Why Do You Want To Vote For Who You Want To Vote For In 2008?

[Gort]

Have a good week.

[LarryS]

I'm curious.
I still am not sure who I will vote for now.
I have asked some friends and family "why", about their choices, and then asked.."what have they done in their careers that impresses you and makes them your choice".

I was surprised, because only Maybe 2 of the 6 people Knew Anything about their cadidates of choice(their voting records, what they want to do when in office, etc).

They knew nothing except what the tv ads said..but nothing about their past voting records, what did they do for their Districts/States, etc..

I will vote for Hillary (1), McCain (2), Obama (never)

[hort stu]

There are a few third party candidates that I would vote for but...

I've been sucked into voting for, what I believe to be, the lesser of the (insert appropriate number of potential winners here) evils... at least until the US adopts an instant runoff system... not holding my breath on that one.

In 1992, 1996, and 2000 I voted for third party candidates, that didn't have a chance, out of principal and, in 2000 seriously regretted that I, as well as others, did.

I won't do it again unless I think that my vote will merely be symbolic. For example in a situation where someone is going to win with a serious, Reagan-esque, landslide.

So I will vote for Obama primarily because, in a nut shell, electability. I believe he has the best chance of beating McCain. I believe that he and Hillary are pretty close to each other on their issue stances but that a Hillary ticket will provoke a great deal of conservatives to come out just to vote against her... conservatives that disagree with McCain enough to sit home on election day if he's running against Obama. I believe that the majority of Hil supporters will show up to vote for Obama while the reverse isnt necessarily true. I think this is where Obama's lack of a track record helps him.

I think that Hillary has a lot more people that just can't stand her. Especially among conservatives. The conservative talk shows have been spinning against her, and the Clintons in general, for a long time preparing for her running for pres.

When I hear Hillary speaking I feel like I'm being scolded by my mom. That wouldn't stop me from voting for her, but some people vote just based on the way a candidate speaks, not what they say or mean.

Secondarily I think that an Obama presidency will be symbolic internationally. It will restore a little credibility to our government and the people that elected him. Those countries out there that think we are crazy for reelecting Bush might be thinking, "hmmm maybe the Americans came to their senses." A lot of people might be thinking. "who cares what the rest of the world thinks?" ... but I like to travel, low budget style, and when you meet the people that might have been negatively affected by our governments policies, or at least they believe they were, and realize how it changes your reception, you might feel differently.

Of course this all stems from the fact that I don't think our government has been acting in our best interest or the worlds best interest for more than my lifetime... it's coming back to bite us in the ass. We don't live in a box as much as some isolationists might like to believe.

On the opposite end of the spectrum another Clinton presidency looks more like a rotating monarchy to not only me but the rest of the world. We've already had either a Bush or a Clinton in the white house for the last 20 years. Twenty-eight years if you count the Reagan years! Do we need to make it 32?

I also think that Obama will have an easier time working with congress regardless of which party dominates it.

Of all the republicans I'm glad we've got McCain instead of Giuliani or one of the other major players. While I really hope he doesn't win I believe he's more tolerable than the other mainstream republicans.

[kimpossible]

As a Canadian, I, & many others, are VERY interested in this election, and I would say, other than the TV & newspaper ads by the candidates themselves, it gets alot of coverage here.

I know who I would vote for it I was eligible, but I'm not:D.

[hort stu]

Kim,

Of the big 3 which winner do you think would shock the world the most, positively and negatively, and why?

[kimpossible]

Boy, that's a loaded question :o! I hesitate to stick my neck out, because I know how people's opinions can be as diverse as their DNA.

I can only speak for myself, of course. However I do think the majority of Canadians (at least all the ones that I have had this conversation with), feel that the "state" has no business in peoples' bedrooms or religious beliefs. It is just none of their business. That is where the Republicans just end up rubbing me the wrong way. I am a moral person. But if I made the heartbreaking decision to deliberately end a pregnancy (with "cause", not as a "Birth-control" solution) - something, thankfully, I never had to face, or if I am not a "Christian", or believe in any god (which I don't - I'm an athiest, and I respect the rights of everyone to believe, or not, in whatever they wish to), or if I were homosexual (which I'm not), but believe you can't discriminate for that reason, including marriage (Canada legally recognizes same-sex-marriages and I'm fully in support of that), the Government has no business trying to impose their will on those very personal areas of peoples lives. Like I said, I have no "god" but I do have a good, strong moral code that is not dictated by religion.

I think the job of government is to govern the country.

So all that being said (& please don't slam me for my beliefs - like I said, it is just my opinion. I have no intent on offending anyone - & I am not saying I am right or wrong)

Republicans would never be an option. We have a Conservative party in Canada, and they govern the country in a conservative matter, but try very hard to stay away from very personal bedroom and religious issues. And I have voted for them on select occasions in the past. If they crossed those lines, I would have immediately shut them out.

I do have respect for John McCain, the man, though.

