Could I Vote for a Republican for President?
Posted 50 weeks 3 days ago byI've voted for a Republican once -- for District Attorney. I honestly have never voted for a candidate based on party, but based on my beliefs I nearly always vote for Democrats.
The thought crossed my mind last night that if it comes down to Clinton vs. McCain, I'm going to have to think about it.
I believe integrity and a thoughtful approach to governing are possibly more important that stands on specific issues, and on those counts McCain has it all over Clinton. And while I disagree with McCain on some important issues, it's not as black and white as it would be if another Republican gets the nomination.
Of course, in such a scenario there's a good chance of a plausible third party candidate joining the fray such as Bloomberg. Then I really do have to think about it.
Thoughts
Clintion and Obama are much further left than most Americans
Submitted on January 21st, 2008 by Another skepticThe context is not Lenin or Stalin, but American history.
Look at Obama's and Clinton's voting records. The left wing groups rate them in the high 80s and low 90s while right wing groups rate their voting records in the low single digits.
And then look what they want to do--socialize medicine, take the oil companies profits, redistribute incomes, encourage wealth envy and class warfare.
If either of them gets into office, they and a Democrat congress will make such radical changes that they'll be one-termers for sure.
Important issues
Submitted on January 21st, 2008 by BobC692ANYTHING BUT BILLARY CLINTON
left-right... experience
Submitted on January 20th, 2008 by mxyzptlkIf you think Obama and Clinton are "far to the left" I think you lack perspective, and I'll grant the same criticism to my left brethren who would say that the crop of Republicans candidates are far right. All of the major politicians, if you were to draw a full political spectrum, are relatively near the center. You want far right? Try Mussolini. Want far left? You got Lenin. We need some perspective.
In response to your comment and the one before, I'd agree the person is important as well as stands on the issues, and my decision as a voter balances the two.
What I don't understand is this idea that Obama is all talk and no substance. He has detailed positions on numerous issues, available on his web site. He has significant experience as a community organizer and legislator.
Experience is relative. If Hillary Clinton, with 8 years as a legislator and a couple of decades as a political wife is so "ready on day one," then how come her husband, with more than a decade as a Governor had a terrible first year as president? My point is that generalizations are meaningless. And it always comes down to the individual.
Bill Clinton is right that voting for Obama is "rolling the dice," but I argue that is true of every candidate in this year's race.
It's the person who counts
Submitted on January 20th, 2008 by Another skepticVoters will have real choices in the coming primaries and in the general election.
The Republicans are as different from the Democrats as anyone could want, which is sad in a way.
But the Republicans are pretty close on most issues just as the Democrats are.
What is important is that the personalities are so different.
Romney clearly is the cleanest of all the candidates, closely followed by McCain and Obama. Giuliani and Clinton have major character and integrity problems.
In terms of raw talent combined with experience and intellect, again, Romney probably is strongest, closely followed by Giiuliani. If Giuliani didn't have so many character problems, he'd be the strongest candidate in the whole bunch.
Clinton's made so many bad decisions over the last three decades that it's scary to think of having her in the White House. And she's never run anything significant or complex. Obama's a clean, empty slate, and it's hard to tell whether his communications skills would make him a strong, smart and effective president. He is as far left as Clinton, and that's realy far to the left.
Thus, conservatives will find it relatively easy to vote Republican and liberals will go for the Democrats.
The only question is, how many conservatives and liberals are we talking about this year, and will the conservatives turn out or get discouraged and stay home next November?
Out of curiosity
Submitted on January 20th, 2008 by Joel... what do you believe are the important issues in this race?