Need some more thoughts thanks

[crazycanuck]

Umm I'd like to ask some folks in the US about the current results from the recent caucus' etc. I'd like anyone who can give me a better insight on what the current feeling from the normal folks in the US is, that would be great.

It would be cool if folks both in the East, West, South & North threw me their thoughts.

I'm not going to post my questions here as this isn't the place.

Thanks

[kelownagirl]

Don't you wish the rest of us in the world could vote in that election?

[crazycanuck]

Umm part of me says Yes, especially now. On the other hand, we need to somehow trust the Americans to swear in a person that will improve the country's image.

Off soapbox..Do i need to hide under my desk?

[Velobambina]

I think there's a lot of optimism, knowing change is coming. Voting turnouts for the primaries say it all.

I have had my favorite for about a year and I'm glad to see he's now the front runner for his party!!!

[OakLeaf]

Don't you wish the rest of us in the world could vote in that election?

As an American, I wish the rest of the world could've had a say in who the candidates are. And monitor the polling process. Don't be fooled... and don't get me started. :mad:

[bmccasland]

Some of the interest, or the lack thereof, in the primaries - as in how many people show up to vote has to do with party affiliation. I live in a state with closed primaries, and since I'm registered "independant", I can't vote.

But I'll be there in November. I've voted ever since I was 18. My rule is, if you don't vote, you can't complain. Voting is the chance to make your voice known. Now I admit, I have voted for the "lesser of evils" quite often. I don't really remember being enthused about any presidential candidate.

[Blueberry]

Hey CC - PM me with your questions, and I'll try to answer them:)

My state has a really late primary, so chances are the national races will all be decided before we get a say so - but maybe not this year.

CA

[tulip]

I voted in my primary this week. I was somewhat undecided until a few days before the primary. The person I voted for won the primary by alot. It's nice to have this air of optimism around. I hope it lasts.

[mimitabby]

CC,
in the state of Washington, it was awesome. Voting caucuses (where people come together by precincts (neighborhoods) and talk about candidates and vote face to face) were PACKED, there were LINES into some of them because the facilities rented were too small. Example, my precinct 4 years ago consisted of me and some lady.
This year we had 43 people show up, including 8 of my neighbors (that i know by name) and their 3 kids. It was awesome. People are turning out in droves mostly for Obama (in Seattle)
There is hope in the eyes of the youth that I have not seen since I was in my teens.

[roadie gal]

California also had a very large turnout. It's great to see people fired up about this election. 4 years ago it seemed there was no interest at all.

You can PM me with your questions and I'll try to answer. I'm not the most politically involved person, but I have opinions :D, and I've voted religiously in every election since I was 18.

[Pax]

California also had a very large turnout. It's great to see people fired up about this election. 4 years ago it seemed there was no interest at all.
Same here in Illinois


You can PM me with your questions and I'll try to answer. I'm not the most politically involved person, but I have opinions :D, and I've voted religiously in every election since I was 18.
Again, same here. CC feel free to PM with questions.

[OakLeaf]

You can PM me if you want some far more cynical opinions from someone who's about to not vote for the very first time since I became eligible 30 years ago.

Well that's not entirely accurate, I am going to vote for the school levy. If more people did that, maybe I wouldn't have to be making that other decision.

[Crankin]

You can PM me.

[VeloVT]

my predictions :D

McCain takes the Repub nomination. He's already got it wrapped up.

Obama wins the popular vote in the dem primary. I am crossing my fingers that superdelegates do not overturn this if it happens. If they do they will alienate a whole bunch of people who vote dem because of one or two issues but don't have strong party ID. And this would be BAD (in my opinion, hope that's not saying too much here). Personally I am not a huge fan of the institution of superdelegates, I think it's really undemocratic.

If Obama-McCain, I predict an Obama win.

