Convince Me! Who should I vote for??

[BlackMagicRose]

I am an American living in Europe and do not get much access to television debates. I do not get to see the canidates often enough and I am quite confused about why Obama is so popular!?? Not because I do not like him, but because I just do not know enough about him!!

So, if anyone is up to the task, write a persuasive post giving your reasons for liking a particular person at this time. I do not care if you are Republican, Independent, or Democrat. Give me your reasons for wanting to support that one person.

I may be premature in this post, but I think this can be a great thread. I am not looking for people to argue with eachother. I am just looking for some real substance.

I hope this will be informative to everyone here.

[amd1005]

I like this idea!!
I'm pretty clueless when it comes to politics and have no idea who to vote for. I really don't have a good reason, I just don't think I have the attention span to learn all about the candidates. I've tried....it just doesn't stick.:o

[AlisonCO]

Something like this might be a good start - then you can do some research on your top 2 matches (less intimidating then finding info for many candidates):

http://wnyw.4wmt.com/cmm/

[villanelle75]

Vote for anyone but Huckabee. He it a nut job who, among other things, thinks that the notion that HIV isn't spread by casual contact may just be political correctness. Cause about a zillion scientific studies, all in agreement, as well as decades of evidence proving otherwise isn't enough. This man wants to be president, yet he can't accept basic science.

This man frightens me deeply, and I am not using hyperbole when I say that. The notion that he has even a chance of becoming our president makes my blood run cold.

[cynder]

Still no edit button and I have little time so here goes...

I am for Obama. I have been following him since 2004 and read both his books. I will admit my bias in that I live with an Obama freak (DH) but I am more moderate and less political when it comes to these things. Overall I think Edwards, Clinton and Obama are running the same platform and issues. Yes, there are differences and I really suggest that you go to each of the front runner's web site to garner that information. But for me, my vote was solidified when I saw him speak in my town. I live in a small southern college town and to just see the diverseness in this town come together where there are a lot of "town-gown" issues was amazing. As for the speaker himself, yes there was the usual political campaigning talk but at the end he told a wonderful anecdote about how one person can make a difference (hence his slogan "Fire it up, Ready to Go"). For me, I feel that this is the person who can not only bring change but can bring non partisan change to Washington which is what we badly need after the last 8 years.

Ok, so I am not a good seller but here are 2 more links to get a better sense of Obama and then I will step of my soapstand:

Obama at the Jefferson/Jackson Dinner in Iowa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tydfsfSQiYc) (this is the dinner where all the dems running show up together)

Andrew Sullivan on Obama (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/obama) libertarian conservative who writes for the Atlantic

[KK812]

Vote for anyone but Huckabee. He it a nut job who, among other things, thinks that the notion that HIV isn't spread by casual contact may just be political correctness. Cause about a zillion scientific studies, all in agreement, as well as decades of evidence proving otherwise isn't enough. This man wants to be president, yet he can't accept basic science.

This man frightens me deeply, and I am not using hyperbole when I say that. The notion that he has even a chance of becoming our president makes my blood run cold.

Hah, do I know this place or what? This exactly what I knew would happen, only I didn't think it would happen so quickly. Why would you spend your time mudslinging when you have the opportunity to convince someone to vote for the candidate you support?

[KK812]

Vote for anyone but Huckabee. He it a nut job who, among other things, thinks that the notion that HIV isn't spread by casual contact may just be political correctness. Cause about a zillion scientific studies, all in agreement, as well as decades of evidence proving otherwise isn't enough. This man wants to be president, yet he can't accept basic science.

This man frightens me deeply, and I am not using hyperbole when I say that. The notion that he has even a chance of becoming our president makes my blood run cold.

Hah, do I know this place or what? This exactly what I knew would happen, only I didn't think it would happen so quickly. Why would you spend your time mudslinging when you have the opportunity to convince someone to vote for the candidate you support?

[KK812]

Gotta love this double posting. :rolleyes:

[villanelle75]

Thanks for asking and for you sincere interest, KK812. And congratulations on your knowledge of CC! You win a prize!

