No good candidates?

[Bsig84]

Does anyone else feel like none of this elections candidates are that great?

I usually get so involved and excited about elections and politics. I always said that I would never be one of those young people that sat back and did nothing. But this election I find myself just not caring. None of the candidates are even close to someone I can get excited about.

Does anyone else feel this way? If so, do you still intend to vote?

[wordsmith]

Oh, my gosh, no, I don't really identify at all, sorry! I feel like it's an exciting time to be in the mix.

I think the opposite, actually. This is probably the most personally involved and invested and excited I've been about a presidential race since I reached voting age. "My" candidate thus far this time around is actually probably the first candidate I've really and truly admired as a person as well as a politician.

[PenforPrez]

Does anyone else feel like none of this elections candidates are that great?

I usually get so involved and excited about elections and politics. I always said that I would never be one of those young people that sat back and did nothing. But this election I find myself just not caring. None of the candidates are even close to someone I can get excited about.

Does anyone else feel this way? If so, do you still intend to vote?

As a Democrat, I'm kinda that way. I didn't get any of the candidates I wanted to run, and I can't get enthused about anybody running. I like Obama; I voted for him today, in fact. But I don't have the energy this year either.

Paul

[Jersey_Steve]

Does anyone else feel like none of this elections candidates are that great?

I usually get so involved and excited about elections and politics. I always said that I would never be one of those young people that sat back and did nothing. But this election I find myself just not caring. None of the candidates are even close to someone I can get excited about.

Does anyone else feel this way? If so, do you still intend to vote?

Yeah, I agree with you. I don't really like anyone who's running. On the Democrats side, you have Hillary who is so polls-driven that when people say she's too emotionless, immediately breaks down and starts crying. Though I think I dislike Obama more. Somehow, when a guy wants to be President and then doesn't salute his own flag... really. I mean really. Could you at least pretend that you give a shit about the country you want to lead? And while you're there, find a position. Any position, really.

On the Republican side, you have Huckabee who wants to take a wrecking ball to the division of Religion and Government. That's never a good thing in my book. and McCain who wants to end Net Neutrality. "When you control the pipe, you should be able to get profit from your investment," are his words.

I can't vote for any of these people, they all suck.

[PenforPrez]

and McCain who wants to end Net Neutrality. "When you control the pipe, you should be able to get profit from your investment," are his words.

Could be worse. We could have Ted Stevens running. :rolleyes:

[and1grad]

Though I think I dislike Obama more. Somehow, when a guy wants to be President and then doesn't salute his own flag... really. I mean really.
Have you really researched that? That whole story is nonsense and if your decision to not support him is rooted in THAT...then you've been fooled.

[meatwad]

Have you really researched that? That whole story is nonsense and if your decision to not support him is rooted in THAT...then you've been fooled.

I won't vote for Hillary because I can't endorse a candidate that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

*ducks* :D

[Bsig84]

I won't vote for Hillary because I can't endorse a candidate that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

*ducks* :D

Yeah you'd better duck!

And I wont vote for Hilary because I cannot freakin stand her. I am so sick of people saying she will get the "female" vote. BS! I dont personally know one single woman voting for her.

[wordsmith]

I won't vote for Hillary because I can't endorse a candidate that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

*ducks* :D

At 60 years old, she's likely well beyond that stage.

[and1grad]

I won't vote for Hillary because I can't endorse a candidate that bleeds for five days and doesn't die.

*ducks* :D
You say that now...but if she gives you a lap dance...???

[PenforPrez]

And I wont vote for Hilary because I cannot freakin stand her. I am so sick of people saying she will get the "female" vote. BS! I dont personally know one single woman voting for her.

My parents thought I voted for Hillary. I don't know where they got that idea, but I'm not going to tell them otherwise.

Paul

[Skyblade]

I don't really identify with either party and often feel the way you do because there never really are a ton OR really any moderate candidates.

[wordsmith]

Three's a lot of stuff floating around in this election that if you're female, you should obviously support Clinton or you're disloyal to your gender, and if you're black/insert ethnic minority, you should of course support Obama, similar corresponding reasons. Both assertions are pretty offbase, clearly.

[wordsmith]

I don't really identify with either party and often feel the way you do because there never really are a ton OR really any moderate candidates.

I think when you break it down to individual issues, there are always candidates who are moderate regarding given issues, even if you wouldn't necessarily perceive them as moderate overall.

I don't think I've seen many candidates that are lockstep with what I believe/what's important to me, anyway, but I'm okay with that.