So I would be voting for Hillary or Obama. I think they both are strong candidates. Of course, you have the "First Woman" vs. "First African American/Black" kind of clouding the picture. I would try very hard to take that out of the equation.

There is the argument for experience.

There is the concern of Bill's influence, and role, and involvement.

Personally, I would want a change.

Just my opinion!!! Now you know more than you ever wanted to know about me, and, please be gentle ...:o;):)

[JereGettle]

Obama=Change=maybe?

[Cliff Timmons]

Whoever is running against the big Three. Clinton, Obama, McCain.

[Gort]

Whoever is running against the big Three. Clinton, Obama, McCain.

That means Huckabee, Nader, or Paul.
I heard something on the radio, that if McCain does Not win Texas on Match 4th... it's going to be a brokered convention for the Republicans: McCain/Huckabee/Paul, in September?

[southernfried]

I will go for experience and vote for Hillary.

[hort stu]

kim,

Well I wasn't trying to get you to tell us who you would vote for if you had the chance but thank you for that. What I really wanted to know, from an outsiders perspective is which one winning would shock you and the rest of the world the most, and which do you think will do the most to change the international opinion of the USA?

Obama=Change=maybe?

mmm, so true, you never can tell. The fact of the matter is that anyone of these 3 could get in and be drastically different than the last 8 years or they may just not getting anything done due to congress. Then again if we had a crippled executive for the last 8 years who knows how we'd be doing right now?

That means Huckabee, Nader, or Paul.
I heard something on the radio, that if McCain does Not win Texas on Match 4th... it's going to be a brokered convention for the Republicans: McCain/Huckabee/Paul, in September?

Not necessarily. If someone wants to vote for someone with similar principals and issue views as their own there are 100's to choose from...

http://www.votesmart.org/election_president_search.php?type=alpha

... as long as your OK with voting for someone that hasn't got a chance. Personally I am, just not this time around. Make sure you spell their name right Cliff. ;)

I will go for experience and vote for Hillary.

I assume that means your not interested in McCain because he has the most experience of everyone still "in it."

[hort stu]

Well Gort my candidate doesn't fit your template and I guess that's another reason I'm voting for him.

[hort stu]

Now I remember why I quit posting up/ on the political threads!
Not a "fun" thing to do.

Hey Gort I'm getting the impression that you're reading into my comment something that I didn't intend. I didn't mean anything negative by it. I just meant that Obama has no real experience to speak of and at this point I think that's a positive. I was merely saying that I couldn't really point to his past accomplishments like your template does for Gov Mick Mack. I didn't mean that there is anything wrong with your template or that I hate your template and Obama doesn't fit it so I like him...

Sorry if I offended you in anyway. It was not my intention, and if it makes a difference I'm having fun in your thread.

Thanks for your service...

[hort stu]

Was it something I said?

[southernfried]

"I assume that means your not interested in McCain because he has the most experience of everyone still "in it."

I have a lot of respect for McCain, but what he said about the war lasting for another 100 years really gets to me. I'm afraid it might be more of the same. I don't think anyone wants that. However,having said this, I might consider him if Obama wins the democratic nomination.

[muppetcow]

I have a lot of respect for McCain, but what he said about the war lasting for another 100 years really gets to me.

That's why I'm voting Obama or Hilary.

[Cliff Timmons]

I'm sorry but I have to ask,.... Why Muppetcow? <grin>
That cracked me up.

[muppetcow]

I'm sorry but I have to ask,.... Why Muppetcow? <grin>
That cracked me up.

Because I'm a bed-wetting liberal pacifist. Duh. :D

[Cliff Timmons]

I don't get the connection but,... OK. <grin>

[nedwina]

In the primary I voted for Hillary, but since then I have changed my mind, and hope Obama gets the nomination. Hillary has huge polarizing baggage (stop laughing now!). I'm not wild about some of Obama's proposals and the rock star hype surrounding his campaign, but having a less divisive commander in chief is going to be desperately needed to try to untangle the multiple messes that George & his ilk have left behind. I hope that the youthquake behind him stays with him after November, and ushers in a new political era in the US.

I liked McCain alot in 2000. But he's damaged goods now. His ambition has destroyed his integrity, and he's sucking up to sub groups of the Republican party that he boldly dismissed before. Mr. Maverick is running as GWB's heir? I find that incomprehensible.

[chpwldmn]

I hope I make up my mind before voting time. Threads like this help me though. The more info the better.

[countrygma]

I will vote for Ron Paul. I do not agree with the the neo con Republican's views and values and because of that have been Democrat for quite a few years, but changed parties in order to support Paul. Because I believe he is the only honest politician in the upper tier, because he is the only one speaking any truth on foreign policy and the economy, because he wants to return control of moral and ethical issues to the people and/or the states, whichever the constitution calls for.. Because he believes in following the constitution.

I don't believe in the socialist aspect of the Democrat party either, but at the time I changed, I was more interested in the environment, and also unaware of most of the atrocities our government was involved in.

