'08 Elections

[sjbouza]

Just a general question, well sort of general I guess. In the upcoming election in '08 who would you like to see as president and why? I would like to know who you would like from both parties, what Republican and Democrat.

I guess I am just looking for others views on the candidates. After seeing both debates I am curious who others feel would be good for this country.

[Emproph]

I pick Joe Biden and Russ Feingold, in that order.

Both ardent supporters of rights/liberty, and both are acutely aware of the inherent corruption of politics and the need to fix.

Obama is black, Clinton is a woman. They don't stand a chance. If they had the superstar status of a celebrity like Madonna I'd say go for it. But as ashamed as I am to say it, this is not the time to be taking risks.

Today's conservative republicans (stereotypically-speaking) eat sleep and breathe immorality. By election day '08, some of us reading this sentence right now will be convinced that Obama was responsible for slavery and Hillary was responsible for original sin.

'just sayin..

[BrianB]

Originally Posted by sjbouza

Just a general question, well sort of general I guess. In the upcoming election in '08 who would you like to see as president and why? I would like to know who you would like from both parties, what Republican and Democrat.

I guess I am just looking for others views on the candidates. After seeing both debates I am curious who others feel would be good for this country.

Personally, I like Obama on the Democrat side. He is conservative enough to get moderate republicans to vote for him. The black caucus may also get solidly behind him as the election nears.

Mrs. Clinton is what they used to call a "carpet bagger" after the civil war. She is much too mercenary for my taste. IMHO, her entire aim in seeking the senate seat in New York was expressly a set up for her presidential bid. I think she will fade unless the press gets behind her.

On the republican side I think Guliani has a decent shot. He certainly has name recognition. Fred Thompson seems to be hanging in there even though he has declared his candidacy yet. As for Romney I don't think he can win because of his religion. Look how many years it took to elect a catholic president.

I'm not crazy about any of them but my picks are Obama for the Democrats and Guliani for the Republicans.

BrianB

[Thaddus]

I am all for Kucinich/Richardson team. I think Kucinich is clearly a smart, wonderful, caring man ( he also is good friends with Shirley Mclaine which I find interesting). He is the only candidate supporting full gay marraige. He truly did not support the iraq war from the start. Gov. Richardson I think would be a good balance to the team with his political acomplishment.

For Republicans, If I had to choose one, I would like to see Giuliani as president.

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Thaddus

I am all for Kucinich/Richardson team. I think Kucinich is clearly a smart, wonderful, caring man ( he also is good friends with Shirley Mclaine which I find interesting). He is the only candidate supporting full gay marraige. He truly did not support the iraq war from the start. Gov. Richardson I think would be a good balance to the team with his political acomplishment.

I Love Kucinich. He led a panel in regard to extent of Iraqi civilian deaths and put it point blank as to the horror and moral of it -- which I'd been waiting for since this "war" began..

He's so unassuming (obviously-I forgot about him) but I've had reverence for him ever since. Thanks for reminding me.

[Pablo Rafael]

I have always been a Republican and have been wanting John McCain to run for years. However, with his stance on the war in Iraq, voting for him is out of the question for me. Plus I think we Republicans have made a total mess of things and it's time for something new.

I would really like to see Bill Richardson win. He has a lot of experience and has acomplished a lot in whatever governmental position he has been elected to. I don't think he has a good chance of getting the Democratic nomination. My second choice is Obama. I like Clinton, but I think she is too polarizing of a figure.

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by Pablo Rafael

I have always been a Republican

I thought I was the only one here!

I'm backing Guliani, but not without reservations.

Do you think we can get "none of the above" on the ballot? If it wins, we start over with new candidates until we actually get someone we want.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by BrentRichards

Do you think we can get "none of the above" on the ballot? If it wins, we start over with new candidates until we actually get someone we want.

When you do that in Scrabble, you lose one entire turn... which would leave us with? "Dubya" again? PULEEEEZE !

[rainbowdog]

I have not ever voting Republican but this comming up year i might. Guliani is actually for GBLT rights. Bush does not care for us. He probably wishes that we go away. Folks we are here to stay so we might as well have rights to so Guliania is our man. I am tired of being a 2nd class citizen
We need someone who cares about our needs

God Bless,
Christy

[Simon]

Christy,

I'm considering voting for Giuliani, too. I have family and friends in NYC, and they told me that when he was a mayor, he improved quality of life a lot. They streets got cleaner, and crime went down by 30%. I believe that he would also help reduce the crime throughout the nation if he becomes president. He might be pro GLBT rights but he is also very pro war. It was actually him who pressured Bush to start the war on terrorism, and I don't blame him: you know, 3000 people in his city were killed for nothing. We need strong leader like Rudy in our country.

