Of the remaining major candidates, anyone but Dubya. While I’ll undoubtedly vote for whichever Democrat wins the nomination (Gore; Bradley’s been toast since NH), I wouldn’t be troubled by a McCain presidency, even though I’m fully aware of how conservative he is, aside from tobacco and campaign finance.
To me, the role of money in politics is so threatening to the integrity of our political system that it would be worth putting up with four years of a McCain presidency with respect to every other issue, if he can do something about this one. Congress routinely puts the interests of artificial persons ahead of real ones because of the money, and that just ain’t right, IMO.
“Living in this complex world of the future is not unlike having bees live inside your head.” - F. Scott Firesign
Gore and Bradley are anti-pro-choice when it comes to our 2nd Ammendment rights.
Bush and McCain are anti-choice when it comes to abortion.
Anyone remember the Parent’s Music Recources Committee? They wanted to erode out 1st Ammendment rights by telling us what kind of music we can listen to. The hearings were probably the only time the likes of Frank Zappa and John Denver would be of similar mind. Tipper Gore headed the PMRC. No doubt she had the support of Al Gore.
Tracer summed it up nicely. But there’s no chance a Libertarian (or Independent) will win, so a vote for one of them is a vote tossed away. The alternative is to vote for the lesser of two evils. Since more people seem to be Pro-Choice on abortion than they are on other issues, I think that bans on abortion are unlikely no matter who wins; but a ban on firearms is more likely if Gore wins.
Johnny, I agree with what you’ve said, but if the Congress remains Republican, it is more likely that a GOP president will be able to get his particular anti-choice agenda through than it would be for a Dem to get his anti-choice agenda through.
David, mustn’t forget, though, the tendancy of Presidential elections to sway Congressional elections. ALl of the house and a third of the Senate will be up for election this year. It’s called ‘riding the coattails’. Basically, whoever wins the Presidency may face a friendly Congress.
Of course, that only works at the beginning of a President’s first term.
I sold my soul to Satan for a dollar. I got it in the mail.
Just remember: the federal courts have ruled that the 2nd Amendment doesn’t prohibit the states from banning firearms, and that it doesn’t prevent the government at any level (including the Federal level) from banning the sale or transfer of firearms, and that it doesn’t prevent the government at any level (including the Federal level) from banning firearms of a type other than those used by a well-regulated militia.
Conversely, the federal courts have also ruled that the Fourth Amendment does prevent all levels of government from banning abortions – at least until the end of the first trimester. So even if an anti-abortion candidate did take office, any laws (s)he passed banning (first-trimester) abortions would get thrown out as unconstitutional – the only ways an anti-abortion politician could clear this judicial roadblock would be to (A) get anti-abortion justices onto the U.S. Supreme Court, or (B) amend the Federal constitution.
We now return you to our presidential debate, already in progress.
I like Bill Bradley. He leans the way I do on a lot of issues without losing sight of realism. A lot of his positions strike me as simple common sense rather than calculated political postures designed to excite particular interest groups. That’s probably why he’ll never get elected.
“I don’t get any smarter as I get older–Just less stupid” -my dad
Gotta go with Nader. All the others either dont support abortion rights (an instant no in my book) or are just kind of wimpy. Besides you can’t beat the name. President Ralph…and it rhymes with Darth Vader.
Johnny, IIRC, the Parent’s Music Resource Center’s goal was to put labels on music to inform parents if the music contained violent imagery, sexually explicit lyrics, etc. I fail to see how this has impeded your right to buy music.
On the presidential race, I cannot find ANY candidate who supports: narrower abortion laws (e.g. no third trimester abortions and restricted second trimester abortions), radical campaign reform, the abolition of the current tax code, supports school vouchers, stricter gun control, the death penalty but opposes “hate crime” legislation, AND has a chance of winning the election.
The candidate that came the closest (John Hagelin) hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. John McCain is the closest candidate that has a decent chance of winning, but I get a feeling that W. will ultimately beat him in the primaries.
W. v. Gore? Hmmm. I guess it’ll depend on who their running mate is. If Elizabeth Dole gets the nod, I’m voting for W. Otherwise, I guess I’ll vote for Gore though I’m pretty annoyed that the Democrats couldn’t find a candidate with a pulse.
As a moderate Democrat, McCain gets my vote, for now. Bush Jr. scares me because of his affiliation with certain right-wing Christian groups. That was a classic PR move by Bush to speak at a college that forbids interracial dating and calls Roman Catholics (like me) a “cult”. I look forward to Bush’s next speech at a local cross-burning.
Gore and Bradley have got the dreaded “Liberal” sticker getting ready to be slapped on their heads. Fortunately Bradley is fading into the distance, giving Gore (the Dan Quayle of the Democrats) an easy shot for the nomination.
In the dreaded Devil’s Choice between Bush and Gore, having faith in the American political system where the bullshit is much lighter than cream, I will probably pop a beer, sit on the patio deck and sit this puppy out.
