Obama vs. McCain: It's a close race

Obama's message resonates with me. I've always been a big fan of Joe Biden. I appreciate the fact that McCain was a POW during an unpopular war, but I don't know that it adds anything to his ability to run a country. His "hothead" reputation disturbs me a bit.

Problem with this election is there is so much misinformation out there that one doesn't know what to believe. What is true and what is not? With some digging you can find the truth, but the problem with so many Americans is that they don't care enough to put some effort in it to find the truth.

Those who believe that Obama can actually bring about the change that he promises is delusional. The president is not responsible for high gas prices. Further more, there is little a president can do to lower gas prices short of a socialistic take over of the industry. In fact, Obama's windfall profit tax will only add to the problem by increasing prices further. Obama's campaign is one full of empty slogans and catch phrases. All theatr, no substance.

Those who believe that Obama can actually bring about the change that he promises is delusional. The president is not responsible for high gas prices. Further more, there is little a president can do to lower gas prices short of a socialistic take over of the industry. In fact, Obama's windfall profit tax will only add to the problem by increasing prices further. Obama's campaign is one full of empty slogans and catch phrases. All theatr, no substance.

Vote Nader!!!!!!!!

I follow the news and learn all I can about the candidates. It's not hard to do if you turn on the news every day or read anything on the internet.

Sure, Obama doesn't have a lot of experience. But where has experience in politics gotten us in the past? He has fresh ideas and new views of the world. Everyone in other countries is following this election as much or more than we Americans are because they want change here and see that Obama is going to bring it and bring better relations with the rest of the world. I think if he is elected, terrorism will not be as rampant because he doesn't come off as a bull headed arrogant leader as Bush does, and that will improve our image to the rest of the world. We are about to get into another cold war with Russia with our "great cowboy administration" we have now!

But if you want to stay the same course in Iraq and possibly Iran, by god, vote for the good old boy McCain. It's sad that all the GOP could come up with is an old geezer that got beaten by Bush eight years ago!

In the great words of South Park, "Uh, hoo. Guys, I think we'd better stay out of this one."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krazy_Kripples

Vote for a man that's not sure how many homes he has???? Almost all men I know has that in his head!!! That should tell us all something.Maybe he would like to share those homes with some of the people struggling to keep the only one they have. Obama is the only answer to this country turning around.

there are so many facets to a candidate, I feel it's foolish to vote for or against someone based on one view.

Obama.

I would have never thought that I would agree with GCP on anything. Well I was wrong. Well said GCP.

There are plenty of reasons why I will definitely NOT be voting for Barack Obama, but the #1 reason is his extremely liberal stance on abortion. Not only does he support partial birth abortion as GCP mentioned above, but he also voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA) three times.

BAIPA is an act that requires doctors to try and save a baby that survives an abortion. Now, we're talking about a BABY people! Not a blob of cells, but a living, breathing baby that has been fully born and wants nothing more than to live! The woman's health and life is no longer an issue after the baby has left her body, correct? So why would Barack fight this? Because in Barackland, a woman who pays for an abortion is entitled to a dead baby, that's why!

Folks, this is infanticide pure and simple. Even Hillary Clinton did not oppose this act.

Barack Obama is a father. He has seen and held little newborn babies. He knows they're alive and as much human beings as you and I. For him to support such evil shows me that there's a serious flaw in this man's character and his very soul.

Here is a link where you can hear it straight from the horse's mouth.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypDwNpgIUQc

Obama is untested and a bunch of hopeful verbage. McCain is time-tested and a bunch of experienced verbage. Doesn't matter who's elected; Congress is still there.

We cannot afford another Presdient like Bush and that is what McCain will be.

I would really like to see some people talking about the other options we have for our nations president. Can anyone agree with me that the other candidates should, at least, be able to debate with the two majority parties? Ralph Nader has some meaningful things to say that, if nothing else, would possibly "rub-off" on one of the two candidates. He also does not have the corporate ties that the other two have. There are other candidates. We do not have to settle for either Obama or McCain. I won't vote for either. Because I don't trust either one of them.

