[harley4ever]

Who do you support after the first debate?

[Arty 3000]

everyone can see the mess we are in under this president. McCain votes 90% with bush. but the scary part is. if this guy dies in office we will be getting a hockey mom to run the country? NO THANKS.

[johyn]

I would trust a hockey mom over a socialist any day!

[bodgy]

For a foreign perception of the Presidential race, bear with me.

McCain lacks charisma, represents the party that gave the world George Bush, is old and says more of the same. His choice of running mate is quite adventurous. Sure she looks good and may appeal to the religious middle America, but lacks any discernable substance. Additionally her old man seems to think he can interfere with Government and she seems to agree.

On the other hand, Obama is young, represents change, is the underdog because of his race, however seems to be part of the cafe latte set and maybe a bit vacillitating. His choice of running mate was so transparent, he's young (inexperienced), knows SFA about foreign affairs (Yes there is a World outside) so get an old guy. Said old guy needs to show he's not so old, so insists on running on to the stage when he's making an appearance.

One thing that amazes me is the intrusion of religion into US politics. All candidates seem to need to accquiess to Christian stuff. Didn't the US invent the separation between Church and State?

Anyway, I think the European/Australian concensus is for Obama. We don't want more George Bush stuff, even though McCain seems a honest, courageous guy.

For Republicans, its OK I can't vote.

[cyclestart]

For a foreign perception of the Presidential race, bear with me.

Hey, another foreigner brave (read: foolish) enough to wade in!

One thing that amazes me is the intrusion of religion into US politics. All candidates seem to need to accquiess to Christian stuff. Didn't the US invent the separation between Church and State?

Regardless of how the constitution is interpreted, it is the voters decision whether a candidates faith is an election issue. In Canada faith and politics are usually separate issues, suspect Australia is much the same. Of the 2 main contenders for Prime Minister, one holds no discernible religious beliefs. It hasn't been an issue. However if one of the candidates was a devout Muslim it very likely would be an issue, so religion does remain an election issue to some extent. And no , I don't believe Obama is a Muslim.

Anyway, I think the European/Australian concensus is for Obama.

In Canada Obama is the sentimental favorite according to polling. Not sure if the common sense favorite. Some of his statements on free trade are troubling.

Put on your asbestos suit, the flames will come.

[cuemaker1]

Bring in the Fair tax.... Poor don't buy as much so pay less. Rich buy more so pay more tax... Think how much the tax is on a $3,000,000 boat at 26%.Get the fair tax book and you'll see that you may like it too.....

[MrWild]

I would trust a hockey mom over a socialist any day!

Socialized banking. Brought to you by........ GW BUSH. You're concerned of Obama and yet you aren't screaming bloody heck about the nationalized banking? Oh but it will just be "partially nationalized." Don't they have a one drop saying? There is no partial in this. "Obama will bring socialism." Good grief, I expect to hear some real loud voices. If not, please shut up about Obama. The hypocrisy is thick as mud.

[AviatorDave]

Socialized banking. Brought to you by........ GW BUSH. You're concerned of Obama and yet you aren't screaming bloody heck about the nationalized banking? Oh but it will just be "partially nationalized." Don't they have a one drop saying? There is no partial in this. "Obama will bring socialism." Good grief, I expect to hear some real loud voices. If not, please shut up about Obama. The hypocrisy is thick as mud.

It's not hypocrisy. I don't like McCain. He was tied neck and neck for last place with me with Giuliani. And yes, we were screaming bloddy heck about the bailout. Both sides, rep and dem were getting phone calls of 99-1 saying "If you vote for the bailout, I'm not voting for you next time." Yet they passed it anyways. So yes, socialism is here. It's been here since Hoover. But that doesn't mean we want to start RUNNING towards more of it with Obama.

But keep in mind that if Obama does win, the dems may well have a filibuster proof majority in the senate. They could pass ANYTHING they want. Sure, they'll be booted out after 2 years as they'll get silly with power just like the reps did a few years ago, but I'm scared to think of what damage they may cause in those two years. Do you really Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Obama running EVERYTHING? I know I don't. We need at least some balance in there somewhere.

[Micky15044]

But keep in mind that if Obama does win, the dems may well have a filibuster proof majority in the senate. They could pass ANYTHING they want. Sure, they'll be booted out after 2 years as they'll get silly with power just like the reps did a few years ago, but I'm scared to think of what damage they may cause in those two years. Do you really Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Obama running EVERYTHING? I know I don't. We need at least some balance in there somewhere.

You must be having visions of 2001-2006 of Dubya and the rubber stampers, you folks have no one to blame but yourselves, you did keep voting for them!

[AviatorDave]

everyone can see the mess we are in under this president. McCain votes 90% with bush. but the scary part is. if this guy dies in office we will be getting a hockey mom to run the country? NO THANKS.

Yeah, but here's the really scary part - If the other side wins, on day 1, even if nobody dies, we get the black Jimmy Carter again. As screwed up as everything is, we don't have 20% mortgage rates. Yet.

