So who's everyone supporting for 2008?

[Chickpea]

This is a very true statement. And just think of all your personal family business that becomes public fodder. How many Americans are squeaky clean, have enough $$$ and sense to run? Close your eyes and what do you see. That's why we get professonal politicians like Edwards (sorry, he is way too slick for me)....go ahead and add a slick Republican candidate in here_____, my mind is fried. Stop me...I am becoming cynical.

Miss Kitty,
Quick question for you: you said you voted for Bush - did you vote twice for him? Or just the first time?
Only reason I ask is that I actually have many Republican friends who voted for Bush first time BUT that did not cast vote for him in 2004 because they believed he violated many precepts of true conservative values (and I applaud them for this!)- curious as to where you were (although you do not have to answer BUt you have to pm me )!!

Completely agree with getting out and voting or shutting up.

 

[Chickpea]

I would agree that the kitties likely have a smart daughter. That being said, how are any of us supposed to be able to make a wise decision regarding our political leaders, when all we hear and see are lies? Politics is all about winning, no matter the costs. Tomorrow's elected politicians are going to be the people who are most liked by the masses. It is easy for some people to put on a smile and lie through their teeth, and they don't think twice about doing so.

If you want to really learn about the candidates, I would suggest to listen to the press on both sides of the isle (eg -- CNN and Fox News, or Washington Post and the Washington Times). If you limit yourself to only the one-sided news sources, you will not be fully aware of questions you need to be asking.

I just hate that we are all subjected to interminable months of campaigning. Wish one had 4 months - state your case/opinions succinctly, outline positions and selected programs/initiatives that interest you, talk about those you will be appointing (and hopefully listening to!) in your administration, etc..

As to the media - if one is genuinely curious it is not too difficult to get both sides of a story - so many legitimate sources to cull from.

SJ: PLEASE tell me YOU vote....regardless of how visibly turned off you are by politicians - we need people with your smarts and passion voting!

 

[Miss Kitty]

Miss Kitty,
Quick question for you: you said you voted for Bush - did you vote twice for him? Or just the first time?
Only reason I ask is that I actually have many Republican friends who voted for Bush first time BUT that did not cast vote for him in 2004 because they believed he violated many precepts of true conservative values (and I applaud them for this!)- curious as to where you were (although you do not have to answer BUt you have to pm me )!!

Completely agree with getting out and voting or shutting up.

Miss Chickpea,

I am not sure you can handle the truth.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Miss Kitty,
Quick question for you: you said you voted for Bush - did you vote twice for him? Or just the first time?
Only reason I ask is that I actually have many Republican friends who voted for Bush first time BUT that did not cast vote for him in 2004 because they believed he violated many precepts of true conservative values (and I applaud them for this!)- curious as to where you were (although you do not have to answer BUt you have to pm me )!!

Completely agree with getting out and voting or shutting up.

That's what I did once for Bush, once for my wife as a write-in because I have never missed an election, but at the same time refused to choose the lesser of two evils..

 

[Chickpea]

Miss Chickpea,

I am not sure you can handle the truth.

From you??? Sure I can but I have my answer! I still like you!!

 

[LightWorker]

 

[Smiling JOe]

I actually have many Republican friends who voted for Bush first time BUT that did not cast vote for him in 2004 because they believed he violated many precepts of true conservative values

If they didn't think Bush was right enough for the job, did they think that there was a Democrat or Independent running, who leaned more to the right? Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Smiling JOe]

SJ: PLEASE tell me YOU vote....regardless of how visibly turned off you are by politicians - we need people with your smarts and passion voting!

I have always exercised my voting privilege, but here lately, I am beginning to wonder why I bother. On so many levels, I see a blending of the two parties, at least in public office. On the street, there is much difference between people with strong Dem or Rep ties. However, today, in order to get elected, one must lean rather straight up down the middle, or slightly to the left of center, and that is why Republicans tend to think that all of the Republican candidates don't lean far enough right. The average joe Republicans have two choices: 1) vote Republican because the avg joe Rep agrees more with the Rep than the Dem., or 2) vote Democrat, because having a Democrat in office just might piss off enough Republicans to raise hell and it will also help keep the Dems in check.

I dislike the ever-growing arms of Gov't, and would like to see it govern itself a little better.

I don't vote in the primary because in Florida, I would have to select a party to join, and I don't think either of those parties are worthy on a whole.

 

[Chickpea]

If they didn't think Bush was right enough for the job, did they think that there was a Democrat or Independent running, who leaned more to the right? Just doesn't make sense to me.

Well they did not vote for Kerry - most of them abstained (somewhat regrettable I guess - they absolutely refused to cast a vote for Bush but could not stand endorsing anyone else).

 

[Chickpea]

I have always exercised my voting privilege, but here lately, I am beginning to wonder why I bother. On so many levels, I see a blending of the two parties, at least in public office. On the street, there is much difference between people with strong Dem or Rep ties. However, today, in order to get elected, one must lean rather straight up down the middle, or slightly to the left of center, and that is why Republicans tend to think that all of the Republican candidates don't lean far enough right. The average joe Republicans have two choices: 1) vote Republican because the avg joe Rep agrees more with the Rep than the Dem., or 2) vote Democrat, because having a Democrat in office just might piss off enough Republicans to raise hell and it will also help keep the Dems in check.

I dislike the ever-growing arms of Gov't, and would like to see it govern itself a little better.

I don't vote in the primary because in Florida, I would have to select a party to join, and I don't think either of those parties are worthy on a whole.

I agree with you that the current state of politics is dire and depressing and that both parties have had to move to the center to court the most votes. And the line between all of these politicians is more and more blurry and most of all seeing them all dodge questions and waffle about with canned answers is infuriating as hell.

I am not as strongly opposed as many of you are to the arm of the government but I certainly deplore the waste and abuse that is so prevalent and in most cases, I probably would agree that private enterprise would be more efficient and cost effective at running different departments than the gov't BUT I do fear many more people would be left behind and under-represented.

It was a long and arduous process for me to get the US citizenship and the main reason I wanted it was to be able to vote in the country that was now my home. So even if I deplore the current slate of politicians I would feel obligated to cast a vote, even in the primaries. Nevertheless it is hard to argue with people who feel more and more disengaged.