Ron Paul

[BallHawk]

Do I know 60 year olds that are racist? Sure. Who doesn't? However, I know a good amount that aren't.

65% of America said that if a candidate shared the values that they did and happened to be black, they would vote for him.

America is ready.

Also, Obama has Oprah supporting him. Do not underestimate that. Oprah is the most influential woman in the world. She has plenty of viewers with no opinion of their own and if Oprah tells them to do something, they will do it.

[Joemailman]

But really, who cares where he is from? He is still black and based on my limited life experiences and what I now of the 50 something age group he doesn't have an ice cubes chance in hell of winning.

Why do so many people think they know who America is going to vote for? There's polls showing that people are willing to vote for Obama, but they think that the rest of America won't. It's in everybody's mind.

We don't live in the Jim Crow South anymore, Partial. Our country is not perfect on the issue of race, but America is ready to elect a black president. Without a doubt, they are ready to put an African-American in the White House.

And to those who say that Hillary is going to win because she is ahead in the polls, I have two words for them: Bradley Effect

Yeah ok. If America wants a dead president they'll put a black one in the white house.

You just don't get it. The 18-30 demographic is the one that doesn't show up to polls, where as the 40-death crowd does not take this for granted and makes their voice heard loud and clear. This is a good thing, though, because I don't think very many people in the younger age group are mature enough to make a proper decision rather than just going with whatever is popular with their friends and peers.

I don't think you can tell me that half the people you know over 60 are not racist (not even a little teenie bit) and be truthful and confident in making that statement.

I don't consider myself a racist person so I hope it isn't coming off as such. I am a realistic person, though.

It is still about 20-30 years away from happening. Hilary has 3x the chance as Obama.

You should study your history Partial. The people who pushed through the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act are in the 60+ age group. The vast majority of Americans moved past racism long ago. That is not to say that everything is perfect. What makes Obama unique though is that although he is black, he does not polarize issues along racial lines like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Obama is an incredibly gifted speaker who may well be able to overcome the stereotypes some still have about black people. If Obama gets the nomination, I suspect that those who would vote against him because he is black will be more than offset by those who have tired of the white male domination of the Presidency.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Personally, I don't get the lovefest for Obama. Then again, I think he's the best candidate the Democrats have.

[falco]

Personally, I don't get the lovefest for Obama. Then again, I think he's the best candidate the Democrats have.

Yawn...

[HarveyWallbangers]

Stealing my material now, huh?

[falco]

Stealing my material now, huh?

Alls fair in politics!

[Joemailman]

Personally, I don't get the lovefest for Obama. Then again, I think he's the best candidate the Democrats have.

I'm not completely sold on him either. I think he's a really good speaker who can connect with a crowd. I'm just not sure how much is image and how much is substance.

[digitaldean]

Personally, I don't get the lovefest for Obama. Then again, I think he's the best candidate the Democrats have.

I'm not completely sold on him either. I think he's a really good speaker who can connect with a crowd. I'm just not sure how much is image and how much is substance.

I do think Obama has more substance than Edwards. That guy is a pure phony.

A new face that doesn't have as much political baggage could make a move. That is where Obama could make some headway.

Hillary is SO polarizing, she could definitely get the nomination, but could be a liability in the general election.

[Cheesehead Craig]

My opinion is this:

A Senator is very very unlikely to win the Presidency, the last one was Kennedy over 40 yrs ago. Why? His/her voting record comes under constant scrutiny and attack. The longer a person is a Senator, the less likely they can be voted in.

A Governor is much more likely to make it as president as their job is essentially a training ground for the job. They have to deal with the legislative and judicial bodies on laws, budgets and initiatives. They also do some direct, limited dealings with foreign countries. Just like the president, but only on a smaller scale.

As much as I like Obama, I don't think he'll beat Hillary, but then who gave Jesse Ventura a chance? Assuming Hillary makes it, she's too divisive of a candidate. You either love her or hate her. If she has to go toe to toe with Guiliani, I don't think she can win as Rudy has charisma and likeability in spades and he'll just need to keep hammering home that he got NYC through 9/11 and he'll get the votes, even if some are out of sympathy over what happened.

Again, just my opinion.

Giuliani likeable. Oh, lord, please stop making me laugh.

Do you really know anything about him. He is far from likable. Perhaps you should ask those from NYC about him. His career was over before 9/11.

My point about Guiliani and Hillary was that Hillary cannot beat an opponent with charisma who also has a solid background in politics. Guiliani has charisma and is a likeable guy and was an example. I should have been clearer on that.