If Clintion-McCain, a likely McCain win. Not that I'm in love with Hillary, but I think a lot of the negative sentiment towards her stems from vague, irrational, unexamined "feelings" people developed while Bill was in the WH. The press was brutal to her when she was first lady (her makeup and hair were mocked, one minute she was too feminist and the next too "little woman-y", etc), and the republicans in Congress did a great job convincing the American people, who by and large don't have a very clear understanding of how Congress actually works (and how the party in power controls committees and procedure & thus the entire legislative agenda), that Hillary was meddling in a way that bordered on illegal. I think it's a sad fact of American life that most people don't think about the news in more than a peripheral way, and so that spinning was fairly effective, in the same way that negative campaigning is often effective. I think she's gotten a bit of an unfair shake. (BTW I'm sure everyone here DOES read & think about the news so please don't take offense at that comment. I think the fact that turnout in national elections is so low (even when it is **relatively** high) shows how tuned-out much of America is to politics).

Anyhoo...

personally, I have never been undecided this long. I would love to be able to vote for a dream candidate, but practically speaking in this election I want a democrat, and I will vote for the democrat who appears to be most likely to win the general election. (I really liked Chris Dodd. Too bad nobody knew he was running for president).

And don't get me started on that... because I really have issues with the primary system in general and also the way the press tends to distort the process. We get this artificial "momentum" that affects voters in a non-rational way. And the current primary calendar gives some states far too much influence. Why should Iowa be so much more important, over and above population size differences, than Vermont, for instance? I think we should have a national primary day the same way we have a national general election day. I hope that doesn't make me sound too much like a crackpot :).

[mimitabby]

Liza, well said, I agree with you on all points.

[divingbiker]

In my hometown in Nebraska, they held a Democratic caucus for the first time. Nebraska always votes overwhelmingly Republican. But in this very small county, 150 people showed up at the caucus, some of whom were lifelong Republicans who had switched parties because they were so excited about Obama this year.

Something special's going on here.

[Skierchickie]

Well, I have no party affiliation, and I refuse to declare a party. However, I was seriously depressed for about 2 weeks after the last election, if that tells you anything. I'm kind of to the point where I feel like my vote just does not count. My parents are fairly conservative, and generally sway toward the Republican side, and even they were absolutely shocked when you-know-who won again (or, as I remember it, was allowed to steal it again). Of course, they were so sure he couldn't win, Dad basically threw his vote away on someone who could not possibly win, even if he had very good ideas, and Mom didn't vote for President.

Living in Michigan, I decided not to vote in the primary this time, for the following reasons:
1) I hadn't made up my mind (would anyone just address the issues, and stop talking in circles?)
2) I refuse to declare a party, and this time they were making you declare in order to vote, and then sending names to the national committees :mad:
3) I would have been voting for a Democrat this time, and because the state decided they wanted more influence than anybody else and moved the primary earlier, the DNC is punishing the state party by not seating their delegates. All because the powers that be are basically greedy. There. Robbed of my vote. Now they claim they are "negotiating" to seat the delegates, so I feel doubly robbed (yes, it was my own decision, but they can't impose these sanctions one day and just erase it all the next).

Anyway, rest assured that this midwesterner will definitely be voting anti-war (no offense to military families - it certainly isn't the fault of the troops, just the people making the decisions. I want them all to be safe.), anti-stomp-around-the-world-throwing-our-weight-around. Pro-environment. Etc. I've been very unhappy for 8 years. I don't know if any of them will actually do a good job, or if they'll ever stop bickering and actually work, but at least we have a chance now. Not sure any of it will help in Iraq now, though. We have to try.

[shootingstar]

Let's turn the table on you, crazycanuck:

What's Aussie politics like in past few years? My partner said that Aussieland and Kiwiland (NZ) relationship is....something like CAnada and U.S. ..a slightly wary neighbourly relationship. That was his observation when bike-touring for 5 months in Kiwiland a few years ago.

I guess Aussieland never has to contend with the underlying English-French bilingual issue...for any national Prime Minister that is elected in Canada. But then you were from Edmonton, Alberta and I don't sense Western Canada having same awareness as Ontario and of course, Quebec. My opinion now living here in Vancouver for past 5 years.

[tc1]

I think the next president will be McCain. The best Dem, Edwards, didn't make it. Hillary is my second choice, Obama below her and Edwards. Here in Seattle there is a cultlike devotion to Obama that I see but don't get.

