Why I Don't Like Romney, Etc.
No, it's not because he's a Mormon, even though I do consider it a cult. Don't worry, I'm not planning on going into things like the Nicene Creed (1-in-3 and 3-in-1, don't ask me how it works) or the extent to which revelation (little "r") has or has not ceased with the New Testament (which it has).
Romney is a flip-flopper, with most of his conversions being conveniently timed for this election cycle. I don't buy it, and John McCain's campaign staff put together a nice little ad to explain why.
To be fair, I'm no big supporter of John McCain either. I respect the man and all that he has been through. I honor his service as a veteran. What I don't appreciate is being called an "agent of intolerance," or having a great many well-qualified presidential appointees being held up by him and his so called "Gang of 14." McCain should take a page from the book of his supposed role model Teddy Roosevelt, who said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
Rudy Giuliani is out, and I'm glad. Of all the Republican presidential candidates, Rudy is the only one that would have caused me to completely sit out the election in November. I have never, and will never vote for a pro-choice candidate for any office. He also has more skeletons in his closet than a paleontology warehouse.
I liked Fred Thompson, but he exited the race as quietly as he campaigned. Alas, Fred was nothing more than a fart in a windstorm. His only chance now would be as a potential VP.
Then there's Mike Huckabee. I know that Rush doesn't like him because of his supposedly liberal economic positions and populist approach to this campaign, but he's solid on the issues that are most important to me. He's also extremely charasmatic, an outstanding communicator, and much more cunning than many of his opponents give him credit for. He doesn't hammer anyone over the head about his faith or his beliefs on social issues, but he doesn't back down or change the subject when asked about them either. Check out this great article from The American Conservative for a thought provoking write-up on the Huckster. Keep an eye on this one. His detente with McCain could result in a veep slot if he doesn't manage to pull off a win. It would sure heal a lot of wounds that still bleed between McCain and evangelicals.
THE DEMOCRATS
John "Trotsky" Edwards is out, so this has become a two horse race.
Hillary Clinton is polling well among older women and Hispanics, but remains a strongly polarizing figure. Her biggest weakness is that there are so many people who dislike her. She's a terrible speaker with a grating voice. For many, the thought of two Clintons back in the White House (and Bill with much more free time on his hands this round) is simply too much. I would have no problem voting for a woman for president, were she a candidate of strong moral character and convictions, and possessing extensive experience in both domestic and foreign affairs. That's Condoleezza Rice, not Hillary Clinton.
Barack Obama would be a menace for Republicans in 2008. In spite of being ranked as the most liberal senator in 2007 (yes, even more liberal than Hillary), his communication skills and charisma are such that he is able to win over people's emotions. Once that's done, their minds tag right along even if they haven't been consulted. He'll have you saying, "I like him. He's nice." even though he'd be more than happy to help hold the vacuum tube down at the local Planned Parenthood clinic. Even Hitler sounded appealing if you were a German in the late 1930's. You can bet he ran on a pledge to change things, and change them he did. Thankfully, the Democrats seemingly want to lose and continue to deliver primary victories to Clinton.
Romney is a flip-flopper, with most of his conversions being conveniently timed for this election cycle. I don't buy it, and John McCain's campaign staff put together a nice little ad to explain why.
To be fair, I'm no big supporter of John McCain either. I respect the man and all that he has been through. I honor his service as a veteran. What I don't appreciate is being called an "agent of intolerance," or having a great many well-qualified presidential appointees being held up by him and his so called "Gang of 14." McCain should take a page from the book of his supposed role model Teddy Roosevelt, who said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”
Rudy Giuliani is out, and I'm glad. Of all the Republican presidential candidates, Rudy is the only one that would have caused me to completely sit out the election in November. I have never, and will never vote for a pro-choice candidate for any office. He also has more skeletons in his closet than a paleontology warehouse.
I liked Fred Thompson, but he exited the race as quietly as he campaigned. Alas, Fred was nothing more than a fart in a windstorm. His only chance now would be as a potential VP.
Then there's Mike Huckabee. I know that Rush doesn't like him because of his supposedly liberal economic positions and populist approach to this campaign, but he's solid on the issues that are most important to me. He's also extremely charasmatic, an outstanding communicator, and much more cunning than many of his opponents give him credit for. He doesn't hammer anyone over the head about his faith or his beliefs on social issues, but he doesn't back down or change the subject when asked about them either. Check out this great article from The American Conservative for a thought provoking write-up on the Huckster. Keep an eye on this one. His detente with McCain could result in a veep slot if he doesn't manage to pull off a win. It would sure heal a lot of wounds that still bleed between McCain and evangelicals.
THE DEMOCRATS
John "Trotsky" Edwards is out, so this has become a two horse race.
Hillary Clinton is polling well among older women and Hispanics, but remains a strongly polarizing figure. Her biggest weakness is that there are so many people who dislike her. She's a terrible speaker with a grating voice. For many, the thought of two Clintons back in the White House (and Bill with much more free time on his hands this round) is simply too much. I would have no problem voting for a woman for president, were she a candidate of strong moral character and convictions, and possessing extensive experience in both domestic and foreign affairs. That's Condoleezza Rice, not Hillary Clinton.
Barack Obama would be a menace for Republicans in 2008. In spite of being ranked as the most liberal senator in 2007 (yes, even more liberal than Hillary), his communication skills and charisma are such that he is able to win over people's emotions. Once that's done, their minds tag right along even if they haven't been consulted. He'll have you saying, "I like him. He's nice." even though he'd be more than happy to help hold the vacuum tube down at the local Planned Parenthood clinic. Even Hitler sounded appealing if you were a German in the late 1930's. You can bet he ran on a pledge to change things, and change them he did. Thankfully, the Democrats seemingly want to lose and continue to deliver primary victories to Clinton.
posted by Vaelin at 9:05 PM
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