Democratic Convention in Denver

[panthera]

And so

the conservatives are actually willing to put the fate of the US into the hands of McCain and Palin, whose qualifications to be leader of the free world are, what, exactly?
Oh right, she doesn't believe in human rights for homosexuals, considers a woman's body to be government property, rejects all knowledge based on science (silly things like natural selection, global warming...), rejects non-fossil fuel energy promotion...and has the tremendous executive experience of running a small town as Mayor.
I suppose we have to count being governor too, after all, she was, has been and is currently under investigation for so many abuses of executive power which only an 'executive' could commit.
Ok, conservatives, tell us now, please do, why this team is such a brilliantly better choice than Obama/Biden.
The world waits with bated breath...you're really going to have to dig deep on this one.
Sheesh. Eisenhower must be turning in his grave so fast you could probably power the Eastern seaboard with the heat of his indignation.

 

[gansky1]

We met some of the family yesterday at Cracker Barrel (I know...) for breakfast and I saw an late-middle aged man wearing a shirt that said "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists." George W. Bush, 2001

Under that, it had logos from Shell, BP, Exxon, Sinclair, Texaco, Mobil, etc.

He was getting a lot of attention in the waiting area, lots of laughs and "you got that right" comments. I really don't think most voters are fool enough to fall for the same line of crap again, but then...

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www.mindfully.org

 

[sudsmaster]

Eisenhower's daughter, Susan, has come out in support of Obama/Biden.

 

[panthera]

His grandaughter, actually

and this was her letter of resignation from the republican party.
How any conservative can read this and still be for the republicans is beyond me.

Susan Eisenhower Quits Republican Party - Reflections on Leaving the Party

I have decided I can no longer be a registered Republican. For the first time in my life I announced my support for a Democratic candidate for the presidency, in February of this year. This was not an endorsement of the Democratic platform, nor was it a slap in the face to the Republican Party. It was an expression of support specifically for Senator Barack Obama. I had always intended to go back to party ranks after the election and work with my many dedicated friends and colleagues to help reshape the GOP, especially in the foreign-policy arena. But I now know I will be more effective focusing on our national and international problems than I will be in trying to reinvigorate a political organization that has already consumed nearly all of its moderate “seed corn.” And now, as the party threatens to trivialize what promised to be a serious debate on our future direction, it will alienate many young people who might have come into party ranks.

My decision came at the end of last week when it was demonstrated to the nation that McCain and this Bush White House have learned little in the last five years. They mishandled what became a crisis in the Caucusus, and this has undermined U.S. national security. At the same time, the McCain camp appears to be comfortable with running an unworthy Karl Rove–style political campaign. Will the McCain operation, and its sponsors, do anything to win?

This week, I changed my registration from Republican to independent. The two political parties as they exist today, and the partisanship that they foster, reflect the many fights of the cold war, the Vietnam era, the post–cold war and the 9/11 periods. Today we are in a different place altogether, where our security as a nation is challenged not just from abroad but also close to home. The energy, health-care and financial crises threaten our national prosperity and well-being, just as surely as any confrontation overseas or an attack by radical terrorists.

As an independent I want to be free of the constraints and burdens that have come with trying to make my own views explainable in the context of today’s party. Hijacked by a relatively small few, the GOP of today bears no resemblance to Lincoln, Roosevelt or Eisenhower’s party, or many of the other Republican administrations that came after. In my grandparents’ time, the thrust of the party was rooted in: a respect for the constitution; the defense of civil liberties; a commitment to fiscal responsibility; the pursuit and stewardship of America’s interests abroad; the use of multilateral international engagement and “soft power”; the advancement of civil rights; investment in infrastructure; environmental stewardship; the promotion of science and its discoveries; and a philosophical approach focused squarely on the future.

As an independent I will now feel comfortable supporting people of any political party who reflect those core values.

It was not easy taking this step, since politics, like religion, is something learned on the knee of one’s parents and grandparents. And like anything else inherited, it is imbedded in one’s own identity. This makes leaving even harder.

But there will be some joy for me in my new status since I will be able to speak for myself, and not as a member of a party that has, sadly, lost its way.

 

[sudsmaster]

"I believe that Barack Obama has the energy, but more importantly, the temperament, to run this country and provide the leadership we need. He knows that we can either advance on the distant hills of hope– or retreat to the garrisons of fear. He can mobilize and inspire all of us to show up for duty. Discipline will be required; as will compromise, flexibility and quiet strength."

- Susan Eisenhower

 

[panthera]

Ah, but

then Susan Eisenhower really gives a damn about the US. The other 'conservatives' who are pretending that the democrats would do a worse job of governing are just plain hiding one of three things:
Their hatred of women and homosexuals (in the case of gays supporting the republicans, that is pathologically self-loathing. How anyone can hate themselves so much as to actually vote for a person who denies one basic human rights, is beyond belief).
They do not respect the US Constitution. After the last three Supreme Court decisions against this administration how any strict constitutionalist can be pro-republican is a mystery incapable of resolution. Oh, right - we all know how liberal and revisionist this Supreme Court is.
They are racist.
It's one or more of the three. Why not just come out and admit it instead of all these silly arguments?

 

[rickr]

Todays drama.....

 

[rickr]

And even more drama, if the first one was not enough.... <:

 

[rp2813]

Chris, the general election is not by preferntial vote. You vote for one person only. Some local governments have preferential voting or "instant run-off" elections but that does not happen on a national level.

Ralph

 

[gizmo]

Thanks Ralph.

Gee, that's not very democratic. So it's "first past the post" then?

Chris

 

[rp2813]

Well Chris, with the whole Electoral College system in place, the popular vote doesn't even matter. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 and still won the election thanks to the Electoral College votes and seriously illegal shenanigans in Florida. It's a topic for discussion every four years lately, as the Electoral College has been doing a lousy job of reflecting the popular vote.

I've read enough about the Electoral College to understand why it exists, but I still don't agree with it. I say, if you win the popular vote, you win the election. The Electoral College process says the exact opposite too much of the time lately.

Without knowing enough to write a thesis on it and just from my casual observance and experience, I'm all in favor of blowing up the Electoral College. Its entire "student body" appears to be made up of robotic morons.

 

[j2400]

I wish we had preferential voting

Several times, I've had to make a choice between Someone I Can Believe In But Has No Chance and Someone I Can Tolerate, Who Might Win.

Such a system would give strength for a third party to emerge, since people wouldn't have to worry about "throwing their vote away."

Still, I have a feeling the system we have won't change any time soon. Both major parties probably like the status quo.

 

[rp2813]

John, sadly, I believe you are correct. The two major parties will forever work to prevent a viable third one.