<p>Quote:</p>
<p>“So you think the states which support Obama should secede if he loses??”</p>
<p>Yes, that’s right. HisGraceFillsMe thinks that the nation should be split if Obama loses and I think that the entire population of the “right thinking” portion of the U.S. that voted for him should then move to Denmark in protest. Lighten up . . . geez.</p>
<p>HisGraceFillsMe does not believe in “blind acceptance” of an election. Was this said as a joke? In light of the deluge of lawsuits that usually follow any election (presidential down to school boards) these days, I couldn’t tell this was a joke. Oh that’s right, I need to “lighten up.” Yea, that’s the ticket!</p>
<p>I dunno, maybe it was the reference to the Civil War? Recall the South didn’t “blindly accept” the election of Lincoln, and seceded.</p>
<p>^Um, I’m reasonably certain that HisGraceFillsMe was not seriously suggesting that states which supported Obama should secede if he loses. Note the = / at the end of her post. As to her assertion that blind acceptance is not the answer, however, that’s a point that I happen to agree with and one that is particularly poignant after eight years of the Bush administration.</p>
<p>Man, a lot of you guys just don’t get it.</p>
<p>You remember how unpopular the United States was after invading Iraq? Well, that is nothing compared to how unpopular we will be if Obama is not elected.</p>
<p>I have a weird feeling that most people do not understand why popularity matters in regards to international affairs. It’s because along with economic and military power, popularity is something that determines how much clout a country has. </p>
<p>Anyone notice how Bush has been unable to convince the Europeans to help out more in Iraq and Afghanistan? Anyone notice how the Germans still cheered Obama even though he said they ought to help out more in Afghanistan which is an incredibly unpopular position there?</p>
<p>It’s because Obama has clout and Bush doesn’t.</p>
<p>I’m willing to risk not caring what the world thinks of the US. 
If we cared, we’d never have revolted against Britain or fought the Cold War.</p>
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<p>That’s so…</p>
<p>WROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO… <em>takes breathe</em></p>
<p>OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!</p>
<p>McCain is a RINO, so I don’t think there’s THAT much difference between the two candidates. </p>
<p>I’m more afraid of the supporters who won’t understand how their candidate could possibly have lost, so the election must have been rigged or stolen, or that the election was a referendum on race relations (with whites failing miserably). There will be counts and recounts and accusations of widespread voter intimidation…</p>
<p>many will agree the bush administration has made many mistakes.
But also realize he was re elected, despite the supposed opposition to iraq.
The civil war was going to happen, it was eminent, and only a matter of time. Slavery was not the central issue, as it took a while for lincoln to actually “free” the slaves. The issue was nullification and differing needs by the industrial north, which wanted high tariffs, and the south which wanted low tariffs. The issues go on and on, but it was only a matter of time.
If bo loses, it shows the american publicis not ready to have such a liberal president, and would prefer a moderate with military experiance.
Regardless of who wins, we may very well be in iraq for a long time. Bo is open to re deploying troops if the region destabilizes, and the mccain 100 year statement was obviously taken out of context.
