My views on the presidental election

I think I mentioned before that I was going to talk about each candidate after each of their respective conventions, about their party in general, then watch the debates and make up my mind. Unfortunately, McCain derailed my brain when he picked Gov. Palin as his running mate while I was trying to wrap my brain around what Sen. Obama said in his acceptance speech, and I gave up on my plan. Now it’s going to be one big huge post that nobody will read, but I think it important for me to put it down.

First, maybe a personal history lesson about my views, which maybe will help set some tone. I turned 18 in 1986. I’ll let you do the math. Ronald Reagan was president, and I grew up in a very Republican household. My family was very active in local politics, and with the Republican Party on a local level. I had met, and my father had worked with, Sen. Bob Packwood.

He offered to help me get into the Air Force Academy if I wanted. I continued to back the Senator personally even after the allegations that ended his career. I feel he was, if you’ll pardon the pun, shafted. I can go into that history in detail at another time.

I still feel to this day that Reagan was the best president we’ve had in my life time. Of course, at this point, I think Clinton probably runs a close second. Not that that says much, when you look at the list of candidates.

The first presidential election I got to vote in was in 1988. I cast my ballot for Pres. George H. W. Bush. I can say, at the time, I voted for him. He had a very simple message because I could read lips. No new taxes. It made sense to me. Things were looking up. Besides, Gov. Dukakis always put me to sleep.

In 1990 I started to veer away from traditional Republican politics. It seemed to me that they weren’t living up to their promises of small government and less spending that Pres. Reagan promised, although I though Bush was doing a fine job in other areas, but the deficit was getting absolutely out of control. Then in 1992, Ross Perot hit the scene, and I heard, understood and liked his message. Too bad he was total fruit basket. I think had he not dropped out of the race, he might have won a state or six. Pres. Clinton would have still won. His success at making Pres. Bush look bad on the No New Taxes pledge, and the fact that he was a vote for real change when the economy was tanking. I could go on with analysis, but it was that year that I stopped being a Republican and started being an “Independent.” I joined the Reform party, but it didn’t last long.

I was not a fan of Pres. Clinton during his presidency. I thought he was totally ineffective and was squandering opportunities made for him by the Reagan era. Plus I absolutely hate the Gores, both of them. I would gladly smash Tipper’s face with an electric guitar given the chance, and if Al actually believes *ALL* the global warming crap he spews, I’ll eat vegan for a year.

I had left the Reform party shortly after it actually formed with the name Reform party mostly because I felt Perot was a nut case and as long he was at the head of the party, I didn’t want to be a member. I still feel a lot of their planks are justified, most specifically the need for a balanced budget amendment.

In ’96, I grew to like Sen. Dole’s message, although I can’t remember at this point what it was, other than it was a move back to a Supply Side Economics model that I felt would better influence the burgeoning IT industry that I was now a part of. I still feel that Perot got the shaft about the debates, even if I think he is a raving loon, he earned his right to be in those debates.

In 2000 though, I stopped being able to vote *FOR* someone, and had to choose to vote against someone. I was a very early John McCain supporter. I felt he had the right message at the right time. A flat tax so makes sense to me, even it does destroy an entire industry that I work very closely with. Buchanan turned the Reform party into a joke, so there was no going back there. I absolutely did not want Gore in the White House, and that left me no choice to either not cast a ballot or vote for Bush. I cast my vote for Bush.

I truly believe that the debacle in Florida is root cause of the dividedness in our country today. I think had Gore stepped up to the plate and conceded fairly early on rather than let the damn thing go all the way to the Supreme Court it would have all been smoothed over and actually let the way to getting Gore elected in ’04, but I get ahead of myself a little.

I think Pres. Bush acted with clear focus and decisiveness on Sept. 11, 2001. Too bad he let his hatred of Saddam Husain blind him to his true purpose during that time. I had some hope for the guy early on. He surrounded himself with all the right people in the beginning. Too bad the good ones all left by 2004 and when Gen. Powell resigned, I knew we were in for the suck.

My problem with the 2004 election has to do with the moronic decision by democrats to put John Kerry on the ticket. I suppose it could have been worse. Dean is fucking jackass. However, I had my hopes pinned to Joe Lieberman.

At that point though, I’ve announced my Libertarian leanings, although I was still registered as an Independent. Once again I was forced again to choose the lesser of evils, and I cast my ballot again for Pres. Bush. My reasoning was simple. Pres. Bush had made a mess in Iraq and clearly stated he felt that we had to clean it up. Sen. Kerry’s non answer to Iraq question and his leaning in the early part of the campaign for a complete withdrawal as early as possible, left me to believe that he would make it worse than Pres. Bush had made it and would probably damage us forever in the eyes of the world.

Let me be clear. I supported the President’s decision to invade. I believed that there were WMDs, that the case had been made. I made two conditions to that support: 1) They had better find the WMDs because if they didn’t, the world was going to hate us. Pres. Bush was burning a lot of bridges trying to make this point. 2) They needed to have a clear and concise plan for what to do once the current government was deposed. If they don’t, the place was going to break out in a case of bad case of chaos. Sound like a prophet now, don’t I?

