Democratic candidates

Even with the Noble Prize, I think my preferences for the Democratic candidates (or possible candidates) still look something like this:

Obama > Richardson > Gravel > Gore > Edwards > H. Clinton

It's interesting, because I am a supporter of Ms. Clinton; I will vote for her without grimacing if she is the Democratic nominee. This demonstrates the strength, in my eyes, of the Democratic candidates. But I definitely prefer someone I see more as a uniter, though, as well as someone who is more of a thermostat and not a thermometer. Hillary is too safe for me, too much of a politician, too much like her husband.

Obama has had a tough time of it lately. It's clear that the right wing spin machine knows that he is the stronger candidate in the general election, so they're inventing controversy around him (like the US Flag lapel). And I don't know why he's not getting more success. But I'm still hopeful things can turn around. A Rudy vs. Hillary campaign would be a nightmare. So much vitriol.