Are we in war-time with terrorism running amok? If so, we need a war-time president.

P.S.: SmithA13, consider voting for Bob Barr the Libertarian, if he qualified for the Hoosier ballot. Barr isn't totally wacko like Gravel, but he's definitely Libertarian.

I watched all 3 days of the Democratic National Convention. I still cannot believe some people are going to vote for Mccain. I have lived in different part of the world, and in the US for the past 12 years. What a shame. Obama is the ONLY way out of this mess. He is THE one to elect.

Oh boy......we've got the spelling police on here now. Nobody likes a spelling cop Worthy.

Can you spell T-O-O-L?

Spelling and grammar are important. Too bad it's lost on so many bloggers. Mostly, proofreading corrects it.

John McCain clearly wanted Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman, but he was afraid to buck his party's choice ideologues. So then they looked at Romney, but having a baker's dozen homes wasn't looking so hot. So he figured that with Pawlenty, he might make a play for Minnesota, but that got shot down over the last week as it become increasingly obvious that Biden would wipe the floor with him in their debate.

Throw in Obama's ground-shifting speech last night, and it was clear that McCain had to throw a hail mary to just remain in the game, much less be competitive.

So we get Sarah Palin, who has a fairly compelling personal story and is an attractive woman, but has scant political experience, zero name recognition outside of political junky circles, faces an ethical investigation by her own legislature, and will now be forced to run a grueling national campaign despite having an infant child at home.

Those are the marks of desperation, and really, given his precarious electoral position, John McCain had no choice.

So what? Many people had never heard of Barack Obama until the DNC decided to market him as the second coming. A heartbeat away? Heck, Obama is running to be the actual president!

As a woman, I like this lady alot. She seems REAL.....worlds away from the robotic Clinton and the snooty Obama.

Rice as a VP? Are you folks out of your minds or just somerclueless? She would not have garnished 10% of the black vote and would have tied John McCain even closer to Bush. Palin will bring conservatives more firmly into McCain's camp, but they were not going to vote for Obama anyway. I keep asking myself, who is going to vote for McCain now who was truly on the fence before this pick? Also, can someone please explain to me what is shady about Obama's past that you can't find out by reading one of his two books and how exactly is he "snooty"? I understand that people have reservations about him, but the reality is that he may very well be our next president and people should start learning a little bit about him and stop relying on mass forwards instead of the library or voting records. Anyway, I think both Obama and McCain are great Americans and I hope that whoever wins will move us far away from the politics of the last eight years.

My concern is that the next few months are going to turn into a public debate over a few social issues, like abortion, that may turn the public's attention away from equally important but much broader problems like the economy, the war, and health care. Most Republicans would even admit that they can't run on their presidential record. Although I would not say that I am a stauch supporter of either party, I do get tired of the Republican party blaming the Democratic party for abortion rights given by the Supreme Court. The conservatives (Republicans) control the Supreme Court now. Why don't they just change it?

As a side note, to President Bush's credit as a politican, he was willing and able to blast the Democratic party in 2000 as immoral (Gore/Clinton connection) and 2004 as unpatriotic (Swift Boat). Neither Gore or Kerry fought back with much effort. I don't think that you will see Obama take those punches without counterpunching.

Someone wrote, "Ronald Reagan ran our national debt up to 3.5 TRILLION. Bill Clinton got it to near zero, George Bush now has it at 9 TRILLION."

I think not. See http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo4.htm

Our National Debt has not been anywhere near zero since the 1830s.

I cant believe all the crap that I read in here. McCain or Obama ? Wow what a choice. Which one will do away with the IRS and taxes? Give back $1.50 a gallon gas. Thats who I will vote for!