I'm afraid the Dems will as usual devour themselves, leaving the Repubs laughing and picking up the votes. Remember, we got stuck with GW in 2004 because Ralph Nader ran and got all the far left types that would have voted Dem.

Obama and McCain both appeal to the fencejumpers/undecided types, that is people will cross party lines to vote for them. And I think the Clinton elections and the GW Bush elections were decided by the fence jumpers.

As for improving the US image abroad, well, yeah. Any warm body in that office other than GW would improve the US image.

My politics? Only fair to disclose in this type of post. I consider myself a law and order lefty. Example: I was glad we had the Union march against NAFTA, but cheered the TV news footage showing a guy running downhill charging a cop and getting kicked in the you know what for his troubles.

[crazycanuck]

Question to the Canuck ladies-Does the following of so many to Obama remind you of Trudeaumania in the 60's?

I'll pm the question in a bit..i'm lazy today..

[kelownagirl]

I'm too young to remember... :)

[Running Mommy]

At least this year I wasn't voting for the lessor of two evils.
Here in AZ I had to declare a party in order to vote, so I did. But I'll go back to Indy as soon as the election is over.
It's an exciting year for me. Personally I'm glad to see McCain is taking the republican lead because IMO (and this is only MY opinion so don't blast me) that about assures that a dem will be in the white house come next Jan.
I used to like Mc Cain, in fact I voted for him in the primary the last time he ran. I liked how he told it like it was, and he stood up for his principles. But it seems like he has changed. He's too firmly entrenched in Bush's camp now. I would never vote for him. Plus I'm concerned with his age, and the old white croney-ness. We've had enough old white men in office! Time for a change.

I might be blasted because I like Hilary, but I do. But the more I listen to Obama the more I see a person who would really bring change- or so I would hope. I just have a bad feeling that if Hil made it to office she would face a brick wall and not be able to affect the change that we need. But either way(dem wise), I would be happy. the last few elections I dreaded them because I couldn't get behind either candidate.
I just pray that whoever get's into office is able to turn this country around. We need to kick out the special intrests and ear marks, and do what is RIGHT for this country. We also need to take care of our own before we go overseas! I'm all for helping other nations, but there is way too much that needs to be tended to in our our yard!
To think of all the money that has gone into that war that could have been spent for good at home... Well it just plain makes me want to PUKE!:mad:

[bmccasland]

Vote for whom??? That is the question.

As a former Arizonan, I like McCain (voted for him when I lived in AZ), but his more recent leanings bother me too. At least as a former soldier he truely understands the COST of war, not only financial but the toll it takes on the soldiers and their families. But his age is an issue - that White House really ages its residents. At least he talks honestly.

Hilary or Obama - don't honestly know. Both are devious politicians (aren't they all?). Obama stuck some language in a construction authorization bill (WRDA 2007) that doesn't logistically make sense. We have to consider using dirt from Illinois rivers to restore the coast of Louisiana. Now we dredge enough down here to use up the annual budget we're allowed. Never mind that movement of dirt is highly regulated. How exactly does Obama expect the dirt to get here, and who's going to pay for the transportation? Anyway I'm grumbling about something that doesn't affect the rest of y'all. grumble grumble.

I suppose my point is, that the Golden Lad puts crap into legislation that doesn't make sense, just like the rest of them.

What I'd like to hear from the various candidates is how exactly do they expect to pay for their agenda? It's lovely to talk grand, but robbing Peter to pay Paul doens't work, nor does printing more money. Washington can't get away with deficite spending.

Can we please have a LEADER??

And on another note, I won't miss one iota GW's lack of oratory skills.

Full disclosure statement: registered independant, which meant I couldn't vote in the primaries. Have democratic leanings, but have voted republican. And if I had a one issue litmus test, it would be whether or not the candidate wanted to recall Roe vs Wade. I don't want it recalled. Had an interesting discussion with my 70 yr old aunt over this - she remembers gals rendered sterile from infections or dieing from "back alley" abortions. She doesn't approve of abortion, but she'd rather know someone could get one from a licensed doctor/clinic.

[Running Mommy]

BMC.... I think we might be twins!!! You and I think alike!
And yeah, ear marks, bills that don't make sense, all that stuff....