Simon

[dsdrane]

...a thankful product of the ex-Republican ministry.

As a former New Yorker, read me now and believe me later: Giuliani is a non-starter; he's a blowhard and he has way too many skeletons. Mayor of NYC, fine, but he ain't gonna play in Peoria. No way, no how.

I would LOVE to see Joe Biden take the nomination. I love his loose lips and loose cannon ways, which is precisely why he won't win...but I love him all the same. He's folksy while being knowledgeable as hell. A northeast Bill Clinton of sorts, but with more cojones.

I also like John Edwards a lot, but the Breck Girl image really hurts him.

I also want to hear more from Bill Richardson, a lot more.

I like Obama, but it's way too soon.

Hillary dithers, and I'm over it.

But, the knight in shining armor who I believe will ultimately take the nomination and win the White House is Al Gore. He's ready; he's tested; and it's soooo his time.

[revtj]

Yellow Dawg Dem here as well...

Before I endorse anyone it needs to be pointed out that whoever takes the job is in for the worst ride of their lives, and probably our nation's lowest point since the Stock Market Crash of '29 and the Depression that followed. I am an optimist! But the misdeeds of this current administration have been criminal, and the middle class is on the verge of obliteration.

Here are some of the things the next president will have to do in order to be a success (all are immediate, crucial priorities):

1. Restore diplomacy and world respect including resolving the Iraq war.

2. Fix Social Security, Medicare and the entire healthcare system.

3. Achieve funding & implementation of real (as opposed to imaginary) homeland security, border patrol, and natural disaster response.

4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cooperate on the world stage in reversing the trend of global warming.

5. Tax large corporations, vigorously prosecute white collar corruption, leverage fair trade agreements, and punish corporations who move to Dubai or elsewhere after ripping off American taxpayers.

6. Fix election fraud and end corruption in Congress in BOTH parties related to lobbyist and special interest funding, creating fair elections and enabling a realistic 3rd party possibility in Presidential elections.

Well, these are just the first things I thought of, there are many more, especially as relates to human rights, civil rights and minority rights but I have to assume we all know that.

SO...maybe the fundamentalists are correct, Jesus Christ is coming back, because it would take someone divine to achieve these things.

OH and let's not forget, whoever it is WILL be blamed for the entire fubar of the Bush years, and incredibly, most Americans will agree because they saw it on tv.

With that caveat in mind, GIVE US OBAMA! He hasn't been ruined by the system yet and the values he espouses are apparently consistent with his personal life and his politics. (Of course, so was Jimmy Carter's...)

[Zerbie]

RevTJ NAILS it. Wow. Yeah, hafta nod.

It IS too early, but at this early stage I like Obama.

I voted three times in my life for Republicans, all the other times for democrats. I'm neither myself, of course; it should surprise no one here that I do not identify as HAVING a political party affiliation.

The 3 Republicans I voted for were Christine Todd Whitman for governor of NJ when I lived there, a no-name newbie who ran in a local primary race against the single most anti-gay state legislator in Arizona, and John McCain.

NEVER never NEVER again (John McCain I mean.) He seemed really quite good a few years ago. These last 2 years he has turned and flushed himself and his maverick reputation down the toilet. He pretty much lost me for quits when he publicly endorsed Protect Marriage Arizona, & had his picture taken with the folks that sponsored it (the previous director of that particular group thinks it's "laughable" that sex between same-sex consenting adults should NOT result in jail time.)

That's not all he's done that makes me regret voting for him. And never never NEVER again.

Anyway, short version: McCain has turned himself into a far right wing clone and sold out his entire reputation as an independent and strong leadership personality.

[revtj]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

RevTJ NAILS it. Wow. Yeah, hafta nod.

It IS too early, but at this early stage I like Obama.

I voted three times in my life for Republicans, all the other times for democrats. I'm neither myself, of course; it should surprise no one here that I do not identify as HAVING a political party affiliation.

The 3 Republicans I voted for were Christine Todd Whitman for governor of NJ when I lived there, a no-name newbie who ran in a local primary race against the single most anti-gay state legislator in Arizona, and John McCain.

NEVER never NEVER again (John McCain I mean.) He seemed really quite good a few years ago. These last 2 years he has turned and flushed himself and his maverick reputation down the toilet. He pretty much lost me for quits when he publicly endorsed Protect Marriage Arizona, & had his picture taken with the folks that sponsored it (the previous director of that particular group thinks it's "laughable" that sex between same-sex consenting adults should NOT result in jail time.)

That's not all he's done that makes me regret voting for him. And never never NEVER again.

Anyway, short version: McCain has turned himself into a far right wing clone and sold out his entire reputation as an independent and strong leadership personality.

