President in 2008

[Terrywoodenpic]

Pity Tony Blaire wasn't born over there. He'll be free by then.:bonk:

Terry
____________________________________
Blessed are the merciful, mercy shall be shown unto them

 

[Fluffy]

Because both parties suck.

Lol Both? America's democratic system is often referred to as a 2 party system but that isn't the case. There are 39 parties still in existence who, at some point, have put forward a candidate or candidates for office and a further 16 that I am aware of who haven't reached this point yet.

Perhaps you feel that all 45 parties suck, in which case, fair enough.

 

[DreamQuickBook]

Lol Both? America's democratic system is often referred to as a 2 party system but that isn't the case. There are 39 parties still in existence who, at some point, have put forward a candidate or candidates for office and a further 16 that I am aware of who haven't reached this point yet.

Perhaps you feel that all 45 parties suck, in which case, fair enough.

lol You obviously aren't familiar with American Politics. I am a Libertarian and we are the largest, most successful third party in the US. However, we only do well in local elections and hold no power in the Federal government. People only elect us when the democrats and republicans have ruined their town or county and they need some radical social or economic change.

Third Parties have no federal power in the US. There are only two parties that have any power at all and it will always be that way, because Republicans hate Democrats and refuse to vote for a third party when their vote is needed to stop a liberal from getting into office; and the Democrats all hate Republicans and refuse to vote for a third party when their vote is needed to stop a conservative from getting into office. That's just the way it is. No one likes to talk about, but that is the way it works.

Third Parties and Moderates make up only 8% of the voting public.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I wouldn't vote for Hillary because I disagree with her politics....but she certainly doesn't irritate me. I don't understand why so many people hate her so much.

American Politics...

Its almost an oxymoron, folks!

I don't get it.

Question from a Brit: Why are American politics so centered around the candidate for presidency rather than the party? Especially when it comes to deciding on who to vote for.

Because political parties are very different in the U.S. than in Britain. We have two (significant) parties which have very centrist platforms (at least, relative to the kind of dramatic differences you might see in Europe between parties) and which try to appeal to the moderate voter. The power that the parties wield has dramatically fallen in the U.S., due to a number of factors (most notably the nomination of party candidates via popular vote instead of caucuses). As a result, candidates running for President appeal to the majority of (moderate) voters, rather than to their own party's agenda....and different candidates of the same party can have very different agendas.

Personally, I think this is a good thing.....it allows candidates to run who have a more nuanced, popular agenda, rather than simply a cookie-cutter of their respective party which only appeals to a niche of voters.

 

[DreamQuickBook]

Personally, I think this is a good thing.....it allows candidates to run who have a more nuanced, popular agenda, rather than simply a cookie-cutter of their respective party which only appeals to a niche of voters.

Agreed and very well said. But, I would like to see the Greens, Socialists and Libertarians become equal to the Democrats and Republicans. First of all, it would help us see who is who. There are lots of socialists in the Democratic party and lots of Libertarians in the Republican Party and lots of Greens in both. (By Greens I mean Environmentalists, not actual members of the party).

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Third Parties and Moderates make up only 8% of the voting public.

I suppose that depends on how you define "moderate". Is "moderate" a voter who identifies him/herself as moderate rather than liberal or conservative, or is "moderate" determined by an individual's voting/issue tendencies? Could you supply a reference, please?

We learned learned repeatedly in political science that most Americans are moderate: they change their opinions often, their "ideologies" are often inconsistent, and they have split tickets when they vote.

 

[DreamQuickBook]

I suppose that depends on how you define "moderate". Is "moderate" a voter who identifies him/herself as moderate rather than liberal or conservative, or is "moderate" determined by an individual's voting/issue tendencies? Could you supply a reference, please?

We learned learned repeatedly in political science that most Americans are moderate: they change their opinions often, their "ideologies" are often inconsistent, and they have split tickets when they vote.

By Moderate: I meant Swing Voters. Most people say they are moderates, but they almost always vote for the same party.

 

[JAHLion]

I think either Bob Marley or Peter Tosh woulda been great Presidents.

But I would vote for ANY good Rastas for Presidency!!! Preferably Nyabinghi Elders! :bounce

But I very strongly doubt that any Rastas would get involved in any of these poliTRICKS.

Jah Bless.

Lion

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I should run for President when Im old enough. Too bad congress and the Judicial branch would still have more power than I would.

 

[true blood]

The people get the leaders they deserve. I'd vote for any female blues and jazz singer.

 

[JAHLion]

Go for it, Luke! Just don't give into the corruption!

