I am participating in two very lively discussions on this topic elsewhere, but I figured I would crank up the debate here as well.

I personally dislike how liberal Obama is, and I don't care how much "change" or "hope" he is spouting on and on about, his kind of change is not what I am looking for. Not to mention just how many crazy things he would push thru with a democratically controlled congress... yikes!

I dislike both of their stances on illegal immigration.

I don't think either of them has a damn clue on how to manage the economy, but if they hire smart people and trust them that is a pretty minor issue in my opinion. Whatever they do, they need to FIX THE DAMN DOLLAR!!!!

I think McCain is a better guy to lead the war effort, but he better listen to his damn advisers.

I wish I could figure out a way to rally people around a third party candidate, because this would be the perfect time to tell both of these parties just how fed up we are with politics as usual. All of the grandstand and huge, meaningless, gestures are making me want to stop paying attention, but I know I can't...

There is an election?

Yeah just a little thing... no big deal really...

LOL!! I'm glad you understood my twisted sense of humor.

I will vote soon. I normally have to vote for the lesser of two evils. I will always vote for my second amendment rights (My right to have guns), and next, for whomever I determine would back legislation supporting military retirees and senoir citizens. These are first my priorities. The dollar will go wherever the dollar goes. (Normally into the pockets of senior politicians.) I try to diversify into gold, swiss francs, and maybe other apparently more stable currencies.

I like the way Obama carries himself. I also like McCain. I believe the next president will have their hands full like no previous time in history. I think Obama is a better candidate but, he will have too much liberal influence over his head if he is elected. I believe McCain is not such a good candidate but I also think once elected to the presidency he will show his true conservative self, as in Goldwater conservatisim which is a far cry from the Bushites of today. We need a president who is middle of the road in many areas but who leans right when it comes to national resources and an out of control, spend happy, dare I say 'corrupt' congress. I supported Dr. Ron Paul because he was for real change and he expressed it truthfully, whenever the media allowed. My decision as to my vote came down to one thing; I am a military lifer and I read this interview with the young and recently released from a North Vietnam POW camp, John McCain, from May of 1973. I vote McCain:


http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/...n-account.html

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Turk Quid Pro Quo

I think Obama is a great guy for exciting groups of people, but getting them excited is a LONG way from actually providing solid leadership. People make fun of McCain for being "boring" but I think his temperament is just what the office of President calls for... I will have to read that article later.

I just heard Obama was going to visit the wounded soldiers and they wouldn't allow the cameras so he didn't go and instead went to work out at the hotel gym he was staying at. Sounds like change, but not the change I'm looking for. He's more of the all american guy. Not President. They make fun of McCains age, but with his military background I don't think the stress of the presidency would even phase him. I don't agree with either completely, but there's no one that will fit that bill. I think if McCain picks Romney for his economic knowledge he'll have the greatest chance at actually getting elected. I believe Romney actually had more votes when he dropped out as well. Just a lot of 2nd place finishes so that shows he's definitely got the votes backing him. If people can get past the religious side of him. I don't think many politicians are actually religious even though they claim it. I'm not sure who would be a good VP for Obama. I certainly hope not Hilary, but that's just me.

Frostbyte: I would highly encourage you to check the facts on Obama's cancelled visit to the wounded soldiers and the military... while, quite frankly, none of us outside the inner circle will ever really know the absolute truth of what happened, military sources have stepped forward to acknowledge that they, as well as Obama's campaign, thought that the visit might have become too political in nature,and might have taken the focus from the wounded soldiers, so it was cancelled by joint consensus, Obama's stated intent was not to slight the soldiers but to respect them, and not allow them to be used for political purposes. Again, I really don't think any of us will ever really know what happened in those late night negotiations, and there are going to be tons of "spins" out there in reference to the situation.. but, if we're going to consider an unofficial statement, we should also consider Obama's -stated- and official response.

Quite frankly, given the moves I've seen from Obama's campaign staff, which have been, for the most part, pretty well done... I just don't think they'd be *stupid* enough to blow off the visit to the wounded soldiers without having a good reason.

As far as McCain's choice of a running mate goes, I don't envy the presumptive Republican nominee in the least... he's caught a bit between the rock and the hard place. In order to appeal to the more conservative moderate voters that may be wavering between McCain and Obama, the campaign needs to choose someone who leans toward that side of the vote.. -however-.. in choosing someone of that standing, McCain risks losing the core conservative, religious right voters, who are already not that impressed with him. It's a very precarious position to be in, politically, and the candidate's decision,at this point, stands to ultimately alienate one block of voters or the other. Condi Rice would be a poor nominee as well, for that same reason, in addition to the fact that the nomination would be an obvious counter to try to court the minority ticket which many might see as.. well..-obvious-.. and her association with the current sitting administration is an albatross around her neck, given the low approval rating of that administration. And.. let's not forget, alienation equates to a lack of financial support, and while Obama's campaign had a record setting financial boon in June.. McCain's was , at best, lackluster.

McCain, I have no doubt, could be a good leader, however, at this point in time, I think barring an unforeseen miracle, the Republican party would have a hard time getting -anyone- seated in the presidency. Ties to the seated administration, promises of keeping "the status quo", with war, the economy, etc...a status quo that a huge majority of the American public is having a hard time dealing with practically..are obstacles that are going to be hard, if not impossible, to overcome.The Phil Gramm debacle, as well as McCain's own commentary that our "depression" isn't real, is definitely not making friends among the American populace that's suffering economically, in very real ways. It's making the candidate..and the party as a whole.. look vastly out of touch with the experiences of the average American, one of the charges that has continually plagued the outgoing administration.

That being said, however.. the danger that falls to the Democratic party now is complacency.. the candidate needs to continue to get out there and address domestic issues, make substantive documentation about his intended changes,etc, or the momentum could, as it has so often in political affairs, change on a dime. This is no time to get sloppy ,careless or be stupid, nor is it time to sit back on laurels and think that the day's yours, despite that 15% lead in the polls.

Obama's European jaunt was a good political move, I think, a counter to criticism that the candidate had too little experience in foreign affairs..and given the response to him from our allies, and those he encountered, I think he successfully proved that he could be capable in that area, whereas the widespread distaste for Bush, and McCain's association with Bush, might not yield as good a result.

I don't think we'll be seeing an Obama/Clinton ticket. I think Hillary has done vast damage to her viability politically by her failure to pull herself from the race...and I think Obama's offer to help reimburse her campaign expenses was intended to be the unifying olive branch. Add to that the fact that Hillary's support doesn't really add any crossover from the traditional democratic areas,and it's not exactly a great choice. I could be wrong, heaven knows I have been before, but if I were a betting woman, I would personally look toward either John Edwards (iffy) or Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia (more likely) who could stand to bring votes in from the Southern, traditionally republican states. It would be the better strategy politically, I think.

Personally.. I'd love to see Colin Powell run at some point, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. *G* Unfortunately, the very intelligence and common sense I like in him is the very thing that keeps him *from* running.. *G* he's smart enough to not get stuck in the political arena. :)

Thank you for sharing your opinions, frostbyte..I look forward to a civil,and yet stimulating discussion :)

Dee :)

No one can write a novel quite like you Dee