OT: The Next President

Hi Pters!

I am not American, but we are all watching your elections with utter fascination. I am fascinated to know what you think about Obama vs Clinton and who your think will ultimately be your next president.

Thanks

Thu. May 8, 10:45pm

You luckily aren't seeing the mud slinging. I am a democrat, so I am happy that I am being represented by either by a woman or an African American man. More so, I plan on voting for either one, because I whole-heartedly want America out of the war, and the republican candidate (who is ancient) is plannning on staying in indefinately.

Thursday, May 8, 2008, 10:55 PM

I was actually rooting for Hillary until she came up with that stupid gas tax break... it revealed that she would not stick to fiscal responsibility if she could get a political gimmick out of it. I think Obama will get the democratic nomination and then the real fun will begin. I will be very interested to see if white America can support a black candidate... I have my doubts. McCain will destroy our economy even more than bush has.. I think if the Iraqis are forced to stand up for themselves, they will be ready... I hope so. We need to stop this.

I heard that some big shot is predicting $7/gal gasoline. We can't fight a war at those prices..

Friday, May 9, 2008, 12:17 AM

As a Democrat,

I am ashamed of my party and what a mess it has made of these primary elections. I think Howard Dean and the head honchos of the party really screwed this up, and we're clearly in four yet ANOTHER 4 years of Republican party rule.

I will be switching to Independent, and deciding in November who I will be voting for, whether the candidate be McCain, an Independent Clinton or a surprise Bloomberg. I cannot bring myself to vote for the sham of a man that is Barack Obama.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 4:51 AM

McCain interests me because he is hated by the extreme right wing in the us. Which means he is doing something right. Obama interests me because he is a man of obvious intelligence. But I wonder what is core beliefs are. I'm not bothered that he is close to some people who are crazy (aren't we all?), but he expressed a real indifference to their behavior. And some of that stuff is really insulting to most of the country. It just took him so long to say "those people are just crazy."

I'm sad Hillary is done. She is the smartest of the bunch. I'm leaning to McCain, but could be convinced to vote for Obama if I got a better sense of who he is.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 7:38 AM

I think that the media has far too much influence in telling people who to vote for. For most of the primary season, they gave Obama a free ride. They loooooove Obama. Whereas, they give a more balanced picture of McCain and Clinton, and the fact is that all three have a few warts.

I am ecstatic that our candidates this year have been diverse, also including Bill Richardson of NM, an Hispanic. Up until this point I have been despairing that the 2-party system would ever give us real CHOICES.

And I think it is great that it has really been a race between candidates for the democratic nomination. People are excited about voting! And even the last states to vote really count! North Carolina was pretty much disenfranchised in the last last presidential election, for instance -- it did not even hold a primary! This year it was a major state. This is a HUGE boost for our system.

Personally, of the candidates remaining I think Hillary is the best. But I will definitely vote for Obama if he wins the nomination. Or let me put it this way -- I will vote against McCain. I am a scientist, and McCain has shown himself to be anti-science in many cases. I am pro-choice, and McCain is rabidly against a woman's right to choose -- and in fact, I think he is misogynist in many respects. I think he will keep us in Iraq for longer than we need to be there. And I think he is too old to lead a demographically young nation.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:10 AM

