ELECTIONS 2004

MAY 1 - 15, 2003

VOL. 1 ISSUE 2

ELECTIONS 2004

The Moderate Independent Rates The Democratic Hopefuls Based On

How Moderate And Independent They Are. Views On Particular

Issues Will Be Rated In The May 15^th Issue.

Senator John Kerry – truly a moderate, and seemingly an independent, tough-as-hell decorated Vietnam War Hero, but lost some points for backing down from recent “regime change” statement, calling his own comments “inartful.” Bush and Cheney would never self- reproach like that, but reproach the media for questioning them. Anyone who is truly an independent would never give an inch just because the right-wing commentators and politicians tried to make an issue out of his tone or choice of words or timing – that is a game used by users, liars, manipulators, and losers everywhere to turn a good person on the defensive and deflect attention from the original message, and any candidate who is affected by that game will become putty at the hands of these people during the course of an election. Still, John is generally a stand-strong independent, and brave moderate.

RATINGS: MODERATE 7 INDEPENDENT 8 OVERALL M/I 7

Senator John Edwards - got booed at the recent state Democrat convention in California for being for the war, but didn’t back down. A former trial lawyer who doesn’t hide from the label. Seems to hit both sides policy-wise. This is not a Lennin or Limbaugh.

RATINGS: MODERATE 6 INDEPENDENT 8 OVERALL M/I 7

Rep. Dennis Kucinich – hey, he chose to run. For this unknown from Ohio, that’s an independent streak we can respect. He quotes Marvin Gaye and Jackson Browne and the Pretenders in his campaign speeches. His positions seem pretty canned, but we’ll give him a chance to show us what else he’s got.

RATINGS: MODERATE 4 INDEPENDENT 8 OVERALL M/I 6

Senator Joseph Lieberman – as moderate as Rush Limbaugh, but makes up with a truly independent streak. Embraces American values, as long as you mean the America the Puritans meant to found. Possibly an interesting combination of strong, hawkish foreign policy and environmental sensibility, but kisses WTO/NAFTA/GATT butt when it comes to trade issues.

RATINGS: MODERATE 2 INDEPENDENT 7 OVERALL M/I 5

Governor Howard Dean – let’s face it, not even he is claiming to be moderate. He does a variation here and there, such as with some gun issues, but he clings to (and inspires) the left. But, fairly independent. Hard to tell if he compromises positions so he can seem the leftist of the candidates, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

RATINGS: MODERATE 2 INDEPENDENT 6 OVERALL M/I 4

Senator Bob Graham – 6 – strongly independent, marches to his own drummer. Relatively moderate.

RATINGS: MODERATE 5 INDEPENDENT 7 OVERALL M/I 6

Rep. Richard Gephardt – not moderate, not independent, but has moments of bravery, such as his recent announcement that put forth his almost universal health proposal despite the known dangers of such an undertaking. Lost major points for cowardly undercutting and ending of debate in congress on the Iraq war – interfering with open debate is one of the cardinal sins, according to the Moderate Independent. He gave up the independent expression of his party-mates for the sake of, in his estimation, helping out in the then-upcoming 2002 elections. History shows the lack of wisdom, the MI labels it anti-independent.

RATINGS: MODERATE 2 INDEPENDENT 4 OVERALL M/I 3

Reverend Al Sharpton – this was an impossible score to calculate. He is by far the most independent and the least moderate. To give him a 5, averaging the 10 and 0, would make him seem relatively independent and moderate, which he isn’t. If all you care about is having an independent candidate, this is your man. If you want a moderate, might as well choose Al Capone as Al Sharpton.

RATINGS: MODERATE 0 INDEPENDENT 10 OVERALL M/I 0

Carol Mosely-Braun – not independent, not moderate. Hey, she may be a good person, but we don’t rate on that.

RATINGS: MODERATE 0 INDEPENDENT 0 OVERALL M/I 0

MAIN PAGE

All Vol. 1 Issue 2:

Arts/Entertainment - Dixie Chicks treated With Southern Courtesy And Respect: "Those Death Threats Were So Charming. Southern Boys Really Know How To Treat A Lady."

Elections 2004 - The Moderate Independent Rates The Democratic Hopefuls Based On How Moderate And Independent They Are.

Poll - Talking About The War

World - Northrop, Occidental To Sponsor Shakira's Columbian Tour. "We're In The Neighborhood Bombing People Anyway," Says Northrop Employee

News:

Could Bush Really Be To Blame For Ruining The Economy?

Bush Hires Saddam's Information Minister