[excitedmommy2007]

Okay we did this is in my class last week and it was interesting, so I'd like for all of you to weigh in.

Who you are leaning towards voting for:
Who you want as the VP pick and why:

Who you want the opponent to pick and why:

[TigerMom]

I'd probably be happy with any of the following for McCain:

Tom Ridge
Carly Fiorina
Tim Pawlenty
Bobby Jindal
Joe Lieberman
Sarah Palin
Rob Portman

I'd have serious reservations about:

Mitt Romney
Charlie Crist

This is just my own preference, not necessarily what I think will help him win.

[kittycat]

I'd nix Carly Fiorina... She's behind a huge scandal that led to her ouster at HP (McCain doesn't need any more negatives when it comes to his economics). And Joe Lieberman is a sure fire way to sink McCain's ticket. Interesting though that you have pro-choice people, is that not a concern? I only ask because that seems to be one of the major reasons people vote republican (despite there being anti-choice democrats as well).

For Obama...
I'm good with Biden. Kaine would have better chemistry, but I think that he's more likely to be on a 2nd term Obama ticket. I don't like Bayh, but things could be worse.

In the wild card - I think Caroline Kennedy would rock the ticket, but again - she's my wild card pick

[TigerMom]

Interesting though that you have pro-choice people, is that not a concern? I only ask because that seems to be one of the major reasons people vote republican (despite there being anti-choice democrats as well).[/b]

Actually, I am pro-choice. The biggest reason I'm voting republican has to do with the approach to government as a whole, which is LESS. I don't think government should interfere as much with things like the economy, insurance, etc. That's not where the solution lies, imo. And while I'm personally against abortion, I also feel that the beginning of life is subjective. People believe different things about that, and I don't think that an absolute "no abortion" law is the way to go.

If the republican candidate was a lot more conservative, I might not vote for him/her. I like that McCain is more of a centrist (and I'm most certainly not a fan of the current president's administration).

For Obama...
I'm good with Biden. Kaine would have better chemistry, but I think that he's more likely to be on a 2nd term Obama ticket. I don't like Bayh, but things could be worse.[/b]

Funny you should mention that, because of all the Dems that were in the race I liked Biden the best. His voting record and views seemed a bit more center than left. And dang, the man is funny. DH and I used to say he should be on the ticket as an opening act if nothing more.

[farallonlady]

Actually, I am pro-choice. The biggest reason I'm voting republican has to do with the approach to government as a whole, which is LESS. I don't think government should interfere as much with things like the economy, insurance, etc. That's not where the solution lies, imo. And while I'm personally against abortion, I also feel that the beginning of life is subjective. People believe different things about that, and I don't think that an absolute "no abortion" law is the way to go.

If the republican candidate was a lot more conservative, I might not vote for him/her. I like that McCain is more of a centrist (and I'm most certainly not a fan of the current president's administration).

Funny you should mention that, because of all the Dems that were in the race I liked Biden the best. His voting record and views seemed a bit more center than left. And dang, the man is funny. DH and I used to say he should be on the ticket as an opening act if nothing more.
[/b]

The only problem is that these past seven years has seen the ballooning of government at a scary weight. Bush has outspent every previous president. Government certainly seems to be large enough to drown me in the bathtub, if nothing else!

It seems as though Biden might be the choice. I was interested in Webb, but the fool took himself out of the running.

[TigerMom]

The only problem is that these past seven years has seen the ballooning of government at a scary weight. Bush has outspent every previous president. Government certainly seems to be large enough to drown me in the bathtub, if nothing else![/b]

Exactly why I'm not a fan of the current administration, as I said in my previous post. ;-) McCain might agree on some things that Bush has done, but he has a very different way of doing things than Bush. The Obama camp can spin picture of Bush and McCain together all they want, and of course McCain had to play the conciliatory game in order to get the nomination (unavoidable, if you ask me). But if you have followed McCain's career at all you'll know that he's not a "McSame" in the least.

