Update: McCain Selects Gov. Sarah Palin as Running Mate

Worse than Mondale and Dukakis?

I voted for Bush in 2000 because well he was a bit different (http://politicalhumor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=politicalhumor&cdn=entertainment&tm=5&gps=241_29_1276_582&f=10&tt=9&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml%3FvideoId%3D117373%26title%3Dbush-v.-bush) then, and I understand significant events happened. I voted for him in 2004 because there was nothing compelling about Kerry in my opinion, and I believed (still do) another 4 years of Bush was better than potentially 8 years of Kerry.

Now? I like McCain (liked him in 2000 when he was still a candidate) and I want to vote for him. But I don't like the direction the Republican party is going in, a direction where the extreme right and its desire to "instill its values" on America is dictating the course of the party. I don't like that McCain seemingly felt forced to select Palin as his VP because the far right insisted upon it. It's not that I disagree with their beliefs necessarily, in many cases I agree, but who am I to say that you should too? And, in my case, what does it matter? I mean, look, I don't want to belittle gay marriage. But honestly, what do I care? What do many of us care? You're running for President, great, don't tell me about whether or not gays should be allowed to marry. I don't care what the party platform is on that. Tell me about things that matter to me, that matter to all of us-economy, foreign policy, health care, education. On these issues, I almost fully agree with the Republican party but increasingly it feels like those issues are afterhoughts when they are pushing their agenda. And it really disappoints me. To that end, a part of me strongly leans toward voting for Obama hoping that a significant setback for the GOP will better them down the line.

Here here.

Worse than Mondale and Dukakis?

Short answer...yes.

Worse than Mondale and Dukakis?

I voted for Bush in 2000 because well he was a bit different (http://politicalhumor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=politicalhumor&cdn=entertainment&tm=5&gps=241_29_1276_582&f=10&tt=9&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml%3FvideoId%3D117373%26title%3Dbush-v.-bush) then, and I understand significant events happened. I voted for him in 2004 because there was nothing compelling about Kerry in my opinion, and I believed (still do) another 4 years of Bush was better than potentially 8 years of Kerry.

Now? I like McCain (liked him in 2000 when he was still a candidate) and I want to vote for him. But I don't like the direction the Republican party is going in, a direction where the extreme right and its desire to "instill its values" on America is dictating the course of the party. I don't like that McCain seemingly felt forced to select Palin as his VP because the far right insisted upon it. It's not that I disagree with their beliefs necessarily, in many cases I agree, but who am I to say that you should too? And, in my case, what does it matter? I mean, look, I don't want to belittle gay marriage. But honestly, what do I care? What do many of us care? You're running for President, great, don't tell me about whether or not gays should be allowed to marry. I don't care what the party platform is on that. Tell me about things that matter to me, that matter to all of us-economy, foreign policy, health care, education. On these issues, I almost fully agree with the Republican party but increasingly it feels like those issues are afterhoughts when they are pushing their agenda. And it really disappoints me. To that end, a part of me strongly leans toward voting for Obama hoping that a significant setback for the GOP will better them down the line.

Wow, great post. It's refreshing to hear a Repub look at the party for what it's become and not stand by them blindly just for the sake of sticking to party lines.

Honestly there was a day when I could have imagined myself possibly voting for McCain. It's really a shame to see how he's basically sold his soul to get where he is right now. He had a lot of potential 8 years ago.

I'd like to believe that McCain sees this as his last chance (which of course it is) and that he is doing to whatever it takes to win and get in the White House. And once he gets there he will be the McCain he claims he is, not the one he's seemingly forced to be to get voted.

Worse than Mondale and Dukakis?

I voted for Bush in 2000 because well he was a bit different (http://politicalhumor.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=politicalhumor&cdn=entertainment&tm=5&gps=241_29_1276_582&f=10&tt=9&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml%3FvideoId%3D117373%26title%3Dbush-v.-bush) then, and I understand significant events happened. I voted for him in 2004 because there was nothing compelling about Kerry in my opinion, and I believed (still do) another 4 years of Bush was better than potentially 8 years of Kerry.

Now? I like McCain (liked him in 2000 when he was still a candidate) and I want to vote for him. But I don't like the direction the Republican party is going in, a direction where the extreme right and its desire to "instill its values" on America is dictating the course of the party. I don't like that McCain seemingly felt forced to select Palin as his VP because the far right insisted upon it. It's not that I disagree with their beliefs necessarily, in many cases I agree, but who am I to say that you should too? And, in my case, what does it matter? I mean, look, I don't want to belittle gay marriage. But honestly, what do I care? What do many of us care? You're running for President, great, don't tell me about whether or not gays should be allowed to marry. I don't care what the party platform is on that. Tell me about things that matter to me, that matter to all of us-economy, foreign policy, health care, education. On these issues, I almost fully agree with the Republican party but increasingly it feels like those issues are afterhoughts when they are pushing their agenda. And it really disappoints me. To that end, a part of me strongly leans toward voting for Obama hoping that a significant setback for the GOP will better them down the line.

So was it at the RNC that you heard McCain and the Rep. speakers talking about gay marriage? Is it even part of their platform or just a perception that is given from the left. If I'm correct McCain has said in the past he feels its a state issue.

Wow, great post. It's refreshing to hear a Repub look at the party for what it's become and not stand by them blindly just for the sake of sticking to party lines.

Honestly there was a day when I could have imagined myself possibly voting for McCain. It's really a shame to see how he's basically sold his soul to get where he is right now. He had a lot of potential 8 years ago.

I just don't get what your saying he sold his soul. What issues is he pushing that are that much different then 8 years ago?

So was it at the RNC that you heard McCain and the Rep. speakers talking about gay marriage? Is it even part of their platform or just a perception that is given from the left. If I'm correct McCain has said in the past he feels its a state issue.

Well, this is direct from the GOP platform

'Because our children’s future is best preserved within the traditional understanding of marriage, we call for a constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman, so that judges cannot make other arrangements equivalent to it. In the absence of a national amendment, we support the right of the people of the various states to
affirm traditional marriage through state initiatives."

And yes I realize that both McCain and Obama agree the issue should be decided by the states. My concern is with the party's overall position on it and, I believe, Sarah Palin's positions on issues such as those are what essentially pushed her onto the GOP ticket. But, and maybe I'm not just being clear about it, my beef isn't with McCain's position on the matter. What bothers me is that the party as a whole feels it's so important that it would basically threaten not to support McCain if he didn't appease them (apparently by selecting Palin)

I just don't get what your saying he sold his soul. What issues is he pushing that are that much different then 8 years ago?
as recently as 2 weeks ago, John McCain had not uttered the word change, let alone used it for his platform. while i do agree the whole system is in dire need of one type of reform, or another, how can you just suddenly change your position, in mid election? he took what he thought the American people are clamouring for, and ran with it. smart move, but not legit. and lets talk about his voting record. he claims to be a maverick. got any proof? its easy to talk it. but walking it is a whole other story

he also was running on immigration change. but that was only until he got the nomination. has anyone heard him utter one word about it, since?

I can see the movie title "John McCain: The Undercover Maverick."

He's starting off with a lie and not being himself so he can get elected? How is anyone suppose derive comfort from that? That's Country First?

6eKwTL8SwbI