Will be held February 19. Who is your choice?
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Will be held February 19. Who is your choice?
Of course out of state people can play in your game, right mailman? they are people too.
I don't know, there Harlan, I don't get to vote in my own state's primary so I may be less people than you think.
well, you need people, so you're one of the luckiest people
I figure all Packer fans are Wisconsin people at heart. :tup: :flag:Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
I wrote in Nader. :lol:
I feel your pain, MJZiggy. Here in Oregon, only registered Democrats and Republicans are allowed to vote. If you are a registered Independent or Libertarian, you are left out in the cold.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJZiggy
Again I ask: Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say the country should be limited to two political parties?
I find something a bit depressing about the race this year. IT really has turned into a census, at least on the Democratic side.
African Americans - Obama, Hispanics - Hillary
Women - Hillary, Men - Obama
Young - Obama, Old - Hillary
Working People - Hillary, > 50K income - Obama
It's sad, there's no focus on where the candidates want to take the country. There is no need to vote any more, you can tell how every state is going to fall based on their demographics.
Which brings me to this poll: this is the home of young men and relatively high-earning men. Its Obama-McCain country.
If you are a Libertarian, they have party conferences.Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonpackfan
I agree that the two party reality is bad news. I just don't know how you change it when the two parties control the election laws.
But I have met very few independents who don't lean towards one party or the other. NOBODY fits completely into either box. There are pro-life people in the Democratic Party who have to deal with it, anti-war Republicans.
The Dems & Republicans have very different philosophies, even if they are sometimes similar in action. If you are truly in the middle, you're screwed. But I think most Independents just enjoy floating above the fray, not having to deal with the unpleasantness of being against their chosen party on some issues.
Come on ORegon, I bet you know whether you are more a Dem or Rep.
I just read a farewell to Mitt column that had this entertaining tidbit:
Worst of all, I’m going to have to get through the rest of the year without ever again referring to the fact that Romney once drove to Canada with the family dog, Seamus, strapped to the roof of the car.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/op...ollins.html?hp
I think this is because there are no major policy differences between Clinton and Obama. They both want to get out Of Iraq, provide universal health coverage, roll back part of the Bush tax cuts etc. The general election should be much different as you will have McCain equating getting out Iraq with surrendering to Al-Qaeda. Clinton or Obama will call it a strategic move needed because of threats elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
I have a ? - Since I'm out of state, how do I do an absentee ballot? Is that something that I have to take care of back home? I'm in BFE, Minnesota for a month for work.
Same here in CT. And I think it stinks.Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonpackfan
Then you guys should make sure to vote for a constitutionalist come the actual electrion. Ron Paul is the right man for you.
That may not be an option.Quote:
Originally Posted by Partial
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23087158/
You are all weenies. Oregon - weenie. Ziggy - Weenie. Patland - weenie. weenie, weenie, weenie.Quote:
Originally Posted by packinpatland
Just register with the Democrats or Republicans. You will have some views that fall within the other party, so does nearly everybody. I know you think you are being SOPHISTICATED and FREE THINKING with your independent status, but most likely you are kidding yourself. Very few people truly have no stronger affinity for one party or the other.
ya, this is probably true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joemailman
I'll be happy to send you one in time to vote. BTW, what do you think of that Obama fellow?Quote:
Originally Posted by GBRulz
Yeah, but since I'm not registered, I don't get political advertisements and backbiting hate mail...The only place I see political hatred is here. :lol: :shock:Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
"Very few people truly have no stronger affinity for one party or the other."
I have no affinity for one party or the other.
I believe you packinpatland, I certainly respect those truly in the middle.
Ziggy, I seriously doubt that registering is gonna get you a lot of harassment. They don't bug me, of course I don't give them any money, and I breathe heavily into the phone when they do call.
There's a contentious state race going on here and I'm getting tons of calls and junk mail for my ex, but none for me and if they don't stop sniping at each other and tell me where they freakin' stand on the issues, I'm not voting for either one of 'em. That breathing heavy thing would be cool except that a lot of the calls I'm getting these days are computer generated. Bastards.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
Hucklebee won both the Kansas caucus and Louisiana primary.
he's a plucky little preacher. I don't think he is a contender, but what an impressive string he's put together.