Their answer to that question at the time was “We have a plan, we just can’t tell you what it is. National Security.” Too bad their “plan” was “The people will embrace us as liberators and do whatever we want.” As if.

Sadly, I wanted to be wrong. However, I understood something, and sadly I don’t think W was listening to his father at all. If Bush Sr., who had an over 74% *WORLDWIDE* approval rating during Gulf War I, stopped at the borders and said, “Don’t do this again or I’m coming back,” had to have one hell of reason for doing so.

I remember listening to the radio as it all started to go to hell, as Pres. Bush was holding some sort of press conference and yelling at the radio, “WHY THE HELL DIDN’T YOU ASK YOUR FATHER WHAT TO DO?”

I’m getting way off topic here.

The 2008 election cycle has been a very interesting thing to watch. Consider that Pres. Bush has some the lowest approval numbers of any sitting president in our history, this should have been a no brainer for the Democrats to sweep up on a “It’s time for a change” ticket.

The problem was the standard bearer for such a ticket is saddled with a last name that gives you no room for being in the middle. When it comes to Sen. Clinton people tend to either love her or hate her, and she comes with some baggage. Not to mention that the Democratic party had somehow managed to let Howard Dean pull them so far to left, the people in the middle, the people that decide elections had no choice but to wonder if another Republican might not be the only way to keep the country centered.

I think that the parties get so involved with whatever cause is paying them the most, they tend to forget that the decisions are always made from the middle. Plus, the more they moved to the left, the more the GOP had to stay to the right. It doesn’t make for getting anything really accomplished, especially when both sides are really only interested in point at the other side and saying, “it’s their fault.” Doesn’t matter what it is, but it’s their fault.

Sen. Obama’s decision to run this year, really threw a kink into something that was suppose to be a cake walk for Sen. Clinton. The DNC was so sure Clinton was the candidate, they forced some rules on the states that just made them look, well, like idiots. You cannot disenfranchise a whole state of voters simply because the state commette breaks some of your rules. They’ll get pissed come the general election and vote for the other side just to let you know their vote does count for something. Turns out Sen. Clinton really was going to need Florida.

My whole problem with the Democratic Primary was when it was clear that it was coming down to Sen. Clinton vs. Sen. Obama, I knew nothing about Sen. Obama. All I knew was that the press absolutely loved him, and that he was all about “change.” No idea what kind of “change,” just “change.” Yeah that’s going to get my vote.

I think it would have served Hilary a lot better if she had done the interview with Bill O’Riely at least two weeks earlier. Up until that interview, I was not a big fan of hers. I still disagree with a lot of her policies, but I will say she gave as good as she got in that interview, and it went a long way in helping me understand what she was about, who she is, and what her presidency would have been like. Based on that interview alone, I think I would have voted for her. She at least showed she has a conviction of principle that I think is key to being a good leader.

Of course the Libertarians went out and pulled some dead republican out of a grave somewhere, dusted him off and said, “Don’t mind the ultra-conservative. He really is libertarian.” I went over that in a different post. I think. I stopped sending money to national committee, and told them why. I still support on the State level. I still think we might be better off as a PAC at this point, than a party, but I think we need to stay solvent while we figure out what we really should do as Libertarians.

I was determined not to make any judgments about Sen. Obama until after I heard his nomination speech where I hoped I really would hear his plans for this country, as well as the debates. I have to say he didn’t make that easy. Not discussing the issues, and really only spouting rhetoric about the change he would bring, he left me no choice but to judge him solely on his character and past voting record, and I have to tell you, that scared me a little.

Let’s face facts. His voting record, what very little of it I knew at that time, showed him as a very left leaning liberal that makes Howard Dean look centrist. His activities in Chicago politics showed him to be liberal, and an association with an unapologetic terrorist and radical black activism didn’t do him any favors.

I did however listen and research, and this is what I’ve concluded: Senator Barack Obama is simply an old fashioned politician with a new face and a smooth voice. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I’d consider both Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton in that category. The problem I have is that he’s too “new” to really read what his real convictions are, although it’s clear to me that national health care is one of his priorities.

If he gets elected, it will be a lot like what we had when Clinton was in the White House. He’s going to govern in a lot of the same ways, relying heavily on popular opinion polls and flowing with how the wind blows. I don’t think he follow through with many, if any, of his current campaign promises very hard and they will squander and die in either the house or senate where he can claim “I tired” when he tries for re-election. It worked for Clinton. Clinton, however, had the luxury of one of the best economies this country has ever seen. The next president won’t. And if that becomes Obama, it will kill him.

The quote about tax cuts for 95% of Americans is, quite honestly, pure fluff. It’s a talking point. A catchphrase if you will. The “Read my lips” quote for this election. There is absolutely no way in hell, even if the DNC wins every single election this year, that his tax plan will get passed without significant changes on both ends.

Sen. Biden was a good choice. But then he would have been a fair choice for McCain as well. I wonder if there is a chance that the Electoral college will vote for him regardless of who wins?

