Presidential Debate--who watched?

[Better Half]

I watched. Thought it was better than the last and the VP debate. I don't normally watch since they are a two party Q&A session rather than a debate and I usually vote for other parties. This time I'm going mainstream even though my primary pick didn't make it. I'm unhappy with the other choices.

While reading this I'm listening to a review of the debate on the radio and their opinion is that both McCain and Obama are Socialists. They are recommending 3rd party.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Well, I will flat out state it, I am voting for McCain when the time comes simply because I believe he is the lesser of two evils, not because I support him.

I in no way shape or form want Obama in the whitehouse! I am not for a socialized anything and I personally believe the socialization mind set is a boat load of crap!

I am against the government having any say whatsoever in anything that pertains to my personal life and livliehood.

 

[annmarie]

I hope that someday there will be not only a 3rd party, but a 4th, 5th, and 6th party. It's ridiculous to think that in such a large country we're all supposed to agree with either candidate #1 or candidate #2. We're way too diverse for that, and I think it only serves to divide us more than we really ought to be.

By the way, I'm with you 100% on this. I've never known a party to want to be so intimately involved in all facets of peoples lives. The only person I know of who ran that was very much against that was Ron Paul.

Although Republicans are supposed to be for less government, I have personally never seen gov't involved in so many parts of our lives, welcome or not, ever. So, not sure what the last 2 opinions are based on but would be very interested to hear.

Plus, I might add that self-sufficient folks try to be just that. That does not mean I don't want there to be lots of support and help for other people who are not as lucky as I have been. I may not want the gov't in my business of raising chickens, but I understand there needs to be gov't oversight of our food supply, for example, in order that greedy corporations don't jeopardize our lives and health through crappy business practices.

But, I wander...

 

[patandchickens]

I will say I'm surprised to read what I have hear in a self-sufficiency forum.

Just goes to show, life is full of suprises and often more complex than one expects

Pat

 

[Ellie]

Dang, makes me not want to vote at all!!

Ellie

 

[me&thegals]

I hope that someday there will be not only a 3rd party, but a 4th, 5th, and 6th party. It's ridiculous to think that in such a large country we're all supposed to agree with either candidate #1 or candidate #2. We're way too diverse for that, and I think it only serves to divide us more than we really ought to be.

By the way, I'm with you 100% on this. I've never known a party to want to be so intimately involved in all facets of peoples lives. The only person I know of who ran that was very much against that was Ron Paul.
quote]

And I agree with you on this So many people speak of choosing the lesser of 2 evils. How can one person hold all we believe in? At least more involvement would lead to more complex public discourse and maybe not quite so much partisanship? Don't know... Unfortunately, someone like Ron Paul never even got into any/many of the debates so the conversation could stay "either this, or that."

 

[me&thegals]

I personally have incredibly liberal opinions on politics, so it's clear to me who I'll vote for, as they're both less liberal than I'd like, but Obama is at least closer to what I aim to see in government. I also find him an inspiring speaker, and like the idea of someone who's that convincing, exciting, and charismatic being the public face of our nation.

But last night's debate was kind of sad to me. Neither of them really answered the questions asked, instead just delivering their campaign speeches in 1- to 2-minute segments. I want a president who can answer a tough question with grace and substance, and the strategy seems to currently be to avoid all questions and just say what you want to say. I agree with Obama's principles more, but the fact is that both of them dodged all the questions, and just talked about their own platform. The only person I've seen actually answer the questions posed was Joe Biden, and while I don't think he was very charismatic or inspiring, I was personally inspired by how he actually listened to what the moderator said, and responded specifically to the questions asked, with intelligence.

Is that not so incredibly annoying since we cannot personally be there, holding their feet to the fire and demanding an actual answer?!? I once listened to a State of the Union address on the radio and was nearly shouting in my living room, "Would you stinkin' answer the question already?!?!!"

 

[me&thegals]

I'm not sure if any of you read the Onion (a satirical e-newspaper), but they have had some HILARIOUS 'articles' about the presidential campaign. One of the recent headlines was "New Debate Rules Allow for 15-Second Strangulation." There were times last night where I'm sure that thought was running through each of their heads!

That's hilarious! The Onion I believe originated from Madison, near where I live. It is a hoot. At least we can give them both points for managing incredible frustration in the national spotlight. That's gotta be a good sign, right?

 

[Better Half]

I hope that someday there will be not only a 3rd party, but a 4th, 5th, and 6th party. It's ridiculous to think that in such a large country we're all supposed to agree with either candidate #1 or candidate #2. We're way too diverse for that, and I think it only serves to divide us more than we really ought to be.

Luckily in WA there are more choices. There are eight on the ballot for President this year. In some states the big two parties don't let others on the ballot. Bob Barr isn't on the ballot in seven states. It's a shame. People think they are wasting their vote if they don't vote for who they think will win while others aren't even offered a choice outside the big two.

 

[FarmerChick]

Neither of them really answered the questions asked, instead just delivering their campaign speeches in 1- to 2-minute segments.


******ScottyG

you said it like I was trying....you hit the nail on the head....that is the exact feeling I got from this debate.