US Politics?

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by Gartism

LOL...yeah, TH - you caught me ranting. Sure the Pres does more, but it's the dang promises they make that kill me...and the thought that the "majority" buy into it.

Hehe.. well.. i'm all in favor of a dictatorship as long as I get to be the dictator.

Originally Posted by Gartism

I've always said that anyone wanting to be president should be immediately disqualified...this shouldn't be seen as a "great" job to have. Unlimited power, within reason and leashed, for 4 or 8 years and then *poof* off into obscurity and the textbooks.

Ex-presidents usually make out pretty well. Certainly more than they made when they had the job. Speaking engagements at $50K a pop with the inevitable 6-7 figure book deal.

Originally Posted by Gartism

You'll be remembered for either a good, mediocre or bad economy (something the president really can't control).

But.. you'll be remembered. Like Franklin Pierce.

Originally Posted by Gartism

I agree on the ticket being C/O or O/C ... but I think John Edwards may sneak in as the VP candidate if Hillary takes the nomination. He's a "win" for the South.

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Tell it to John Kerry. Edwards couldn't deliver the south if you gave him a Klan outfit. Barack Obama on the other hand plays really well down here to solidify the democratic base and he can buy himself a ticket for the low low price of $100 million dollars.

Originally Posted by Gartism

Unfortunately, the South still thinks they won the war and that white, male-dominated America is where their protection lies.

This is why Obama has like a 15-20pt lead in the polls for SC? New England skews primarily white liberal democrat... that plays right into Hillary's fan base. The South on the other hand has an extreme distaste for her.. but with Obama there she would be unstoppable.

Originally Posted by Gartism

I don't understand that...but it's what I see everytime I visit.

Oh yeah - uh, Sayid for president.

Oh wth.. Baby Aaron for president of course.

-TH

[lost_grrl]

Responding to a few things that caught my eye:

You shouldn't bash Hill for not leaving Bill. The same goes on in thousands of households every year. That doesn't make her stupid or naive. Some people, for whatever reason, will honor their vows no matter what. Her (or any candidate) marriage should not be looked at as a factor in deciding whether or not they are fit to run the country--unless we are talking about someone who is abusive. We are one of the only countries that cares about our elected officials' private life and all it does is push people to deceive or not run at all for fear of having their private life spread out for the world to see.

NH and Iowa are not considered important because they are representative of the rest of the country. They are important because they are first. It wouldn't matter which states were first. Those first 2 primaries are the first real indication of the viability of a candidate. Polls are one thing, but these are the first "real life" tests. Candidates are then able to use their momentum to raise funds and support going into Super Tuesday, which is the real separator of men from boys.

I would love Huckabee or Romney to get the Rep. nomination. I am a Dem and think that those two kooks are absolutely defeatable (is that a word???) by both Clinton and Obama. McCain would put up a bigger fight, for sure and although he wouldn't be my first choice, I wouldn't feel tempted to flee the country if he were elected.

I still can't believe that Huckabee won Iowa. I knew McCain wouldn't because he doesn't even run their because of the whole ethanol issue but Huckabee??? He believed in 1991 that HIV/AIDS patients should be quarantined. Now he defends himself by saying "Oh we didn't know everything we know now". Okay, that statement would make sense if he was talking about 1981, but by '91 we knew that it wasn't passed through air or touch. He is just a big old ignorant, bigoted Evangelical crazy man. Evangelicals frighten me. Have you guys seen 'Jesus Camp'. Those kids were scarier than the little girls in 'The Shining'!!!

I just wonder if either Clinton or Obama are actually electable against even a moderately strong Republican. It is unfortunate but there are still people who won't vote for them simply because they are female or black, respectively. Add to that that there is a measurable chunk of the population that persist in believing that Obama is Muslim...

It is exciting that we have such an up-in-the-air election. It could get very ugly!

I did see part of Jesus Camp - it scared me, seriously I thought it was a Stephen King thing.
Anyways, I think the candidates should actually make promises they can realistically keep.
At least right now I don't have to see campaign bashing ads - they are a comin. I can't wait it's the highlight of the election year.

Hillary seems very frigid to me. Obama - eh, I don't trust him. My dad is convinced he is a 'sleeper'.

