<p>Yeah, but when McCain yells into the microphone (as he did over the weekend in NH) “I will hunt down Osama bin Laden and follow him to the gates of hell if I have to,” it reminds me of the cowboy gung-ho mentality of Bush. Even David Brooks in today’s NYT said: “McCain’s weakness is that he flies by the seat of his pants.”</p>
<p>That really worries me in terms of our foreign policy.</p>
<p>janieblue, my H, whose judgment I respect, shares your support for Edwards. I’m not against Edwards, nor any of the Democrats - I am so dispirited by the state of this country (I see it in no less than a freefall) – that I almost don’t care which Democrat wins - as long as one of them does.</p>
<p>I do think that the reason people like McCain is his [relative] honesty and that whole POW experience, which is certainly impressive (and worthy of a Hollywood movie). I read one of his books, and it certainly reflects a man who has principles and sticks by them, whether you agree with them or not. He has experience, and people really do respect him. He’s way, way, way too much of a Bush supporter for my tastes, and I also suspect he’d keep us in this current war forever, and probably have no issues with getting us into others. I really do think, though, that his POW experience is what keeps people continually intrigued with him. His military past alone would really make Obama look like a serious lightweight-- in any debate with just the two of them.</p>
<p>1sokkermom: Thank your husband for me(!)-- and your daughter. I’m sorry she couldn’t vote, too. Obviously, great minds think alike. 
How do you think he’s doing in NH-- Edwards, not your husband . . .</p>
<p>katliamom: Yes, that’s about the way I feel, too. I’ll definitely be voting for a Democrat, regardless, though I do believe Edwards is the best candidate and the one that could easily beat a Republican.</p>
<p>I admire Obama for being against the war when everyone else was for the war. </p>
<p>I admire McCain for being for the surge when everyone else was against it.</p>
<p>I also admire myself for being against the war and for the surge :-), but I’m not running so it is besides the point!</p>
<p>I think that McCain would be the last president to place us in another war and that he would get us out of this faster than anyone else…he knows from personal experience that you do everything first b4 you send in the troops. The troops are always the last resort. It would be interesting if he became President, because the wheel will have gone full circle…his Dad having to order a military attack on Hanoi, and McCain’s son Jack is a midshipman at Annapolis (I believe he will grad in 09), thus he could order his son into war</p>
<p>Well, go into McCain’s website and read his position on Iraq and Iran. Maybe I missed something, but his stance does not sound like someone who will get us out of Iraq any time soon. He believes more troops should be sent in, and we should get tougher on Iran. He’s not gonna bring anybody home any time soon, from what I can tell. His comments about Iran suggest that he would not be against sending in military forces there.</p>
<p>“How do you think he’s doing in NH-- Edwards, not your husband . . .” LOL</p>
<p>We just finished dinner. Husband is out walking the dog. Not sure about Edwards. </p>
<p>I think Edwards may come in third in NH, but no bets yet. Lots of folks I talked to could have voted for Edwards or Obama. Many went with Obama because they felt that Obama could defeat Hillary. </p>
<p>The results will be interesting. The polls are open in many towns for another half hour…</p>
<p>During dinner the phone rang four times. Two calls from Clinton campaign and two calls from the Edwards campaign. I never answered before, but tonight I was curious to see who was still calling. :rolleyes: I can’t wait for NO MORE CALLS !!</p>
<p>“Some vote on experience – others vote on ideas. McCain has more experience but I find his ideas scary - in my case McCain’s experience issue is a moot point.”</p>
<p>But my point still stands that experience is a valid consideration and in no way an attack or smear.</p>
<p>epiph:</p>
<p>McCain was against the Bush tax cuts – not a standard repub position. And, his authorship of McCain-Feingold has been described by some as one of the largest infringements of personal rights. Thus, he doesn’t fit neatly into the “conservative” mold (if there is one).</p>
<p>1sokkermom: I’m watching Lou Dobbs right now, so okay, I’ll report to you what’s now happening in NH. ;)</p>
<p>So far, Clinton 40%; Obama 36%; Edwards 17%. I don’t know how many precincts are in yet, though. 18% I think. McCain has already been declared the Republican winner in this primary.