If any will lose hope in america because bo didn’t win, its a sad day for america, as everyone has the ability to make change</p>
<p>I believe we can all agree that the message for this election is change. I believe what is in dispute is the direction that this “unknown” change will take us. If McCain should happen to be our next POTUS. It does not prevent us from changing as individuals. We should continue with increased enthusiasm to conserve energy, help those in need, compromise to get things done. If we seek out change in ourselves the rest will take care of itself!</p>
<p>Obama for Chancellor?</p>
<p>I’m not suggesting for a minute that folks have to agree with the POTUS or his policies. I liken this to family. If you come from a large family this may ring true. You don’t always get along with your brothers, sisters, cousing, etc… You bicker, squabble and sometimes come to blows. That’s normal. Heaven forbid if someone comes in from the outside and messes with your family. There would be hell to pay. The family would rally round whatever family member in question and defend/protect them. The problems start when one member of the family or some sub-set tries to throw another under the bus.</p>
<p>I didn’t like Clinton… I like Bush even less (unfortunately I disliked Gore and Kerry even more). I am, however, part of the “family” and when push comes to shove will defend or protect the leader of my family. I hope that doesn’t sound too corny. That was what I meant by:</p>
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<p>Agree, disagree…it’s a free country. It should really irk any American when someone else threatens to leave because they don’t like the will of the voters. The first response should be “let me help you pack”.</p>
<p>p.s. - gbesq, I missed the smiley face. My bad! :)</p>
<p>An Obama win will mean changes, possibly/hopefully with an overall improvement in the way this country is going. A McCain/Republican win is unlikely to change the general direction we are heading in. That would be discouraging as I don’t believe continuing with many of the current policies, despite modifications, will solve our ongoing problems in so many arenas. I fear that too many voters think we can go on with “business as usual” and ignore any “unpleasant truths”. I think too many Americans are in a state of denial, that we can make time stand still and live as we have regardless of changing conditions. We’ll see- a lot depends on who votes, and who stays home.</p>
<p>Hillary will begin the 2012 “I told you so” campaign.</p>
<p>That’s why she tried to submarine Obama. If he gets elected it is likely for 8 years. McCain was only for 4.</p>
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<p>German Chancellor? Good luck with that. </p>
<p>He should check first how many people of color hold any important position in Germany. He will be surprised by the paucity of minorities in any position of influence in Germany.</p>
<p>Obama loss will be good for the country because McCain will finally address the run away federal spending by Bush. He will also run government more efficiently. We need to cut down on government wastes, and institute programs the actually work for the tax payer.</p>
<p>Interesting to think that the same party that allowed the run away federal spending by Bush could then simply switch and address it with McCain. I’m not banking on it!</p>
<p>If McCain wins and it is a legitimate win (the last two elections were certainly questionable) I will accept him as President. Although it hasn’t felt like this for quite some time we all need to believe that America is a democracy. I don’t think there will be mass riots because although McCain is not my choice there will be a collective sigh of relief when we can all look towards the end of the Bush regime. The “anyone by Bush” feeling will provide some happiness to all Americans. It is, however, very important to make sure that no one is disenfranchised as they most certainly were in the last two elections. Despite the fiasco of the last 8 years America is still the land of opportunity and the greatest nation in the world. </p>
<p>I’m hopeful that Obama is elected and we once again can become a country that can play in the sandbox well with other nations and stop kicking sand. With advances in technology and trade it is certainly important that we act appropriately in the global economy. </p>
<p>Looking forward to November!</p>
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<p>By borrowing money to fund the Iraq war almost indefinitely?</p>
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<p>indefinitely? Where do you get your news? MSNBC?</p>
<p>If you believe that Obama is going to withdraw the troops from Iraq anytime soon, I have a sea to sell to you in Mali.</p>
<p>From one of the best books about presidential campaigns ever written, The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White:</p>
<p>“What results from the fitting together of these secrets is, of course,
the most awesome transfer of power in the world – the power to marshal
and mobilize, the power to send men to kill or be killed, the power to
tax and destroy, the power to create and the responsibility to do so,
the power to guide and the responsibility and the responsibility to heal
– all committed into the hands of one man. Heroes and philosophers,
brave men and vile, have since Rome and Athens tried to make this
particular manner of transfer of power work effectively; no people has
succeeded at it better, or over a longer period of time, than the
Americans. Yet as the transfer of this power takes place, there is
nothing to be seen except an occasional line outside a church or school,
or a file of people fidgeting in the rain, waiting to enter the booths.
No bands play on election day, no troops march, no guns are readied, no
conspirators gather in secret headquarters. The noise and the blare,
the bands and the screaming, the pageantry and oratory of the long fall
campaign, fade on election day. All the planning is over, all effort
spent. Now the candidates must wait.”</p>