I am a conservative republican. I will be voting for McCain. I am confident in his attitude regarding the war. He is in my eyes is the only one who's being honest . It is true, unfortunatly we will be in Iraq for the next one hundred years. If you look at our history we have troops always left behind "completing the job" for instance in Germany, the Gulf war and basically every other part of the world we have faught with. I do not agree with this but I actually respect the honesty about the statements McCain has made. The truth is, it does not matter, whom ever the next President is will be credited for getting us "out" of the war. It is just the timing game and will fall into whom ever's lap has the job next.
I truly feel that Obama is just bad news. I feel that there is no trust there. And yes I agree w/ show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are. I can not stand that he refuses to wear ann American flag on his lapel. I find it so difficult to see how he can use Bill Aires' home to host a party and get his campaing running ...he is a known associate of terriosts. I am a NY and have seen up close and personal how terrorism has effected my life and family. I do not want someone leading our country that I can not even stomach b/c he's not patriotic enough in my eyes. Also still can not find anything he truly has done. I would not trust and or hire a "new" contractor to build or pratice on how to build my home. Let alone In our country I am certain that this is not the time to give a"new comer" a chance to "change" our country by hiring a guy. who has no experience. I can not think about"hiring him and letting his first job be rebuilding our country. At least Clinton has experience . Now do not get me wrong I feel as though she is not exactly trustworthy either, but I would have to say that just her pride in the country would make her a more worthy canidate. And her experience.
Overall our country needs help and with the war I would turn to the one who has been on the front lines. McCain has been on the front lines and also stands up for what he believes, in the sense that we conservatives are not completly happy with him, b/c he's not conservative enough. But for me he's honest enough. I do like HIS idea of the gas holiday..at least it helps me now and today, I realize it is not a permanent solution but I can use the extra $63 dollars in my pocket (not $28) that Barak figures it to be..ya see we are struggling here and now and will take any tax break we can get.
Bottom line we need to pray for our country and for evryone voting to truly vote and think not to be fooled or influenced by the tainted media...we all need to think for ourselves and truly invstigate, watch the canidates and get a sense of who they truly are not what party t hey are from but who would represnt and honor us by the job they will do for the best interest of our country....for me that is McCain,

Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:35 AM

We Are Screwed Either Way !!

How about a candidate that,
1 - Will pull out of Iraq, so no more $ or lives are lost
2 - Take said $ saved and develop a universal health care plan similar to other countries.
3 - Introduce 1 year Maternity leave (paid) so that $ does not need to be put into pre-school education
4 - Focus on the pathetic economy that GWB has completly neglected because of his ego and the middle east.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:54 AM

I'm a Hillary supporter but will back Obama when he gets the nomination. I have always thought there was something phony about him, can't put my finger on it.I think he's an excellent orator, but there doesn't seem to be a plan attached to his words. I don't like the fact that he is for merit pay for teachers....just a bad idea. McCain will simply continue the course we're currently on and I can't stomach that. To say that we've remained in countries like Germany post-war is not a fair comparison to the Republican plan in Iraq. We're not in Germany today because we fear another Nazi outbreak. We're there simply because there are jobs that can't (won't) be taken away. If McCain is elected, we will stay in active combat in Iraq for the foreseeable future, and I don't think most Americans want that.

Not trying to start a fight here, but I can't fathom why anyone would vote for McCain at this point. We're in an unwinnable war, our economy is a mess, and our current government has turned a deaf ear to the environment. Why would you consider anyone who promotes the status quo? And so what if Obama doesn't wear a flag pin? I don't wear one, does that make me unpatriotic? Why is that the standard of a candidate's patriotism? And to say he's essentially a terrorist is the same as calling McCain a warmonger. I'm from NY as well, and I also have seen what terrorism does first hand, so why would I vote for a party that ignored the warning signs of that terrible day?

I

Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:59 AM

If only hilary didn't screw up. Mccain will undoubtedly be our next preisdent. Which isn't the worst outcome.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:03 AM

I agree with 7:38 AM

But need to further add that Obama is rather dismissive when he either cannot answer the questions or when he just plain doesn't like the question (maybe those two are the same thing). Because of Obama's dismissiveness, I somehow doubt that we will know much more about Obama before November 2008. Obama just can't seem to stop dancing *around* the questions and the issues.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:03 AM

9:03 - I am a Hillary supporter and

I TOTALLY agree with you. I still support her and will still contribute to her campaign, but I do feel that she did misstep once or twice and that she could have handled certain things a little more strategically.

No, she is not perfect, but I do believe Sen. Clinton is the most intelligent and pragmatic of the bunch. And if it's between Obama and McCain, I will have to go with McCain because of what someone said above - the Rep. conservatives hate him so much that he must be doing something right!