Yeah, I perceived McCain as a man of integrity and respected him...in his defense I will say I think the party system makes whores out of the best of them...I used to think Hillary had integrity, but she seems willing to sell out nowadays also. Bummer.

[sjbouza]

The biggest problem I see with McCain is his flip flopping on civil rights issues. He use to support civil rights for gays, he even spoke out against Farwell. But now he realizes that without Farwell and Dobson he will have a snowballs chance in hell of getting the nomination. So he backslid and "apologized" about what he said about Farwell. He has changed so many of his views on the "liberal" side of life.

I dont know if Obama is the right one either. He just seems to me to be to much of a pushover. I dont think he has the balls to do what needs to be done. To me he just seems like a good "yes man".

Actually, I like Dr Paul (cant think of his last name right now). I really doubt that he will get the nomination because he is way to out there on some of his ideas. He wants to get rid of the IRS (a great idea) and bring back the US to ruling by the Constitution. Both are wonderful ideas, but I dont think that is going to win him any points with the powers to be. I really like his views on diplomacy with other countries. Getting us back to good relations with other countries is going to be a must for the next Prez and I think if he can do what he says he is going to, I think he may be the man to do it.

Clinton and Guliani are two more flip floppers. Neither one in my eyes has any credibility. Yea Guliani "cleaned up" New York, but what has to be done in the White House is just way to over both of their heads. Clinton has had just to many fubars in her own career to make her a viable choice. I think that the public wouldnt trust her. After what her Hubby did I think will be on the minds of the voters and it will not be to her favor.

Edwards I think would be good. I know he is a little flaky, but I think he would do a good job. I cant really think of anything bad about him, not saying there isnt, but he seems sincere. Although I dont like his stance on gay civil rights and marriage, but maybe there will be some change down the road.

It is just going to be so hard this election. I mean there really isnt anyone that is worth while at all. It is going to come down to the lesser of two evils. Who can we stand to have in the White House that will do a decent job. I dont think any of them will do a great job. Well, I dont think they can mess things up any more than Bushie already has. If they do the US is in a world of trouble. I just feel sorry for the mess that Bushie is leaving for the next Prez. They are going to have to do a lot of ass kissing with the rest of the world and get the US back in a good light with other countries. RevTJ has very good points. He has hit it right on the head. There is going to have to be some really big miracles happen for the next Prez. It is a shame that they are going to suffer for the ills of Bushie. He definately isnt his father, not even close. Clinton ran the country into the ground and Bushie just kept digging the same hole and put it further in.

We need another Reagan. He was by far the best Prez we have had in the last 50 years. To bad cloning isnt legal, we could just clone Reagan and get this country back to greatness again. We just need someone that has some back bone and can tell the rest of the government this is the way it is gonna be so lets get er done!!!

[revtj]

The biggest problem I see with McCain is his flip flopping on civil rights issues. He use to support civil rights for gays, he even spoke out against Farwell. But now he realizes that without Farwell and Dobson he will have a snowballs chance in hell of getting the nomination. So he backslid and "apologized" about what he said about Farwell. He has changed so many of his views on the "liberal" side of life.

I dont know if Obama is the right one either. He just seems to me to be to much of a pushover. I dont think he has the balls to do what needs to be done. To me he just seems like a good "yes man".

They all seem to flipflop to me...they follow the money. And gay rights groups don't have as much cash as anti-gay constituents.

Gays should be plenty sick and tired of being a political football. They either use us as a scare tactic or they court us like a hot trick for a one night stand. Rarely does anything ever come of it except manipulation of the masses.

[u-dog]

No candidate can afford to say, unequivocally, everything that we want to hear them say. They will ALL have to slip around and flip around in order to pull together enough constituencies to actually win an election.

No Democrat candidate can afford to EITHER pander to or ignore the GLBT vote. That's just reality.

What we, as GLBT voters, have got to do is to look behind the rhetoric to their voting and speaking records and to discern which candidate will be the best one for GLBT rights.

Clinton, Obama, Richardson on the Dem side

Guilianni on the Repo side.

Seems to me.

Dave

[dsdrane]

If we're really going to be realistic about this, there is no Repo side.

And them's the facts.

[tpdncr4christ]

Originally Posted by sjbouza

Just a general question, well sort of general I guess. In the upcoming election in '08 who would you like to see as president and why? I would like to know who you would like from both parties, what Republican and Democrat.

I guess I am just looking for others views on the candidates. After seeing both debates I am curious who others feel would be good for this country.

I have no idea!!! This is my first election to vote in and I have no clue!

Some educational system they have.

[BrentRichards]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

If we're really going to be realistic about this, there is no Repo side.

And them's the facts.

Now I feel alienated [sniff]!