I spent my time doing that because I feel that strongly that Huckabee is a serious threat to this country if he is elected. There are others I disagree with, but I would cheer every one of them in to office if it meant keeping Huckabee out. Therefore, it is far more important to me to spend that post trying to get someone to not vote for Huckabee than it is trying to get them to support a specific candidate, especially since i haven't yet picked my own horse.

And since I'm guessing by your smugness that you think this is a typical case of a CC liberal bad-mouthing the Right, I'll point out that I am a old-school conservative.

[villanelle75]

By the way, you think my first post was a waste of opportunity, and yet you didn't even bother to mention candidates, issues or politics in your post. Sorry, you lose all the points you were awarded for your clairvoyances in my last post, since we now seem to be tracking wasted posts. No prize after all! So close, though, Keep trying!

[HeatherFL]

(Registered independent here.)

I will be honest, I am also worried about Huckabee. His stance on HIV, and the fact that he feels it's necessary to use the Republican debates to state he's a better Christian than other candidates. What does that have to do with being the President of our nation? I am extremely concerned with a Reublican taking office for this reason, because of my vehement stance on the belief of separation of church and state. I see this nation moving toward a theocracy and that scares the ever loving shit out of me. (ie. attempts to amend our Constitution based on biblical law)

I really liked Biden, but I know he won't get the nomination. I'm leaning toward Obama, but am not full decided.

~H.

[BlackMagicRose]

Thanks so much for the information posted so far.

I watched a bit of the debates from January 5th and I can tell you that at this point, I am leaning toward Edwards. Obama said something that concerns me. He said that if Al'Qaida was in Pakistan he would send troops in to get them (especialy if Osama was there) out whether the Pakistan government wanted us there or not. This concerns me and many foreigners, because, we have a lot of Muslims here in Austria (as well as all over Europe), and there may be Al'Qaida members. What if Osama was hiding here?? Would he come here and go after Al'Qaida without Austrian permission (Austria is a neutral country). That is pretty scary and sounds very Bush like to me.

[HeatherFL]

(sorry for typos...I hope they bring the edit button back soon ;) )

[ysolde]

Another old-school conservative checking in. Count me among those whom Huckabee scares to death. As in, I think he would be bringing in a theocracy to the US. Hello, Ayatollah Huckabee.

Here is my take on this murky election cycle:

If you want someone who is as close to an old-time conservative as still exists in today's GOP, that seems to be McCain. Is that enough for me? Doubtful.

If you want an inspirational leader, someone with the ability to bring people together, that seems to be Obama. However, he lacks foreign policy and executive experience, and he has yet to articulate a clear policy on a lot of issues.

If you want someone with a clear policy on most issues, who is closest to the traditional values of the GOP in the Dems, that would be Clinton. However, she is divisive, and comes across as condescending.

If you want someone who is extremely liberal, far to the left of even the current Dem Party, that would be Edwards.

[Chelsea524]

Something like this might be a good start - then you can do some research on your top 2 matches (less intimidating then finding info for many candidates):

http://wnyw.4wmt.com/cmm/

I think this link is a great start, once it gives you the results it also has a link to read where each one stands on different statistics. I haven't looked into the different canadits much but always assumed I liked Obama the most, from the brief things I have heard about him he was my top choice with Romney a close 2nd, now after reading all their stats I think Hillary would be my first pick, and that caught me by complete surprise. I really don't like Hillary as a person, I think that Bill tainted her for me and the fact that she stood by him through the affair and everything made me lose her respect but reading where she stands on everything we see very much eye to eye.

[diam124]

I am also a registered independent (and voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004) and I agree 100% with Ysolde's assessment.

Personally I would not vote for Huckabee for several reasons, but the HIV controversy was the first big red flag for me.

[cynder]

Biden dropped out of the race after the IA caucuses along with Dodd.

