[Reaper329]

I am always curious as to the rationale that people use for how they vote. Some people stick to the old tried and ture method of party lines, others go in blind and pick, while others go in after carefully looking at a candidate and then choose regardless of party.

Some of you here, based on reading many of your previous posts, seem to be party line people. I would love to hear why you believe that is the best way to vote.

Personally, since 1996 (my first eligible election) I find myself going outside of party lines (I am a registered Indy) to vote for who I believe is the most qualified.

Lets here what you have to say

[AM07]

This will be the first election I vote in. I could have voted in 2004, but didn't give a **** about politics back then.

As for how I am going to vote, I will vote for the person that shares more of my beliefs and values. In that case, it will be McCain between the two parties, no matter if it's Obama or Hillary.

[Reaper329]

it is good to see that regardless of who one votes for they do it educated as opposed to party lines. That always dissapoints me

[dadream]

Thats the problem. The average American voter is uneducated about certain party values and ideals and about political policy in general. As sad as it is, this is the truth and people really need to start making an effort to actively participate in this government, as democracy suffers from this ignorance.

[hardgainer100]

Your right. Sadly put, we need a third party in the USA. I support a party that could take off in a few years called "the America First Party." Both parties in our country are too extreme one way, there needs to be another measure in politics. This has been the most motivating election for myself, just getting out of college. Yet, I have seen what George Bush has done for this country both positives and negatives. The way I vote is how candidates look at important issues that effect myself and others around me. I feel we need change in our country, I can't say it will come through the democrats but that is the party I will be favoring in this election. I live in NC and we will decide who will get the democratic nomination this summer.

[EasyEJL]

Originally Posted by Reaper329

it is good to see that regardless of who one votes for they do it educated as opposed to party lines. That always dissapoints me

When you say educated, what do you mean specifically? As the candidates always say whatever they need to say to get elected, and then do differently once they are in office. And their prior voting history doesn't give much picture either if they were in the house or senate, as you can find contradictory voting on most of them based on tiny details within the bills.

[Reaper329]

Originally Posted by EasyEJL

When you say educated, what do you mean specifically? As the candidates always say whatever they need to say to get elected, and then do differently once they are in office. And their prior voting history doesn't give much picture either if they were in the house or senate, as you can find contradictory voting on most of them based on tiny details within the bills.

I agree with you that the candidates do not give us (the voting public) much of anything to judge. My thought would be to make sure that you are aware of their voting record and their stances on issues that are crucial to you as a voter.

Hopefully not just party rhetoric

[EasyEJL]

Its a pity because of course no candidate is ever quite along the total lines of my own feelings. Thats why in the end the independents decide the president every time, the people in the middle who don't care for party afilliation make the difference.

I can say I was quite glad to see McCain get the republican nomination this time around

[Reaper329]

It is why I am glad to be an indy.

Not a huge fan of McCain, however a strong VP might pull me in. The VP will decide for me most likely.

If obama grabs a strong, experienced VP I am in, if Mccain grabs a younger republican who might have financial experience and not the same war mongerer ideas on war (Romney) the I am in. It will be fun

[WannaBeHulk]

Originally Posted by hardgainer100

I live in NC and we will decide who will get the democratic nomination this summer.

False, the superdelegates will decide the candidate. The Democratic party has this system "in case the people make a mistake."

on topic, i support most (but not all) conservative policies, so my vote is usually loyal to the party. i also agre with liberals on a few issues. My main takeaway from my political party is their emphasis on religion. yes, I believe in god but i also believe in separation between church and state. that being said, i am a fiscal conservative.

with my beliefs, obama would be the worst candidate by far. all 3 candidates have favored marxism in one way or another, but McCain is still a Republican, so he would be least likely to implement socialist policies.

it's funny, i love talking politics, and most people try to defend their party affiliance, when in reality they are ignorant to what their party stands for. glad to see educated members in the forum!

[hardgainer100]

Would you agree bro if Clinton doesn't win Indiana or NC she is pretty much done? I really like the way you said that church and state should be divided in common law for our country. Fiscal republican, good choice of words. Try dating a girl for three years who felt the only decision that should decide a presidential candidate is being pro-life. Talk about bigotry, I guess you get it from both sides. Reason why I am such an Obama supporter is that he speaks change and I feel even having a mixed racial president solidifies that argument. He reminds me a lot of who Bobby Kennedy was when he was running: trying to get men out of Vietnam (Obama with Iraq), promoting civil rights, providing affordable health care. You ought to read McCain's comments on the horrible job George Bush did for Louisiana after hurrican Katrina. We'll see who Jenna Bush will endorse after those comments?

[Nabisco]

I take a few different things into consideration before I vote.

1) The policies of the candidate first and foremost. I'm more in the middle, I favor republican policies for economics, defense spending, and social issues (sometimes). I find myself in league with the Democrats on things like abortion (pro-choice myself) and other issues.

2) I take into account Congress. If congress is heavily Republican, or heavily Democratic, I am wary about voting in the same party candidate as President because it removes a lot of checks that Congress should have on our President and vice versa.

Most heavily weighted in my mind is Economics right now and the Wars obviously. I also like McCain's voting record, as he is more middle of the line for social issues. And with a Republican president and a Democratic congress, the only bills that pass tend to be bi-partisan bills that benefit everyone as opposed to one far wing party.

[kwyckemynd00]

I vote the way I do because I vote for what I honestly believe will be best for America. Since we don't have a third party with any force that represents me and my beliefs, I'm often relegated to voting "republican" because I am so die-hard against massive redistribution of wealth and increased government control (although the republicans haven't had a very good record on this lately ) that I have to settle for sh1t covered in cologne.

[kwyckemynd00]

Originally Posted by WannaBeHulk

False, the superdelegates will decide the candidate. The Democratic party has this system "in case the people make a mistake."

IMHO there is no way Obama doesn't win. If the super-delagates give it to hillary you're going to see many parts of the US looking like LA during the Rodney King riots, and everyone knows it. The dems are just going to have to sit out this presidential cycle. Hillary is done for and Obama absolutely cannot win with his Bill Ayres and Reverend Wright affiliations. Many people aren't THAT active in the election right now, but when people do get active and are getting blasted in the face with Obama, himself, refusing to denounce his affiliations with those two people (right now its too little too late) Americans just won't be able to trust him.

The guy changed his name from "Barry" Obama to "Barak" Obama when he was college aged. He's affiliated with a domestic terrorist who has no remorse for his bombings, and was affiliated after Bill Ayres publicly made this statement. And, his pastor of 20yrs sounds like he's preaching to a bunch of Black Panther's. He's got a zero voting record, and while he is rather dazzling when reading off of cue cards, his cries for "Change" and his extraordinary promises absolutely will not hold up with the American public (whom I believe are generally idiots) when the republicans finally highlight that Barak calls for change, but really doesn't ever present a substantive plan--I suppose when he gets elected he'll bring both sides of the isle together, the republicans and democrats will touch their magical rings together, and fluffy little bunnies will fall from the skies with million dollar checks, health insurance, and an apology letter from the newly rehabilitated Osama Bin Laden.