In this posting I’m inviting people to comment on the presidential candidates in terms of who would be best for the well-being of marriage and family. I know that this is a consideration of a single issue, “family,” of which marriage is the nucleus, and that’s because marriage is the central issue of this blog. I realize that in some cases two or more candidates may be equally good for family and in such cases other factors would need to be considered. I also realize that people may see other issues as more significant than family, e.g. the war(s), the economy, etc. But rather than discuss the merits of that view let’s stay within the parameters of this blog’s focus.
I hope to learn in this process because for me it is too early to make a decision, though I do lean in a certain direction, as you might guess from the headline and the photo. Nevertheless, the question mark needs to be noted.
In politics I see myself as a pragmatist and often do not vote for who I think is objectively best but who is the best with a realistic chance to win. And I could boycott the election altogether if I do not see that there is a significant difference between the candidates. A message is sent when there is a low turnout that undermines a candidate who capitulated or compromised too much on key issues for the sake of being president. They are in office four years and it might be best to send a message for them to consider so that a particular party is clear on the fact that people will stay away if their views are not being represented. The losing party might consider how that percentage that stayed away might have impacted the outcome and the next time consider more carefully that significant part of the electorate. There will be a next time.
When it comes to politics I am quite the cynic. I know the hypocrisy and deception strategies that politicians will indulge in to hoodwink the public into voting for them. I know that it happens on both sides and it is often very difficult to know what a politician will really do when he/she is in office. We have to be very astute, examine both sides of their mouths and forget about reading their lips. We must also realize that there are forces, powers in this nation and the world that are much greater than the president and that they often make the decisions that the president acts out. These multinational corporations, dovetailed with the military industrial complex, are very powerful entities and to a considerable extent any president must dance to their tune.
Nevertheless, there are often important differences between candidates by which, if we are informed, we might make an intelligent choice. At this point I am leaning towards John McCain. I also like Huckabee and Romney and favor any of the three over any of the democrats, and I’m a liberal Democrat. So, if all candidates had the same position on the defense of marriage and family I would vote for Obama.

I lean towards John McCain because he is the candidate with the best chance of defeating either Clinton or Obama, both of whom have a very weak stance in the defense of marriage and would do nothing to put in the US Supreme Court judges that would seriously support marriage and family. Both would work to undermine the US DOMA and neither would do anything to endorse a US Constitution marriage amendment. Both are also pro-abortion. McCain's web page states:
“The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation.” (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/...028d71df58.htm)
I understand that Romney and Huckabee have similar views but it is my view that McCain has a better chance of defeating any of the weak-on-marriage-defense Democrats.
Do share your views and promote the candidate whom you think would best serve marriage and family. I am capable of changing my mind.


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