GCP,

Regardless of either party's platform, the courts do determine the legality of any issue, social or otherwise, that is of consequence in our country. You are making my point...challenge the law and see if it holds up.

I am sure that you would run on President Bush's record...As a side note, you are helping me decide who to vote for in the election. Thanks.

Interesting discussion. I'll give my two cents.

Experience? Overrated! Grab a history book most of our strongest and most beloved Presidents have far loss experience than Obama. Republicans should know that. Look at Lincoln and Teddy Rooselvelt.

Abortion? Tough one. I am not a fan of either side. I like the Republicans moral stand, yet they don't prepare for the fact that education must be a key component.

Suprem Court? Does a President really know what a justice will do after becoming part of the Supreme Court...not always...Look at Reagan's choices.

Safety/War/Terrorism- Believe it or not there are Democrats who would defend this country admirably...Of course that wouldn't necessarily be in Iraq. By the way, How is it Iraq is making money, while we foot the bill...Politicians kill me.

Spending- Both parties spend out the wazoo. Recently Republicans have put the Democrats to shame.

Taxes- Doubtful middle class people will be touched. I do like the idea of getting rid of the tax loopholes for American businesses that ship their jobs elsewhere. As for tax increases for the rich.. get out a calculator and figure what kind of money a 1% increase in taxes for people making $1,000,000.

Socialism? Ridiculous! Look it up in a dictionary and buy a few history books. Our country is great because we have taken many ideas and molded it into the American way.

Actually, I have looked it up and read extensively on history and government.

Socialism in our schools? Yep, I teach my kids that everyday with a little Communism thrown in for good measure. Are we having a McCarthy moment?

Social workers are in schools because too many parents aren't cutting it. I would love to walk into a classroom where kids had already been taught basic manners and morals.

Should schools have to educate students on morals, self-esteem, personal hygiene, manners, personal responsibility, and countless other no-academic things. No, but too many parents don't...so we get stuck doing it.

Socialism is great catch word, but it is ridiculous in this discussion. We all have moments when socialism makes sense...that doesn't mean our country is or will ever be a Socialist country. A 100% capitalist society isn't all that pretty either. Unless you're Darwin. A balance of many ideas is what has made this country great.

How much political expeience has Obama picked uo as the junior Senator from Illinois by spending the last year anda a half campaigning for President? It appears the most of his voting record during his term of office is "present" and nothing of any substance. My main hope is that people will seek out facts about the candidates ( not just the liberal bias put out by CNN ) and vote for quality. There is nothing that is more pathetic than the person that says " I'm voting for a certain party because that's what my grandfather and father voted for". This isn't the 1930's.

What we have in this election is the choice between Bush3 and Carter2. Obama keeps saying the word, "Change", but never tells us what he will change and how. In 1976 Americans voted for change for the sake of change and we got Jimmy Carter. Ironically, one of Obama's most influential aides is Zbigniew Brezinski. McCain is no better. Staying the course is not much of an option either, as McCain suggests. Either way both of these men are going to keep America in the red for decades. It is unfortunate that corporation-owned press went out of its way to ignore, smear, marginalize and villify the ONLY man with the answers - RON PAUL.

Sarah Palin with two(2) years as governor has twice as much experience as Obama who has zero experience running anything. More governors have been elected than Senators - Bush2, Clinton, Reagan, Carter, FDR...

Finally - keep in mind that voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.

I agree with you GCP,she knocked that ball out of the park.

Senator Palin should be complimented on the delivery of her speech. I was disappointed that she was so negative.....Talk about the issues is what most Americans want.

No talk of alternative fuels, the economy, Afghanistan or Pakistan, tax cuts for the middle class....maybe we will get some details tonight.

I don't blame the GOP for trying to make this a "personality" election....No matter what the polls say nationally, they are behind in several of the key states. Good politics....but I don't know if that message will ring true for the next 60 days.