Would he come here and go after Al'Qaida without Austrian permission (Austria is a neutral country).
Great question! I know this is why people have a problem with Obama - lack of experience to know what he would do in that situation. I don't know if he would but I couldn't see him going guns a glory ala Bush esp, in an European govt. The lack of knowing how he would act is the biggest thing against him.

[DansGirl]

His stance on HIV, and the fact that he feels it's necessary to use the Republican debates to state he's a better Christian than other candidates. What does that have to do with being the President of our nation? I am extremely concerned with a Reublican taking office for this reason, because of my vehement stance on the belief of separation of church and state. I see this nation moving toward a theocracy and that scares the ever loving shit out of me. (ie. attempts to amend our Constitution based on biblical law)

I really liked Biden, but I know he won't get the nomination. I'm leaning toward Obama, but am not full decided.

~H.


Can you please tell me when he stated he's a better Christian? Or what you contrived into him saying that? Really, please inform me. I've watched every.single.televised debate - obviously I missed something pretty important.

[DansGirl]

I'll take my stab at convincing you who to vote for (rather than who not to vote for). :)

Vote for MIKE HUCKABEE!!!

His positions I like: Fair Tax; his work in Arkansas on education and infrastructure; his protections of the sanctity of life; health care, etc.

I'm at work now, so don't have to much time to post, but for more information, visit his website www.mikehuckabee.com

[ysolde]

Can you please tell me when he stated he's a better Christian? Or what you contrived into him saying that? Really, please inform me. I've watched every.single.televised debate - obviously I missed something pretty important.


He went after Romney for being a Mormon. That was just dreadful, IMHO.

ETA: Which brings me to Romney: If you want someone who has taken a lot of liberal stances in the past, and has since "changed his mind," who has good executive experience, and who has an incredible working knowledge of business and economics, Romney is your man

[HeatherFL]

Can you please tell me when he stated he's a better Christian? Or what you contrived into him saying that? Really, please inform me. I've watched every.single.televised debate - obviously I missed something pretty important.

I apologize if I stand corrected. I thought I had seen it during one of the debates.

I do know that he has called Romney out on his Mormonism (along with McCain) and questioned it. Frankly, it's inapproprioate to me for a candidate to question whether or not Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers. It's not relevant to running this nation. Then he later backtracked. Again, my sincere apologies for not having my source straight, but frankly, it doesn't matter where he said it, it scares me (and a lot of other people.)

Biden dropped out of the race after the IA caucuses along with Dodd.
I knew that. ;) Thus my post about not getting to use the edit buttons. I meant to write I knew he wouldn't get the nomination.

~H.

[BlackMagicRose]

Biden dropped out of the race after the IA caucuses along with Dodd.

Would he come here and go after Al'Qaida without Austrian permission (Austria is a neutral country).
Great question! I know this is why people have a problem with Obama - lack of experience to know what he would do in that situation. I don't know if he would but I couldn't see him going guns a glory ala Bush esp, in an European govt. The lack of knowing how he would act is the biggest thing against him.

He stated that he would not rush in without UN approval, that is true. He honestly would not get UN approval to do such a thing. So, maybe we are safe, but I can tell you that Obama needs to be careful when he says things like that, because he will not win any friends over here in Europe!! A lot of Europeans watch the elections as well because the American president always makes important decisions that effect everyone here in Europe as well.

A canidate with a good foreign policy is important to me.

[cynder]

Whoa! Ysolde, do you have editing capabilities?!?!?!?!?!?!?

A canidate with a good foreign policy is important to me.
I can appreciate that esp in your situation. I used to live in a foreign country so I am sensitive to that.

I also want to urge every to do your homework - look at websites, read newspapers, magazines, talk to people. I know none of you are relying on CC to make your decision but I am so happy to see people in our country involved in this election, esp with the turnout in IA and probably tomorrow in NH.

[Delta]

typing one-handed with the wrong hand here...

Pakistan is vastly different from any European country. For one thing, the Europeans are working with the US to capture AQ so the worry that we'd "go into" Europe to get them doesn't even make a lick of sense. You say that Austria is "neutral" but should they find AQ there you can bet they'd be captured. Austria doesn't harbor terrorists. Pakistan does. But it's touchy because we have to make nice with them whicj is why Obama's response was interesting.