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:07 AM

Anyone who is a Clinton supporter for real reasons (not because she is a woman or white, but because of her positions) would never vote for McCain. That's just crazy talk.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:13 AM

McCain honest...pshaw! 8:35...this is for you!

McCain is a crook, like most Republicans. He has no idea what is really going on in America because he is living high and mighty off his wife's fortune. You call McCain honest when there are major questions concerning his campaign contributions (past and present), his relationship with lobbyists (and I am not talking about the supposed affair mentioned in The New York Times), I could go on....

I am so sick of Presidents who are out of touch with the reality of life in the US. That goes for Hillary as well. I support Obama because he knows what it's like to work your way up through education and hard work, he knows what it's like to be a minority in the US, he has PROVEN that he can bring together both Republicans and Democrats to get things done. Sadly, as much as I support Obama, I am not sure he can win the general election. Why? Because the US is still so racially divided that those "rural workers" in PA and IN that voted for Hillary will never let an African American be President. And there are a lot of Republicans that feel the same way (you guys just hide behind big bank accounts and religious credos). I dread Obama becoming President because I know that we will mourn him once some gun-toting, right-wing conservatist decides to end his life. Why the heck do you think he ALREADY needs Secret Service protection?

WTF...Obama is unpatriotic because he refuses to wear a damn pin? The man wants to unite America and bring us back to being the great nation we once were. He wants to focus on this country, i.e. education, the economy, health care...issues that Republicans rarely care about because they are too busy snipping off cigars in the good ole boys club...

I've already said it, if another Republican is elected President I am taking advantage of my dual citizenship and permanently relocating to the EU. I'm glad I have that option. Because if the US does not get it's act together soon, we will no longer be the greatest nation on this planet...

Oh, BTW: I'm a Christian, a woman, bi-racial (but you Republicans would call me African-American because you are narrow-minded), and well-educated.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:21 AM

With a blanket statement like "you Republicans would call me African-American because you are narrow-minded" completely negates your claim of being well-educated and anything but narrow-minded yourself. Have fun in the EU, where you will eventually come back with a greater appreciation of what this country has to offer, despite its flaws. I did.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:44 AM

I think this election is going to be a lot better tone. McCain and Obama are both very strong, but different, candidates. We can all argue about this issue or that, but that fact is that a Chief Executive needs to make tough decisions. Both appear very thoughtful. Obama wants to appeal to a broad spectrum of Americans, and McCain already does it- and yes I agree that it is great Rush Limbaugh hates him. Means we have a couple pretty good choices and I am very happy about that.

In terms of Obama vs Clinton, she is just so full of it. I love that Obama refused to pander on the gas tax holiday issue. I do think he is sort of uncomfortable thinking of himself as an American though. I think like a lot of liberals, they think of themselves as "citzens of the world". Not that that is a bad thing, but does not play in Peoria.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 9:55 AM

That's my point 9:44

9:21 here...I've lived in the EU and in the US for extended periods of time throughout my adult life. Long enough to see the pros and cons of both. I do not like where I see America is headed if we continue pandering to the wealthy, waging wars based on faulty evidence, ignoring our problems at home, and putting our money back in the US instead of spreading it around.

My comment does not undermine my intelligence or education. It's based on my experiences with Americans in the US and abroad. I think that as Americans we think so highly of ourselves and this country that we fail to look around and see that we are slipping in education, research into and use of alternative energy sources, medical care for our people, the list goes on. I am proud to be an American, but I am also wary of what that pride can do. As a whole our society has lost touch with what is really important and have decided to chase the lure of money and power instead of focusing on family, our people, and taking care of those less fortunate. This is a general statement and I recognize there is a counter-culture movement .... and I hope that it gains steam.

I hope we one day get to a point where I no longer have to fill out my race on a form, have to think twice about whether or not I can afford to send my children to college, wonder if I will be able to retire one day because the generations before me ran up a deficit so bad that has our country in a credit squeeze and I will have to pay for it until I leave this world, etc.

