Here's some fact checkin':

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...ry/fact-check/

You are correct in that at least part of my hesitation to vote for McCain comes from the fact the he's of the same party as Bush.

He uses the term maverick a lot in order to distance himself from Bush, but I haven't heard anything from him that gives me a warm fuzzy that he really is substantively different.

I have three huge issues with the current administration.
1) We have focused military attention on Iraq, which should never have been done. If we hadn't been distracted by Iraq, I bet we'd have Osama by now.
2) Attempts to grow the influence of the administrative branch of the government. See Palin's verbiage from the VP debate on the importance of the VP role.
3) The de facto reduction in the rights of citizens. I don't want the government to have the right to spy on me without severe limitations in place.

I haven't heard anything from the Rs to make me believe that these things would change under McCain. In fact I was surprised that Palin was so bold in her discussion of enlarging the role of the VP.

So I started out leaning Dem.

Then came the olympics where the Obama ads talked about building a hopeful future and the McCain ads talked about how bad Obama is. This had a very negative influence on me against McCain. I may be naive, but I believe in how these things should be done. And mud-slinging pisses me off.

Not long after that was the Obama_as_celebrity ad -- more fuel on the fire.

This caused me to take a closer look at Obama. I like the fact that he's got a poly-sci degree. I like the fact that he is promoting a positive position as opposed to fear.

I like that he intends to get us out of Iraq as soon as possible.

I like the fact that he's for greater oversight of the finance sector. I don't believe that large corporations act in the best interest of the public and that some independent oversight is needed.

I think that too many breaks have been given to the wealthy and the large corporations and I like that Obama is at least talking a good game in this area.

I'm concerned about both party's plans for health care, so I think that's a wash.

I don't think McCain is the debbil, but I think we need more of a change than his cards are showing.

I don't think Obama is a saint, but I see him as the lesser of two evils.

Holy shit, this is tw length. But you did ask.

Ahem, dar...good post but your freudian slip is showing.

It's a long post. Give me a hint.

Osama, not Obama

Thank you.

Fixed.

lol - ya gotta admit that was pretty funny.

Put the two side by side and list all their accomplishments, stances, associations and so on...

Sigh...ok:

Better? ;)

No not at all - I am trying to determine why to vote FOR one candidate vs the other - As in their positive attributes - experience, accomplishments and so on.

I'm very specifically NOT interested in that.

You missed the thing about negative ads. That was a big deal for me.

No dar I got that - and it registered - Its just not what I'm looking for here - I want their abilities, what they've done, just the positives about them. I'm gonna do a negative thing separately - that'll probably be a much longer list.

I am looking down my nose and pointing my finger at you!!!That's the best!!:D

Attachment 19760

Good post dar!

merc - did you REALLY need to quote the WHOLE thing over again.. to say, good post?

NY Times token righty columnist David Brooks is quoted at Huffington Post, the first time that site has had something thoughtful to add to the debate (usually it specializes in empty snark):

You have to read the tiny print at the bottom of the ad... Past results are not a guarantee of future performance, Your mileage may vary, Performed by a professional driver on a closed course, If an erection lasts more than 4 hours, call your doctor, etc.

Look for attitude, goals, honesty.

Yeh thats true xob, but there are no guarantees with this product and you usually don't know whether they did a good or bad job until they are gone. That 5-10 year lag. Look at Carter - He got elected on the whole "Change mantra" and that didn't work out so well.
I'm just gonna flip a coin and get this done - I originally wanted to mail in my absentee ballot this weekend.

I wanna be looking down yer blouse. :lol2:

lol! I don't think you know why that's so funny.....but uh...Better luck next time.

Suckeer!!!

I can only hope. Lean over a bit more will ya. :D

There are fewer than forty days until the election, an election that will decide the next President of the United States. The person elected will be the president of all Americans, so it's time that we come together, Democrats and Republicans alike.


To show our solidarity as Americans, let's all get together and show each other our support for the candidate of our choice.



If you support the policies and character of Senator Obama, please drive with your headlights on during the day.



If you support John McCain, please drive with your headlights off at night.

Thank you for your participation!