As a side note, if you are a supporter in the Republican base, you were thrilled with that effort. I am just not sure if she can reach outside the base to pull in moderate Republicans, independent, or conservative Democrats.

I also wish that the delegates at the Republican convention would reflect more of the American population...Minorities notice when they pan the room that they can hardly find any minority representation.

LOL!!!! Buck, give me a break!!!!! If ANYONE has tried to make this a "personality" election, it's the Democrats! The ONLY thing Obama has got going for him is this supposed "charisma" they've been shoving down everyone's throats. The problem is that they've totally overexposed this guy and I think America is getting burned out on him.

Sarah Palin, on the other hand, is like a burst of fresh air and I think America is SO READY for someone like her!

And you think SHE was negative???? The DNC campaign has got the negative market cornered my friend!! I think that's why people are getting sick of them. They're tired of constantly hearing what's WRONG with America. This elitist, stuck up, condescending attitude of the Obama camp and the kiss butt media is what's going to be the downfall for this guy. As a proud Hoosier, mid westerner, stay at home mom, I can tell you this much: I am NOT going to vote for ANYONE who talks down to me and my family and neighbors. Sarah was so right on when she said that we need someone who won't compliment us to our faces, and then snootily insult us behind our backs.

One last thing, you said the RNC needs more minorities....I totally agree. The sad thing is, the Democrats have most of them in a choke hold, just like they try to do with women. They try to hold the Roe V Wade thing over our heads to scare us into staying in their party. They said when Bush first got elected, the first thing he'd do would be to overturn it. Well, guess what. Eight years later, abortion is still legal.

These Hillary PUMA's have really opened my eyes about the total hypocrisy of the Democratic party.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble on....lol! :)

And what I mean about the PUMA's is that they are leaving the Democratic party in droves because of the total hypocrisy and sexism of that party.

For instance, Harry Reid came out and said Sarah Palin was "shrill"......hmmmmmmmm. Would he have said that about a man??? I don't think so!

The Obama people said the same thing about Hillary....calling her "shrill".

That's pure sexism.

Buck,I listened carefully to her speach, and she DID mention the need for alternative fuels made in America by American workers(also an economy reference). And she DID mention that the parents of children with special needs "..will have a friend and an advocate in the whitehouse.." if she were elected. And she DID mention John McCain was best qualified to lead our troops(there's your Afghanistan & Pakistan reference since we are there at this very moment). So you have not accurately assessed her speach, Buck.

And if anyone thinks Sarah Palin was just "personality", then obviously they're trying to "spin" her. Hopefully folks will look at her record,pay attention and make up their own minds about who has fluff and who has substance.

Thank the moon and stars our forefathers had the good sense to create the electorial college.

*electoral

That is why you are the base of the Republican party....Even your candidate, Mr. McCain, has had to move far more right of HIS own personal values to try to get elected.

If you read my post, you'll notice that I don't have to knock your candidate to make mine look better. Most people, including Mr.McCain, know that you can't run on the Republican record:

-War in Iraq, Falling home prices, Fuel costs, Hurricane Katrina, Failure to capture bin Laden or find weapons of mass destruction, etc...The Republicans controlled the White House, and your candidate is talking change....the party that brought our country to this point.

The Republican party does not have the market cornered on patriotism, Christianity, or morals.

But they did have one thing, their shot at the presidency.

The American public has known VP candidate Palin for all of one week, and you are ready to make her, not Mr. McCain, the next president.

The next 60 days are really going to be fun!

Sarah Palin is just the icing on the cake.

I'm glad McCain is going to be our next president. I believe he's a strong, sincere man with substance. And, most importantly, he LOVES this country more than anything else in his life.

You can tell that just by watching him speak.

Obama just seems to be in love with himself.

By the way, I'm not a registered Democrat or a registered Republican. I'd vote for an honest Democrat before I'd vote for a crooked Republican.

