Recent polls do not place the war at the top of the issues. If the situation in Iraq continues to improve, Democrats would be foolish to make it the top issue in the campaign. If the economy continues to decline, Democrats would be foolish not to make it their top issue.

 

Fair enough - they both will be big issues. Remember , improvement is relative. "Not as bad" is not the same as "good." I don't think the majority think we're anywhere near "good." WE might all agree that we're "getting better" but a large number of those in the middle are not happy with where we are and where we're headed. McCain saying "100 years" will not play well with that big group in the middle. If, and its still a big "if", the young voters come out, the war in Iraq will be a big issue to them.

It will be interesting long-term to see the effect of this election. There are many (me included) who do not want either party's extreme members to drive policy. McCain winning will either make it a requirement for future candidates or solidify the extremists' role in picking their party's candidate.

Many (me included) see groups like MoveOn.org, Media Matters, and their money man, George Soros, as playing a an alarming role in selecting the Democratic candidates. Many (me included) consider Soros, a convicted criminal, as a corrupting influence on American politics.

 

Yet, conservative Republicans who believe in limited government, sound fiscal policy, and individual liberty are branded as extremists. Many of us, including myself, believe that the extremist label has been wrongly applied.

 

It will be interesting to see if Soros' success in this year's elections will attract other wealthy speculators into the American political arena. I wonder how many millions Soros has made off of our plunging dollar already.

Was really rooting for Thompson to be in there but that isn't going to happen. I probably will lean toward McCain.

Many (me included) see groups like MoveOn.org, Media Matters, and their money man, George Soros, as playing a an alarming role in selecting the Democratic candidates. Many (me included) consider Soros, a convicted criminal, as a corrupting influence on American politics.

 

Yet, conservative Republicans who believe in limited government, sound fiscal policy, and individual liberty are branded as extremists. Many of us, including myself, believe that the extremist label has been wrongly applied.

 

It will be interesting to see if Soros' success in this year's elections will attract other wealthy speculators into the American political arena. I wonder how many millions Soros has made off of our plunging dollar already.

 

How did my post garner such a defensive response?

 

I'm with you on MoveOn and Soros.

 

No one calls Republicans(which is the way I usually lean) extremists who are for a sound fiscal policy, individual liberties, and limited govt.

How did my post garner such a defensive response?

 

I'm with you on MoveOn and Soros.

 

No one calls Republicans(which is the way I usually lean) extremists who are for a sound fiscal policy, individual liberties, and limited govt.

I am sorry if I read more into use of the word extremists than you intended. The great majority of people who consider themselves conservatives do believe in sound fiscal policy, individual liberty, and limited government...and yes, conservatives are labeled as extremists on a regular basis.

 

I am a small government conservative and do not vote for Republican candidates because they have an "R" next to their names. Like most other voters, I generally vote for the lesser of what I consider two evils - but a person has to draw the line somewhere. I have decided to draw the line on Senator McCain.

I am a small government conservative and do not vote for Republican candidates because they have an "R" next to their names. Like most other voters, I generally vote for the lesser of what I consider two evils - but a person has to draw the line somewhere. I have decided to draw the line on Senator McCain.

 

So you will do what exactly on election day if its McCain?

To the conservatives? Its not a weakness.

 

To moderates, (McCain's position on the war is) a big issue and one that they're not convinced that he's right.

 

I agree. Most of the Republican candidates (Paul being the notable exception) are still saying that invading Iraq was the right decision and I think they will be hammered for that position in the general election. The majority of the public views the Iraq war as a huge mistake. It makes these guys look like Bush sycophants, which is not very smart given his low approval ratings.

I am sorry if I read more into use of the word extremists than you intended. The great majority of people who consider themselves conservatives do believe in sound fiscal policy, individual liberty, and limited government...and yes, conservatives are labeled as extremists on a regular basis.

 

I am a small government conservative and do not vote for Republican candidates because they have an "R" next to their names. Like most other voters, I generally vote for the lesser of what I consider two evils - but a person has to draw the line somewhere. I have decided to draw the line on Senator McCain.

 

 

So you support everything Ron Paul is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

Or you are against everything John McCain is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

 

 

Looks like someone is going to be very disappointed on election day.

 

:lol:

So you will do what exactly on election day if its McCain?

Vote for a third party candidate to preserve my right to criticize either liberal who gets elected.:lol:

So you support everything Ron Paul is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

Or you are against everything John McCain is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

 

 

Looks like someone is going to be very disappointed on election day.

 

:lol:

I haven't bothered studying Ron Paul's positions very closely because he is the only candidate serious about withdrawing from Iraq with little regard to consequences. In other words, I believe him so I cannot support him. Based on what I have heard him say, I agree with Ron Paul on most other positions.

 

I disagree with McCain on many positions but mostly I just don't trust him. I agree that it would be irresponsible to withdraw from Iraq in such a way that will create a vacuum for the Iranians to fill.

 

In short, I do not agree with any of the major candidates on enough issues to cast a vote for them.

So you support everything Ron Paul is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

Or you are against everything John McCain is for, EXCEPT his position on Iraq?

 

 

Looks like someone is going to be very disappointed on election day.

 

:lol:

We need a Frankenstein candidate.

Vote for a third party candidate to preserve my right to criticize either liberal who gets elected.:lol:

 

What if Romney was the R candidate?

What if Romney was the R candidate?

Romney is looking like a long shot for the Republican nomination. I will vote for Romney if I get the opportunity but I am not optimistic about his chances. I will not vote for any of the more likely nominees, regardless of whom they choose as running mates.

Mitt Romney

John McCain