Mike,

Doesn't that apply to almost everyone who's a free-thinker? I used to be a big "L" Libertarian because I thought I had finally found the party that served my beliefs but I left them after 9/11 because of their isolationist response.

I mean, look at it this way - does either political party satisfy 80%+ of the majority members principles? Is every Democrat pro-abortion? Is every Republican anti-gay marriage?

I think not. I like to think I'm politically conservative but socially liberal-to-moderate. Practically none of my social beliefs would sit well with the GOP platform while practically none of my political and geopolitical views would jive with the Democratic platform.

I understand Tracy entirely because I'm in the same boat. I'm gonna vote for McCain or a third party candidate this year and hold my nose while doing it.

I've said this over and over - we need a third party that encompasses what your average American believes at heart without the dogma of the GOP and Democratic Party.


>You must have a really hard time finding a candidate you like. That's not a criticism, you just have some views that are usually not found in the same politician. The ones who are against campaign finance reform and immigration are not usually the ones who are pro-choice and for health care reform, for instance. I'm sure you are used to having to go for the best fit and being unsatisfied about some positions.
>
>>Off-the-cuff (no time for a complete list or in-depth analysis):
>>
>>Immigration
>>Global warming and Climate Change
>>Healthcare
>>Women's rights
>>Abortion
>>Contraceptives
>>Mccain-Feingold Law and the Wellstone amendment
>>
>>
>>There are more, but I won't go into detail or great length now. I am extreme-far-right on some things and extreme-far-left on others. As a parent, for this election I am asking myself, which issues will have the greatest impact on the future of my daughter and the country? Which issues do I find to be the most important right now? Which issues am I willing to concede on (although I disagree) with both candidates?
>>
>>
>>>OK. Which ones are those?
>>>
>>>>The problem with McCain is the 50% of his policies and views that I strongly disagree with.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I am really disappointed by all the flip flopping and pandering being done by both candidates. Obviously those by Obama are bothering me more. If he keeps this up the passion that has driven his candidacy is going to dissipate. I understand that he wants to broaden his appeal. Any wise candidate does. He just can't sell himself out in the process. I want someone who will stand up for what they believe in, not a human windsock.
>>>>>
>>>>>You may have heard that a lot of his harshest criticism is coming from his own supporters, as predicted by Charles. What's interesting is that some of it is coming on barackobama.com. A cofounder of Facebook left to join the Obama campaign and direct its web efforts. One of the things he implemented was a Facebook like feature where supporters can speak up, join discussion groups, etc. Some of them are as mad as hornets, in particular over the telecom immunity legislation, to the point that Obama had to release a response on the site. Now that's something you don't see every day, a candidate defending himself against his supporters on his own site <g>.
>>>>>
>>>>>You really haven't settled on a candidate? You sure sound like someone who is going to vote for McCain. "Not that there's anything wrong with that" <g> since we all have different reasons for choosing. McCain just seems more in tune with what you want, big military in particular.
>>>>>
>>>>>>:) We've discussed this in the past and we plainly disagree on the criteria that should be used when voting. Part of that may be attributed to nature. I do NOT discount your opinion though, I just disagree. I think in the political realm, you and Tamar appear very similar. I want to know the goal envisioned and even more importantly, I want to see all policies, views, and ideas stated clearly and spelled out. I want to know exactly how those goals will be achieved. (Probably as much from being burned in the past by leaders as due to my nature) If I understood you correctly in the past, you look at the overall goal and then weigh in your gut instinct. Maybe I'm right, maybe you are. Or maybe I'm just anal... (my family sometimes thinks so) I want specifics not buzzwords! :o) I want the candidates to sign on the dotted line...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Probably why I still haven't settled on a candidate...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Interestingly, (and this may scare you) both candidates are flip-flopping on the issues these days. Some would call it 're-evaluating their positions based on new information,' which I think we agree that any intelligent person should do. I just don't like to see one candidate referred to as smart for doing so and the other as a flip-flopper. It cuts both ways. More interestingly though is that on some of the issues Obama has 're-evaluated his position on,' I now agree with him. The problem is, which position, new or old, is the real position the candidate will take when in office? This is standard procedure in an election and how our country has been burned in the past. A conundrum... If only someone could get Obama to 're-evaluate' his tax policies!!!! :o)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Define merit (shrug).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Maybe others are just using different critieria than you are.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I agree, John. Objectively, I have nothing against Obama. But these people who try to convince themselves that he's superior on merit to McCain just astounds me. In a sane world that argument cannot be made. All I'm asking is that Obama supporters be honest and admit that they are supporting him because they are liberals/Democrats in thought and are going on pure faith alone. But they cannot even admit that!!! It's crazy.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Untested is my main thought. McCain was tortured for 5 years, led a squadron, etc. I think he's been tested enough. We know very little - to nothing about Obama. I'm counting on the Hillary faction putting McCain over the top. If Obma wins, I thought about moving to a foreign country, but I think I may do something even more drastic. I may just move to Mississippi!<s>