Two-party politics' stranglehold on America will come to an end in the next 25 years. People are finally speaking up against it and the rest will fall in order. While I still think Democrats and Republicans will be the core of the country, it will become possible for a 3rd party candidate to win the election.Quote:
Originally Posted by packinpatland
He'll end up on the ticket with McCain because he's proved he can win the South and John cannot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
I like Huckabee as a person. Good talker, good with people, I like his attitude. However, I'm totally not in line with him on the issues. Religion plays way too much into his shtick and religion does not belong in politics. Sure, it will always be a factor, but Huckabee is succeeding because of his religion and his beliefs because of his religion, not because of his stance on the issues.
how will a 3rd party get a toehold? People have been speaking against the two parties forever. There was more third party talk back when Wallace ran in 70's than in more recent times.Quote:
Originally Posted by BallHawk
Its gonna take run-off elections (winner must win majority) to get there from here. I'm not sure how we do that. I know there are reform movements, but how do you get congress to act when it is against their interests?
I'm willing to bet Huckabee won't be a vip.Quote:
Originally Posted by BallHawk
Don't go against tyrone. Tyrone was first on this board to spot the Huckabee threat. Tyrone was the first to note how unappealing Giuliani was..despite many who thought ty was an idiot..not that i'm not, but not on this one.
Having Huck ain't gonna bring the anti mccain conservatives on board. Ain't gonna change those dobson clones. And, those southern states are red..you don't add a vp who can't help you win blue/red states...minny, penn, etc.
VP has to have the right profile for veep: loyal, hardworking, knows when to keep his mouth shut. Sound like Huckabee..no.
McCain needs someone with strong econ/biz background.
Candidates: tom ridge..longtime friend, strong domestic policy. Negatives...soft support for abortion rights and skeptic of big weapons systems.
Graham, old fav, who is probably out of it because he faces a tough primary re-election, since he has become too moderate for his party's right wing.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty., a moderate conservation and energy-reform Republican, who is the darling of the conservative press.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar..tho two 70 year olds seems unlikely.
don't rule out condi or even mitt.
Huckabee has killed McCain in the south. I'm wondering if the combination of increased Dem participation in southern primaries, and McCain's unpopularity there, could mean that some formerly "safe" Republican states will be in play this year. Probably not states like Mississippi or Alabama, but maybe Virginia or Louisiana.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
By the way Harlan, you spelled Huckabee as Hucklebee. A Freudian slip?
That's probably why they don't want you determining who represents said party. If you aren't French you don't get to determine the president of France. If you aren't a Democrat or Republican, why should you get to choose who represents Democrats or Republicans?Quote:
Originally Posted by packinpatland
I think you're right. The governor of Florida that endorsed McCain probably is near top of list.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrone Bigguns
Huckabee would be a decent choice for VP, but his appeal is in states where th GOP is already solid.
I don't see Mitt in politics anymore. Guy became the punchline to too many jokes. And the support he did have had the whiff of desperation to it - conservative people sorta kinda counted him as the only old school conserative available. Condi is possibile.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrone Bigguns
ya, I started to see a lot of myself in Huckabee when I heard that he cooked squirrel in a popcorn popper.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joemailman
I wonder how many will vote for Obama just to piss of Harlan.
I wonder how many will vote for Obama just to piss of Harlan.
well, you voted twice. but your vote was predictable.
I can't vote in Wisconsin.
I will vote for Obama so Hill doesn't win WI. I am a conervative who is lukewarm on McCain but I don't hate him as many do. In regards to VP nominees for McCain, I wouldn't mind Joe Leiberman but really don't think that will happen, Huckaby would be very strong in the south as would Fred Thompson, Mitt won't be it imo cause he doesn't play well in the south either. McCain will have to pick a conservative who can play well in Ohio, pennsylvania and Missouri. Those three states along with an obvious state in Florida, will be the key states again.
Aren't open primaries swell?Quote:
Originally Posted by b bulldog
There is only one thing dumber than an open primary, and that's a caucus.
In caucuses, you only get about 10 to 25% participation of the party members. Obama has won 14 out of 15 caucuses because of the passion of his followers, and his superior money and organization. Similarly, Ron Paul would do disproportionately well in caucuses if he just had enough support to meet thresholds. Oh ya, thresholds, another undemocratic thing about caucuses.
Caucuses are bullshit, pure and simple. They are designed to put the wishes of the party faithful, the intelligensia, above that of the unwashed masses, much like the electoral college. Hogwash - just have a damn, transparent primary election where you can see exactly who the people support. Busy people who are not political junkies count too.
I doubt Crist would be chosen. McCain needs somebody that will excel where McCain does not. Charlie Crist has, IMO, done a great job so far as our governor, and I like him as a person. However, he doesn't bring anything to the table that McCain already has. Crist isn't as conservative as Huckabee, nor many other candidates for the VP spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby
All he has to do is help McCain win Florida, and he has done more than ANY VP has done for the ticket in 48 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by BallHawk
Good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harlan Huckleby