[tailhook]

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

Responding to a few things that caught my eye:

You shouldn't bash Hill for not leaving Bill. The same goes on in thousands of households every year. That doesn't make her stupid or naive. Some people, for whatever reason, will honor their vows no matter what.

You act like we don't know what the reason is or that it doesn't tie directly into the race at hand. Flat out.. she would not be where she is if she didn't let her husband walk all over and publicly humiliate her. Thats not a strong woman its an incredibly weak one. Why do you think high powered women hate her guts? They got where they are climbing the ladder and hard work while you have Hillary that has basically slept her way to the top and gone so far as to sign off on her husband cheating on her being considered for the highest job in the land.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

Her (or any candidate) marriage should not be looked at as a factor in deciding whether or not they are fit to run the country--unless we are talking about someone who is abusive.

Now you're just being idealistic.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

We are one of the only countries that cares about our elected officials' private life and all it does is push people to deceive or not run at all for fear of having their private life spread out for the world to see.

Tell it to the French.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

NH and Iowa are not considered important because they are representative of the rest of the country.

Did you get your wording mixed up there? Usually if they are representative of the rest of the country they are important. But nobody can make the case either is representative of the rest of the country unless they were incredibly racist.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

They are important because they are first. It wouldn't matter which states were first. Those first 2 primaries are the first real indication of the viability of a candidate. Polls are one thing, but these are the first "real life" tests. Candidates are then able to use their momentum to raise funds and support going into Super Tuesday, which is the real separator of men from boys.

Support yes.. funds no. All of the major candidates minus Huckabee used last year to build up their war chests for the fight this year. You simply can't generate enough funds after the first 2 primaries and get them spent by the time the 5th rolls around to buy enough air time to matter. You have to have the money allready in the bank and ready to spend or have spent BEFORE the first 2 primaries or you're probably DOA. It'll interesting to see if Huckabee can finally break that cycle and actually get wide support on Super Tuesday.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

I would love Huckabee or Romney to get the Rep. nomination. I am a Dem and think that those two kooks are absolutely defeatable (is that a word???) by both Clinton and Obama.

I don't think there is a Republican out there that could withstand the juggernaut of Obama/Clinton. And this comes from a conservative. They got the money and a base itching to come out to vote for them.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

McCain would put up a bigger fight, for sure and although he wouldn't be my first choice, I wouldn't feel tempted to flee the country if he were elected.

I don't see McCain getting the nomination.. but even if he did he'd just get steamrolled. The only one even a glimmer of hope of rallying the conservative base is Huckabee. Only problem is he wants to abolish the IRS and replace it with a consumption tax which is all sorts of looney. I'd rather have Universal Health Coverage then that. Not to say its good.. but at least it won't damage the country as much.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

I just wonder if either Clinton or Obama are actually electable against even a moderately strong Republican.

Of course. They got the money and the momentum. It would take some incredible blunders for a Obama/Clinton ticket not to win. Also don't forget that the electoral college is stacked in the democratic favor... a republican to win has to run the table on the smaller states to compensate for the loss of the major industrial states in new england and also california. The last 2 elections have come down to a single state.. Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. Anybody going to claim New York or California or even most of the previously blue states are even in play? Any democratic contender would simply need to pull 1 or 2 of the smaller formerly red states while their support stays happy and its a walk in the electoral college park from there.

Originally Posted by lost_grrl

It is unfortunate but there are still people who won't vote for them simply because they are female or black, respectively. Add to that that there is a measurable chunk of the population that persist in believing that Obama is Muslim...

Those are your own hangups.

-TH

[clueless1der]

Originally Posted by Gartism

You'll be remembered for either a good, mediocre or bad economy (something the president really can't control).

Or, a blue dress and a great deal of alleged p*ssy.

Originally Posted by tailhook

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Tell it to John Kerry. Edwards couldn't deliver the south if you gave him a Klan outfit. Barack Obama on the other hand plays really well down here to solidify the democratic base and he can buy himself a ticket for the low low price of $100 million dollars.