I would think Obama would be the one most of the world would hope for out of all the candidates.

Damn what is my problem. I'm drinking the kool-aid.

[ysolde]

Um, yes, I have editing capabilities. ?

Delta, you HAVE been drinking the Kool Aid! I am more undecided each day, as is evidenced above, and you have climbed on the Obama bandwagon. Darn, woman!

[cynder]

Um, yes, I have editing capabilities. ?

Huh. Many us in this thread don't. In fact in the bottom left of this page for me, it says "you may not edit your posts". What the heck? Sorry, but I am horrible typer so this is pissing me off. No offense to you.

[Delta]

No, it's more like I am fascinated by him and what it would mean for America and I wonder what he could really do and if he could deliver on his promise of bipartisanship. So, yes, part of me hopes he does win because I'd be a witness to the rise of a major hisorical figure but the other part of me is truly concerned about what he could do with a Democratic Congress.

[ysolde]

The system is coming back up slowly. Give it a couple of days.

[villanelle75]

Wish I could edit! I thought no one could right now.

I have no clue who I am voting for in the primary, much less who I want to vote for in teh general.

I was just beginning to accept the HRC might be my choice and then she had her mini-meltdown and now I wonder if she's just squashed her chances entirely. Isn't getting weepy a lot like Dean's "Wahhoooooooeeeeee"?

[ysolde]

No, it's more like I am fascinated by him and what it would mean for America and I wonder what he could really do and if he could deliver on his promise of bipartisanship. So, yes, part of me hopes he does win because I'd be a witness to the rise of a major hisorical figure but the other part of me is truly concerned about what he could do with a Democratic Congress.

You and Pat Buchanan are starting to sound eerily alike. He called Obama this generation's JFK on Sunday. Pat said that where Jesse had been like Joe Kennedy, Obama is like JFK, a member of the establishment, Ivy-educated, a WASP, for all intents and purposes, and palatable to the "mainstream".

[msnicolea]

Has someone hacked into Delta's account and started posting as her? It's simply too good to be true!

[cynder]

Well on Sat during the debate, I said "Dean scream" at HRC's outburst. I know, that is not fair but the whole exchange was really disturbing to see.

[ysolde]

Has someone hacked into Delta's account and started posting as her? It's simply too good to be true!

Hehheh. ;)

[HeatherFL]

BMR I'm with the others, and I think Obama was pretty hush hush after coming out with that statement because he was called out and knew it was a bad move/not smart.

I'm also with ysolde on Romney. He is a very smart man, I feel he was well-prepard for the last debate and his faith is not a huge deterrent for me (despite my own stance on religion.) I'm keeping my eye on him too.

[Irish Elf]

Most presidential looking: Romney
(I like the greying temples)

Most likely to make a change: Obama

Most likely to irritate me because of the way he pronounces "China-r": Rudy "911" Guiliani (Now I'm all for regional dialects but to me mispronouncing it is no different than a southern saying y'all - there's a time and place and it's not presidential to mispronounce a country)

Most likely to NOT get a BJ in the WH: Hillary Rodham Clinton
(Though it would prove one and for all that women's rights are here to stay)

Most likely to make me move to Mars: Huckabee
(Not tongue in cheek - I do not like him. Heck he makes me want to Pick up the fork.)

[ysolde]

Most presidential looking: Romney
(I like the greying temples)

Most likely to make a change: Obama

Most likely to irritate me because of the way he pronounces "China-r": Rudy "911" Guiliani (Now I'm all for regional dialects but to me mispronouncing it is no different than a southern saying y'all - there's a time and place and it's not presidential to mispronounce a country)

Most likely to NOT get a BJ in the WH: Hillary Rodham Clinton
(Though it would prove one and for all that women's rights are here to stay)

Most likely to make me move to Mars: Huckabee
(Not tongue in cheek - I do not like him. Heck he makes me want to Pick up the fork.)