An observation:

At the RNC convention, the crowd chanted "USA, USA, USA"

At the DNC convention, the crowd chanted "Obama, Obama, Obama"

I thought that was interesting and very telling.

GCP,

"Clearly, the war in Iraq is a success".

Step away from the edge.

PinkMarie,

You saying you aren't a supporter of the Republican party is like saying water isn't wet.

Sidenote...Actually, John McCain would have been a splendid president 12 years ago when the Rep. chose Dole, or 8 years ago when they chose Bush.

Why didn't they choose McCain then? Because John McCain is not standing on the very right of the the political spectrum. Now, you have a fight on your hands!

Both McCain and Palin did a great job after Obama's outstanding speech. I was less impressed with Palin. That speech was written long before Palin was picked. Too much same old same old, but it did make her look strong in the face of the recent drama. It served its purpose. McCain did very well. He sounded genuine and although I disagreed with him on many issues...I found myself believing he was a sincere man...which is tough in politics. I still think McCain was the better choice in the last couple elections. I'm not conceding the race to McCain...but it looks to be a big fight with Michigan, Ohio, and Florida at the forefront again come electoral vote time. I could see a replay of 2000 with one candidate winning the popular vote, yet losing the election.

PinkMarie, Mudslinging is a political must...Democrats don't have a monopoly on that. Does anybody remember the scare tactics Republicans use. Both sides historically are dirty. I hope both sides stick to the issues. I think McCain and Obama will...too bad neither party will.

What a crowd chants at what is basically a pep rally have that is so telling? This idea that Democrats are not good Americans garbage is ridiculous and uneducated.

Did anybody notice the Republican man with the sign that didn't spell Maverick correctly...What does that mean...probably nothing(well, maybe that he isn't a good speller).

Don't put words in my mouth.....I never said Democrats are not good Americans. I actually come from a long line of Democrats FYI. You'd have to be blind not to see that the Democratic party is being hijacked by leftists who are hell bent on implementing their socialist "ideals" right here in the U.S. Before she passed away, my grandma (who was a big time Democrat) even said as much.

Bring back the old Democrats! If Jack Kennedy were alive today, I'd have no doubt he'd be viewed as a right winger.

Buck, yes, right now I am supporting the Republicans. But I don't "belong" to either party.

I am an American first and foremost.

Something is up when in 2004 Zell Miller, a democrat senator, opened the convention for the republicans. And now, in 2008 we have senator Joe Lieberman, the 2000 democrat vice president nominee, and 2004 democrat presidential contender, siding up with McCain, a republican.

What does this all mean?

If you don't want people to run with your implied statements.. be more clear. What does it mean if a group of supporters chant their candidates name? Feel free to let everyone in on the big deal. Is it as big of a deal if Republicans chant McCain's name.

I love hearing people talk about the old Democrats...do you know what that means...are their stands so different than now.

The Dems never chanted "USA". Not once.

Why do liberal Dems absolutely recoil at the thought of being patriotic? Let me be clear, I'm not saying all Dems are like that. There are lots of good, hard working Dems who love our country. But there are alot of liberal Dems who seem to despise our country and everything it stands for.

Obama's wife herself said "for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country".

As for the old Dems, Kennedy once said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Nowdays, it's "This country owes everybody everything and feel free to bash her anytime".

Senator Zell Miller and Senator Joe Lieberman are old time democrats.

"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then."

--Thomas Jefferson

McCain can't even speak!!!! I watched both conventions, I did not see anyone protesting at the Demo. convention, however, I did see people escorted out of the Rep. convention.

How can any woman let an old man decide what to do with her body?

Tell, me in the past presidents, who had experience before taking office?? Bush had the first 4 yrs. and he still didn't learn what he did wrong!!

I think some of the people not voting for Obama is because of his race.

We can't afford another Bush, Obama is the answer!

I am stunned at the support for Obama on here. Think, people, think. Beware of the false prophet. Socialism is a failed policy. Vote McCain and Palin !!!