And to 9:55...with globalization we have to think of ourselves as citizens of the world. If not, we will fail. I don't care if Peoria likes it or not...

Friday, May 9, 2008, 10:33 AM

I am socially very liberal but also know that we can not just "pull out" 100% of our troops without helping to rebuild Iraq (how do you think we got here in the first place...Afghanistan).

I am just not happy with any of our choices. McCain will most likely win because most US voters are southern white christains. I will do my part and vote for whomever the Democrats decide but I have no hope. Anyone happen to notice that McCain has admitted several times that he is terrible at economics. Right when we are teetering on recession...great.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 11:24 AM

Let's go back to letting King George rule us

well non-American OP what do you think so far?

I for one am an independant and I think all of the options totally rot. What we need is a serious Libertarian candidate whose main focus is reducing the size of government instead of legalizing pot. I loathe Hilary, distrust Obama's extremley left politics and just think the Republicans have let the government grow too large.

In the end I will vote McCain as the best of evils, since I think he will at least be anti abortion, pro marriage, anti Robin Hood healthcare and hopefully not hold a gun to my head and take more of my money to throw at some bureaucrat who will attempt to "help" the "less fortunate" (prison enforced bureaucratic charity sucks!)

but since the American voters are the same people that let Sanjaya (or whatever his name is) that far on American Idol, I think we should go back to letting only landowners vote (people with the leisure time to be educated and study politics and not talk & vote out of their a*$)

Whatever... all empires fall, at least the Brit's backed off from world dominance (unlike most historically annihilated former superpowers) and are still around and vibrant, not a smoking ashheap like babylon, persia, etc...
Monarchy anyone? ...let God pick, we obviously suck at it.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 11:52 AM

All Hail, Queen Oprah!

Friday, May 9, 2008, 11:58 AM

At the top of this thread at the moment is a campaign ad "John McCain for President". Too funny.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 12:02 PM

I'll vote for anyone who promotes equality and self rule. That means pro choice, pro gay marriage. McCain is neither, so he's out.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 12:53 PM

11:52, the Brits only backed off nicely because of the lesson we taught them about how colonies should and shouldn't be treated. They were smart enough to learn from that little incident. [Off-topic sidebar, don't you wish the Brits still had Burma under their wing right now...]

And back on-topic, politics is a dirty business and no one gets to the point of candidacy without a few skeletons in the closet. I'd be happy with either Clinton or McCain at the helm, but Obama...his vagueness is cloaked by his considerable oratory skills, and his supporters are starting to sound a bit cultish. That makes me nervous.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 12:54 PM

the cult of Obama is definitely weirding me out. we are electing an executive, not a cult leader. But he is a super smart guy, and my guess is that he has studied this stuff and knows how to appeal to the emotional side of people, what buttons to push. I hope that his Carter-esque tendencies are simply a cynical attempt to get the nomination. And then he moves left. But if he really is a far leftist, we will be left with a combination of Jimmy Carter and David Koresh.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 4:25 PM

If Obama gets in it will cause a racial uproar, and not from the non african american community. Race will become a topic brought to the forefront for no other reason than we have an african american president.
McCain will continue to deplete the country of funds which should be used to stimulate the economy by keeping a focus on the war and sweeping america under the rug.
Hillary is done (at least she would have had Bill in her pocket).

It is just a very sad state of affairs, and I can understand why a pp will head off to the EU.

This country is in BIG trouble and it is everyone's mightier than thou attitude that will continue to drive it further into the ground.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 5:15 PM

I'm a Democrat, and I'm freaking out!!!
After struggling witht he black/white girl/boy decision, I finally went to bat for Hillary. The reason: she has more of a shot of beating a Good o'l Boy. That's the reason.

I'm worried because people feel really strongly about their candidates of choice. I've heard a lot of DEMS say that they'd vote for a 'Liberal Republican' before voting for Hillary/Obama. I personally will vote along party lines..... I don't want another 8 years of BS!