[farallonlady]

Exactly why I'm not a fan of the current administration, as I said in my previous post. ;-) McCain might agree on some things that Bush has done, but he has a very different way of doing things than Bush. The Obama camp can spin picture of Bush and McCain together all they want, and of course McCain had to play the conciliatory game in order to get the nomination (unavoidable, if you ask me). But if you have followed McCain's career at all you'll know that he's not a "McSame" in the least.
[/b]

I dont know, though. He has voted with this current administration 95% of the time. That is pretty similar.

[TigerMom]

You can't look at voting records alone. From CNN.com:

Speaking before the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles, he rejected the president’s determination to keep the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba open. He also said it was time to negotiate a new global warming treaty.

“We can’t torture or treat inhumanely suspected terrorists we have captured,” he said. “I believe we should close Guantanamo and work with our allies to forge a new international understanding on the disposition of dangerous detainees under our control.”

On global warming and the international treaty that President Bush abandoned after taking office, McCain said: “There is such a thing as international good citizenship.” He added: “We need a successor to the Kyoto Treaty, a cap-and-trade system that delivers the necessary environmental impact in an economically responsible manner.”[/b]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/...me-bush-policy/

Not to mention the fact that earlier this year conservatives were complaining that McCain hasn't done enough to further Bush's policies. Ask any true Bush supporter if they think McCain is like Bush and you'll probably get a resounding "no way."

McCain might have been in congress for a quarter century, but there's a reason why conservatives don't like him. He regularly works with Dems and Reps alike and has called out members of his own party for excessive spending. In 1998 he sponsored an anti-smoking bill that would have raised taxes; Republicans hated this and ultimately the bill died because of their opposition. He opposed the Bush tax cuts at first because, at the time, no plan was given as to cutting spending as well - again, bucking his own party line.

As of late he has had to point out his similarities with his party and, to an extent, with Bush. It's sadly part of the political game; he needed the conservative vote to get the nomination, and needs it again to win in November. He'd be playing political suicide if he didn't accent the conservative side he does have. But to say he's the same as Bush, after 25 years of being labeled a maverick by his own party? The theory doesn't hold water.

[excitedmommy2007]

Tigermom you strike me as a Barry Goldwater Republican!! Gosh how different our govt would be had he been elected in my opinion....

For McCain I really like Jindal from LA, but I don't see him being the pick at all. (I can hope for 2012, right?) So my 2nd but unrealistic pic would be Mitt Romney just because of his economic/business saavy experience, and that is what McCain needs. Plus he is younger and offsets McCain's older than dirt image. But since McCain puts so much emphasis on personal relationships I don't think it will be him. So I guess I'll settle for Pawlenty.

I would love nothing more for McCain to come out and say that he will only be a one term President, get in there and do what needs to get done without him OR his VP worrying about re-election, not raise money for any other candidate while in office and have him name someone like Bob Gates or Meg Whitman. This the only way I could see him winning with Lieberman on the ticket.

As for the other side I'd be satisfied if he named Biden as VP because that man is a gaffe machine and I am sure that would make for some good ads. He has been really quiet lately so I wonder....Or I'd even be okay with Hillary because NOTHING motivates he conservtive base to vote against a clinton

I don't think I need to tell you who I am voiting for as it is clearly advertised below, lol

Well I am pro-life and so that does make a difference to me. My pick for McCain is Mitt Romney. I really think he will the economic experience that McCan lacks. AND I just like him.

I agree with ExcitedMommy above about Obama.

I agree with you all on Bush. He was a huge spender. I don't see McCain as being another Bush at all.

[kittycat]

Tigermom, thank you for the honesty.

I agree with Farallon - The current Admin is out of control, and grew government to record numbers. Furthermore, the areas of government that they grew are not sustainable to our own economy. Meaning the budgets their employees are responsible for, primarily go overseas - so that money doesn't go back in to the economy. Nor do any of those areas help restore or build our country.

For example, jobs created to restore our roads, bridges - infrastructure, would not only see a positive return on the quality and safety of public services, but also - the income generated goes directly back in to our economy. Which in turn stimulates growth, provides tax dollars to support local schools, etc.

As for Insurance & Healthcare - I do believe that at some level, there does need to be regulation and changes. I'm going to start a new thread on that subject...