” End result, I am moving left. For the first time in the several years and couple of elections that SelectSmart has had these things, I have gotten someone other than the Libertarian as my best match. And that person is Howard Dean. Hmmm…

Select Smart Presidental Selector

Your Results:
1. Your ideal theoretical candidate.   (100%)
2. Dean, Gov. Howard, VT – Democrat   (56%)
3. Kucinich, Rep. Dennis, OH – Democrat   (55%)  
4. Libertarian Candidate   (55%)
5. Edwards, Senator John, NC – Democrat   (53%)
6. Clark, General Wesley K., AR – Democrat   (51%) 
7. Gephardt, Rep. Dick, MO – Democrat   (46%) 
8. Kerry, Senator John, MA – Democrat   (45%)
9. Sharpton, Reverend Al – Democrat   (43%)
10. Bush, President George W. – Republican   (39%)
11. LaRouche, Lyndon H. Jr. – Democrat   (31%)
12. Lieberman, Senator Joe, CT – Democrat   (26%)
13. Moseley-Braun, Senator Carol, IL – Democrat   (20%)
14. Phillips, Howard – Constitution   (19%)

Of course, my matching rate is still only 56%, which is pretty low. I listen to Dean in debates and while I agree on some things, I disagree strongly on others. And I look at him and just don’t think he has the right temperment to be president. I don’t know. The biggest issue I have with him is Iraq I think. Pre-War I probably would have agreed with him 100%. I think going in was stupid, provocative, and uncalled for for the most part. But *after* the war, I think getting out quickly is completely irresponsible. I agree with the “You broke it, you bought it” contingient, and think that now that we are there, we signed ourselves up for a multi-decade commitment, and we better as hell live up to it and do our best. Leaving now will only make things worse, not better.

But anyway, these quizes are only a guide, and to give something to think about and to focus ones thoughts. As we get closer and closer to actual elections, I’ll pay more and more attention to the things that my “President*” wishlist digs up on my Tivo. Right now I’m watching a 60 Minutes II piece on General Clark from a couple weeks ago, and there is at least one debate ont heir waiting for me to watch it. We shall see.

Anyway, everybody should take the quiz at least once a month I say. :-)