So, that makes me a Democrat. But I'm a Democrat often at war with my own party, especially the Far Left, like Daily Kos, who drown out the more realsitic and less ideological Democrats in media and blog attention. I have a lot of bones to pick with some Democrats in Congress, as well. But I'm stuck with the best hope, shaky as it may be, that I can find today.

At this juncture, with the US in crisis mode about the economy, health care and its wars (current and potential ones) I'm looking for someone who will try to reach an inclusive position on social issues so that we can put those aside while we deal with what's crucial and immediate. We can fight effectively only about so many things at the same time or we we risk becoming a crazed mob. We need to prioritize.

I think Obama is trying to do that. I don't agree with him, in principle, about same-sex marriage, for example, but ensuring that civil unions truly do have alll the rights and privileges of marriage without forcing churches who don't agree to such marraiges to perform the ceremony seems like a realistic way to stop arguing about it. while we consider how to get out of Iraq.

I'm also not happy with his entanglement with faith-based groups, but realistically, these groups represent a large proportion of our citizenry, and if government can cooperate with them constructively, I welcome the chance to stop fighting about it. Instead, we do have to make sure that the partnership for particular programs, doesn't become a union of state and church in a more basic way and that it doesn't become a partisan enterprise.

On iraq, too, it matters more to me that Obama is careful getting us out, like he promised, than what words he used on what day. Caution plus the goal of getting out are my priorities, and the minutia are just distractions. Getting out will hard and risky, and that shouldn't be forgottend..

it is true that McCain's '100 years' has been twisted way out of shape by Democrats, even Obama. However, it does display a state of mind, an approach, that I don't agree with. I think it betrays a lack of appreciation for Arab perceptions of our presence and a belief that the US can still impose its will whereever and however ti wants with impunity. The world has changed and McCain's models from the past just aren't applicable anymore.

I can't vote for MCCain. I intend to vote for Obama, because I think he is what the country needs right now, not because I agree with with him about everything.
That's how I prioritize, anyway. . .

So, that makes me a Democrat. But I'm a Democrat often at war with my own party, especially the Far Left, like Daily Kos, who drown out the more realsitic and less ideological Democrats in media and blog attention. I have a lot of bones to pick with some Democrats in Congress, as well. But I'm stuck with the best hope, shaky as it may be, that I can find today.

At this juncture, with the US in crisis mode about the economy, health care and its wars (current and potential ones) I'm looking for someone who will try to reach an inclusive position on social issues so that we can put those aside while we deal with what's crucial and immediate. We can fight effectively only about so many things at the same time or we we risk becoming a crazed mob. We need to prioritize.

I think Obama is trying to do that. I don't agree with him, in principle, about same-sex marriage, for example, but ensuring that civil unions truly do have alll the rights and privileges of marriage without forcing churches who don't agree to such marraiges to perform the ceremony seems like a realistic way to stop arguing about it. while we consider how to get out of Iraq.

I'm also not happy with his entanglement with faith-based groups, but realistically, these groups represent a large proportion of our citizenry, and if government can cooperate with them constructively, I welcome the chance to stop fighting about it. Instead, we do have to make sure that the partnership for particular programs, doesn't become a union of state and church in a more basic way and that it doesn't become a partisan enterprise.

On iraq, too, it matters more to me that Obama is careful getting us out, like he promised, than what words he used on what day. Caution plus the goal of getting out are my priorities, and the minutia are just distractions. Getting out will hard and risky, and that shouldn't be forgottend..

it is true that McCain's '100 years' has been twisted way out of shape by Democrats, even Obama. However, it does display a state of mind, an approach, that I don't agree with. I think it betrays a lack of appreciation for Arab perceptions of our presence and a belief that the US can still impose its will whereever and however ti wants with impunity. The world has changed and McCain's models from the past just aren't applicable anymore.

I can't vote for MCCain. I intend to vote for Obama, because I think he is what the country needs right now, not because I agree with with him about everything.
That's how I prioritize, anyway. . .

Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rice didn't cower!!!

Though Republicans were happy to cut taxes even as they waged two wars and created the largest entitlement program since medicare.

Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rice didn't cower!!!

Though Republicans were happy to cut taxes even as they waged two wars and created the largest entitlement program since medicare.

check out this blurb, which has a link to the article that started this whole thing.
http://www.greenfaucet.com/hanlons-pub/methinks…

check out this blurb, which has a link to the article that started this whole thing.
http://www.greenfaucet.com/hanlons-pub/methinks…

Hahahahaha…

Actually, I have been very impressed by Obama throughout this campaign.

Senator Obama has displayed intelligence…he is well-disciplined, and very politically sophisticated. (I should note that the McCain campaign, in contrast, has exhibited a lack of discipline and political astuteness).

I don't believe for a moment that Obama is a moderate. However, I think some of his proposals are good (cf. health care). Also, I believe he would make a good president. I just think McCain would make a better one (well, that belief is being shaken as the weeks pass).

Politico has a good round-up of the swiftboating from the Left:
http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D8A…

Sen. Obama, to his credit, has expressly distanced himself from these voices and their smears.

I think you are right in your critique of this perception.

Our Progressive Left comrades above seem to have forgotten Aravosis' accusing McCain of “disloyalty” to the US while a POW (perhaps the most appalling thing that can be said of a serving officer in the US armed forces); Aravosis' mocking of McCain's disability. and his collecting a pension for same, due to his POW treatment; and the Great and Mighty KOS bizarre mocking of McCain's bad teeth (again, a result of his POW treatment).

When someone can point to a major conservative voice accusing Obama of committing treason against the United States of America (not just insufficient patriotism, but actual active treason, a la Aravosis) then perhaps I would share your view.

Oddly, I think the candidates are both more decent…and better choices…than Americans have had in recent years.

Sadly, many conservatives seem prone to sit this one out for a variety of reasons.

My advice: don't vote for Congressional races…as the GOP in Congress has been particularly appalling (see the budget…porkbarreling etc). But vote in the Presidential.

So that you can distance yourself from me, you should know that I still don't think Clark did diss McCain's military service. At best, you saw a little bit of a general's arrogance.

Nobody really has to like this simple truth, but in our system, there are effectively only two choices. So if one of the parties is being indefensible, it throws the whole system out of whack.

But I understand you're not a liberal. If you don't want to vote for Obama or McCain, you can, despite my proclamation that there are in effect only two parties, always cast your vote a third party candidate. If there is one closer to your thinking, that vote might be indicative of a desire for both a change in the Republican party and a non-endorsement of the Democrats.

Pete,
Clark didn't deride McCain's military record. McCain did say verbatim that he would like to stay in Iraq for 100+ years. Of course McCain isn't offering exactly the same platform as Bush, but in terms of the most important questions facing the country, aside from climate change, he's singing the same song.

Es ist verboten. And if you do, you risk being called an emotional old angry white woman. Better to sabotage our country's future by inanities like punching both McCain and Obama. Yes, by far that is more acceptable than saying, “I think we made a mistake. Clinton seems more qualified and more likely to unify for a win in November.”