Friday, May 9, 2008, 5:51 PM

well, I think it is a little tough to know who will win OP

On the one hand people seem tired of Republicans...

but on the other hand Obama is the liberalest liberal in Liberalville, so who know which will be stronger??

PP you chose between two presidents based on winability vs. what they stood for? hmmmm

Friday, May 9, 2008, 6:08 PM

PP here: No. I loved them both, the only deciding factor I could come up with (for ME) was winnability.

Friday, May 9, 2008, 7:13 PM

Oh my gawd 11:52! What did you write? Did I read that correctly? YIKES

Saturday, May 10, 2008, 6:34 PM

PP here: And who is Sanjaya? Maybe you need to watch less American Idol and read up on political issues!

Saturday, May 10, 2008, 6:36 PM

6:36
Yeah, I was joking with that subject title and monarchy comment, but still I think our democracy is pretty broken when more people vote for a TV show than vote for the president, but more scary is the fact that those SAME people are voting for the president.
Oh and to answer your 2nd question I don't have a TV, but I heard that some completely no talent person almost wom the American ultra talent show the "everyone" votes on. Stupid Americans...

glad I raised your eyebrows ;)

-11:52

Sunday, May 11, 2008, 10:26 PM

6:36 here!

LOL!

Monday, May 12, 2008, 10:01 AM

so is Hilly done?

Monday, May 12, 2008, 10:50 AM

What's the difference? The republican candidate isn't really a republican anyway. They are all socialists. YOUR hard earned money will someday be supporting the lazy bum who lives on welfare.
Obama is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is dangerous and if elected will surely bring down this country to the point that it will never be recoverable again.
Hillary can't make up her mind who she is - a red communist in one light, now painted as a moderate, with deep running socialist ties.
McCain - the only one of them to actually hold a real job outside of politics - but still has plans to destroy the country. Unfortunately I think he is the lesser of the evils.

If anyone is interested - here are the goals of communism as written in 1963.
http://www.uhuh.com/nwo/communism/comgoals.htm
Pretty soon, we won't be any better than Cuba, North Korea, or China.

Thank you liberals. You have killed our proud country in the name of communism, liberalism, and political correctness.

Monday, May 12, 2008, 2:08 PM

back off 2:08....

you are obviously one of those people that sees the glass as half empty. Obama a wolf in sheep's clothing? one question for you: what are YOU doing to ensure that America is a better place?

Monday, May 12, 2008, 3:04 PM

strong rheoric 2:08, but still true, all of the candidates are very socialist.
America's unique individualist spirit and free market strength will be undermined still further no matter who we choose, since we are going to be more like Sweden no matter which one we get...still, McCain is less radical.

Monday, May 12, 2008, 3:12 PM

Easy 3:04. I was a proud member of the US Military. Thanks to people like me, you have the right to elect a socialist candidate and enjoy free speech.

Monday, May 12, 2008, 4:21 PM

The US Democratic Party would be considered Right Wing with a capital R in Europe!

Monday, May 12, 2008, 4:25 PM

4:25 - but the taxation level in the USA has grown exponentailly in the last 100 years in keeping with a TREND toward a more socialist national character.

"1932, the Federal government collected only $1.9 billion"
"Receipts for fiscal year 2007 were $2,407 billion"

http://www.treasury.gov/education/fact-sheets/taxes/ustax.shtml

Monday, May 12, 2008, 4:44 PM

4:25 - you want to be compared to Europe?

No thanks. Europe is so socialist it makes me sick. But, Europe has also going through many different rules and have been constantly making war with each other. Possessions are not as important to them because another country or ruler can come in and nationalize everything. The US has been in an isolationist position for so long (meaning we haven't been invaded) that becoming socialist really rubs a lot of people wrong - especially when they have worked so hard to get what they have. I sure dont' want to pay more taxes so people on welfare can goto the doctors. I work, I pay for my benefits and my lifestyle. I shouldn't have to support people who do not work or come into our country illegally.

Monday, May 12, 2008, 5:47 PM

interesting thread from several years ago....curious where we head from here....

Monday, June 11, 2012, 11:47 PM

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