Why are you FOR your candidate? (Full Version)

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dcnovice -> Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:02:15 PM)

Friends ---

We've had the first trickle of Election 2008 threads, and I've noticed that they largely seem to present reasons to be against McCain or Obama. And yes, that's part of political discourse, but it's getting a tad old.

So I'm curious to hear reasons for a particular candidate. What about that person appeals to you, and why do you think he should be the next President?

No references, please, to the flaws of the other guy. I want to hear about your candidate's own merits.

Thanks!

DC



TheHeretic -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:33:55 PM)

        The problem I'll run into very quickly, DC, is that the guy I was "for" has been out of the race for quite a while.  There is another I have wanted to be "for," but he demands a great leap of faith.


       If you point a gun at my head, and insist on a binary answer, then I'm for McCain because I have a very clear idea of what I'm going to get.


     Edit:  And what are you calling a "trickle?"  [;)]



kdsub -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:39:45 PM)

I'll bet you will find a good part of Obama's support is not a vote for his policy but a vote against McCain and his support for many Bush policies.

Butch



dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:41:26 PM)

quote:

And what are you calling a "trickle?"


LOL! I didn't even think of that. Indeed, I almost said "flurry."



celticlord2112 -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:44:49 PM)

Why I am for McCain:
quote:

Although plagued by fatal accidents in the past, the squadron had no fatalities under his command (a turkey buzzard that shattered the windshield of a student pilot's plane almost changed that, but officers talked the pilot down safely), and won its first meritorious unit citation. Mr. McCain's success attracted notice among the admirals in Washington.

That, sports fans, is leadership.

Proven leadership.

Leadership of action.  Not words.

Words matter.  Deeds matter more.



dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:47:34 PM)

Good answer, CL. Thanks!



abcbsex -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:52:34 PM)

One of the reasons I'll state I'm for Obama is that I am in support of the changes he wants to do with the No Child Left Behind act. That, above all else, is one of the major concerns I have. Education creates better leaders, and a well-educated future is one I'm willing to vote for. He states on his website that he wants to do away with the punishment for schools, using standardized testing instead for incentives and measurement of what curriculum is working and which is not. He believes that standardized testing is doing more harm than good, and I agree with that whole heartedly. This may not be an issue that a lot of the older crowd is worried about, but being a high school graduate in the last five years, I've had to witness the damage its done.

I agree with his stance on healthcare as well. Everyone should have insurance, and insurance that will take care of you. Children need it most of all, and his plan for children's health insurance is something I can back 100%. maybe their parents should have been more responsible with their money, found a better company, but that doesn't make it fair to give a child shoddy healthcare.

I honestly don't know why people keep saying that they don't know what kind of change they'll get with Obama, he's layed it out clearly and in detail on his website... I think his speeches are more of a rallying cry, and why would someone at a pep rally want to bore their audience with policy?



dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 6:58:00 PM)

Good points, abcb. Thanks to you too!



jlf1961 -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/21/2008 7:51:23 PM)

I am supporting the Caligula and DeSade ticket because they are at least honest about being depraved, and I believe that they can bring a whole new meaning to the term "White House Dinner."

Either that or Obama, simply because McCain would be no more than another republican mouthpiece. 
If McCain ever had an original thought, it passed so fast he had no time to recognize it.




dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 10:51:07 AM)

Given all our political discussions, I'm surprised there haven't been more folks stumping for their candidates. Or is this one of those elections where, as kdsub suggested, each candidate's virtue is not being the other guy?



MzMia -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 10:57:40 AM)

Nice thread from my dc neighbor.

I am FOR Obama, at this point for so many reason.
Primarily, because he represents CHANGE on so many levels.
I agree with a lot that Obama claims he will do, and I disagree with
a few things that Obama claims he will do.
No modern President, has  been able to do probably more than 50% of what he claims
he will do.
I see what 8 years of Republican rule has done for the U.S.A.
 