Bush finally apologized (in a letter to Cardinal O’Connor) for not speaking out about BJU’s racist and anti-Catholic policies. Funny how he doesn’t think to do this before the South Carolina primary, but does so before strongly Catholic New York goes to the polls. <Spock voice> Fascinating. </Spock voice>
McCain, on the other hand, gave a speech this morning in Virginia Beach telling the Christian Coalition, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell to piss off. I wish he’d stop giving me reasons to like him–saying all these nice things about a Republican just makes me feel so dirty.
It’s nice to see I’m not the only Nader fan on the board. Someone around here made a comment a while back that I can agree with–I’m not sure this country deserves Ralph Nader.
Dr. J
“Seriously, baby, I can prescribe anything I want!” -Dr. Nick Riviera
While I admire McCain for his campaign finance reform stance, there is absolutely no way in hell that he will secure the Republican nomination. That is my prognostication for the upcoming festivities.
Although, even with my admiration, I could never vote for the man. His stance on abortion is enough to dissuade me from that.
While I spent a lot of time feeling depressed that it looked like Shrub was going to be the next prez, things like his “aw shucks” appearance at BJU, and the fact that McCain has become a bigger adversary than originally thought have given me hope that he might just not win.
Me? I’ll vote for Gore. I take enough abuse from the ghosts of Eugene Debs and Emma Goldman as it is, no point in making it worse.
anyone notice that Gore spoke to a jewish congrteation and the women and children were forced to sit outside?
BJU ( great name BTW I want to go to BJ univ.) may have some unsavory rules, but at least they let women in on important matters. Why didn’t the media pick up on this little bit of sexism?
Could there possibly be media bias?
Count me down for Bush because 1) he has a more aggressive tax cutting plan, 2) he is to wishy washy to make abortion illegal, 3) Gore will increase taxes and spending to new levels, never before seen. Ditto Bradley.
He’s definitely turning positive in my eyes. (Just also saw that DoctorJ made reference to this already.)
Now, on to replies:
Surgoshan: Yes, I know about the president possibly swaying Congressional elections, but so far, I’ve seen little indication that even if Gore were to win, the Dems would take back all of Congress. On the other hand, if Bush wins, it seems highly likely the GOP would retain control of all of Congress.
DoctorJ: Actually, Bush didn’t “apologize” – he never used that word in his letter. In fact, shortly after being called on his speech, he said he wouldn’t apologize. He sent a letter and weasel-worded a bit, but never said it was wrong to speak there or anything like that.
GL, I agree that I don’t think McCain will win the nomination. But, man, it would be nice to see him win now after telling the religious right to screw off!
Mr. Z: I hadn’t heard about this. Where can I read more? Anyway, if true, it would not be terribly surprising at an Orthodox synagogue (for example), since that is the way they do things in that religion (keeping women separate from men). This is not the same as a university (which is supposed to be a place of learning) being anti-Catholic and forbidding interracial dating.
Hey, did anybody else see Meet the Press last weekend. Jesse Ventura was on, and I caught the tail end of a question directed to him regarding John McCain. Again, I didn’t catch all of the question, but it sounded like Ventura was being asked whether (if McCain lost the Republican nomination) Ventura would consider running on a ticket with McCain as an independent. Ventura did not rule it out, and voiced his admiration for McCain. (Again, assuming I heard the question correctly.)
Has anyone else heard any rumors along these lines. If anyone caught Meet the Press, did I hear what I thought I heard?
My personal choice is Gore. I agree with David that a critical issue to consider in this election is the slew of Supreme Court (and for that matter, lower court) appointments the next President may get to make. Personally, I don’t want the Court veering any farther to the right than it already has.
From the perspective of wanting to see Gore elected, I would love to see a McCain/Ventura ticket on the ballot to draw off some conservative votes.
As between McCain and Bush, I would much rather see McCain nominated. Though McCain is far too conservative for my tastes (particularly on environmental issues) I could live with a McCain Presidency. At least there would be the prospect of real campaign finance reform. Bush, I fear, is too much a captive of Republican special interests. I may actually vote for McCain in the primary (Georgia has open primaries), as I would feel a whole lot better in November knowing that either Gore or McCain would wind up in office.
I find it much more offensive to say “women can’t take part in any meaningfull discussions or decisions”
Than to say,
“different races shouldn’t date.”
the first is a complete belittleing of half the world’s population (actually more if you count kids) and the second is a cultural suggestion. The second propostition does not state that any race is prohibited from engaging in important dialog. The first states that women are not allowed in the decision making process.
Personally, I find sexism to be more vile than racism.
All judgements aside and assuming that the two are equal, why was there no outrage from the press when a democrat was involved, but so much outrage when GWB was involved .Could the press be ::gasp:: BIASED?
I like Ralph Nader, but here in California, your vote only counts if you vote for a member of your party, and as I am a registered Democrat, I’m going to vote for Bradley. I don’t expect him to win, though, and will vote for Gore in November.
I really hope that McCain ends up being the GOP candidate. I don’t exactly love him or anything, but I HATE Bush. He’s an idiot! McCain at least has a brain in his head.