I had high hopes for Sen. McCain. I was very high on him in 2000. I honestly thought he might actually still be a *REAL* Republican. You remember those? They believe that government should be a little as possible. I believe they’re called “Goldwater” Republicians.

Unfortunately, I think the centrist, independent and quirky “Maverick” that doesn’t always tow the party line, and does what he thinks is right and good for the American people is gone. Or at least sold out to the core of current Republican Party in the name of expediency. I think the South Carolina primary in 2000 really soured him to the process, and he sold out in the name of getting the funds necessary to run as well as appeal to Republican Base.

I kept hoping , time after time, that the 2000 McCain that won New Hampshire would come back, excite and electrify the middle with his message maybe actually make some moves to get both sides to start moving back to the center and get some real changes made. For the good of the people, instead of special interests and party loyalties.

Silly me. You would think, as a 40 year old man, I’d know better. Politics is Politics is Politics. You can win if you don’t have the cash. Mitt Romney’s withdrawl from the race, when it was still up for grabs in my opinion, was I think maybe where McCain sold out. At the time, I was convienced that the move was made so that Romney would be given the VP nod.

The selection of Gov. Palin was a brilliant move. It certainly did exactly what it was designed to do, which was to get the news to focus on the McCain ticket rather than to continue to sing the praises of Obama/Biden for the next week, and shore up his candidacy with the base.

My problem is, she is so not fit for the job. I’m sure that Minnesotans would be glad to tell us Jessie Ventura was a fine Governor. Doesn’t mean he’s fit to be vice-president. But then again, neither was Dan Quaile.

It’s funny, but if you go back a ways, you’ll see where I thought, once upon a time, that a McCain/Lieberman ticket would have made for a great Libertarian ticket. Funny how that came up during this election as a possibility for the Republican ticket. I think given his druthers, McCain would have rather had Lieberman. It would never have flown with the base though, and I figured it’s announcement was just a cover for the fact the decision was made months ago in a back room deal and they’d announce Romney and that would be the end of it.

You can put lipstick on a pit-bull, but basically after you’re done all you’re going to get is lipstick all over what it decides to chew on next. And this pitbull seems to be chewing all over the ticket. She really isn’t prepared for this stage. I mean look at the interviews. I’m willing to give her a pass on the Gaff with Gibson. He was looking for something to hit her with and found it. It was a stupid question. I’m not sure ANYONE could have given him the answer he wanted. Hannity just tossed her softballs because he’s in the tank. However, the disaster that the Couric interview showed…. Oy.

She managed to get better for the debate, but geeze woman, would have actually hurt to answer the question first before going off on whatever rant your talking points sheet told you to cover next?

This leaves us with the three debates between Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain. I think Obama did what he needed to do in each of the debates, which was not to screw up. McCain, however, while didn’t ever really loose, he never really won either.

That’s not to say I don’t have some annoyances. Obama’s refusal to actually say that this crisis is going to force him to make changes to his promises infuriates me. The economy is in the fucking toilet, you arrogant twat. We can’t possibly pay for everything you want.

McCain’s 300 Billion dollar proposal to buy mortgages and refinance them at the homes’ current value is downright stupid as well. You know what John, I take that back. I’m all for that. Why don’t you my second mortgage, and we’ll call it even? I’m sure my house isn’t worth that much anymore. Look, I think that working with home owners and banks to work with each other and refinance the mortgage so that it gets paid, but letting someone write off a part of that mortgage just because the house ain’t worth what was paid for it is stupid.

Obama’s announcement that health care is a Right? Not the smartest of moves. You want to explain where that is spelled out in the bill of rights?

McCain, how hard is it to say that you’d be okay with appointing a Supreme Court justice that would gladly overturn Roe v. Wade at their first opportunity? I’m all for appointing the absolute best person available for the job. In a perfect world, we’d be able to appoint a justice based strictly on their grasp of Constitutional Law. Unfortunately, the political climate will never let that happen. Personally I think that sucks.

Is a scalpel still a scalpel if you never cut anything with it?

I have to tell you, I’m getting tired of all the crap. I’m getting bombarded from both sides with so much crap it is very hard to try and figure out the actual facts. You’ve got most of the media seemingly in the tank for Obama. You’ve got Fox News pretty much in the tank for McCain, although they aren’t being as obvious about it. They’re trying very hard to show that they’re being “fair and balanced” in their news coverage, but their analysts and commentators are very much to the right.

In making my decision I made the decision that I have to base this decision on the fact that I’m voting for President, not a vice-president that maybe might be president in the future. To that end I’m casting my ballot for Sen. John McCain, although I’m not going to come out and endorse him.

My reasons are these:
McCain has a track record of being willing to work with Democrats even on issues that are very unpopular with a large number of Americans.
Obama’s rather short track record in the Senate doesn’t really show any evidence that he is willing to listen to conservative ideas.
Obama refused to admit that this current crisis is going to force the next president to make some decisions that will not allow them to follow through on campaign promises.
The Democrats will control the Senate and quite possibly the house. There will need to be balance. I don’t think any one party should full control.

All I can really hope for is his that he doesn’t die in office. Not that my vote really matters. Oregon’s electoral delegates will be voting for Obama, of that I’m certain.