[meatwad]

Three's a lot of stuff floating around in this election that if you're female, you should obviously support Clinton or you're disloyal to your gender, and if you're black/insert ethnic minority, you should of course support Obama, similar corresponding reasons. Both assertions are pretty offbase, clearly.

Who's Whoopi voting for?

[wordsmith]

Who's Whoopi voting for?

My city's paper actually ran a HUGE front page feature a while back on pretty much exactly this...where do black, democrat women's votes lie (the answer at that time - mainly with HC...although this was well before the South Carolina, BET ugliness).

[Bman120]

When there are so many people and only 1 person to represent them, it makes sense that most people won't agree with a president on everything. It comes down to either compromising on the candidates and choosing the one that fits best or just not voting at all.

[dacrunkest]

When there are so many people and only 1 person to represent them, it makes sense that most people won't agree with a president on everything. It comes down to either compromising on the candidates and choosing the one that fits best or just not voting at all.

In the words of Lewis Black, if you are the type of person that is inspired by President Clinton or President Bush, than you were probably the type of person who was inspired by your high school princpal.

[Bsig84]

I guess I will have to wait until its narrowed down more. It seems like I either cant stand a candidate or I just dont care. I guess if its down to one I hate and one I dont care about, I will vote for the one I dont care about in order to keep the one I hate out of office.

Kinda sucks that thats my option though.

[wordsmith]

What's your hatred based in, out of curiosity? I can understand an apathetic view, we don't all care about the same issues.

[Bsig84]

What's your hatred based in, out of curiosity? I can understand an apathetic view, we don't all care about the same issues.

Its not really hatred. I think that was too strong of a word. But for example, I cannot stand Hilary. I dont want to get in a debate over her or anything but her personality, where she stands on the issues, and her past choices make her a candidate that I absolutely dislike.

I think a lot of my feelings toward the candidates is just frustration towards politics in general. I am sick of the lying, the shadiness, the lashing the other candidates.....just the whole thing. It just seems like a giant game and I get tired of it.

[wordsmith]

I'm not impressed with her in any way, myself, either. And politics is definitely a game, there's no way for it not to be...the entire premise of running for office is built around strategy. But some candidates definitely seem to be more about high roads than low roads.

Honestly, though, after the gigantic trainwreck the last two terms have been, and how disheartening it's been to have to sit back and watch what the poor choices of others have wrought in our current administration and how disillusioning our leadership has been, it's hard for me NOT to get excited about the next chapter. It's very "ding, dong, the witch is dead" to me, almost regardless of who wins.

[Bsig84]

I'm not impressed with her in any way, myself, either. And politics is definitely a game, there's no way for it not to be...the entire premise of running for office is built around strategy. But some candidates definitely seem to be more about high roads than low roads.

Honestly, though, after the gigantic trainwreck the last two terms have been, and how disheartening it's been to have to sit back and watch what the poor choices of others have wrought in our current administration and how disillusioning our leadership has been, it's hard for me NOT to get excited about the next chapter. It's very "ding, dong, the witch is dead" to me, almost regardless of who wins.

Lol. I really liked Bush in the beginning and now I am so incredibly disappointed in him. I kinda feel like no matter how good a politicians intentions are, he/she will always end up letting us down somehow. Whether its a scandal or lying or anything along those lines. I know no one is perfect but come on!

[wordsmith]

I didn't have very high hopes (also never voted for him), so you'd think I wouldn't have been too disappointed as my expectations weren't high, but he really was even sub my lowest expectations.

[Bsig84]

I didn't have very high hopes (also never voted for him), so you'd think I wouldn't have been too disappointed as my expectations weren't high, but he really was even sub my lowest expectations.

Yeah I agree with you there!

[AsianGeek]

Actually hilary has 7 percent more female votes than obama, and she has 20% more than obama in white female votes.

I endorse Hilary, she's more experienced. She never dealt drugs. And she's a successful businesswoman. I can't trust obama at all. I also don't think that it's likely for him to win the election if he wins the primary.

[AsianGeek]

It's very "ding, dong, the witch is dead" to me, almost regardless of who wins.

You never know, huckabee might get elected.

[embrassezla]

She never dealt drugs.
This kind of argument against Obama is so lame.

[Bsig84]

This kind of argument against Obama is so lame.

Yeah, a LOT of things I have heard about Obama are so ridiculous. I dont know if I really like him yet, but I'm sick of hearing all of these outrageous allegations with no truth behind them.