[shootingstar]

To give context to Canuck's comment on Obama comparison to , the former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau....Trudeau was highly respected, no matter whether or not Canadians agreed with som eof his political decisions.

this was reflected..even long after he stepped down from PM position, there was still public interest and desire to know him for what he was doing with his life. When he died, the outpouring was respect was enormous and went on for days. I doubt very much other existing former national PM, when they die will receive the volume and breadth of recognition of that Trudeau received and ongoing coverage in history texts.

Here: http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-74-73/people/trudeaumania/

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0008141

Canuck, no. 1 Trudeau was single when he assumed Office in 1968. No wonder why the women went crazy.

Trudeau came from a wealthy French-Canadian family. Of all our Canadian Prime Ministers in past 4 decades, the greatest respect for him in my opinion his strongest points:

a) his incredible intelligence. Sometimes hard, cold and analytical (turned off his wife who later divorced him But she was abit of a flighty person). Our current PM is just a patsy bimbo. You need a PM like that to handle serious matters of Canada's constitution and Charter of Rights.

b) his international statesman diplomacy on the world stage and a), which won the respect of other world leaders.

c) his athleticism was amazing. Geez, the guy was doing backflip jumps on trampoline in his 50's! ANd backflip diving in his 60's and up. Loved canoeing...so Canadian that image..into his 70's.

Oh yea, remember Trudeau wasn't afraid to be good friends with Fidel Castro. He didn't care what others thought. (Not much different than former prez. Jimmy Carter good friends with Castro)
It was Canada that opened up diplomatic relations of mainland China to Western nations...after a 30 yr. freeze out from mainland China. It was not Nixon. Trudeau made the lst formal overture to China. In his youth, Trudeau was hiking around in mainland China shortly after university ....could you even imagine Bush doing that on his own????? Bush would be too paranoid and stuck on his ranch.


I really think Obama is quite different in what he represents vs. Trudeau. Trudeau was so obviously gifted in oratory in English and French. He did anger alot of Quebecers, but he was seriously committed to federalism and united Canada. His most long-lasting political legacy is the repatriation of Canada's constitution and introduction of Charter of Rights.

I wish our next PM will have the stature of Trudeau...

[OakLeaf]

You might be interested in this (http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080216/UPDATES01/80216017/1002/) from one of my local papers.

[Eden]

What the heck - I'll out myself. My first choice would have been Kucinich, even though I knew he didn't have any chance, but he dropped out before he even made it to our state.

I grew up in a primary state. I figured I'd just go and vote at the primary here - then too late I learned that the dems are not going to use any of the primary results so it doesn't even matter. Really, I'm registered as an independent, but we can still pick a primary and vote in one, just as long as we don't vote in the other. hmmmm maybe I still have time to go mess with the Republicans...;)

[mimitabby]

You might be interested in this (http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080216/UPDATES01/80216017/1002/) from one of my local papers.

interesting article Oakleaf;

Gals what a wonderful CIVIL conversation! I am SO impressed!!!!

[crazycanuck]

Just wanna say thanks to those who responded to my PM's. I will get back to you with my reply(ies) when i have a bit more time.

Thanks

[bmccasland]

interesting article Oakleaf;

Gals what a wonderful CIVIL conversation! I am SO impressed!!!!

Yeah, we can talk politely about politics, but which BICYCLE is best, now them's fighting words! :cool:

[uforgot]

All I know right now is that I absolutely do not want more of the same. (McCain) I'm tired of seeing my nephew and son going to the Middle East. I don't even know why they are over there...does anyone? Our county which usually is overwhelmingly Republican also turned out to vote Democrat. Lots of conservatives feel like they have been duped, I guess. I wonder how history will write the Bush administration?

[OakLeaf]

What the heck - I'll out myself. My first choice would have been Kucinich

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I actually worked for his campaign in '04. The point being not that he had a hope of getting nominated, but because the convention sets the party platforms as well. We were trying to get a few delegates elected so that human rights would have a tiny voice at the convention.

Six (I think) anti-war delegates out of however many thousand it was. Then the party leadership threw all of them off the convention floor. That was the end of my last bit of tolerance for the major parties. Not allowing Dennis to debate this year was just bitter icing on the cake.