But watch out, nowadays, people look back to what Candidates for Presidency did, and they look back to their teen years! So if someone's gonna run for President, they better decide that at age 10! Haha.

Jah Bless.

 

[Crystallas]

First Bush, then Bush's son, next Clinton and Clinton's wife(frightning)... I just want to see someone that everyone can support. Im tired of all the spite in voting. People who think they should support certain cantidates just to tick other people off, or voting for someone because they are an underdog. Im also tired of cantidates representing a party, but showing strongly diffrent views and actions. Based on that list, I'll vote Rudi. Lately for the democratic party, whoever is the favorite going into the primaries usually gets knocked out. I can't remember the last time a favorite has won, maybe good old Hubert Humphrey was the last favorite to become the elect in 1968....and he ultimately lost. I think Joseph Biden is the sleeper for the D primaries. I dont know why hes not listed in the poll, but next to Kerry/Edwards/Clinton, hes gotten a lot of attention for his efforts going into 2008. For the R Primaries, its going to be cuthroat close between McCain and Giuliani. If McCain wins, then I think Hillary can win, but I dont think Kerry would win. If Giuliani wins, I see it being hard for any democrat to win unless its a total underdog such as Biden. Which I think Bidden, McCain, Giuliani, and Clinton would all be sufice as far as the Comander and Chief. My vote only goes to one. Rudi 08!

 

[Draka]

Whoopi Goldberg for president! :jam: :biglaugh: Running mate...Ellen Degeneres!

All joking aside...I picked Hillary.

 

[Rex]

This list makes me kinda sick to the stomach.

Bi-partisan govt. will be the downfall of this country.

 

[s2a]

Who would you like to see as president in 2008? If not on the poll, just write it in

If I were still a Republican (or even a temperate moderate), John McCain would get my vote.

As much as I feel that our nation is ready (and deserving of) a female President like Hillary Clinton, I would prefer to support the Dems version of McCain...Senator Joe Biden. There are few members of either side of Congress (or either party) that are less tolerant of BS, or more informed (and qualified) than Biden.

But don't ask me...I actively campaigned for a former General (with multiple degrees and exceptional experience) the last time around...and he lost...

 

[jonny]

I voted for Bush in the last election, because, as with other people, I couldn't stand Kerry or Edwards. Since no politician really does anything dramatic, I just vote for the person I can stand watching and listening to for four years. I'd love to go an 'hang out' with Bush, but I think that Kerry would be about as fun as hanging out with a rock. Bush seems like a real person.

I really wish that the parties would quit taking sides on "moral issues" so that we could vote on things that are important, like education, worker's rights, and the enviornment. The democrats would be able to get my vote if they could talk about something besides protecting "the woman's right to choose."

 

[CaptainXeroid]

I picked McCain. Given the American public's shift to the right since 09/11/01, I think a Democrat will have a tough time winning especially against a Republican challenger who is a better public speaker and doesn't have the glaring weaknesses that GWB does. If Hilary runs and wins, I'll be the first one to admit I was wrong, but I just do not believe she has even a remote chance of winning.

I think the 2006 mid-term elections will provide a good indication of where Americans are politically. If the Democrats pick up some key elections, they could be in better shape for 2008.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

When I run for President, and I WILL try very hard to get my name on the ballot during whatever year election I will be old enough to, and if by some miracle I'm the first third party candidate to win (hopefully not the first by then), I will make all of RF my advisors. I wouldn't need a physical cabinent, I would have an e-cabinent. Gotta stir up some form of controversy.

 

[Zephyr]

When I run for President, and I WILL try very hard to get my name on the ballot during whatever year election I will be old enough to, and if by some miracle I'm the first third party candidate to win (hopefully not the first by then), I will make all of RF my advisors. I wouldn't need a physical cabinent, I would have an e-cabinent. Gotta stir up some form of controversy.

I call dibs on Minister of Macaroni! Currently I'm not informed enough to really decide yet.
I would like to see someone who avoids the term "Crusade" though. Bah, I'll decide when it's time.

 

[Majikthise]

Hmm, I am not sure about their stances, but I won't vote for anyone that is anti-life.

No one is anti-life. That is an absolutely bogus term that illustrates a narrow mind set.
I am conservative on some issues and liberal on others, I think Bush is trying to do the best he can just like anyone else would. I think Clinton was a good man and I love to hear him speak. He is quite intelligent IMO and has a way with relating to the common person.
Politicians as a whole flip-flop so often on so many issues it is almost impossible to get behind any of them completely.
Eliminating choices through vilification seems counterproductive to me but, hey, whatever floats your boat.