We'll get a pardon for Tony Rezko, he can take over as Secretary of the Treasury, Bill Ayers the terrorist will get his new job as Secretary of Defense, Jeremiah Wright as Secretary of State (or maybe Louis Farrakhan would be good), and we'll have lots of new guests in line for the Lincoln bedroom. Wonderful world leaders like Raul Castro, Raila Odinga, the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, and maybe Hugo Chavez or some of Obama's other supporters can come stay for the weekend.

HELL TO THE NO!

[Micky15044]

Yeah, but here's the really scary part - If the other side wins, on day 1, even if nobody dies, we get the black Jimmy Carter again. As screwed up as everything is, we don't have 20% mortgage rates. Yet.

We'll get a pardon for Tony Rezko, he can take over as Secretary of the Treasury, Bill Ayers the terrorist will get his new job as Secretary of Defense, Jeremiah Wright as Secretary of State (or maybe Louis Farrakhan would be good), and we'll have lots of new guests in line for the Lincoln bedroom. Wonderful world leaders like Raul Castro, Raila Odinga, the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, and maybe Hugo Chavez or some of Obama's other supporters can come stay for the weekend.

HELL TO THE NO!

That's just stupid!

[Dualkit]

Mess? The President is like an NFL quarterback, gets too much blame when things are bad and too much credit when things are good, but agreed, things
are not well across the board. Obama lacks some of the qualifications to be
president and is trying to make up those deficiencies with Biden. The selection
of Palin makes no sense to me. Don't think Obama's taxing the hell out of
businesses plan will get us out of this mess, have to vote McCain and hope his
health holds out. At the debate he seemed pretty sharp for being 72.

[veteq]

Mess? The President is like an NFL quarterback, gets too much blame when things are bad and too much credit when things are good, but agreed, things
are not well across the board. Obama lacks some of the qualifications to be
president and is trying to make up those deficiencies with Biden. The selection
of Palin makes no sense to me. Don't think Obama's taxing the hell out of
businesses plan will get us out of this mess, have to vote McCain and hope his
health holds out. At the debate he seemed pretty sharp for being 72.

Hello mates,

what do you mean with things, things like going to Irak on the fact that there are WAPENS OFF MASS DESTRUCTION. In my opinion he also didn`t know for sure if they were there.
Maybe he is the worst president in history, but time will tell.

regatds,

Roy B.

[MrWild]

While I have been anti McCain, I thought he did very well in the debate. He smoked Obama on several issues. Unfortunately he is all about winning an unjust war that was started on lies and false facts. I'm sorry, but when a fight is started with bad information, it should be stopped, not "won at all costs." In that sense, McCain ended losing the debate.

I sure wish there was a third choice.

[todd71]

I sure wish there was a third choice.

There is. Dems and Repubs have a lock when it comes to using the
"public" airwaves. Where was Bob Barr or Ralph Nader? Last I heard they are still running. I use to think Barr was a real A-hole. But the more I hear the more I like. If he could reach a wider audience he could have an impact. And maybe that's why 3rd party candidates are excluded.

[Micky15044]

There is. Dems and Repubs have a lock when it comes to using the
"public" airwaves. Where was Bob Barr or Ralph Nader? Last I heard they are still running. I use to think Barr was a real A-hole. But the more I hear the more I like. If he could reach a wider audience he could have an impact. And maybe that's why 3rd party candidates are excluded.

Barr=joke and Nader=bigger joke. Sorry but there not very good alternatives.

[vacpress]

anyone who thinks you can 'win' an occupation of a soverign country is a real jerk.. there is no such thing as 'winning'.

iraq was defeated 2 days after the war began. even that wasnt a win. it is like calling a bully pushing some small kid over a 'win'. just ridiculous... a banana republic type puppet government is not winning either. there is no winning. this is so sad it makes me want to cry or leave the country. the death over imaginary 'weapons of mass destruction' and the trillions of dollars spent on this nonsense is inexcusable.

in my opinion the current president should be kicked out of office and put in jail for the manslaughter of every single troop who died for this nihilistic money grab..

i sorta like mcCain, talk about a tough guy. but, he is just wrong. totally wrong.

thanks,

Robert

[harley4ever]

As an independant, I have given them both fair grounds. After time, I started leaning torwards Obama. I think he is better equipped to lead our country. Didn't it seem a little last night like Mccain kind of thought he was a little bit better than anyone else. Like, a different class looking down on us. If Mccain becomes president, I honestly see the economy just the way it is now. As a middle class family, I truly believe Obama can help out.

[cobolt cutter]

I FEEL STRONGLY about this, they both speak political bull****.
Their going to tell us just what they think we want to hear!
They allready made their mark in the world. They've messed us over in the Senate and their going to do it in the President's seat too. I don't know what their tring to pull but they know there is not one thing they can do to change what our Goverment has done to the our economy!
The Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. Then they both say they can change our way of life for us all! Can't you'all see, Not one of them care about our way of life. they are taking our tax money, and leaveing us with nothing! As long as they make Millions they do not care!
Cobolt Cutter

[Dualkit]

By things I was mainly referring to the economy and not the war. With the
economy in the toilet here I think the focus is off the war in many people's minds. Bush is getting blamed for a lot of things that are not of his doing,
but the war is of his doing of course.