Rudy is apparently dropping in the polls as is McCain with Romney gaining ground. But how will Romney's religious beliefs (Morman) play out with the Republican party faithful?

[Scott Campbell]

I don't think you can tell me that half the people you know over 60 are not racist (not even a little teenie bit) and be truthful and confident in making that statement.

I think making statements like the one above based on age is every bit as discriminatory as making racist statements.

[Scott Campbell]

But how will Romney's religious beliefs (Morman) play out with the Republican party faithful?

I am not Mormon. I do live in Utah. I've lived a lot of other places, and I've never seen religion mixed with politics they way they do it here. Not even close. It's unbelievable.

But I'd bet that Romney's religious beliefs would play far less a role in his administration than what's going on in the current administration. Romney is not from Utah, and is different from Utah Mormons. There is a huge difference. Living out of state, he is used to being a religious minority, and he knows he can't shove his beliefs down everyone's throats - the way they do here in Utah. It might be a different story with Orrin Hatch. But I'm not worried about Romney. At least not when it comes to his religion.

[Scott Campbell]

I do think Obama has more substance than Edwards. That guy is a pure phony.

IMO, John Edwards respresents everything that is wrong with the Democratic party. I wanted to not vote for Bush in this last election. I had resigned myself to voting for a Democratic president for the first time in my life.

And then I watch this guy. His 2 America's rhetoric was a classic divide and conquer strategy. His tactics were to try and create a class warfare, and pander to the poor by blaming anyone with a "swimming pool" for their troubles. His target demographic is anyone looking to blame "rich fuckers" and "corporate greed" for their lot in life. And when you think about what he did for a living prior to public office, it makes sense. Personal injury attorney's make a lot of money if they're able to blame people with money for stuff that sometimes just happens. Find deep pockets. Make them look bad. And then bank the 30% of the punative damages. He runs for office the same way.

I wasn't wild about Kerry, and when he picked Edwards as his running mate, that was the last straw. I reluctantly voted for Bush.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Obama has been a Senator for 2 years and has spent the whole time campaigning to be president, not addressing issues.

Not really. He intended to finish his work in the senate and then run in 2012. However, with all the hype surrounding him, he made the smart deceision and ran now.

So the whole "He hasn't done jack, besides campaigning" shtick isn't really that accurate.

I refuse to address Tyrone since he is a troll and nothing more.

What has he done?!??!? How has he made Illinois a better place to live??!???!?

He hasn't done jack. He talks a good game. I can think of another guy who did that that ended up impeacher and didn't do a lot for our country.

He isn't going to win. And good riddance for that. We need another strong GOP candidate. Just not Bush and Cheney and the Haliburton fun that comes along with them.

I'm far from a troll.

You are just an idiot who makes ridiculous statements. That is why you don't respond. Backbone of the internet..refuted.

Better place: Um, sorry, the nature of the senate isn't about making your home state better..unless you are now complaining that he hasn't gotten enough pork.

Impeacher: um, are you referring to Nixon. That is the only president impeached. yea, it would suck to have another clinton in office..good employment, surging economy, not despised by the rest of the world, etc.

Tyrone, Nixon resigned, he was never impeached (although he most likely would have been). Clinton was impeached.

True. My fault. Though, Clinton wasn't impeached, he was acquitted by the senate.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Giuliani will not win New York. People tend to forget how unpopular he was before 9/11. Try as he might, he won't be able to ride 9/11 to victory. If he somehow wins the Republication nomination (which he won't), the scrutiny will kill him. He's got more skeletons in the closet than Dahmer. I suspect the race will be Obama vs. Romney. People are fed up with Washington, and neither of these guys are considered to be Washington insiders.

Joe, I agree with you. If he does somehow get the nod, its going to be open season on his record. His role post-9/11 made a lot of people forget about his past.

He won two elections and went out on a high note. He'll win New York because he is relatively moderate and has the name recognition after the disaster. I would bet the farm on it.

Too bad you already lost the farm when you bet Obama was a Muslim.

Keep trying partial, you'll get there someday. In the meantime, maybe you should go back to arguing with Tyrone.

He can't argue with me. In order to do that you would actually have to present some logic and facts.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Do I know 60 year olds that are racist? Sure. Who doesn't? However, I know a good amount that aren't.

65% of America said that if a candidate shared the values that they did and happened to be black, they would vote for him.

America is ready.

Also, Obama has Oprah supporting him. Do not underestimate that. Oprah is the most influential woman in the world. She has plenty of viewers with no opinion of their own and if Oprah tells them to do something, they will do it.

Partail conflates racism with prejudice. Most people are prejudiced, but not racist.