Who is your guy or gal for the 2008 presidential election? Why?

I suppose this lets us get it all into one thread.
I've already made it clear my support goes to Joe Biden. He is the most knowledgable candidate in foreign policy, has a lot of experience, and has a credible and specific plan for Iraq.
All that and he gets in a good one-liner every now and then when he's not shoving his foot in his mouth.

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"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

John McCain.

Obama's my slight preference at this point, in part because he had clairvoyance and vision regarding the Iraq war from the beginning when it wasn't cool.

http://www.politicalforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=28557

I don't think being "inexperienced" is a major liability. He will bring a fresh perspective into the ring without the baggage that others carry, and he hasn't really come out of nowhere at this point.

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See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction.

- G.W. Bush, 10/3/2003

I suppose I'll give my Top 3 for now (there's still a few months).
Since we are at war and our foreign policy has been damaged by the Bush administration, this is my top priority. My second priority is someone who can help bring the nation together rather than further polarizing us... Unfortunately this doesn't play much in my Top 3... My fourth pick Obama is chosen for that... but I do not think he knows anything about foreign policy.

1. Biden. I've already stated why. I have a whole thread on the subject.
http://www.politicalforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=29421

2. John McCain. While he takes the same mantra position as the other Pubs, I feel for him it is more than a mantra. I trust him to be decent, fair, and open in his assessment of the war... and I know he will not just pull out without a plan for how to do so.

3. I hate to say it... Hillary. I know she's not really going to accept a run away strategy if put in power. And, while she isn't all that knowledgable... she can speak more coherently of Iraq than the other Crats and most of the Pubs... But more importantly... She has Bill and the other New Crats at her side... and they are certain to saturate her administration. These people know foreign policy even if Hillary does not.
Unfortunatelt she'd take us a few steps back on my secondary priority...

__________________
"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

I haven't run into many Biden supporters. Do you believe that he has a chance to pull popular support?

What do you think about the third parties? Just a waste of a vote, or a vote for change?

He had a chance after the first Crat debate... but people forgot him as soon as he made a splash.
His strategy seems to be to go after Iowa full force. Winning the first state could give him momentum, but Edwards is beating him there and more popular nationwide.
I don't think the media pay much attention to the second-tier candidates. They continue to affirm that the top three in each party are the only choices. And it is a problem that Democratic voters are tired of hearing about Iraq. The fact that Biden is the most willing to talk about it might work against him.

Depends on the candidate and how I feel about the big party candidates that have a better chance. If it ends up Romney vs. Edwards, I'm likely to vote third party.
My thoughts on third parties is that they are more useful in sending a message to the big parties than in competing. The third party candidates are usually too extreme and idealistic... but if you want the party you usually vote for to turn their attention a specific way, vote third party.
If the parties notice a lot of people voting libertarian, for instance, they might take a better stance on civil liberties or economic reform.
But I save third party votes for when I really don't have a preference in the two big candidates.

__________________
"Man lives in the sunlit world of that which he believes to be reality. But unseen by most is an underworld, a place that is just as real... but not as brightly lit... A DARK SIDE!"
-opening from Tales From the Darkside

No vote is a wasted vote, vote for whoever you think will make the best president.

I like Biden and Ron Paul at this point. Unfortunately neither one of them has a good chance at making it past the primaries.

I would vote for Gore merely for his strong stance on global warming.

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Most people think Great God will come from the skies But if you know what life is worth You will look for yours on earth And now you see the light You stand up for your rights

So Biden, Paul and Obama being supported so far. I'm starting to like what I'm hearing about Biden.

Obama seems like he came out of the woodwork. I hadn't even heard much about him until earlier this year then....BANG...The guy's freakin' everywhere!

How did this happen? Why support him? Or why not?

I can't speak too much about supporting him. At the moment, I do not... call it active listening at this stage.

But Mr. Obama made a massive splash at the Democratic convention in 2004. I'm sure you could find his address on Youtube or something similar. Objectively speaking, it was a stellar speech.

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"Politicians, like diapers, have to be changed frequently... and for the very same reason."