Need some more thoughts thanks

[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
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!

[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.c...=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 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 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!