[Archived] American Presidential Elections

[philipl]

Just checked but there doesn't seem to be a thread on this. Looking to be a fascinating contest building up to "super dooper" or "tsunami" Tuesday.

Don't know whether Obama will win or if he did, whether he would be any good, but this is one fantastic speech: http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20080126_yes_we_can/

It is uplifting stuff! His South Carolina Victory speech.

[Flopsy]

Too be honest, Him, Hillary, McCain, all of them would be a breath of fresh air compared to the moron we have in charge at the moment.

Although I think Hillary would be the better President

[broadsword]

She can order me about any time she likes. Oooooh!

[Bazzanotsogreat]

Hilary to sneak the democrat the nomination. I really like Obama’s style and has a natural aura not to dissimilar to JFK really. Reckon his past drug-misuse and religious allegations may be dredged back up by Hilary’s camp.

As for the Republicans it looks like it’s between Romney and McCain, don’t rule out Rudy who has invested heavily in the larger states

[Rovermatt]

I've watched all the Democratic debates on youtube and have been following the primaries on Fox News (the only proper US news station I can pick up).

Obama is hugely impressive. He's articulate, educated, inspiring and above all very presidential. Having said that the inevitable comparisons to Dr King, JFK and Bobby Kennedy are, I feel, premature if not totally inaccurate. His victory in South Carolina may well indicate how well he is going to do amongst black voters. In addition, the endorsements of both John Kerry and Edward Kennedy (ensuring him Massachusetts perhaps?) are major coups for a campaign which was strong from the beginning but is now gathering momentum.

Clinton however is a serious heavyweight who will probably win the nomination when all is said and done. Her base support is still huge and with the divisive and derisive husband (a man I admire greatly) on board her campaign, she still has to be the favourite in the remaining key states. Her VP nomination will be interesting. Obama would be an obvious choice but their relations have turned very sour recently.

If I had a vote, I have to say it would be going to John Edwards. He has consistently impressed me and his policies and ideals are very much in keeping with my own. He has run the only truly liberal campaign as far as I can see but clearly he's a little too left wing to be taken as a serious threat. In spite of his ridiculous good looks, sh!t-eating grin and expensive haircut, he comes across as surprisingly trustworthy (as politicians go) and a thoroughly decent bloke. He looks likely to hang on as far as next Tuesday but perhaps the best he can hope for is a VP slot for either of the top two. The delegates he does have could be crucial come the DNC in August.

[Flopsy]

It's really getting like the last Series of the West Wing isnt it? Although with an idiot in charge instead of Bartlett

[rover6]

Doesn't anyone else find it very depressing that all these candidates only need to utter a few heady phrases and hundreds of people cheer as if the world has been righted?

I know that people hope for a better tomorrow but is it realistic to expect a candidate who says something like "I wanna give voice to the voiceless" to be speaking of something specific or are they just saying something that won't tie them down in the future and will get them a loud cheer in the present?

And how many of the people who raucously celebrate the latest idealistic speech will do the same half-way through their candidate's Presidential term, assuming s/he gets into office? I suggest a very small percentage. Even if they do carry out their promises (which practically is not possible most of the times), new problems crop up and the majority sink back into their perpetual dissatisfaction with the state.

It's the same in all stable democracies. The hype and hope pre-election is never fulfilled. But then again, they are getting rid of George Bush so it won't be all gloom. And it's better to have a OTT personality/oratory contest that none at all.

[Eddie]

Something just doesn't seem right to me about Obama, he just sort of bugs me, not really sure why. I don't like how he is working young voters so much, that always worries me a bit as it means he has been able to avoid talking about his policies and has simply tried to make himself hip and popular. I'd vote for Clinton, although I don't think any of the candidates are fantastic, but she certainly seems the best.

[BuckyRover]

I would be willing to bet quite a large number of this board (and the Blackburn population at large) will no longer support America if Obama get's the nod.

He may be supporting Osama

[speeeeeeedie]

I've watched all the Democratic debates on youtube and have been following the primaries on Fox News (the only proper US news station I can pick up). I don't class Fox News as "proper"; just a bunch of flag waving right wing mentalists who agree with anything that the plonker in charge over here does.

Obama is hugely impressive. He sounds like Chuck D from Public Enemy. He seems alright but the below statement has it for me; The Clintons have too much power and cunning, maybe he should have waited a bit.

Clinton however is a serious heavyweight who will probably win the nomination when all is said and done. Her base support is still huge and with the divisive and derisive husband on board her campaign, she still has to be the favourite in the remaining key states. Her VP nomination will be interesting. Obama would be an obvious choice but their relations have turned very sour recently.

If I had a vote, I have to say it would be going to John Edwards. In spite of his ridiculous good looks, sh!t-eating grin and expensive haircut, he comes across as surprisingly trustworthy (as politicians go) and a thoroughly decent bloke. The bloke's a sneaky sod. He has politician written all over him but isn't national enough.

I would be willing to bet quite a large number of this board (and the Blackburn population at large) will no longer support America if Obama get's the nod.

