<p>Janieblue, I respect your opinion, but am leaning toward Hillary myself. To be honest, I really want Bill back. I could live with Obama but don’t know if he has the know-how to be successful. I wish they’d stop beating each other up. I support free trade because I can do the math and I think we’re better off with open markets. Edwards has very protectionist rhetoric and I strongly disagree with it. </p>
<p>What exactly could you imagine Hillary doing that you would feel would be a betrayal?</p>
<p>Edwards has what in my company is called “Marketing hair.” It seems that nearly all the successful male Marketing managers wear their hair in an exquisitely-groomed style similar to his. This makes me worry that Edwards also shares with them a Marketing mindset - where their perception of reality is informed almost entirely by rumor, anecdote, and “gut feel” instead of real data, logic, and careful analysis.</p>
<p>“informed almost entirely by rumor, anecdote, and “gut feel” instead of real data, logic, and careful analysis”</p>
<p>If I want to know if somebody is informed by data, logic and careful analysis, I
listen to what that person says instead of looking at that person’s hair.</p>
<p>Classic Rocker–not one thing you mentioned has impacted my day to day life one bit. Relations with Russia OK but I’m not planning any trips there and they are barely relevant anyway.
The budget surplus was as phony as the Internet stocks that created it. Clinton can be blamed for it as much as anyone as that fiasco happened under his admin. Bush just got stuck with the cleanup.</p>
<p>Oil prices have been going up since 1973. Demand is >>>supply with growing countries needing more oil. I can afford it so no big personal impact and if it keeps a few roads having less traffic all the better. I thought we should open up more of Alsaka but that oil will still be there when we really need it so fine.</p>
<p>Having the Canadian $$$ stronger has done wonders for Washington State. They are coming to shop again and fill out hotels. What’s the problem again–Molson beer cost more. OK. I can live with that.</p>
<p>The Iraq thing did not work out the way I had hoped but, again, direct impact–close to zero. I don’t know one person who was over there except for a football player I met once so I was worried about him but he came back OK and I hope it stays as quiet as it has been so he does not have to go back.<br>
The deficit is a little big but within normal bounds as % of GNP. Maybe Hillary will be around to lower it but I won’t hold my breath for that. </p>
<p>Our universities can’t handle all the kids from here so I really could not care less if we see another influx of Firebird driving girl chasing Middles Easterners here like we had when I was in school. </p>
<p>So no, the President whoever she or he is has very little impact on my day to day life. I like arguing about them as much as the next person though. So Go Hillary. I hope her election makes you very happy and changes your life. I’m not expecting much either way.</p>
<p>“Janieblue, I respect your opinion, but am leaning toward Hillary myself. To be honest, I really want Bill back.”</p>
<p>Slapping you on the back for admitting that! I think a lot of people feel that way but are uncomfortable admitting it.</p>
<p>Here’s a question: it is a sincere question that you should feel free to answer honestly (anyone, actually), but please don’t read anything into it other than exactly my words, ok?</p>
<p>Is it Bill you want back or is it the time before September 11, when the world was peaceful and prosperous and most people expected it to remain so?</p>
<p>Well Barrons, your little world sounds just wonderful and has left me speechless. I just don’t know what to say other than good night, thanks for your vote, and have a cold Molson Golden on me!</p>
<p>Well, uh, of those who have hair. Most 50+ year old men I see don’t seem to have any. </p>
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<p>Well, coureur, you must be describing yourself. If you know anything about Edwards’ detailed stance on the issues, or ever read about his plans, you’d know how far off the mark you are. Again, basing your own perception on his hair-- well, what can I say. You must be a successful marketing manager, because you sure don’t seem to be making an assessment based on “real data, logic, and careful analysis.”</p>
<p>dstark: Yes, exactly.</p>
<p>ClassicRockerDad: I voted for Bill, too. My problem with Hillary is that she is adept at not answering questions and twisting the truth to suit her agenda. While she’s obviously smarter and more capable than Bush, and I have no doubt she could lead the country, I don’t trust anything she says. I don’t trust that she will carry out the plans she now has, or that she will get us out of Iraq. I can easily see her changing her current stance, once she’s in office. She’ll be quite eloquent about why she has to shift her plans, but I think she’ll say anything at this point, just to get in office. She’s also taken a boatload of campaign contributions from the healthcare industry. Do you think she’s gonna owe them anything for taking all their money? I also don’t think she cares one whit about the poor and middle class in this country. I can’t believe she just bolted SC to campaign in the Northern states, leaving Bill to do her bidding. I think that says something.</p>