But would she give a BJ in the WH? And, if so, to whom? ;)

[LyLMyssChaos]

I fully intend to answer this post, but I'm going to write things up once the kids go to bed. I know that my opinion will not be favored well and I want to make sure that I say exactly what I want to say before it gets torn up. ;):p

[ysolde]

BMR I'm with the others, and I think Obama was pretty hush hush after coming out with that statement because he was called out and knew it was a bad move/not smart.

I'm also with ysolde on Romney. He is a very smart man, I feel he was well-prepard for the last debate and his faith is not a huge deterrent for me (despite my own stance on religion.) I'm keeping my eye on him too.


I don't understand why there are people in this country who would not vote for a Mormon. Or for a Jew. Or for a Catholic. Or for an atheist. WT heck does it matter?

[jimmysgirl424]

I fully intend to answer this post, but I'm going to write things up once the kids go to bed. I know that my opinion will not be favored well and I want to make sure that I say exactly what I want to say before it gets torn up. ;):p

LMC..can I hazard a guess? I'll say you are favoring Huckabee at this point. :)

I can't post any opinion because I'm still very undecided. At this point, I'd say any of the three front-runners (Democrat) are about equal in my mind till I do more research. And I better get my butt in gear because our primary is next month.

[BlackMagicRose]

typing one-handed with the wrong hand here...

Pakistan is vastly different from any European country. For one thing, the Europeans are working with the US to capture AQ so the worry that we'd "go into" Europe to get them doesn't even make a lick of sense. You say that Austria is "neutral" but should they find AQ there you can bet they'd be captured. Austria doesn't harbor terrorists. Pakistan does. But it's touchy because we have to make nice with them whicj is why Obama's response was interesting.

I would think Obama would be the one most of the world would hope for out of all the candidates.

Damn what is my problem. I'm drinking the kool-aid.

Of course Austria would capture them! Of course Pakistan is a very different country! Maybe it was a bad example. I just wanted to state what I heard some people say here. Of course, Austria does not harbor terrorsits and would aid the US in their capture. I did not mean to say they would not. Thanks for clearing that up.

I guess the thought of sending troops to another place just scares me at this point and I am very touchy when a canidate says they are willing "to go in and take them out".

[HeatherFL]

Well, that's what I hope we get to.

It's great if our Commander-in-Chief has a faith. More power to him or her. But it has nothing to do with running the nation, so yep...it shouldn't matter. It's when that faith interferes with the ability to govern our nation based on its laws, then I have a problem!

~H.

[ysolde]

I fully intend to answer this post, but I'm going to write things up once the kids go to bed. I know that my opinion will not be favored well and I want to make sure that I say exactly what I want to say before it gets torn up. ;):p

C'mon! We all know you are secretly in the Edwards camp! ;)

[BlackMagicRose]

Sorry for a second post already but I forgot to mention that I am not relying on this site as my only source of information. It is one of the only places I can go for an open honest discussion until I go home in March to visit and talk to other Americans about it. I fully intend on researching and learning as much as possible about the people running right now. I am so glad their are so many smart women here on CC that are doing the same. I just wish everyone in American would vote with their brains!

[krbb]

I guess the thought of sending troops to another place just scares me at this point and I am very touchy when a canidate says they are willing "to go in and take them out".

To me it seemed like he was saying, if he knew the exact spot UBL was in Pakistan and the Pakistani gov't would not cooperate he would go in and get him. He was only referring to UBL. At least this is how I understood it and I would hope any president would do the same thing to get UBL.

As for me I am leaning towards Obama, though my state's primary is after things are already decided. I do like Hillary, but I see Obama as fresh and new. It doesn't bother me that he doesn't have as much experience, look what Bush did with his.

[ysolde]

It doesn't bother me that he doesn't have as much experience, look what Bush did with his.

