i will vote for obama because hes demonstrated to me that he is an intelligent, practical individual, and this is very refreshing. he is practical in his approach to many things, thoughtful. war, for example: hes not anti war, but doesnt seem like the type to simply support war just for the sake of supporting. he knew the iraq war would be a mistake, as unfortunately, so few did or were willing confess before the war began.

he seems to actually know what science is about; sadly, something that escapes many americans, including those on the republican ticket. its sad that im even shocked at the fact that someone running for president understands something so simple...

touching back on how hes practical, he is supportive of civil rights for all (gays), but has shown that he understands what it would take to accomplish something like this. he has said on at least one occasion that separating the word, marriage, from the issue will help move our country forward in this respect. many gays oppose this, of course demanding their full due n proper, but the truth is the word is a tiny compromise that will make a big difference. and it can always be taken later on, too.

theres a lot more i agree with him on, of course. but ill leave it at that.

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https://www.voteforchange.com/

Two interesting articles I've read recently have been percolating around in my head. First, an article from Bloomberg on how Obama "won" during the financial crisis last week. I don't totally agree with it, but I do respect how Obama turned to the "best and brightest" to help guide his policy decisions. I also appreciate that he refrained from commenting until the Bush administration had released their proposal (I believe that was more responsible than the waffling McCain did).

here is the article.

However, the following article in the New York Times seems to suggest (to me at least) that McCain has a clearer vision of what must be done to get out of Iraq and leave it relatively peaceful and stable. I worry that Obama will leave Iraq as a very unstable place purely for political reasons (to win the election).

In other words, the surge, as proposed by McCain, worked. Obama opposed it;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/we...21filkins.html

Both candidates have good qualities and bad ones, it is a troubling and vexing election for me this year. I think I have struggled more with my vote in this race than ever before during my lifetime.

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

OBAMA

I like Obama because he's an intelligent, reasonable, decent man with a clue, who has obviously done a lot of thinking about a *lot* of the issues of the day.

I like Obama because despite the usual proposals that would cost trillions (just like McCain), he's much more of a financial realist than McCain. He will address the deficit, even if that means he can't fund his proposals. He's willing to tell us that taxes will have to be raised to do so, unlike McCain who has adopted the "put it on the credit card" attitude -- minus the earmarks.

I like Obama because he's nowhere near as liberal as opponents make him out to be. His proposals tend to be based on science and empirical evidence, and a surprising number are neither Democrat or Republican orthodoxy.


McCAIN

I like McCain because he's not an ultra-right winger. I've often said I don't worry that much who wins, because they're both acceptable to me.

But:

I dislike McCain because he has abandoned his "maverickness" in order to kow-tow to the social conservatives, and his policies, far from being innovative, are nothing more than retreads of the usual Republican line.

I dislike McCain because I have serious questions about his impulsivity, his judgment after the Palin pick, and his tendency to see the world through a Cold War frame.

I dislike McCain because I have serious questions about his spine. Part of his modus operandi is to object publicly and cave privately. He did it on torture, he even did it on his VP pick: he really wanted Lieberman, and he let himself be browbeaten out of that choice. I've seen little evidence of him actually fighting a tough political fight, other than earmarks -- and that's hardly tough, because it's politically popular in Arizona.

I dislike McCain because his campaign has gone so dirty that it demonstrates he's willing to do anything to win -- even sell out the principles he supposedly holds dear.

And finally, I dislike McCain because -- feel free to call me ageist -- his numerous and serious gaffes on foreign policy and other things he's supposed to be an expert in has me seriously wondering about his mental acuity.

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Man up.

How many people in IL, in AK? Who's asked for more earmark $$'s per capita, Obama or Palin? Who's running on earmark reform?

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Cost of War in Iraq Barack Is Beautiful

Obama high points - The way he goes about things shows ingenuity, intelligence and fresh thinking. He thinks positively. He asks for effort on the part of Americans. He addresses issues that have been ignored in the past i.e. healthcare, energy, higher education etc. He hasn't betrayed us or our trust. He's pledged pay as you go. He has the confidence/respect of foreign leaders and people at a time when we need to restore credibility and diplomacy. How you campaign gives us insight into how you will govern. Obama's campaign has shown a high level of sophistication, competence and stability.

McCain - Nice man and charming on a personal level but has shown that he'll sacrifice any position in order to get elected. He is old school. He is the good old boy network. He's for deregulation. He's for little oversite. His party has failed to control spending or the growth of government so I don't trust his ability to succeed where they've already failed. I don't trust his hair trigger temper. I don't think he's physically able to carry out the responsibilities of office for four years. Promises unfulfilled under Bush erode McCain's credibility. We heard the same promises from GW and got nothing. Why should anyone expect any different from you - especially when you were one of the people charged with helping Bush fulfill those promises. How you campaign gives us insight into how you will govern. McCain's campaign has been all over the map. Disorganized. Relying on lobbyists and Bush campaign managers.

Bump!

This thread needs to continue and everyone who contributes to the other topics with their disdain for one or both candidates should contribute constructively here following the guidelines of the OP.

Another thought that I would like to share on the candidates is in respects to their platforms. They both speak about many things that they will make happen if elected, but neither really tells us "how" they will make something happen. In addition, neither platform really tells us "how" their platform will directly or indirectly affect the average Joe and Jane along with their children and grandchildren.

These are areas of weakness in the political election process that someday I hope are shored up. Empty promises in the end are still empty promises! Finally, let me reiterate, I say that about both candidates.

I have never and probably will never vote for a Republican. The one time in my life that I was tempted to do so was back in 2000 when the real John McCain was running. He was full of verve that seems to have disappeared. The Maverick McCain seemed to stand for American values inherently. He went against his party when they went against his ideals. But, sadly, that man in not running this year.

I cannot in good conscience vote the John McCain of 2008. The campaign he has run has been atrociously misleading and dirty. It frankly sickens me to think that this is even the same man. Was that the real John McCain in 2000 or is this 2008 incarnation the one that was masked back then? I don't know.

As for Barack Obama. I agree with him on most to all positions. He is a thoughtful and deep candidate who gives me a great confidence in the future of this nation. Whenever I watch him speak I see the wisdom that has been lacking in the office for the last eight years (and maybe even the 8-15 years before that). I can see a bright future with Obama leading the way. It may not come to fruition, it might just be a pipe dream, but for now its a glimmer of hope that has really bolstered my confidence in whats to come.

Finally when it comes right down to it... I can see Barack Obama as President of the United States in a way that I just can't with John McCain. In fact every time I see John McCain smile now my skin crawls. There's something reptilian about him lately that's just very off-putting. It may just be me... Barack on the other hand seems to exude confidence and competence. Maybe I'm just a visual person....

Obama- I respect the fact that he hired people who did a great job putting their finger on the pulse of some Americans enough to rise in the Democrat party. I would love to see him take this passion that he portrays, and try and use it within the senate to do some good hard work that is needed. That means going against your own party for the good of the country, not just Democrats. I would like to see him champion causes, continue to use his marketing folks to expose the senate and congress and return the house and senate back to the people.
Also, a few years working in a secondary spotlight may also be the time needed to demonstrate whether or not Obama really is like Wright or Ayers. Cooling off time would be good for him and if he could help reform the senate, he could practically walk into the white house in 4-8 years with the support of the common man because the hacks would probably despise him. But, that is what leaders do.


McCain- Since he is in essence in the twilight of politics, I'd like to see him in the White House and stand up for America. I'd love to see him call out Pelosi and even his own republican senators and congressmen. This is the opportunity to really stir the pot and McCain has a track record of doing that.