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?

[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.

[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.

[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!!!

[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!

[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.