Diet Coke all over the place! Thanks! ;)

[Delta]

Has someone hacked into Delta's account and started posting as her? It's simply too good to be true!Well to be sure, I'd only in good conscience vote for Obama if Huck is the R nominee. I'd do my duty and vote R otherwise, yet would not be disappointed if Obama won. I'm a sucker for an historic and inspiring political story. ;)

[LyLMyssChaos]

LMC..can I hazard a guess? I'll say you are favoring Huckabee at this point. :)


LOL

Why what ever could have caused you to conclude that? ;)


And ysolde if I swung that way? I'd probably be an Obama gal! LOL

[ysolde]

Well to be sure, I'd only in good conscience vote for Obama if Huck is the R nominee. I'd do my duty and vote R otherwise, yet would not be disappointed if Obama won. I'm a sucker for an historic and inspiring political story. ;)

Ahh, I see. Yes, if it's Huck v. any Dem, I will vote the Dem without pause, hesitation, or regret. I can't believe I am saying this. I might even vote for, gulp, Edwards if the choice were Huck, and I really don't much like or agree with Edwards. But at least in an Edwards presidency, I would not feel like I was living under the Taliban!

[ysolde]

LOL

Why what ever could have caused you to conclude that? ;)


And ysolde if I swung that way? I'd probably be an Obama gal! LOL

Hee! In this day and age, I am starting to swing both ways! The times, they are a-changing . . .

[LyLMyssChaos]

Hee! In this day and age, I am starting to swing both ways! The times, they are a-changing . . .


Gasp! You mean that you...you are bi-partisan!!! Tell me it isn't so!? :p

I can see how folks might start to switch things around, the title of conservative isn't as clear cut as it once was, which I gather would be why we have had like 10 people running and to this day still have 5 "big hitters!" LOL

[KK812]

Thanks for asking and for you sincere interest, KK812. And congratulations on your knowledge of CC! You win a prize!

I spent my time doing that because I feel that strongly that Huckabee is a serious threat to this country if he is elected. There are others I disagree with, but I would cheer every one of them in to office if it meant keeping Huckabee out. Therefore, it is far more important to me to spend that post trying to get someone to not vote for Huckabee than it is trying to get them to support a specific candidate, especially since i haven't yet picked my own horse.

And since I'm guessing by your smugness that you think this is a typical case of a CC liberal bad-mouthing the Right, I'll point out that I am a old-school conservative.

Actually, no, I couldn't give a crap whether you're conservative or liberal. I meant the mudslinging part, which is why I addressed the, you know, mudslinging.

[BlackMagicRose]

After some research yesterday and today it seems that Edwards is my man, although, Hilary and Obama are close as well. Honestly, I would love to see Edwards as president and Obama as vice president.

Why Edwards?

In a nutshell...
-What he says about corporations rings true to me.
-He has a good healthcare plan that I read and reread along with Hilary's and Obama's.
-He wants to raise minimum wage.
-He supports stem cell research.
-His food safety program is something that I think is important and neccesary.
-His views on poverty, while a bit utopian, will help many.
-I love his "Great Promise" program to bring the best pre-school education to our children.
-He wants to increase teacher salary
-He has a great plan for people facing foreclosures and other mortgage troubles.


There is more, but that is a start. I just can't find anything that I disagree with.

[villanelle75]

Just so I can be sure, then, whenever anyone says anything bad about a candidate, whether it is true or not, and whether or not it is backed with a specific example (rather than just Roosevelt sucks! or Lincoln hates babies!), it's mudslinging then?

[bookworm]

Cynder, thanks for posting this link:

Andrew Sullivan on Obama (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/obama) libertarian conservative who writes for the Atlantic

It was a perspective I've never heard/considered, and I enjoyed reading it.

BlackMagicRose, the League of Women Voters (http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home) is a good non-partisan site to help your research.

[Esq.]

I am actually just testing to see if I can reply to a thread. I keep getting a message that says I am not authorized to view a page and that my account might have been disabled.

Anway...Lincoln hates babies?!?!? I can't believe that dude is still alive! ;):p

[Delta]

Yeah, I've been reading Andrew Sullivan a lot lately, too.

