I noticed a theme on this thread about "lesser of two evils" and "I don't like any of them". I am with you too this year, but I guess I am wondering, when was the last time you voted for someone you really thought stood for your beliefs and were proud to say "I voted for_______ for president?" I guess at the ripe ol age of 35 I never have yet! Is that sad or is there something wrong with me?
Presidental Election
- Thread starter NaturalBeauty
- Start date
lioness
Cathlete
The first election I voted in was in 1980 and I voted for Reagan and proudly did so, as well as the second time around. The only other time recently that I felt enthusiam for a candidate was General Wesley Clark who ran in 2004 but dropped out in February of that year. He had the attributes that I was looking for in a President. I also like Dennis Kucinick but as Kathryn stated, he would never have the chance.
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
I am SO excited about this election. I keep telling my 6-year-old what an amazing time it is. I really enjoy every election season, but this one is super exciting to me because we are voting for someone who will hopefully put the country back on the right track again and salvage our reputation with the rest of the world. I'm a very strong and opinionated democrat, so no McCain for me. I'm pulling for Obama. I want to read his book. I know that some people are skeptical of him and his "past" but I wonder if it is educated skepticism, or if they are responding to some neo-con emails that have been circulating trying to scare people out of voting for him. I think no matter whom you vote for, it's a leap of faith. I thought President Clinton was a very effective president (minus the scandal), but I just don't like the way Sen. Clinton has conducted herself throughout the campaign, and I'm not so sure she can bring the honesty and straight-forwardness that I need in our next president. I've been lied to for eight years, and I'm jaded.
PS I love this thread!!
I encourage conversation and political discourse. We're picking the next leader of the free world. It warrants it.
PS I love this thread!!
I encourage conversation and political discourse. We're picking the next leader of the free world. It warrants it.
Liann
Cathlete
Steph - I like these discussions as long as they stay civil, which this ones seems to be (phew) . As far as Obama, I agree that you shouldn't place any stock in e-mail forwards. I hate when people send me those. My reservations come from things that have been published in more reputable publications - Times, etc... and known facts about his life and relationships/acquaintances. There are a lot of questions about him and his funding etc.. that I'd like to see him address. I'd also like him to give us one good reason why he should be President. Who is he, what has he ever done? Yeah, he can make pretty speeches and people all but throw their panties at him when he opens his mouth, but that doesn't give me faith that he can lead the nation. And don't get me started on his "I'm finally proud to be an American" wife. It would just be nice to cut to the chase and find out what all these people really believe in. But in the end, they are all a bunch of rich politicians and I don't trust any of them.
. As far as Obama, I agree that you shouldn't place any stock in e-mail forwards. I hate when people send me those. My reservations come from things that have been published in more reputable publications - Times, etc... and known facts about his life and relationships/acquaintances. There are a lot of questions about him and his funding etc.. that I'd like to see him address. I'd also like him to give us one good reason why he should be President. Who is he, what has he ever done? Yeah, he can make pretty speeches and people all but throw their panties at him when he opens his mouth, but that doesn't give me faith that he can lead the nation. And don't get me started on his "I'm finally proud to be an American" wife. It would just be nice to cut to the chase and find out what all these people really believe in. But in the end, they are all a bunch of rich politicians and I don't trust any of them.
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
I agree that it's usually about picking the lesser of many evils, but for some reason, I really believe in this guy. I'm too smart to just buy into rhetoric too. I heard him speak in person and I met him, and yes, he is an amazing speaker, but I'm not that easy. And I think that many people write off his supporters as falling for his words. But his past really is one of the things that I like about him. I like that he is educated in Muslim beliefs (though he is a Christian, himself); I like that he did social work; I like that he is multi-cultural. I think it will help him be more effective and more empathetic to a broader range of people. I think it will help with his international relations skills. I like that he's simply a senator without a HUGE political resume. Maybe, just maybe, he hasn't had time to become too corrupt. I like that he has ideals. And he speaks big because he knows that if voted in, he will be held accountable. He knows what's at stake. He's got a huge mess to clean up, and I think he'll try hard to do it. I also believe he's the more liberal of the two, and the very definition of "liberalism" is a " a political philosophy based on belief in progress." Lord knows we need progress. :
materialsgirl
Cathlete
What Stephanie said!!!!