*Sorry, that was 34% for Obama, not 36%.</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn’t count Hillary as being out of contention just yet. Iowa and New Hampshire are small potatoes. If she loses to Obama on Super Tuesday, that’s another matter. In any event, as much as I admire Obama for tapping into the kind of political optimism and enthusiasm that I haven’t seen since JFK, his lack of experience troubles me. Hillary may not have much in the way of charisma, but so far she still has my vote.</p>
<p>I would vote for Obama if this were the national election and it was Hillary vs Obama. But this is the primary, so my question (Feb5) is going to be- who can beat (unknown Republican opponent) in November. </p>
<p>Frankly I’m hoping for Obama to be scrutinized and attacked hard in the next few weeks. How he fares will help me decide.</p>
<p>McCain just gain the worst victory speech I have ever heard. My 6-year-old nephew can read better than he just did. Wow.</p>
<p>Hillary and Obama are very close. The polls were wrong again. Yesterday it was going to be an Obama blowout …:eek:</p>
<p>McCain also has a son in the Marines stationed in Iraq. He will use great judgement about anything involving our military. </p>
<p>He is also the most Fiscally Conservative of all the candidates. In all of his years in the House and Senate he has NEVER voted to raise taxes, nor has he ever asked for or received earmarks on a bill or pork projects for his state. His campaigns against government waste and irrational spending are legendary! </p>
<p>If you have an issue with the fact that Senator McCain didnt support the Bush tax cuts he has said many times that he was in favor of those cuts (and even more!), but could not support them if spending continued thru the roof which it has & is the reason we have the deficit we do now. </p>
<p>Isnt it exciting to think of having a President who will expose the corruption in Washington and work to eliminate the pork barrel spending as John McCain has vowed to do!</p>
<p>Senator McCain will usually take the most pragmatic stand on the issues, such as immigration or the marriage protection amendment. Whenever Senator McCain has deviated from the “party line”, it has been in the interest of actually fixing a problem or getting something DONE. He can be counted on to come up with the most workable solution to the issues facing our country. And even if you dont agree with him, hell always tell you the truth. We need more of his type of Straight Talk from our elected officials, and by electing John McCain, we can (hopefully) begin to trend that way in government. </p>
<p>In a nutshell:</p>
<ul>
<li>McCain knows how to fight the GWOT.</li>
<li>Experienced in National Security and Foreign Policy.</li>
<li>He understands domestic issues & how to deal w/ them.</li>
<li>He will avoid partisan politics by working w/ Dems to actually get something DONE in Washington.</li>
<li>He is a staunch supporter of Right-to-Life, 2nd Amendment & Strong Military.</li>
<li>Wants to control spending, reduce taxes & expose corruption in Washington.</li>
<li>Doesnt run from the controversial issues like immigration, but endorses a pragmatic approach which might actually result in a SOLUTION!</li>
<li>Most experienced & knowledgeable candidate.</li>
</ul>
<p>So Why vote for ANYONE else?</p>
<p>She’s alive.</p>
<p>MSNBC just projected Clinton as the winner of NH primary. Women voters came through for her. I say it’s her stellar performance in the debate on Sunday and the emotion she allowed herself to show yesterday. </p>
<p>Even though I support Obama, I’m glad there is still a horserace. As Tom Brokaw said “America deserves a longer dialogue.”</p>
<p>Go Hillary!!!. I never counted you out.</p>
<p>Who watched the Republican debate? Did anyone see their childish depiction of the quality of American healthcare? I have never been so embarrassed, “America has the greatest healthcare on earth” and “If America socializes where will the canadians go when they get ill”, are you freaking kidding? Have these people seen a single stat about the state of American healthcare, freaking morons. Absolute idiots.</p>