[wordsmith]

I still haven't heard anything that really details what exactly Clinton's experienced at. Being a lawyer? Obama's got that, too. Being a junior senator? Again, same for Obama. Being a member of state legislature? Oh, wait, no, that was Obama. Being a community organizer in Chicago's south side projects? Nope, that was Obama. Being an educator? Nope, Obama again. Clinton's been a first lady at the gubernatorial and executive levels. Which, contrary to the image given off, doesn't make you a member of the Cabinet, official or unofficial, nor is it awarded based on accomplishments or experience. My chief complaint against her (because, in all honesty, her positions on things don't differ dramatically from my guy's, so it comes down to more gut feelings for me) is that it would be so much more inspiring to have a female candidate who wasn't quite so heavily invested in clutching quite so firmly to her husband's coattails.

[Bsig84]

I still haven't heard anything that really details what exactly Clinton's experienced at. Being a lawyer? Obama's got that, too. Being a junior senator? Again, same for Obama. Being a member of state legislature? Oh, wait, no, that was Obama. Being a community organizer in Chicago's south side projects? Nope, that was Obama. Being an educator? Nope, Obama again. Clinton's been a first lady at the gubernatorial and executive levels. Which, contrary to the image given off, doesn't make you a member of the Cabinet, official or unofficial, nor is it awarded based on accomplishments or experience. My chief complaint against her (because, in all honesty, her positions on things don't differ dramatically from my guy's, so it comes down to more gut feelings for me) is that it would be so much more inspiring to have a female candidate who wasn't quite so heavily invested in clutching quite so firmly to her husband's coattails.

Yeah I agree with you too. I know my mom really dislikes her because of the comments she made about stay-at-home mom's (my mom stays at home). I also cannot have respect for a woman who stands by and lets her husband cheat on her publicly just so that she can use his position to get into politics. Have some freakin pride!

[redav]

One thing that strikes me as strange is the near-idol worshiping of candidates, like the way people go off on JFK or Regan. There is no "my guy." Even if there were a perfect candidate whose attitudes, actions, and history are exactly ideal, I can't say that I'd have the fanaticism that pops up so often in politics because even if he were elected, he'd only be on cog in the machine. It seems to me much more important & desirable to work well with any & all comers.

[and1grad]

I still haven't heard anything that really details what exactly Clinton's experienced at. Being a lawyer? Obama's got that, too. Being a junior senator? Again, same for Obama. Being a member of state legislature? Oh, wait, no, that was Obama. Being a community organizer in Chicago's south side projects? Nope, that was Obama. Being an educator? Nope, Obama again. Clinton's been a first lady at the gubernatorial and executive levels. Which, contrary to the image given off, doesn't make you a member of the Cabinet, official or unofficial, nor is it awarded based on accomplishments or experience. My chief complaint against her (because, in all honesty, her positions on things don't differ dramatically from my guy's, so it comes down to more gut feelings for me) is that it would be so much more inspiring to have a female candidate who wasn't quite so heavily invested in clutching quite so firmly to her husband's coattails.
Truth be told, I dont think there's anything behind what either of them say. There really isnt any way to convince someone who's for Hillary that Obama would be better or vice versa b/c there really isnt enough difference to care. Personally, I think the fact that Hillary's actually experienced what a President goes thru gives her an advantage. I dont expect an Obama supporter to accept that. Just the way it is. Funny thing is, the only one that I would actually expect to follow through on anything is McCain.

[wordsmith]

One thing that strikes me as strange is the near-idol worshiping of candidates, like the way people go off on JFK or Regan. There is no "my guy." Even if there were a perfect candidate whose attitudes, actions, and history are exactly ideal, I can't say that I'd have the fanaticism that pops up so often in politics because even if he were elected, he'd only be on cog in the machine. It seems to me much more important & desirable to work well with any & all comers.

But the entire point of electing somebody is choosing who you feel best represents the interests of yourself and your country. And that def. involves examining the candidates and deciding who most clearly reflects what you value. As I noted earlier, I personally feel confident that any one of the candidates is at least somewhat of an improvement over what's been in place (others may disagree, but it's how I feel). But I'd prefer the one that I feel is the most drastic improvement. That's why there's a "my guy," and why I'm glad we have elections versus appointments or dynasties. No candidate is perfect, and no candidate matches all my ideals. But there are certainly ones who do moreso than others.

[wordsmith]

Truth be told, I dont think there's anything behind what either of them say. There really isnt any way to convince someone who's for Hillary that Obama would be better or vice versa b/c there really isnt enough difference to care. Personally, I think the fact that Hillary's actually experienced what a President goes thru gives her an advantage. I dont expect an Obama supporter to accept that. Just the way it is. Funny thing is, the only one that I would actually expect to follow through on anything is McCain.