I fully admit to not being one of the great political minds of our generation, but wouldn't a ticket of Hillary/Obama or Obama/Hillary be too "out there" for a good many people who might complain of the Rich White Man choices, but can't really see a black man and white woman running together... whoever is on top? (honestly I didn't mean for that to sound dirty.) I guess that I could see either one of them with the warmer fuzzier, safer Edwards.... more so than Richardson as a running mate, especially with all the mud that seems to be slung from one camp to the other.

Ok - so who can't wait for all the wonderful annoying ads?

[memories]

You go Hilary, show these idiots what a woman can really do

[lost_grrl]

Originally Posted by tailhook

You act like we don't know what the reason is or that it doesn't tie directly into the race at hand. Flat out.. she would not be where she is if she didn't let her husband walk all over and publicly humiliate her. Thats not a strong woman its an incredibly weak one. Why do you think high powered women hate her guts? They got where they are climbing the ladder and hard work while you have Hillary that has basically slept her way to the top and gone so far as to sign off on her husband cheating on her being considered for the highest job in the land.

Wow...that is exactly what I am talking about. Judging her fitness as a candidate based on her marital problems is wrong. Call me idealistic all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that it is wrong.

Originally Posted by tailhook

Tell it to the French.

I admit I am not really well-versed on French politics, but I don't recall hearing calls from the French that Sarkozy be removed from office for dating a model. They are interested in the relationship for voyeuristic reasons, not political.

Originally Posted by tailhook

Did you get your wording mixed up there? Usually if they are representative of the rest of the country they are important. But nobody can make the case either is representative of the rest of the country unless they were incredibly racist.

Yup...I typed the word 'not' in the wrong place.

Originally Posted by tailhook

Support yes.. funds no. All of the major candidates minus Huckabee used last year to build up their war chests for the fight this year. You simply can't generate enough funds after the first 2 primaries and get them spent by the time the 5th rolls around to buy enough air time to matter. You have to have the money allready in the bank and ready to spend or have spent BEFORE the first 2 primaries or you're probably DOA. It'll interesting to see if Huckabee can finally break that cycle and actually get wide support on Super Tuesday.

While it is true that the bulk of the war chest is already in place, showing one's viability keeps the funds rolling in. For candidates that already have a huge bank account, it may not be critical but every penny helps.

Originally Posted by tailhook

I don't think there is a Republican out there that could withstand the juggernaut of Obama/Clinton. And this comes from a conservative. They got the money and a base itching to come out to vote for them.

I don't see McCain getting the nomination.. but even if he did he'd just get steamrolled. The only one even a glimmer of hope of rallying the conservative base is Huckabee. Only problem is he wants to abolish the IRS and replace it with a consumption tax which is all sorts of looney. I'd rather have Universal Health Coverage then that. Not to say its good.. but at least it won't damage the country as much.

I hope you are right. I do think that McCain has the best chance of doing so. Because the Dems who hate Hillary could stay away from the polls entirely f the only other choice is Huckabee. They would be more inclined to get out and vote if McCain was the nom.

Don't discount the Evangelicals though when it comes to Huckabee. They, as a group, DO stay home if they don't have a candidate that shares their values so they would be likely to sit it out if McCain gets the nom. But Huckabee is one of their own. If they decide to get behind a candidate, they can make a major impact on the results. Look at Ohio.

Originally Posted by tailhook

Any democratic contender would simply need to pull 1 or 2 of the smaller formerly red states while their support stays happy and its a walk in the electoral college park from there.

Sounds so simple doesn't it??? Tell that to Al Gore and John Kerry!

Originally Posted by tailhook

Those are your own hangups.

Absolutely not!!! Are you denying that there are people out there who hate women or hate African-Americans? Or people who just simply don't think a woman should be in charge of the country? Or who think that a black man can't possibly speak for/represent them? That there are still people out there who think Obama is Muslim and won't vote for him due to that erroneous belief?

Who's being idealistic now?

[Gartism]

I love this stuff...even when I'm wrong.

I'm sick of the ads. I'm also sick of candidates who are governor for 1 TERM (and no other political experience) and then think they can run for President...

Shouldn't there be rules in place for this stuff? Other than being a natural citizen, resident for 14 years and at least 35 years old?

[clueless1der]

Or competent?