I am too frightened for more of the same, or anything remotely similar!
I welcome the CHANGE, the good, the bad, and the parts I don't agree with!



dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 10:59:24 AM)

Howdy, neighbor! Thanks for your good thoughts.



celticlord2112 -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:06:03 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice

Given all our political discussions, I'm surprised there haven't been more folks stumping for their candidates. Or is this one of those elections where, as kdsub suggested, each candidate's virtue is not being the other guy?

That is the case for most elections.

Carter was elected because he wasn't associated with the Nixon administration

Reagan was elected because he wasn't Jimmy Carter.

Clinton was elected because he wasn't George H W Bush.





dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:08:19 AM)

Good point, CL. Still, I was hoping there were some positive reasons for supporting McCain or Obama. I realize a few folks, including you, have advanced a few, which I much appreciate.



BOUNTYHUNTER -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:10:52 AM)

Unfortunates I can't support either,I just can't do it..I would like to see a competent third party candidate run,Maybe a retired military person like POWELL..BH



HarryVanWinkle -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:12:51 AM)

I rarely ever vote "For" a candidate because I like him.  I feel that a politician, in general, is a person with too few morals and ethics to stay a lawyer.  When I vote, and I always vote, it's a matter of holding my nose and voting for the person I dislike the least.



celticlord2112 -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:48:01 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice
Good point, CL. Still, I was hoping there were some positive reasons for supporting McCain or Obama. I realize a few folks, including you, have advanced a few, which I much appreciate.

What makes a reason "positive" or "negative"?

At the end of every campaign, the basic premise for each candidate is that their vision of what comes next is better than the alternative. 

The necessary consequence is that if one candidate is championing lower taxes, he must persuade the public that his opponent will raise taxes.  If one candidate is championing a quick exit from Iraq, he must persuade the public his opponent will drag Iraq out for one hundred years.  If one candidate presumes to end racial divisions, he must persuade the public his opponent is racist and will deepen racial divisions.  If one candidate asserts expertise in foreign policy, he must persuade the public his opponent is dangerously ignorant and naive about foreign policy.

For there to be a visible distinction between electoral choices, each candidate's "Yes" must be in contrast to their opponent's "No".

Even my own example of McCain's leadership is meaningful only because it stands in contrast to the lack of similar examples from the Obama side.



Alumbrado -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 11:58:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HarryVanWinkle

I rarely ever vote "For" a candidate because I like him.  I feel that a politician, in general, is a person with too few morals and ethics to stay a lawyer.  When I vote, and I always vote, it's a matter of holding my nose and voting for the person I dislike the least.


Bingo.



dcnovice -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 12:54:05 PM)

quote:

What makes a reason "positive" or "negative"?


For me, a positive reason is something that makes one say "I want that person in the White House" because of who s/he is, rather than who his or her opponent is. Your example of McCain's leadership, for instance, would be impressive regardless of whom he was running against.

I realize, really I do, that every election comes down to a choice among alternatives, but I don't think I'm alone in my hunger to be for someone instead of just against someone.

Actually, I know I'm not. I saw this in 2004, when members of my family had reasons to dislike George Bush but still wanted reasons to support Kerry (beyond his not being Bush). I suspect Kerry lost a lot of potential votes because he never gave people a reason to be for him as opposed to simply against Bush.

quote:

The necessary consequence is that if one candidate is championing lower taxes, he must persuade the public that his opponent will raise taxes. If one candidate is championing a quick exit from Iraq, he must persuade the public his opponent will drag Iraq out for one hundred years.


There's definite truth to that, but I wonder if the focus has to be as negative as we've gotten used to.



popeye1250 -> RE: Why are you FOR your candidate? (6/22/2008 1:10:21 PM)

I'm not "for" any candidate.
I'll vote for the Constitution Party because I think this country has strayed so far from the U.S. Constitution as to be unrecognizable to our Founding Fathers.
They never promised people "goodies" like people who are running today do.
This campaign is a joke, it's like watching Joe Isuzu and his "mini-me" arguing back and forth.
They're both trying to portray themselves as "outsiders" but they're both U.S. senators!
As far as I'm concerned we need to fire all Republicans and Democrats!
Look at the mess that BOTH of them have created in this country!
And if McCain (or) Obama ever had an origional idea between them it would be lonely.



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