Because I believe most if not all of the other candidates are corrupt and controlled by the CFA and other globalist groups..

And because i won't abandon my principles again and vote for the lessor of two evils, when the evils are actually all governed by the same group.

Why do I feel it's better to basically throw away a vote? Because the only way the masses will stop being sheep and continue to give up their freedoms is if enough of us keep bringing out the facts and working to educate people. One way to do that is not to support corruption in any form.

[Gort]

I will vote for Ron Paul. I do not agree with the the neo con Republican's views and values and because of that have been Democrat for quite a few years, but changed parties in order to support Paul. Because I believe he is the only honest politician in the upper tier, because he is the only one speaking any truth on foreign policy and the economy, because he wants to return control of moral and ethical issues to the people and/or the states, whichever the constitution calls for.. Because he believes in following the constitution.

I don't believe in the socialist aspect of the Democrat party either, but at the time I changed, I was more interested in the environment, and also unaware of most of the atrocities our government was involved in.

Because I believe most if not all of the other candidates are corrupt and controlled by the CFA and other globalist groups..

And because i won't abandon my principles again and vote for the lessor of two evils, when the evils are actually all governed by the same group.

Why do I feel it's better to basically throw away a vote? Because the only way the masses will stop being sheep and continue to give up their freedoms is if enough of us keep bringing out the facts and working to educate people. One way to do that is not to support corruption in any form.


I like your comments a lot.
I agree with this.....




http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/border-security-and-immigration-reform/
The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked.

This is Straight Talk, to me.
Right to the point, and correct, to me. It makes sense to me.

Take Care/Not Offense( by this comment that I am leaving).

[kimpossible]

Hort Stu - just got in from work & caught up on this thread. I know you were not trying to get me say who I would vote for - I decided to do that!:)

I think another 4 years of a Republican leader would be the most shocking scenario (there has just been too much damage done in recent years).

I think Hillary would probably be who most would place their bets on (if they were betting people:rolleyes:). With her previous experience, and age, and husband's resume, she is "the devil that you know."

I think Obama would be the underdog - even though he is showing well - because people view his inexperience negatively (although this could be a positive - usually the "underdog" works extraordinarily hard to prove their ability). And many Democrats would be nervous that Obama might not be able to wrap up a win for their party the way Hillary would.

Yes, there were many positives during Bill's administration, but I don't know if all of it can be directly credited to his leadership. The economy and job market were in an upswing anyway (Canada included, and luckily we're are still fairing well as we are not experiencing you sub-prime lending crisis, and we have a dollar that has not been this strong for decades). It's easy to feel that "Rosy Glow" when your memory has faded a bit and you are several years away from remembering the bad, as well as the good.

So McCain - shock, Hillary - not, Obama - somewhere in between.;)

[LarryS]

I will vote for Hillary (1), McCain (2), Obama (never)

I voted today. InshAllah I have done the right thing

[kimpossible]

Hort Stu - sorry, I missed the last part of your question.

I can say unquestionably, Obama would do the most to change the international opinion of the USA at this point. The other two options - Republicans and Clinton's are somewhat tainted and old news. If Obama was elected, I think that it would send such a strong message that Americans are looking for change, fresh blood, progressive thinking, and admitting that there has been mistakes in the choices of the past. But further than that, it would show that Americans are no longer so deeply divided along lines of race and religion. That would be huge!! I guess that is why I am favouring Obama. It's the 21st Century! The old Mason/Dixon line is so... yesterday:D.

[hort stu]

I have a lot of respect for McCain, but what he said about the war lasting for another 100 years really gets to me. I'm afraid it might be more of the same. I don't think anyone wants that. However,having said this, I might consider him if Obama wins the democratic nomination.

Bothers me to but would that surprise you? We're still in Korea afterall.

[countrygma]

I like your comments a lot.
I agree with this.....




http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/border-security-and-immigration-reform/


This is Straight Talk, to me.
Right to the point, and correct, to me. It makes sense to me.

Take Care/Not Offense( by this comment that I am leaving).

Gort,

You and I pretty much agree on politics from what I have read recently.

I am growing more cynical by the hour as I read more and more of the things our country has been involved in since WWII. We have been a part of terrible crimes against the poor of the world, to make the rich richer. Makes me sick.

I am about half way through Confessions of an Economic Hitman. Boy, what an eyeopener. Get a copy if it's possible.

[LaRae]

We've done more for the poor of the world than any other country. Certainly we haven't always done things the way we should of, and we could of done some things better...but no other nation has done what we for other countries...and people can turn up their nose at nation building if they like but it has also played a vital role in the past (Germany etc).

I haven't read the Hitman book..however have you researched the resources?

LaRae

[hort stu]

We have been a part of terrible crimes against the poor of the world

Hey I hope you're not including me in that we??? I hope you're not including yourself... and when you say "world" I hope you're including the poor in the US too because they are still getting the "short end" regularly.