He may be supporting Osama

True. If he gets the nomination just watch how many TV people 'slip up' and call him Osama, and use his middle name; Hussein.

[Rovermatt]

I've watched all the Democratic debates on youtube and have been following the primaries on Fox News (the only proper US news station I can pick up). I don't class Fox News as "proper"; just a bunch of flag waving right wing mentalists who agree with anything that the plonker in charge over here does.

Fair enough. Fox News is distasteful but it does offer coverage at least. I pay little attention to the analysis. After Obama took Iowa they were hollering that Hillary was essentially finished. It was as if they were trying to convince themselves that it was so.

[wilyrover]

I'm sick of the coverage of these primaries. Every state looks to be getting a visit from our media - does that mean we're going to get a dose of every one of them? Please no!

Nothing against the Americans, but we seem to be hit by images of the place every second of the day. I'd think the same if they covered the Portuguese or Danish election too.

It's sod all to do with us. We'll deal with the winner - eventually

[broadsword]

I just read "Osdama" there instead of "Obama"

Or even, "Osama"

[herbergeehh]

What annoys me is the insane amounts of money being spent, both on these campaigns and on G9 meetings etc., half of it could probably fund sewer systems and medicines in any African country.. But then again, sewer systems are quite the opposite of what these money go to

Rooting for Obama myself, based on my very small foundation and knowledge.

[Mike Graham]

prefer John Edwards (Democrat) myself...has some radical ideas for an American politician. As for the Republcans; they have some nutcases....god help us if they get in again.

[T4E]

I just read "Osdama" there instead of "Obama"

Or even, "Osama"

If he does get elected, how long until he's involved involved in some sex scandal inviting the inevitable newspaper headline "Obama Sin Laden" ?

[American Rover12]

As for the Republcans; they have some nutcases....god help us if they get in again.

That sums it up.

[American]

I'd take any Republican over Hillary. She scares me more than any politician out there.

For me it is about how the person presents themselves and our country. With the way congress is nowadays, they aren't going to make a huge difference (remember, Hillary and many other Dems voted for the war - Obama voted against it). Been watching the debates and have developed opinions on them all (in the order I would vote for them):

Ron Paul - I would vote for him in an instant. Anti-big government, but he doesn't have a chance. Didn't impress me much in the last debate, but his politics are more along the line with mine. I like politicians who have a set of ideals that they stick to.

Mike Gravel - Completely opposite of Paul in his beliefs, but I would vote for him because you know what you are getting. Very liberal and anti-war.

Rudy Giuliani - Proved his leadership with the way he turned NY around. Went against what all the liberals said he should do and what he did with the city was a huge success. Lower crime, more tourism, etc.

John Edwards - Again, I disagree with him a lot, but he is a man of his convictions.

Obama - Leadership, ideas, good speaker. Some of his ideas I disagree with, but they all seem pretty well thought out. Also, did very well when unfairly attacked by Billery.

Mitt Romney - Has all the right answers, but they seem to practiced. Didn't do much for Massachusetts' economy (not all his fault, though, if you know the area and the government).

John McCain - Good leader, I'd trust him as commander in chief. My one big problem with him is that he is very anti-free speech.

Mike Huckabee - Too conservative.

Hillary - Changes positions more often than a porn star. Talks about having dealt with opposition for 16 years of public service. Um, Hillary, you were no more a public servant for the majority of those years than Prince Philip. You were banging a public servant (apparently not enough, though). Plays the tough woman card, until she gets the same criticism that men get when they do it, then she's a poor put upon woman who shouldn't be picked on. Anyone who says they are a Cubs fan at one point and a Yankees fan at another is a liar in my book.

[Grabbi Graeme]

What gets me is how long windedand and drawn out it is just to vote for a president, it seems to last for an age.

[American Rover12]

After Hillary's win tonight in Florida, it's looking like a McCain Hillary race. I will never, ever vote for Hillary Clinton.

[Rovermatt]

Hillary didn't actually win Florida as the Democrats decided not to hold a primary there. There were no delegates up for grabs.

I saw a speech given by McCain the other day which basically inferred he has no intention of withdrawing troops from Iraq. If that's not a vote-loser, I don't know what is

[American]

You need to actually listen to what McCain says about the reasons why not.

I think he has enough of a history (POW in Vietnam for years) that people are more willing to listen to the whys from him. Hillary says she is going to pull troops within 60 days of taking over. McCain is smart enough to respond that this just lets the different groups (including Al Quaida) know exactly how long to stay in the background before being able to mount attacks without US interference.

[speeeeeeedie]

Not one of them is banging on about Iraq. I think they all know they are deep in it and will have to stay for ages. The big issue right now is the economy. The Democrats say let us in because we didn't get you in this mess. The Republicans say let us in because that lot will raise taxes.

When all said and done the winner will only make so much difference. The house and Senate votes are just as cruical. Clueless Bush got a lot of his stuff done because the Republicans held both houses as well as himself so no-one could challenge. It will only help a Democrat President if they retain what they have now in Congress.