Sorry, I lost my first comments. I will try again.

I am appreciative of all the discussion & comment.

I, as many of you others, am afraid of Obama's many different faces. All I hear from him is:

CHANGE!CHANGE!CHANGE! & WE CANNOT STAND 4 MORE YEARS OF THE SAME THING!!!!!This man has no other record to play.

He has no knowledge so he just says the same thing, over & over.

I have read all the comments & I am really concerned that everyone wants to bash Bush. Sure we all want to find someone to put the blame on when things are not going well but, remember Bush was just in office for 9 months when 9/11 hit our country with one of the worst disasters our country had ever seen on our own soil. HE STEPPED UP!!!

THen Katrina hit New Orleans, it was not Bush who let the school buses sit while people were dying, those buses could have evacuated more of the people, but the Mayor & Governor did not use them. Those people who stayed made choices to do so.

We all make choices. I do not believe that anyone

can watch Obama & believe in their heart that he attended one church for 20 yrs. & did not know how that pastor felt about the USA. His horrorific

sermon that damned America made me ill. I don't remember ever hearing anyone in our country ever saying such a thing!!!

This will be the most important election of our time!! Remember, the Democrats control the Congress. If Obama is elected they will control the USA!!!! NO checks or balances!!!Our ancestors

worked hard to make the government work by checks & balances. Congress & Senate control us, not the

President. Nancy Pelosi adjourned the last session

without an up or down vote that was called for on the gas crisis. Poor choices made by her affected us all alike. Keep the discussion going it means you care!!!!just wish mre people did!!!!

This election is the most interesting in my life time. I am definately not a Obama supporter. This guy is peddling a warm and fuzzy message, but I am not buying it. I think this guy can become pretty dangerous. There's too much in his closet that most people are not seeing or are too "brainwashed" to question. His list "friends" in low places alone is enough to stop and make me think. The story of his mother raising him on Food stamps to get by and his humble, impoverished upbringing is a bunch of bull! He is and always has been privilaged. Read up on it! I would love to believe in change, but I really don't think any of us would actually like the change this guy would bring.

I am not Pro McCain or Pro War, but I am 100% Pro America! As long as I have a child serving in the US military and a heartbeat, I will not waste my vote on this guy.

Here's an interesting link from a Michigan News website: http://www.michnews.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/450/20349

As far as an old man making decisions about my body...won't happen, we still have the supreme court, the president does not make those decisions...The supreme court may change the law someday, that issue has been on the table more than once.

Oops, quick correction, it's not a michigan website, it's MICH website, sorry for any confusion.

GCP,

We all know (or should) that the president has more than two constitutional powers/responsibilities (making treaties, nomination of justices, etc). The president is also ultimately responsible for carrying out the laws created by Congress. For those short on constitutional knowledge, Congress makes it, and Pres. Bush enforces it. The executive branch, departments and agencies,(examples: Department of Education and FEMA) are ultimately his or her responsibility. The president's job has also been expanded by loose interpretation of the Constitution. To say that the president only has two jobs is incorrect.

Congress and the Constitution together define the president's position by the laws they pass.

That being said, "protection" can be defined in many ways....military protection, financial protection, protection from adverse conditions (say hurricanes), protection of the less fortunate, etc....These are not my definitions. It is fact that the executive branch has the job of protecting us at many levels, not just with the military.

Maybe that should not be the case, but it is a reality.

Did I just see a Republican say a woman's right to abortion is not the president's call, yet that is exactly what Republicans would love for you to believe.

I have no doubt McCain is a patriotic man that loves his country. How could I not vote for someone like him. Simple, I don't agree with him on way too many issues.

I'm sick and tired of this patriotic and unpatriotic garbage. Is there only your way to show patriotism? Do you have to make sure the camera catches it to be deemed a patriot. It isn't all flags and pledges. It is the strength to fight for what you believe in regardless of outside factors. To fix the problems in this country...not ignore them.

