Election '08 (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Politics on the Internet)
This thread is a stupid idea. I shouldn't be posting this. This will only end badly.
But, I am a political junkie, and we all seem to have good discussions 90 percent of the time. So hopefully we can keep things civil and use this thread to post videos and news items and general discussion of the US Presidential Election so that we don't destroy the fucked up news thread or the Youtube thread. I know everyone is capable of thoughtful discussion here, so please: don't lose your temper and don't make personal attacks.
I will say though that if you advocate stupid policies or candidates that everyone hates and calls you on it, at least have the conviction to explain your statements instead of whining about the liberal/conservative/anarchist/fascist bias everyone on the forum has. Who knows, you may convince others to look at something from a different point of view. I really don't think this disclaimer is necessary, but I also didn't think that stupid religion thread would become a shitfest so quickly, so here we are.
Anyway, the reason why I am starting this is because of this ad:
This ad was running in several markets in the run up to Obama's nomination speech this past evening. I'm not sure what to think. It's kind of refreshing in some way, but I'm also leery of McCain suddenly being friendly. What do YOU think.
But, I am a political junkie, and we all seem to have good discussions 90 percent of the time. So hopefully we can keep things civil and use this thread to post videos and news items and general discussion of the US Presidential Election so that we don't destroy the fucked up news thread or the Youtube thread. I know everyone is capable of thoughtful discussion here, so please: don't lose your temper and don't make personal attacks.
I will say though that if you advocate stupid policies or candidates that everyone hates and calls you on it, at least have the conviction to explain your statements instead of whining about the liberal/conservative/anarchist/fascist bias everyone on the forum has. Who knows, you may convince others to look at something from a different point of view. I really don't think this disclaimer is necessary, but I also didn't think that stupid religion thread would become a shitfest so quickly, so here we are.
Anyway, the reason why I am starting this is because of this ad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4KIvRTg6KQThis ad was running in several markets in the run up to Obama's nomination speech this past evening. I'm not sure what to think. It's kind of refreshing in some way, but I'm also leery of McCain suddenly being friendly. What do YOU think.
Comments
I'm starting to lose my vigor for Obama, although I can't say for sure why. I think it's maybe because the general election is coming up, and this is the time when candidates have to talk about why the other candidate sucks.
I'm still leaning towards Obama, but I can easily go towards McCain too. I think I will have to wait and see who his VP is, because that'll make a big difference for me.
I suspect this might have a noticeable effect in the polls...
I think that's a nice ad from McCain, sure it's all made just for winning over a few more chumps, but it's still a nice touch. Also I was just browsing wikipedia to learn a bit more about McCAin and I find that today's his birthday! We should make him a happy birthday image thread! He's now officially 28 years older than his running mate.
You know they just did it so the Democrats couldn't get a lady on the ticket next election cycle and have that first too.
Here's some more interesting information about him:
...I really need to pay more attention to politics. It's hard to think of anything to say that I could actually back.
EDIT: And I can't be watching these videos at work. I have no sound!
ANYWAY, I'm actually leaning more towards McCain. He's much more moderate than recent Republicans, which I think goes a very long way. As society changes, as long as he's not blocking any new social policies (like gay marriage) then they have just as good of a chance of passing as if a Democrat was president. I've always agreed with the republican party fiscally. I think states should have more control over social policies, that way the break up the population a little more into a more representative majority.
I wouldn't be disappointed with obama, either. I don't think this is a choice of the lesser of 2 evils so much as a choice of the better of 2 not-too-bads.
It'll probably still be McCain.
I'm not saying that I'm for Obama, because I really don't agree with a lot of what he proposes either, but he's principled AND often talks about finding a middle ground between contentious issues. McCain will provide neither.
I may just sound to you like a lover scorned, but he has really made a turn around from the maverick he was when he ran against Bush in 2000. He's moved far more to the right than I think people realize.
Oh, on a side note, my mom is still convinced that Obama is a Muslim, and is only running to tear America apart from the inside in the name of Allah.
Maybe I'm being cynical, but it looks to me McCain picked a woman only to pick up disenfranchised Hillary supporters. Nothing more.
I supose this is just proof that I just shouldn't post. :P
It seems he had only first met her about 6 months ago, and they had had only one real conversation before selecting her as VP. And by doing this, everyone's going to focus MORE on his age and health, because she is just a heartbeat away from being president, quite literally.
And FTW, ALASKA? She's a one term governor from a small town. Alaska doesn't operate the same way the rest of the US does. From what I hear the people there put less emphasis on education overall, and high school educations are sufficient for most activities. Fuck, you can rant about Obama being inexperienced, but at least he's lived in the continental 48 for most of his life, so he understands to a greater detail what is important to the people there.
And the Republicans are not even trying to hide the fact they picked her because she's a woman. They're saying stuff like, "If the Democrats won't elect a women, there's room for you in the Republican side," or something to that extent.
I just find it insulting and depressing. There are enough people in this country who don't bother to actually educate themselves on these important issues, so they just rally behind a candidate who is the same gender or race as they are. And both parties know this, so they do whatever they need to to get into the White house.
Ugh. I don't know what I think anymore.
I'm still not wholly satisfied with Obama's choice either. I like the way The Economist worded it. He didn't pick Hillary because she was a Washington insider who voted for the Iraq war. Instead he picked Joe Biden, a Washington insider who voted for the Iraq war.
But then again, as I said already, this whole election is just to get votes, nothing more.
For Obama, I wish him no ill-will, but realistically, I think there are enough nuts in this country that he may not last in office very loing. i seriously hope to god it doesn't happen, but I think someone will be crazy enough to take him out. Like some of teh security experts have said, as long as the person doesn't care about being cauhght or dying. there is no absolute protection for the president.