I just hope that whomever gets the nomination out of this gets the whole of the democratic vote.
This Barack/Hillary thing has gotten so out of hand, with people so passionately arguing over the most trivial things. I like reading the comments that people can leave in the papers after the articles. And there seems to be such an overwhelming response from both "camps" that if their candidate doesn't wind up being the nominee they're either a) going to vote Republican [no offense to any Repubs out there!] or b) not vote at all.
I even read several posts that said they were voting for Nader if they didn't get their candidate.
And the trivial issues that some of these people have zeroed in on have been ridiculous. For example, I read a post from some person in PA saying that she would never vote for Obama becuase "all of the Asian people support him", and that she's not "participating in the mass conspiracy".
Like....WHAT????
This Barack/Hillary thing has gotten so out of hand, with people so passionately arguing over the most trivial things. I like reading the comments that people can leave in the papers after the articles. And there seems to be such an overwhelming response from both "camps" that if their candidate doesn't wind up being the nominee they're either a) going to vote Republican [no offense to any Repubs out there!] or b) not vote at all.
I even read several posts that said they were voting for Nader if they didn't get their candidate.
And the trivial issues that some of these people have zeroed in on have been ridiculous. For example, I read a post from some person in PA saying that she would never vote for Obama becuase "all of the Asian people support him", and that she's not "participating in the mass conspiracy".
Like....WHAT????
>I'm voting for Hillary. And I know people will argue with me
>about this, but when Bill was in office, our economy was in
>the best financial state in the history of our country. Now
>look at it.
>
>I could care less who he or she sleeps with. Just run our
>country the way it should be.
Debbie,
I couldn't have said it better myself. ITA!
Marcy
>about this, but when Bill was in office, our economy was in
>the best financial state in the history of our country. Now
>look at it.
>
>I could care less who he or she sleeps with. Just run our
>country the way it should be.
Debbie,
I couldn't have said it better myself. ITA!
Marcy
materialsgirl
Cathlete
Awww, I'm sorry Liann. We're not trying to gang up on you! I just happen to agree with Steph's points, but I would vote for Hillary too, if Obama doesn't make it on the ballot. I think either of them would do a much better job leading this country that the current bozo.
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
I'd never tag team against Liann!!! (I'm afraid of being attacked by guard-guinea pigs.)
I like Obama better of the two, BUT I'll back either one in the general elections, and I'll put an obnoxious bumper sticker on my car to boot!
I like Obama better of the two, BUT I'll back either one in the general elections, and I'll put an obnoxious bumper sticker on my car to boot!
bitmover
Cathlete
I have never voted for a republican, and I may never, and I know that Clinton (Bill) did a lot of good for this country fiscally, but, and I really had to admit this, but.... he is the reason the whole mortgage crisis has happened. He is the one who deregulated the industry, allowing all the chaos to ensue. It's a big bummer, but I have lost huge respect for him. That was a really bad move for this country.
-Beth
-Beth
crazystepr
Cathlete
>What Stephanie said!!!!
DITTO! Stephanie for Prez!!!!
Allison
http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
DITTO! Stephanie for Prez!!!!
Allison
http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
LOL, Liann! NOT FOX NEWS!!!!
Ha! Allison!
Ha! Allison!
I'm all about Obama and proud to say it!!!!
I've read his book - his background is actually fascinating. He's about as much a terrorist as anyone on this website (here's hoping none of you are). The terrorist stories were started by the oh-so reputable Fox News and were rapidly and soundly denounced as false. Apparently he should have known better than to go to elementary school in Indonesia when HE WAS FIVE. The people who are still trying to spread those rumors are quite simply racists. There is no there there! I've been watching him for several years now and the thing I find most admirable is his consistency. His message hasn't changed in 10 years. Sometimes things are tweaked, but sometimes gaining knowledge about a subject can have that effect. If he gains knowledge and then adjusts his opinion accordingly, I view that as a strength. He also didn't call anyone a hick. If you actually get to hear the COMPLETE quote, coming out of his mouth (not some frothing at the mouth "reporter" on Fox), you will see what he stated wasn't out of line at all. It was actually quite accurate.
And that's where Hillary comes in. I used to be a huge supporter, but she's run her campaign rather poorly - on every level. The behavior of her husband has also been very disappointing. If she's the nominee, however,I will vote for her - I do believe she is a very strong policitian and would be good at the job. I just feel Obama would be better.