Just because Democrats see problems with the fabric of our nation...doesn't mean they are unpatriotic...I suppose Republicans complaints during Clinton's presidency was patriotic. Both sides complain when the other is running the show. It doesn't make anyone unpatriotic.

Socialism? Here we go again! Educate yourself with something other than Rush Limbaugh and Bill Reilly. Socialism is actually more of what the USSR had in place(yes, we called them communist..but that wasn't what they had in place).

It looks like both communists and socialists are endorsing Obama.

Here is a direct quote from some of his supporters. This was from his official website:

"This group is for self-proclaimed Marxists/Communists/Socialists for the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency. By no means is he a true Marxist, but under Karl Marx's writings we are to support the party with the best interests of the mobilization of the proletariat."

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/MarxistsSocialistsCommunistsforOb...

I guess McCain must be the choice for racists since the KKK must support him...which is as ridiculous as the Marxism stuff.

Out of curiousity...have you ever read bits and pieces of Marx's work. By no means am I in love with his ideas, but no country has ever actually put his ideas in effect...they have just used his general ideas. Sort of a Utopia deal. USSR sort of copied the part about centralized government. They missed the equality part of the philosophy.

I guess everyone forgets that worker's unions got their start due to socialist ideas.

We are talking about the difference between philosophers(Marx, Engel, etc...) and socialism/communism in the former USSR and beyond. They aren't the same beast.

Using some ideas from a philosopher doesn't make you a socialist or a communist. It is typical scare tactics used by people who...

A. Want to scare people away from a certain candidate.

B. Just like spreading half truths because it involves to much work to look it up or read a book.

The KKK is NOT endorsing McCain, but I guess that would have "involved too much work to look up" in your own words.

A utopia may sound good in theory, but will never work because of the human factor. People are inherently greedy and corrupt, so the utopia side fails and you're left with a socialist dictatorship.

GCC, I don't believe that I claimed to be a Republican in my post; I clearly stated that I was not Pro McCain; however, I do agree more with the Republican platform over the Democrats this time around. I vote for the best person for the job, not based on party. I have never voted a straight ticket in any election. I take my civic duty very seriously.

I don't believe that one man, the president has the ultimate final say in the lawmaking process. A bill has to go through Congress, the Legislature, and/or the house before it makes it to the president, then he can pass or veto. The others can then veto the president. If a bad law does get passed we can then challenge the Supreme Court. We have a pretty good system of checks and balances in place and it's not been too bad so far. The abortion issue, specifically, is one that most people don't want to touch, because most are so divided and there is no happy medium.

I think that people should not look so much at each individual stand on an issue as much as they should look at the character of the person. John McCain has proven his loyalty to this country and served many years in public office. Obama is not being straight up and I don't whole heartedly believe that he loves this country. Patriotism is not garbage. I would never turn my back on our American flag or what it stands for.

I don't agree with Marx, but the point was he was a philospher..not a politician or worst a dictator. Crazy guys spouting off ideas generally have some good and lots bad. To take from something written by a philosopher doesn't make you a Socialist. Many of our greatest leaders took ideas from many places. I'm just a little tired of hearing the same ole song and dance about each party. Calling someone a Socialist is getting misused.

I realize the KKK doesn't endorse McCain. Sorry I wasn't clear. The point was candidates have all kinds of people throw their support toward their candidates. Every week McCain and Obama have crazies endorse their campaigns..followed by the enevitable press conference denouncing the endorsement. Of course Socialist are going to support Obama over McCain. That doesn't prove much.

If someone doesn't like Obama because of his views on a variety of issues...great. When people spread half truths heard around the water cooler or from an extreme radio personality(liberal or conservative) it irritates me.

I completely agree with McCain being a good American. That doesn't mean Obama isn't...it also doesn't mean that I agree with where McCain would like to lead this country. Too many similarities to Bush.