<p>Of course, I’ll ultimately vote for the Democrat who wins the nomination. As I said before, any of them will be a vast improvement over Bush. She’s just not trustworthy, in my opinion.</p>
<p>9/11 was a tragedy that as a native New Yorker who grew up watching them build the twin towers, shook me to my core. But it killed fewer Americans than have thus far died in Iraq. We’re Americans and I think we should have been able to bounce back. The rest of the damage was self inflicted.</p>
<p>ClassicRockerDad, thanks for answering. I asked out of genuine nosiness about others’ opinions. I had no preconceptions as to what the answer(s) would be and would be delighted to hear from other posters who support Senator Clinton.</p>
<p>Whereabouts in New York? I remember the buildings being built, also and one of my fondest memories is of getting dressed up to go to the WTC and RIDE THE ELEVATORS! Do you remember the speed and sort of sinking feeling of those elevators? I’ve never felt anything like that before or since. (Distraction over, back to the thread.)</p>
I’d take Bill back, someone who is smart, articulate, encourages a wide range of input, and isn’t a swaggering buffoon on the world stage. Oddly enough, if she gets the chance, I think Hill may be a better President than Bill…she shares a lot of his strengths but is more disciplined.</p>
<p>Hey, I didn’t say that I knew that Edwards actually thought like a Marketing manager - only that I worried that he might, since he chooses to to dress like one, right down to his hair. In much the same way that one might think that a man who wears work boots, a hard hat, and a flannel work shirt might think like a construction worker. Why? Because he chooses to look like one.</p>
<p>What I’ve seen and read of John Edward’s actual thinking is that he is a combative populist whose likes to pit groups of Americans against one another (us vs them) and whose trade policies tend toward protectionism. </p>
<p>Coureur, I’m sorry. I can’t tell if you are informed by real data, logic and careful analysis. Would you mind showing me a picture of your hair?</p>
<p>In my opinion, corruption and deception are absolutely important considerations in a voter’s decision making process. A candidate with integrity and sound ethics are pretty important as well, at least from my perspective. Personal character and judgement are very important to me. So yes, unsavory real estate dealings, extra marital affairs, and past history are important in my decision making process. Those attributes are very much different than the size of one’s house or the style of one’s hair. :o</p>
<p>Intelligence is important. All the candidadtes are intelligent enough. However, the level of perceived integrity exhibited by a candidate will be a much more decisive factor for me.</p>
<p>However, the level of perceived integrity exhibited by a candidate will be a much more decisive factor for me.</p>
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<p>And that is why I am a Republican .</p>
<p>Odd … what with false statements WMDs in Iraq false statements about Irans nuclear program false statements about tax policy false statements about political rivals false statements about Bushs military service to his nation false statements and more false statements …Odd very odd .</p>
<p>He’s not pitting groups of Americans against one another; rather, he’s acknowledging that the chasm between the rich and the poor in this country is growing ever-wider. If you don’t believe that’s true, then you need to get out more. His suggested reforms (including health care, tax, and education) would help to close that gap. I appreciate that he acknowledges that poverty exists in this country (and that the middle class is really getting squeezed), and we need to do something about it. I think he’d like to see the economy strengthened for all of us, not just for the top 1% in this country.</p>
<p>As far as his trade policies go, I think you really need to read his very detailed policies (on his website). That would certainly clarify his stance on globalization and trade for you.</p>
<p>As I’ve said before, all 3 Democratic candidates acknowledge these problems, but I just think Edwards is far more detailed on the issues and on his plans, and he has been for a long time. I also simply trust him more, and I trust him to actually get things done.</p>
<p>The people in one party do not have more integrity than the people in another party.</p>
<p>If anybody thinks the republican candidates running for president have more personal integrity than the democrat candidates or vice versa he/she needs to rethink.</p>
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