That's the big question: Which McCain are we going to get?

 

That may be a big question remaining to you, but I think I've explained why I know which one we are going to get. But even if you don't know which McCain we are going to get, I assume you'll agree we definitely know which Obama we are going to get and me personally, I don't like that one at all.

That may be a big question remaining to you, but I think I've explained why I know which one we are going to get. But even if you don't know which McCain we are going to get, I assume you'll agree we definitely know which Obama we are going to get and me personally, I don't like that one at all.

 

Why wouldn't McCain run as the true moderate that he is? Does he fear that the extreme will simply not show up? IMO he'd win hands down as a moderate.

Why wouldn't McCain run as the true moderate that he is? Does he fear that the extreme will simply not show up? IMO he'd win hands down as a moderate.

 

Do you feel the same way about Obama not running as a true liberal? Does he fear that the moderates will simply not vote for him if he did? In your opinion, could he win if he ran as the true liberal that he is?

I realize that McCain is not nearly as exciting a candidate as Obama. However, I will not base my decision on how excited one guy/gal seems to be. I will base it on what I feel they stand for, what experience they have, what values they hold, and how I believe they would govern not on who puts on the better show, ... and let's be honest, that's what these candidates are doing. In the instance of who's putting on the better show, it is hands down Obama right now. Funny thing is, if you didn't look at any polls and just watched the coverage, you would think that Obama has a 20 pt lead on McCain. I was surprised to see that it is still a very tight race.

Criticism of John McCain's campaign is not about criticizing him as a candidate. McCain has run a lifeless and uninspiring campaign thus far, falling back on the traditional Republican cast for campaigns. Certainly many would value substance over fanfare. Unfortunately, this race has boiled down to an exciting candidate versus token Republican opposition, and McCain is following that path diligently.

LN, I strongly agree with almost all of your post. As a democrat, it is mostly my thoughts on unification that makes me lean toward McCain, though I do agree with many of his ideas, particularly his stance on energy (which is a big area for me). Just when I think I have made my mind up on one of the candidates, something makes me rethink my decision. There are several on here that think I am not undecided...they have the right to do so, but it is simply not the case.

 

Additionally, I think the point that RTS was making was not that he wouldn't support McCain (heck, I'll even go out on a limb here and say that if elected, RTS will support Obama until he screws up...which might only take about a day, in RTS's eyes ), but that McCain is NOT doing what is needed to win. Those of us that post regularly in P/R do keep up with politics and will make a (more) informed decision. For many that don't, they will watch the speeches and debates...and in that case, the more exciting guy has the advantage.

 

Other thoughts - I have said numerous times that I think that McCain needs to focus not on the conservative vote. The majority of them will vote for McCain, because they know not doing so is going to be essentially a vote for Obama. His TV ads need to play not to conservatives, but the undecideds, the moderates and the independents. His current attack ads are praised highly by most conservatives I know...BUT he already has their votes. The same ads are taken negatively by those like me...and is an "X" him in my book.

 

He has got to change gears and if he wants to win this campaign.

Nice post TBG.

Criticism of John McCain's campaign is not about criticizing him as a candidate. McCain has run a lifeless and uninspiring campaign thus far, falling back on the traditional Republican cast for campaigns. Certainly many would value substance over fanfare. Unfortunately, this race has boiled down to an exciting candidate versus token Republican opposition, and McCain is following that path diligently.

 

 

 

You may be right; I on the other hand look at this decision as being way too important to base my decision on which campaign is lifeless and uninspiring. I guess I'm a lot like Mountain Thunder. RTS would probably prefer a more critical attacking campaign; TB and G wants a less attacking campaign. Me, I could care less about the campaign as its totally irrelevant to my decision making process. I'll agree with TB and G that the type of campaign ran is probably more meaningful to the un-informed than is to people that are abreast of the candidates more fully (and no RTS I'm not saying you are un-informed:D).

Ben Stine calling you boring is like the Elephant Man calling you ugly.

 

In 1930, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the... Anyone? Anyone?... the Great Depression, passed the... Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?... raised tariffs, in an effort to collect more revenue for the federal government. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the United States sank deeper into the Great Depression. Today we have a similar debate over this. Anyone know what this is? Class? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone seen this before? The Laffer Curve. Anyone know what this says? It says that at this point on the revenue curve, you will get exactly the same amount of revenue as at this point. This is very controversial. Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. "Voodoo" economics.

Do you feel the same way about Obama not running as a true liberal? Does he fear that the moderates will simply not vote for him if he did? In your opinion, could he win if he ran as the true liberal that he is?

 

I'd argue that Obama is running closer to his roots than McCain. I'd also ask if you consider him a "true liberal" because of one or two views or do you think he's a "true liberal" on ALL views? I'd argue the former.

 

We've all known that Obama leans hard to the left. McCain always came across as right but middle. That's how he got his "Maverick" status. He brought the Rove boys in and they have him capitulating to the extremists.

I'd argue that Obama is running closer to his roots than McCain. I'd also ask if you consider him a "true liberal" because of one or two views or do you think he's a "true liberal" on ALL views? I'd argue the former.

 

We've all known that Obama leans hard to the left. McCain always came across as right but middle. That's how he got his "Maverick" status. He brought the Rove boys in and they have him capitulating to the extremists.

Which roots? Black, white, Muslim, Catholic...?

I'd argue that Obama is running closer to his roots than McCain. I'd also ask if you consider him a "true liberal" because of one or two views or do you think he's a "true liberal" on ALL views? I'd argue the former.

 

We've all known that Obama leans hard to the left. McCain always came across as right but middle. That's how he got his "Maverick" status. He brought the Rove boys in and they have him capitulating to the extremists.

 

As to the first point, really? I'd say McCain going with off shore drilling is not that big of a leap for a moderate conservative. But Obama going for off shore drilling ( I know, I know, its all a part of his compromise to make better things happen. And I'm skinny too:D). Read the attached article and tell me what you think.

Which roots? Black, white, Muslim, Catholic...?

 

Liberal:lol:

As to the first point, really? I'd say McCain going with off shore drilling is not that big of a leap for a moderate conservative. But Obama going for off shore drilling ( I know, I know, its all a part of his compromise to make better things happen. And I'm skinny too:D). Read the attached article and tell me what you think.

 

Give me the link.

 

Hit me with the "true liberal" question I asked as well. I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

You may be right; I on the other hand look at this decision as being way too important to base my decision on which campaign is lifeless and uninspiring. I guess I'm a lot like Mountain Thunder. RTS would probably prefer a more critical attacking campaign; TB and G wants a less attacking campaign. Me, I could care less about the campaign as its totally irrelevant to my decision making process. I'll agree with TB and G that the type of campaign ran is probably more meaningful to the un-informed than is to people that are abreast of the candidates more fully (and no RTS I'm not saying you are un-informed:D).

 

I don't necessarily want less attacking...check that, I do, BUT...when it is mostly one sided it stands out in a negative way. My main point is that he is not appealing to the right audience at the moment.