I havta admit -- Dennis K disappointed me last night

[Armstead]

Personally, Dennis the K represents my views almost totally. (And I'm what could be considered a mainstream liberal.) I also respect him as a person of integrity and honesty and directness.

I also believe that he is amazingly informed, articulate and thoughtful. I furthermore believe that if more people had a chance to hear him really discuss the issues and his proposed policies, they'd realize that they agree with him, and that he actually does represent the true interests and aspirations of the "mainstream" more than almost any other candidate.

But unfortunately he doesn't do well in debates. Last night was a perfect opportunity to put himself and his ideas across. But he blew it.

He allowed the whole debate about healthcare take place without inserting the truth about his own position, and about the need to move beyond the band-aid corporatist approach. He also let the whole crap about Iran go by.

Instead he asserted himself where he should not have -- on the question of 18 year old drinking. And then he further marginalized his image by adding that 16 year olds should vote.

Oh Dennis, Dennis.....


It's true that Russert Potatoe did the usual MSM thing of trying to avoid him. However, Dennis doesn't do himself any favors by playing into their hands with flaky stuff like that.

And furthermore, he has to somehow address the dark side of life, in terms of national defense. His "Strength Through Peace" is certainly a worthy goal. I'd rather live in Dennis's world where that is possible.

But the reality is that there are bad people and bad groups and bad countries in the world. There are instances where we can't solve a crisis with love-bombs. Dennis has to make clearer what he would do in situations in which military action or other non-peaceful strategies might be necessary.

I wish, instead of these stupid debates, more people had the opportunity to hear him in venues like the 3-hour Ed Schultz interview. But since we're stuck with this as a primary playing field, DK needs to open up more to reality.