<p>Obama for president.</p>
<p>McCain 4 prez
Condi (or Bobby J.) as Vice</p>
<p>sadly can't vote. but would vote for Ron Paul...mostly because I live in a Dem state where my vote really doesn't matter (it's about 70% or something ridiculous)...and I really DON'T like McCain & the way he would be taking the Rep party</p>
<p>I would vote for Ron Paul, but I don't think there's any chance in him doing well, so I guess I'll go with McCain, but mostly because I hate Obama and (the) Clinton(s).</p>
<p>I don't care for any of them...</p>
<p>Obama is not as capitalist as I like, though he doesn't support that ridiculously stupid suspension of the gas tax like McCain and Hilldog. I'm very afraid of his economic policies, and I do not think America can handle a democrat right now as far as the economy is concerned. Especially now, we don't need revolutionary changes in the healthcare system to destabilize the service sector and destroy thousands of jobs.</p>
<p>And Hilldog...she is a successful woman, and I like her. But I think she stayed with Bill for reasons other then love, and I don't respect that. Her support of the temporary gas tax suspension leads me to believe that she failed 3rd grade maths.</p>
<p>McCain...he is not as pro-gay rights as I would like him to be, and he isn't pro-choice (though really don't care about this issue, there's not much he can do about it). His support of the gas tax also leads me to believe he failed 3rd grade maths. He also said "The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should have".</p>
<p>Yeah. All three "mainstream" candidates are, sadly, disappointing. :(</p>
<p>@StellaNova</p>
<p>I think religous beliefs are essential because ludicrous ones (ex Huckabee) interfere with politics. It would be extremely shameful if we had a president that did not believe in evolution. The president should be extremely smart and able to understand basic scientific theories (scientific theories not theories). </p>
<p>Obama did not get in trouble with his religion; he got in trouble because people applied his crazy pastor's views onto him. I have friends that think that 9/11 was a conspiracy but I do not and I can still be friends with them.</p>
<p>I do not believe that Obama is a Christian at all, though. He was raised an atheist and when he was going to run for office he suddenly 'found Jesus' and joined the biggest black church in the area. Does this seem a little suspicious to you? I do not find it a bad thing because in this idiotically religious we live in an atheist would stand no chance.</p>
<p>So, I think Obama is an atheist (my beliefs also). A smart unindoctrinated rhetoric like himself does not convert to Christianity. I would be amazed if he can not see right through it.</p>
<p>OBAMA 08</p>
<p>^
Obama is a charming person, and his speeches can be very inspiring. But he preaches lies, unintentionally of course... lies it too strong. He is too Naive. Once can not help but notice how he stayed with that crazy pastor for 20 years, one who preaches how AIDS was created to kill black people and what not. 20 year is just too long and the donations he gave were not chump change.
I do not care for his religion, i think it has a better concept outside the realm of politics.
He is not the typical African American, he is a Limo Democrat. Much like John Edwards and the 400 dollar Haricut. He is more elitist the only thing he has in common with much of the African American community is that he is black, not even, he is half black...nothing more. If he gets into office... if people think iraq is a mess... haha, if Obama gets in there... I can promise you one thing. No matter who the candidate is, the troops will stay. This would have gone for anyone, Ron Paul, Edwards.... the things people say to get elected is stupid.
McCain stands up for what he believe in, and while he may not be the brightest bulb or the best speaker. He has integrity, I respect that.
He is more moderate then Republican, and I like that.</p>
<p>@pseudoreal: Are you insinuating that you don't think Obama could be religious because he is "too intelligent?" Are you aware of how condescending and pretentious that sounds?</p>
<p>I voted for Clinton in the primary because I believe her to be a smart, competent candidate and because I believe the majority of the criticism of her to be unfair. In the event that she loses, however, I will happily vote for Obama. Anything to keep McCain out of the Oval Office.</p>
<p>@teenage_cliche: Examine our nation's first president. Washington wasn't a profound thinker like Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, or Franklin, and he wasn't a brilliant general like Napoleon (he lost <em>far</em> more battles than he ever won). What he did have, however, was the leadership and force of personality necessary to bind a disparate group of people together during our country's most precarious moments.</p>
<p>Am I saying intelligence is not important in a leader? Of course not, and of course Washington was far from an idiot. However, the reason he was an exceptional leader was because of his charisma and the strength of his principles, not necessarily because of a towering intellect.</p>
<p>ugh, I'm so disappointed with this year's presidential candidates. There's really not one that I prefer over the next. </p>
<p>McCain: Too old. Has made some really weird decisions. I like the fact that he seems "honorable," but he goes overboard too much with the whole "pride in country" I'm a vet thing. Isn't pro-choice and isn't really pro-gay rights (cons, as I'm very socially liberal in most things). I agree with a couple of his stances on the iraq war, and he seems the most informed of all the candidates. But eww....republican..</p>
<p>Clinton: Disagree with her stance on the iraq war. Completely agree with her stances on abortion/gay rights. She's tainted by bill clinton. I'm tired of the clintons/bushes in office for the last 5 terms. No more, ever again.</p>