It's interesting how split people are about Huck. I don't find him genuine in the least. I think he's about tied with Edwards on my shady scale.

[kwsu44]

BMR I'm with the others, and I think Obama was pretty hush hush after coming out with that statement because he was called out and knew it was a bad move/not smart.

I'm also with ysolde on Romney. He is a very smart man, I feel he was well-prepard for the last debate and his faith is not a huge deterrent for me (despite my own stance on religion.) I'm keeping my eye on him too.

I'm from Massachusetts and did not vote for Romney when he ran for governor. In fact, he spent most of his governorship deciding to run for President and then running for President. Honestly, I have to laugh when he talks about all of his experience ... um, what experience exactly? You were NEVER here!

[cynder]

Yeah, I've been reading Andrew Sullivan a lot lately, too.

Yeah, DH turned me onto him and now I read him daily.

[HeatherFL]

I'm from Massachusetts and did not vote for Romney when he ran for governor. In fact, he spent most of his governorship deciding to run for President and then running for President. Honestly, I have to laugh when he talks about all of his experience ... um, what experience exactly? You were NEVER here!

Well, I'll be honest...I'm not really in the know on Romney, and am learning more as we get closer to the primaries (though I cannot vote in the FL primaries as an independent, since we're a closed state.) But I know he is extremely smart, and I do agree with where he stands on some of the issues.

I've read a lot about what he did while Governor, so it's interesting to get another perspective on his term there.

~H.

[kwsu44]

Well, I'll be honest...I'm not really in the know on Romney, and am learning more as we get closer to the primaries (though I cannot vote in the FL primaries as an independent, since we're a closed state.) But I know he is extremely smart, and I do agree with where he stands on some of the issues.

I've read a lot about what he did while Governor, so it's interesting to get another perspective on his term there.

~H.

He is really smart, no doubt. He's also very charismatic. I think the problem is that he tries to be everything to everyone and thus changes his mind on a lot of issues. When he ran against Ted Kennedy in 1994 for the Senate, he was very liberal in his remarks, especially about abortion, gay rights and the economy.

I think he is liberal, but over the course of the presidential campaign, he's painted himself in a more conservative light.

Funny tidbit, when Romney was governor, he wasn't a very good party leader. During Romney's tenure, the number of registered Republicans in Massachusetts fell by 31,000. During that same period, the Massachusetts Democratic Party gained 30,000. (Boston Globe 11/2/2006)

[MrsBeckyLP]

Any other GOOD sites for helping people determine who to vote for? The site posted on the first page of this thread didn't do it for me.

[Delta]

Why don't you go visit their websites?

[MrsBeckyLP]

I have.

I was just wondering if there are any good candidate-matching sites out there. Most I've seen aren't great.

[nylons73]

I have.

I was just wondering if there are any good candidate-matching sites out there. Most I've seen aren't great.

Did you check out the League of Women Voters sight? (posted by bookworm about 10 posts ago.) That's usually a good one for the basic issues.

I'm really undecided right now about my vote, but I am slowly becoming more and more disgusted with Huckabee. (See article below.) If he seriously worked to deny a mentally challenged girl an abortion (after she was raped by her stepfather) I don't know how he can call himself a Christian! That's just sick IMHO. Also, I like my presidents to believe in Evolution. ;)

article about good (and shady) things Huckabee did while Gov. of Ark. http://www.salon.com/partner/avantgo/2001140.html

[ThreeYell]

This Washington Post quiz (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/candidatequiz/) is my personal favorite. It's a bit wonkish, which is probably why I like it.

[nylons73]

Coming back in to offer a better site ( I checked out the League of Women Voters and it isn't that good.)

CNN's site is fairly good (although it still lists people whom have dropped out.) The candidates are listed and then you select your 'issue' on the left to see how each one stands. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.abortion.html

(don't be scared by the web address saying 'abortion.' That's just the issue I had it on when I copied the url.)

[ysolde]

According to the WP quiz, I agreed with Hillary on 66 pts.