Who will be the next President?

[deleted]

Thanks, Jamy! You're right that being in DC means I'm pretty much obsessed with this stuff. My husband is a pollster so that makes it even worse! (or better? sometimes it's hard to know)

 

I think we all like each other enough on the board to move past political differences if we have them. At least I hope so!

[MikkiStreak]

I don't have a lot of time to respond while I'm at work, but I did want to add a quick note---

 

I think a lot of people vote on candidates based on the platforms they are advocating to get into office. But to me, I think that even tho we need to know what they plan to do in office- even more important is their voting record and whether it aligned with the voter opinions. Their historical record of voting is what concerns me more than anything.

 

Also, I tend to put less "value" so to speak, on the presidential elections than I do on the elections at local, state and federal levels. So please remember that voting for your state house representatives (representing public opinion) and your senate (who oversee the laws of the courts and other state government) are even more important to vote in (IMO).

 

Obama's voting record:

Project Vote Smart - Senator Barack H. Obama Jr. - Voting Record

 

Hilary's voting record:

Project Vote Smart - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - Voting Record

 

McCain's voting record:

Project Vote Smart - Senator John Sidney McCain III - Voting Record

 

"refresher" course on government/politics:

United States presidential election - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(links on the right regarding federal, state, local politics)

[Maura]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet I'm not sure who will win, but I am supporting Obama this year. I like Hillary Clinton. I read her autobiography and came away feeling impressed with her toughness (in a good way) and her commitment to women’s and children’s issues. She’s smart and savvy and her very detailed proposals display her impressive grasp on policy issues. However, I’m looking for more in a president than great policy positions. I’m unconvinced that Hillary can really move America forward. It sounds like an Obama-sponsored talking point, but I am really ready for a change. I think Obama is bold, honest, real, inspiring, visionary, fresh, and (I hope) transformative. People are aching for that kind of leader. He can bring people together to solve the real problems that we face: ending the war, getting off of oil dependency, and investing in health care and education. He inspires hope in young people and independents, and even some of my die-hard Republican friends would consider voting for him. Would they vote for Hillary? No way. Especially not against John McCain. For me, it’s a little bit of a gut feeling (I can’t help but feel hopeful deep down when I hear him give a speech) and a little bit pragmatic (I think he has a better shot at beating McCain).

Janet, well said, I could not agree more with you. Although I am not a huge personal fan of Hillary's, I do think she's intelligent and has the potential to be a good leader. But I think Obama can give us something that she cant -- all the things listed above and then some. I know a number of my hardcore republican friends from college who changed their party alignment for the primary in order to vote for Obama. Would any of them even entertain the idea of voting for Hillary, NO WAY. I will say loud and proud that I cast my vote for Obama last night in Illinois -- not that it mattered because he won by a landslide here!

BUT all that being said, if Hillary comes out the nominee for the general, I will vote for her over McCain. I just don't agree with him on many points. Before voting, a few days ago I took an online quiz through the Chicago Tribune's website where you pick your ideals and then it tells you which candidate you most align with. Issue-wise, I identified more with Clinton according to the quiz, but I feel I much better like Obama's personality and "fresh eyes" and think he can bring some REAL change to the White House. I'm not opposed to a woman president, and in fact, my voting has nothing to do with gender. It's really more about the alignment of issues mixed with how the candidates make me feel personally.

[Christine]

for those of you who are undecided I am going to have my students do this quiz

MPR: Select A Candidate 2008: President

I think its the best one I have come across so far.

[MikkiStreak]

And, as a separate note: my personal opinion is that quite frankly, the US isn't "ready" for a woman president or an african american president. I think we're advancing in that direction, but I'm not convinced either of them will win.

 

That being said, my fear is quite honestly- that McCain will win. I do NOT want to see another 4 or 8 years spend with our federal budget being directed overseas to support war, at the expense of the US economy. And, like someone else pointed out---- I don't want to see a 70+ year old man in office (sheez- haven't these people heard of RETIREMENT?)...

 

My personal opinion is that I hope like hell that a dem gets into office (either Obama or Hillary). Historically speaking, the economy tends to do better during democratic presidencies.

 

 

On a more amusing note: Has anyone noticed that McCain looks like he inherited George Washington's wooden teeth? And that when Fred Thompson was running, he really resembled the creature from "The Black Lagoon"? We got quite a few chuckles on these observations in our house as we watched the debates.

[starchild]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikkiStreak I don't have a lot of time to respond while I'm at work, but I did want to add a quick note--- I think a lot of people vote on candidates based on the platforms they are advocating to get into office. But to me, I think that even tho we need to know what they plan to do in office- even more important is their voting record and whether it aligned with the voter opinions. Their historical record of voting is what concerns me more than anything. Also, I tend to put less "value" so to speak, on the presidential elections than I do on the elections at local, state and federal levels. So please remember that voting for your state house representatives (representing public opinion) and your senate (who oversee the laws of the courts and other state government) are even more important to vote in (IMO). Obama's voting record: Project Vote Smart - Senator Barack H. Obama Jr. - Voting Record Hilary's voting record: Project Vote Smart - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton - Voting Record McCain's voting record: Project Vote Smart - Senator John Sidney McCain III - Voting Record "refresher" course on government/politics: United States presidential election - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (links on the right regarding federal, state, local politics)

Great points, Maria. Thanks for posting the links. Voting records are really a microscope on the candidates to see how they have practiced what they are preaching. And the refresher course is quite helpful to most of us, I'm sure )

[LCBride2007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starchild mini hijack....the pregnant woman goes to the gym while the not pregnant woman eats a biscuit...nice

Don't be too impressed - it's my 2nd time in like 2 months. And all I do is walk, and then do a few stomach and back exercises that my trainer gave me. I sit on my couch "working" all day - I need to move, or I will start growing roots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine for those of you who are undecided I am going to have my students do this quiz MPR: Select A Candidate 2008: President I think its the best one I have come across so far.

So funny you posted this - I was listening to MPR on my way to and from the gym, and they mentioned this quiz. I've taken others - but I was going to check this one out when I got home, and post it on here. Off to take it now ... funny that every time I take one, it picks someone different.

[cessyboston]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine for those of you who are undecided I am going to have my students do this quiz MPR: Select A Candidate 2008: President I think its the best one I have come across so far.

thank you for posting this ...it was very interesting...my choice was obama interesting..thank you again..you are making me think today...lol...

[Yari]

I am a registered Republican but looking for change.

 

Go Obama!

[Maura]

Maria those are all excellent links and excellent points.

 

One thing many people don't realize is how much the local/state elections matter. ESPECIALLY judges!!!!!! If you are unsure about the judicial races where you live and you have not voted yet, I urge you all to check out your local bar association's recommendations -- they will have ratings of Highly Qualified, Qualified or Not Recommended, and you can get a pocket cheat sheet to print out to take with you as well as a full long explanation of why they rated each candidate the way they did.

 

Here is an example of judicial ratings for Chicago from the Chicago Bar Assn: CBA: Judicial Recommendations

 

Also, there are some great resources for following the candidates here:

washingtonpost.com

 

here is their "choose your candidate quiz"

Choose Your Candidate (washingtonpost.com)

 

this is also a fantastic resource for fact checking campaign promises and statements:

PolitiFact | A service of the St. Petersburg Times and CQ

 

(i guess i should tell you guys that my masters degree is in a special field of journalism for covering government, politics and business)