I can respect that, but for me, it's more important to go with somebody I sincerely feel is better able to be the kind of leader I'd like to see, and obviously, that's going to come down to issues of personal opinion. Clinton's not the type of leader I want, and there actually are enough differences on that end of things for me to care, although there aren't enough policy position differences for me to seriously worry about those. At this point, it's primarily on character for me, which is obviously more of an intangible. I'm not really concerned with convincing others to come around to my viewpoint; believe me, after the travesty of the last couple of elections, I'm pretty solid in my lack of faith in the ability of the electorate to make positive choices overall. Still, I vote my conscience.

I don't really buy the "a first lady knows how to be president, because she lived in the White House" thing as worth much of anything. Does Laura Bush strike anybody as a particularly strong and charismatic potential leader due to her proximity to a president? Being a first lady doesn't automatically make you Eleanor Roosevelt. Strength of character might; unfortunately, I've never gotten a really positive feed on Clinton's. It would be nice if we had a viable female candidate where I did.

I don't have any huge beef with McCain, myself, and if Obama weren't in the mix, wouldn't have a problem with backing him. ( :surprised: the horror! ;) )

[and1grad]

I can respect that, but for me, it's more important to go with somebody I sincerely feel is better able to be the kind of leader I'd like to see, and obviously, that's going to come down to issues of personal opinion. Clinton's not the type of leader I want, and there actually are enough differences on that end of things for me to care, although there aren't enough policy position differences for me to seriously worry about those. At this point, it's primarily on character for me, which is obviously more of an intangible. I'm not really concerned with convincing others to come around to my viewpoint; believe me, after the travesty of the last couple of elections, I'm pretty solid in my lack of faith in the ability of the electorate to make positive choices overall. Still, I vote my conscience.
I should've been clearer. I meant policy differences to care. Otherwise, I agree. The vote is based on a person's feel for character, which could be based on anything really, rather than actual policy.

[Bocheezu]

Funny thing is, the only one that I would actually expect to follow through on anything is McCain.

Why is that strange? He seems to be the least idealistic/most realistic candidate out of the big four.

For me personally the only way I'd vote Dem is if Huckabee won, and between Romney and McCain, Romney just says what people want to hear so they'll vote for him.

As a local example, in his Michigan ads, Romney said he was going to help get the auto industry back on its feet. No specifics, obviously. Of course, this is what people wanted to hear, so they voted for him. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to win this state, you just have to say that you'll get the auto industry back on its feet.

McCain basically said, well, the auto industry's fucked, your state should really focus on retraining for tech jobs. Which is really the more realistic goal.

EDIT: Spelling

[and1grad]

Why is that strange? He seems to be the least idealistic/most realistic candidate out of the big four.

For me personally the only way I'd vote Dem is if Huckabee won, and between Romney and McCain, Romney just says what people want to hear so they'll vote for him.

As a local example, in his Michigan ads, Romney said he was going to help get the auto industry back on its feet. No specifics, obviously. Of course, this is what people wanted to hear, so they voted for him. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to win this state, you just have to say that you'll get the auto industry back on its feet.

McCain basically said, well, the auto industry's fucked, your state should really focus on retraining for tech jobs. Which is really the more realistic goal.
I wouldnt necessarily say its "strange" but I've never been inclined to vote Republican, in any capacity, so its different that there's a candidate that I actually would have no problem voting for at the expense of the Democratic party.

[AsianGeek]

I'm actually pretty apathetic to whom ever gets the office at this point. As long as huckabee does not get elected, I'm not going to complain too much. My only worry is that if the republicans win, the 3 trillion dollar budget and the high income tax cuts becomes locked in.

I know a lot of you might think that huckabee doesn't stand a chance, but keep in mind lot a of people also said that about bush during the last two elections. With the exception of McCain, I think things could get very interesting regardless of the candidate that gets elected.

[wordsmith]

I never discount anything after the current state of affairs, and I'm really not following the Republicans very closely, but isn't McCain basically running leaps and bounds ahead of the competition at this point?

[redav]

I never discount anything after the current state of affairs, and I'm really not following the Republicans very closely, but isn't McCain basically running leaps and bounds ahead of the competition at this point?
Delegates, yes. Actual votes & states, not really.

And I wasn't referring to you. Just the whole rah-rah exuberance mentality of the political fanatics that I find strange--no one, even the perfect candidate, is that special.

[and1grad]

Thats the read I'm getting.

If Edwards decides to endorse Obama or Clinton, would that essentially end the Dem race?

[Rage]

I'm actually pretty interested this time around. In 2000, the guy I wanted didn't get the nomination, so I lost interest. I think there may be more interest in the election this time around because Bush is such a devisive character that has focused attention on the position, but maybe I'm just older and more aware now...