Hoodooyoo Want?

[Superman]

Who do you want? For the conservatives here, or at least the Republicans who believe their party is still the conservative one, I wonder who you would like to be the Democratic candidate. Who do you think your guy can beat most easily? Or for whatever reason, which potential Democratic candidate would you most like to appear on the ballot?

Next question: Assuming the Democratic candidate wins the election, THEN which candidate would you prefer? Which Democratic candidate would make the least offensive President?

[Jeff Higgins]

)Hillary

)None of the above.

[Superman]

I think Hillary is the odds-on favorite for question 1.

Chicken. You can do better on Question 2, Jeff.

[Jeff Higgins]

O.k., o.k., here goes... Obama. I can live with him as President for what are probably some unusual reasons. I think he is young enough to still break the mold. While it is a given that to even have a chance these days any candidate has to be "in" with the "right people", and those people expect certain things in return for their money and support, he might just turn out to be a maverick. If he ascends to the Presidency this relatively early in his career, he may very well adopt the philosophy that he no longer needs his "handlers". He may very well lead the country rather than follow the polls like his Democratic predecessor, or his myriad of questionably motivated advisors like out current President.

If he leads from his heart and follows his instincts, he will break the mold established in the last several Presidents of cowing to big-money interests. Maybe, just maybe. After all, he would no longer need them to fulfill his own aspirations. He will have achieved that enviable position early enough so that he may still be able to see the forest amongst the trees.

[Joeaksa]

Fred Thompson/Colin Powell

[pwd72s]

I've been told that I'm ignorant and apathetic.

I don't know and I don't care.

[Superman]

We can close this thread now. One of the posts above is very likely to be the most lucid and provocative we will see here. It looks to have been written by a liberal, or at least an independent thinker.

[rdk409]

I'd like to see Obama will the Democratic nomination. I don't think he'd be able to close the deal and we'd keep the Republicans in power.

I believe if Hillery gets the nomination, she would be the first female President of the United States. I believe she's got too much dirt on everyone.

For me, I would like to see a conservative step up, but as of now there are no true Reagan conservatives in Washington. I think the next President will be Democratic unless the Iraqi war turns around. That and we pull UBL out of the cave we have him stuffed in.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Bart Simpson

[holtjv]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Fred Thompson/Colin Powell

This would restore my faith and support in the republican party. Woodward's latest book paints a good picture of Powell.

Otherwise, I'm with Jeff, as ridiculous as it might sound--Obama. I was going to say that it's hard to screw up too badly with the inherent checks and balances to the role (referencing his lack of resume), but our current administration disproves that theory.

F if I know any more.

[scottmandue]

GARY COLLMAN!

Barring that Obama would get my vote for the same reasons Jeff pointed out.

[Jeff Higgins]

Supe, you cut me to the quick. I'm a card-carrying conservative dammit! Do I have to show you my NRA card? My "Charter Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" coffee cup? My Bible? What will it take to finally be free of such innuendo, such slander? Oh, the humanity...

[Superman]

I called you a name before and I'll do it again. You're a darned Independent Thinker. I hope that stings, pal.

Your Bible and your NRA stuff probably look pretty much like mine, so don't forward those.

Good luck with your hope that politicians will behave responsibly while the 90% of voters are not paying attention.

You know, in recent days I have reflected on a comment made in a thread here perhaps years ago. We were discussing the German people and their tendency toward lawfulness. Someone told a story of J-walking a German street because no cars were coming. German bystanders were heard gasping.

Another poster went on to say (paraphrased): "You know what the Germans would do if their Congress passed a 25 mph national speed limit? They would drive 25 mph nationwide until the next election, when they would unseat every politician who supported the measure. The regular speed limit would be restored. You know what we would do her in America? We would drive 75 mph like usual, and re-elect those responsible for the measure."

[Jeff Higgins]

I love the German - American comparrison; it rings so very true. I'm half German, raised by a German mother (and an Irish father), spending summers in Germany as a kid with my oma and opa. I can tell you about that (in)famous German adherance to rules.

I had to laugh the other day watching the Top Gear video on the Veyron at the VW test track. The very British driver (Jeremy Clarkson?) made a comment about being briefed on the regulations concerning his use of the track. His speil ran something like "we are after all, in Germany. Here we have regulations. I like regulations." Just true enough to be very funny.

So how do we address the other issue you raise, voter apathy? No one seems to pay attention here. Is it a feeling of powerlesness against some big "machine"? Maybe. I have heard my German relatives comment that we are not really offered choices on the level they are; all of our candidates, both of our parties, are relatively "centrist" compared to the broad spectrum they see in Germany. No one here sees a very dramatic change in their government despite a dramatic change of those who govern. Maybe a guy like Obama, who can afford to hang it out there a little more, could offer that visible change and jar some folks from their apathy. Kinda doubt it, but maybe that my Irish side coming through.

[Superman]

Originally posted by Jeff Higgins
Is it a feeling of powerlesness against some big "machine"? Maybe. I have heard my German relatives comment that we are not really offered choices on the level they are; all of our candidates, both of our parties, are relatively "centrist" compared to the broad spectrum they see in Germany. No one here sees a very dramatic change in their government despite a dramatic change of those who govern. Maybe a guy like Obama, who can afford to hang it out there a little more, could offer that visible change and jar some folks from their apathy.

There is no good politician who can shake Americans from their apathy. Only bad ones have that opportunity, I think. The people are going to have to lead. My guess is that the choices available to Germans are a function of their interest in choices and their maturity and ability to evaluate those choices. In America, Big Mac versus Double Whopper versus Sourdough Jack versus Arby's......is considered "choices."

Feeling of powerlessness? Possibly. Frankly, gubmit does not run this country, and people know it. This country is run by Industry. We don't know the names of the guys pulling the strings, but we know they pull them and we don't.

And I think the other problem is deflection. We've got people thinking that gubmit is "them." Many of the poster here think that. All of the conservatives do. It would be amusing, this conservative belief that we value democracy and freedom and gubmit is "them," if it weren't so sad. How do you guys hold those notions together in your minds? It seems to me they would make you somewhat schizophrenic. Oh yeah.....you guys talk as if you live in an occupied country. Weird.

[Nathans_Dad]

Agree with Jeff. I would like to see Hillary nominated just to watch her go down in flames.

If I have to pick a Dem for President I would pick Obama.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

George Carlin.

[Lothar]

Anna Nicole Smith! I'd vote for anyone who injects human growth hormone in their butt with a dirty needle. Oh wait...never mind.

But seriously, Hillary for the dems would be fine. If she loses, I'll have some hope for this country. If she wins, people might finally realize how quickly individual liberty can disappear.


With Hillary as President, serfdom cannot be far away.

[Superman]

Originally posted by Lothar
If she wins, people might finally realize how quickly individual liberty can disappear.

Considering the actions of your "president," this remark is hilarious. This notion that the Republican party is the party of "freedom" has no basis in fact whatsoever. It is the party that supports corporate freedom from taxation, but that's the only freedom I've ever seen that party support. You want to control citizens, and free industry, the Republican party is a good choice. But if you want to support personal freedoms and liberties for individual citizens........then take a good hard look at the so-called (and aptly named) "conservative" party.

Pretty funny, Lothar.

[Nathans_Dad]

I always find the "my party is better than your party" argument humorous.

Supe, the reality is that BOTH parties want to control people and limit individual freedoms while expanding the role of the gubmint in our lives. They just do it to different freedoms and different roles.

Pick your poison.