As for McCain, he's too old and too much of a war-monger. I also do not like his position of having switched to supporting/being supported by Bush, Falwell and Robertson. I don't subscribe to the hate agenda's they do, so can not back them. Additionally, their economic policies (do nothing) are crap. And he consistently makes mistakes about Irag - he doesn't seem to understand the difference between Shia and Sunni (a rather important distinction).
I encourage everyone to check your sources thoroughly, get your information from various sources, and whenever you hear something - absorb it, take a breath and think about it before judging the spin put on it by whatever the delivery system. Lastly, let's also remember - we are electing human beings - with all their flaws. I don't know of a single person who hasn't made a misstatement, stumbled over their words, or who can account for the complete backgrounds of every human they've ever come in contact with. Ask yourself - can you vouch for every friend of each of your friends? Every person who's ever come to your home? Every person you've ever worked with? Who pays you? Can you speak to the policics of the CEOs of your companies or where they donate company funds? Of course not - so why do we expect that of our politicians?
(stepping off soapbox)
I've read his book - his background is actually fascinating. He's about as much a terrorist as anyone on this website (here's hoping none of you are). The terrorist stories were started by the oh-so reputable Fox News and were rapidly and soundly denounced as false. Apparently he should have known better than to go to elementary school in Indonesia when HE WAS FIVE. The people who are still trying to spread those rumors are quite simply racists. There is no there there! I've been watching him for several years now and the thing I find most admirable is his consistency. His message hasn't changed in 10 years. Sometimes things are tweaked, but sometimes gaining knowledge about a subject can have that effect. If he gains knowledge and then adjusts his opinion accordingly, I view that as a strength. He also didn't call anyone a hick. If you actually get to hear the COMPLETE quote, coming out of his mouth (not some frothing at the mouth "reporter" on Fox), you will see what he stated wasn't out of line at all. It was actually quite accurate.
And that's where Hillary comes in. I used to be a huge supporter, but she's run her campaign rather poorly - on every level. The behavior of her husband has also been very disappointing. If she's the nominee, however,I will vote for her - I do believe she is a very strong policitian and would be good at the job. I just feel Obama would be better.
As for McCain, he's too old and too much of a war-monger. I also do not like his position of having switched to supporting/being supported by Bush, Falwell and Robertson. I don't subscribe to the hate agenda's they do, so can not back them. Additionally, their economic policies (do nothing) are crap. And he consistently makes mistakes about Irag - he doesn't seem to understand the difference between Shia and Sunni (a rather important distinction).
I encourage everyone to check your sources thoroughly, get your information from various sources, and whenever you hear something - absorb it, take a breath and think about it before judging the spin put on it by whatever the delivery system. Lastly, let's also remember - we are electing human beings - with all their flaws. I don't know of a single person who hasn't made a misstatement, stumbled over their words, or who can account for the complete backgrounds of every human they've ever come in contact with. Ask yourself - can you vouch for every friend of each of your friends? Every person who's ever come to your home? Every person you've ever worked with? Who pays you? Can you speak to the policics of the CEOs of your companies or where they donate company funds? Of course not - so why do we expect that of our politicians?
(stepping off soapbox)
Miss Lee
Cathlete
>Oh no, I'm being tag teamed by my buddies!!! J/K. I'm
>not a liberal, so I guess we were bound to disagree. I'm
>surprised how willing I am to back Hillary to be frank. Must
>be a sign that the apocalypse is upon us.
Don't worry Liann, I got your backside!
Hillary or Obama? Just shoot me! :7
J/K. I'm>not a liberal, so I guess we were bound to disagree.
I'm>surprised how willing I am to back Hillary to be frank. Must
>be a sign that the apocalypse is upon us.
Don't worry Liann, I got your backside!
Hillary or Obama? Just shoot me!
:7
Stephanie0523
Cathlete
I'm hooked on the new show on MSNBC called Road to the White House with David Gregory. I like his panelists. And, of course, I watch my boyfriend, Chris Matthews every night. ;-)
Which internet sites do you visit? I need to broaden my news scope. I'm becoming too MSNBC-centric.
Which internet sites do you visit? I need to broaden my news scope. I'm becoming too MSNBC-centric.