The experience thing is nice, but historically it doesn't prove much. J.Q. Adams was a long standing influential congressman that got little accomplished through his presidendy(granted lots of factors may have contributed to that)...Lincoln had very little experience, yet many regard him as one of the greatest presidents.

Be careful on questioning a man/woman's patriotism. I few speeches and a couple hours of TV doesn't qualify a person for that insight.

I have more than a little experience in being an American. I don't get all my knowledge from TV or Radio personalities, but like you, I absorb it from many places and experiences. I read books, newspapers, stories from the Internet, talk to friends and family, and I like to think I learned a few things in college. I certainly do not believe eveything that I read, see, or hear, I look it up, I investigate, I seek more information. Am I qualified yet to have an insight and an opinion?

As bad as some things are right now, with the housing market, job loss, and the ongoing war in Iraq, I can't imagine how life might be for all of us if we had not responded to the Terrorist Attacks like we did. They killed 3,000 of our citizens while they were working, sitting at their desk. What happens if we immediately pull out of Iraq and allow these terrorist to regroup? How will Obama respond to another horrific attack on US soil? If they are not fighting and focused in Iraq, will they just start hopping flights to the US? Would we rather be fighting a war in Florida or Indiana?

Our current economic situation in this country is a result of us being at war for the last 7+ years and the pre-war activities started when Clinton was in office. Our military was depleted and bases were closed, we were at our weakest ever when Bush took office. No one person has created our current situation.

The libs want to talk about deficit spending, then let's talk about it. Remember, George Bush is not running for re-election so let's stick to the two candidates in question. Over the last four years, Obama has requested $320 million in earmarks. McCain has requested ZERO, nothing, not one penny. John McCain does not believe in earmarks! Obama's plan will not significantly reduce the deficit. He will just simply cut off funding to our troops and use the money for his big government social programs so people who don't want to work can have their handouts.

Hoosier Scientist,

Impossible to stick just to these two candidates because both are an extension of their parties. The question is: If you think President Bush's presidency has been poor, is it because of his policy, decision making, or both?

As much as I respect your right to your opinion, John McCain IS the Republican party candidate. Like it or not, the deficit is your party's "baby" just like Democrats have to accept pro-choice as theirs.

A lot of holes in your theories on who is and isn't a patriotic citizen.

The Republicans will push the patriot/servant to his country spin because it is their ace in the hole. They will try to distance McCain from Bush regardless of how often they saw eye to eye. They will point to Obama's lack of experience and make him out to be a man who will take guns and god away from everyday Americans.

The Democrats will ride Obama's Washington outsider thing, while try to prove McCain is just another Bush. They will make McCain out to be another Republican war monger(sp??), and talk about the ailing economy.

That's the spin(as O'Reilly puts it)

What's the truth?

Both men love their country. Both men have very different views on where to lead it.

So much for bipartisanship! This entire blog is a perfect example of what's wrong with our country. Until we can all come together and find some common ground, this country is going to be stuck in the same old place. I can only speak for myself, and I am ready for a change!

Buck,

Typical left wing tactic, using diversion to draw attention away from Obama's corrupt abuse of the earmark system. This is a similar tactic that the Dems are using to get the media to focus on the mistake of a teenage girl instead of their candidates business dealings with a known terrorist (William Ayres.) Look, there are obviously several people on here who have their minds made up so to debate any further is pointless. Anyone can vote for who they choose. If you feel a man who has never been the leader of anything, not a city, not a state, not a company, not a military unit, and whose claim to fame is that he was a guest on Oprah, is ready for the White House then that is your choice.

HS,

Experience does not equal success in the presidency.

Abraham Lincoln had very little....George Bush has a lot. Enough said.

Read my posts consistently, and I will ask this question: Why do supporters of McCain on this website have to belittle Obama to make McCain sound better?