McCain won Florida. Guiliani is expected to officially announce that he's done later on today. Huckabee is praying for a miracle. It's either McCain or Romney. The Fox News clowns are spending a good amount of time having a go at McCain. I hope he wins just for that, then they'll have to turn around and start blindingly singing his praises.

I think Clinton will win in California and New York, leaving Obama in the dust.

It does take ages and lots of cash; but Americans are great at marketing, and spending money.

[philipl]

If it is McCain v Hilton then Bloomberg could make it a three way race running as an independent. He won't notice the billion it will cost his personal purse!

Obama has had two things move his way- the economy has taken Iraq off the agenda and with it the Billary shameful smearing of an honourable record but also Obama's lack of foreign experience/knowledge of any sort. Bill's thrusting himself into the campaign has brought Michelle Obama to the fore and that is one impressive lady I think has seriously wrong-footed the Billaries.

Edwards is closest to my politics but he has a real credibilty problem.

The Obama v Clinton battle is probably the battle for the White House as there is nobody on the Republican side who can beat either of them. Either of them couldn't help but be a quantum leap better than the current occupant whose tenure is closing the "American Century" 92 years early.

Looks like Edwards and Giuliani are bowing out today. Is Giuliani's backing of McCain a bid for the VP slot?

[USRoverME]

Never bothered to weight in here before... but here goes.

I've liked and respected McCain for a while, and that's probably where my vote goes. The Iraq situation is a mess, and McCain is one of the few Reps who actually has said its a mess for a while and has tried to fix things, and would fix it, just differently than the dems. Even though he's an "insider" haveing been on teh hill for a while, I think he's ###### off enough people and "done his own thing" enough that he's not the 'party-line" guy. He's also certainly not one of the religious fanatics that have such a sway for some infernal reson in the states right now.

I'm willing to listen to Obama, and if its an Obama-McCain race, I'll be fine either way to be honest. Obama has the leadership, and I've not heard too much from him that makes me fear for the future of the USA. To be fair, I'm not typically a Dem in my thinking for ecomonic and social policies. And I fear what voting in a Dem on the verge of a recession would do to the economy. "We're going to try and spend more on health care and social services while trying to fund it by taxing the people most able to fight tax increases due to their connections and vast wealth"... great idea but seriously, its going to take a while, and meanwhile the debt grows.

Romney - Don't trust him, which is an unfair critisicm, but everytime I hear him speak I just feel like he's doing classing Political-speak (or Clinton-Speak), saying anything for a vote, when the reality will be different. The focus going onto the economy is good for him, with his background, but at the same time, he couldn't turn around Taxachusetts, and well, eyah Mass is a funny state to work with... but the Fed gov't isn't any better. In terms of delegates, he's gotta still fight the Huckster in the south for delegates in his major focus areas.

Huckabee - my very Religious parents love him, which means he's a nut job... he's an articulate nut-job, but he is one... and that means he's got 10-20% of the vote sewn up right there from the Religious Right at this point.

Paul - Love to listen to his policy ideas, could never vote for him, he's got a web of consipracy theorists and wackos on his side that make my skin crawl.

Edwards - Another guy I like and respect. I laugh when his accent gets stronger the more south he goes, bt hey, I'd rather someone change their voice when addressing different groups rather than change their words. I think he's said he's not going to accept a VP slot, so good on him. At this point, if the Reps win, he's well poised 4 years from now, depending on his wife's condition.

Hilary - My aunt, uncle and grandmother (who live in rural New York) call her the scariest politician they've ever seen or heard. And she's their representative. She's campaigning on the hope that women will vote for her only because she's a woman, and some mythical promise of "electability, change and experience". #1 - is a crapshoot, electability is all about the votes, unless she's claiming to be clairvoyant. #2 is a laugh, Bilary has been the Democratic power in the USA for 12 years now, what makes you think they want any change from the partisan politics on the hill? The partisan politics is what they thrive in and live for and what gave them their fame. #3 is also a joke as was mentioned earlier. They are sly, like how they bring up Race, and then claim Obama is using race to his advantage. I love how Bill (who was once labeled the first black preisdent) gets away with falling alseep at a MLK day ceremony, and still has the gall to attack Obama for references to MLK. The tear in NH was a hoot. I grew up in NH, I've seen the campaign cavalcades. To me, that was a set-up a calculated "change of message turning point" when she was slipping in the polls after Iowa. It worked, they duped us again. If she were to win the presidency, I'd have to seriously look at moving.... any good jobs in Blackburn?

On a side note, this "fiscal stimulus package" sickens me. We've got a massive federal debt. Our ecomony is falling, largely on the housing market news... so what is the response... We shell out $150 billion in deficit spending (that will tack directly onto the federal debt) and we RAISE the maximum amount that a loan will be insured by the federal gov't meaning that loans for houses will be easier to take out for people.... when housing prices are falling and people are being foreclosed on at a record rate, we've made it easier for people to spend beyond their means on a house!!! madness. And this is both side sof the aisle's idea of cooperation. by the way, I read recently that the average amaerican family currently saves -4% of their yearly income. yes, the average american family spends more than it makes, so lets toss more money at them to increase spending! yeehaw!