<p>Obama: All of his inspirational crap? I don't buy it at all. Doesn't seem to have enough experience-I'd be quite afraid of what would happen with him in regards to foreign policy. His words are empty to me. Ewww...liberal.</p>
<p>Ron paul and nader: not options. I'd rather die before that happened. We would be doomed. DOOMED I TELL YOU!!! Ehhh whatever</p>
<p>MelancholyDane: Washington had two things going for him that few presidents since have had: 1) Most of the country agreed with his views, and 2) He was not a very intelligent man, I agree, but he was wonderful at giving people faith and mediating between two sides.</p>
<p>I don't think personal beliefs lead to strong leadership. I believe it's a quality similar to but separate from morality: being a good leader requires the ability to compromise, the ability to understand two sides of a story, and faith in yourself, your beliefs, the country, and what the country stands for. That confidence will not come about from your own personal beliefs and morality, it's just something you have or you don't have, regardless of what you have faith in.</p>
<p>I've shifted a bunch in leaning between candidates. McCain represents my ideals but I don't trust his competence to actually get things done. Huckabee represents my morals and character but the seperation of church and state should remain. Ron Paul appeals on some grounds but his foreign policy and ultraliberatarianism is a major turn off. In the end I'm going with Obama.</p>
<p>As a side note, I'm not a Republican and have never thought of being one. I'm a Conservative Democrat to the core and have always been.</p>
<p>Mccain. Really u guys might not like it but hes the type of person we need. HEs more moderate and is still conservative but will actually do stuff in office.
I think the key for AMerica's survival and i am being very much serious is to ensure Obama does not get elected.
To all those who care about America please try to ensure Obama does not get elected. That is one of the most patriotic duties of an American right now.</p>
<p>Too many support Obama just because they feel like it. There are too many irresponsible voters and it's evident that a major reason for voting for Obama is a backlash of all the racism and everything that has been happening in this country for the last few centuries. I think it gives him an unfair advantage and it scares me.</p>
<p>And why do we care so much about the very intimate personal relationships of presidents? What's important is their actions that affect the public, not that they didn't really love their husbands or whatnot. All that is just speculation and people assume too many things all the time.</p>
<p>slshi, I think it's important, at least to me, to know at least a little about a canidate's personal life, because it reflects the views they will bring to the table as president.</p>
<p>A-Card, why do you dislike Obama so much? Just curious. </p>
<p>I think the Wright "scandal" has been blown way out of proportion, though. I can listen to people and not hold their beliefs. I intern for the Republican party, but I consider myself a democrat. Listening to other people's views doesn't mean you accept them. Although the fact that I just spent a year learning about the AIDS crisis, and the scandals attatched to it, may cloud my judgement a bit (I don't agree with Wright, I just don't think it is everything everyone is making it out to be). Also, I think it should be noted that Hillary's former pastor, William Procanick, is a convicted sex offender, but no one is accusing her of molestation.</p>
<p>I support Obama, personally. I think his "shining rhetoric" is important for a president. I don't feel that it is just empty words, but even if it were, it's important to me that our country is represented by an articulate, put-together person. I like the fact that he is a lawyer and will know and (hopefully) respect the nation's laws. I like that he has experience (just as much as Hillary, even if you give her 1/2 a year for every year she was first lady, which is not an elected position). I like that he has a multicultural background and will be able to respect the mix of cultures in America. I like his foreign policy, his stance on social issues, and his disapproval of the gas tax holiday. Basically, I like most everything about the guy.</p>
<p>Don't you dare equate Anti-Americanism with supporting Obama. That is disgusting. I'm patriotic to the core, would die for my country, and likely am one of the biggest patriots and supporters of America than many many people - but I support Obama. That's a rude and reprehensible insult.</p>
<p>"Can you stand by this and explain it for me? I mean, are you actually saying that emotion and morality are more important in a leader than intelligence? (I'm really not trying to attack, and I'm sorry if it comes off that way. I'm genuinely interested to hear you back this up because no one has ever been able to do so for me)."</p>
<p>Well, not to offend in any way, but of course morality (not so much emotion) is much more important than intelligence. The president does not have to be a genius, but a president must have some sense of upholding the general welfare of the people, and this, speaking REALLY, REALLY pragmatically, is one of the intrinsic characteristics of western contemporary Christianity. Or else we might fall into an atheistic, social darwinist state.</p>
<p>And, you guys, chill out. Let's not kill each other over this.</p>
<p>"of course morality is much more important than intelligence"</p>
<p>I have to disagree. Many terrible dictators have really believed that they were acting for "the good of the people." It's not enough for a leader to be dedicated to public welfare - they must have the intelligence to know what's best.</p>
<p>And what would be so terrible about falling into an atheistic state?</p>