Actually it is a good “litmus” test when you think of whom you would rather sit down and have a beer with or just to shot the chit with. Think about it, someone that is able to sit down with the average person is someone that understands people and his or her surroundings, problems and issues. This is a type of person that doesn’t overlook the everyday common concerns of the average person.

To top this off we have a guy who, for most people, could sit down with them and actually understand what they are talking about and understand their issues. Not only can he do this but he also understands basic logic.

The basic logic he understands is when someone tries to intimidate you, you cannot simply pretend it didn’t happen or shrug it off because it WILL return. Like the school bully, no matter what some people tell you the bully WILL continue to bully you around until you stand up to him or run away and hide forever. You do NOT stand up to a bully by trying to talk and understand his feelings, you stand up to a bully by trying to knock him on his ***, may take several times, you may not succeed but eventually the bully will leave you alone and move on.

President Bush is all the above and only something Kerry could ever dream of. Kerry doesn’t understand the common people or their concerns. Kerry only understands power and how to manipulate people to gain that power he seeks. Kerry would trade his own mother if it got him an additional vote and put him into elected office.

 

I don't think it's a requirement that a president be a former poor/struggling person to do the right thing. Whoever it is, I don't care if they were born rich or poor. All I want is for the president to keep taxes low, cut fraud/waste/abuse in government and end wasteful/unnecessary programs...while maintaining a very strong military, good roads, good cops, etc. Minimal government and maximum opportunity for the citizens. Of course this requires the citizens of this country to do their part - I.E., not be a loser, criminal, lazy POS, etc. There's plenty of opportunity in this country. If there wasn't, someone please tell me why so many people still come to this country pennyless but end up wealthy or well off in a generation or two. The difference is, people coming to this country many times are not well off and they have a strong desire to do well...and therefore have a strong work ethic. People born in this country are many times spoiled and think everything should be handed to them...and if it's not, it's the wealthy's fault for being stingy. That's BS I had nothing, have no college, but I'm doing great now and I have nobody to thank but me - and the U.S. for having access to opportunity that got me started. It's available to everyone, no matter what a political party, leaders of a certain race or ethnic group or individual may claim.

 

What about a gerbil or hamster or whatever it was he saved?



MROLDV8 - sum’s it up pretty well for me. Kerry is the type of guy I would get into a pissing match with, and not the kind that brings out the best in you. If he had that humble elitist attitude, things would be much different.

Bush is more laid back and down to earth a much better conversations IMO.

As for Clinton, well if I was single he'd be number #1 choice for going out drinking with. I would get into to much trouble with since I'm not single.


There is an old saying: "Someone who is nice to you not the waitress is not a nice person".

I've found that to be very true. Morals go a long way, a good person brings out the best in others, is more trustworthy, respected, etc.

 

I wonder how many first saw Debuya and said "Lookie der pumpkin, he toks lak I doo."

 

I think President Bush just has a creative mind. You know 20 years from now the dictionary will have a few new words, like Merica…

 

lol Followed by "WMD" (We Mis-Determined)

 

I have voted in the past few presidential elections and made it a point to vote for a canidate representing a party other than the two of the two party system. I think that only two parties is way to narrow for the diverse population of this country at this time. I have been and am currently an opponant of the two party system.

Once again, like the other elections, people have to vote for the lesser of the two evils. Bush isn't a perfect man, he definitely isn't a perfect president He has made some decisions that I think should have been different. Kerry isn't a perfect man, but he is trying to convice us otherwise. He definitely isn't a perfect senator, but he will explain his record in such a way that there is justification for everything he's ever done, intern trying to convince us otherwise.

I know people who have interacted with Kerry in some way, shape or form, and all say, in so many words, that he is an arrogant snob. That is one thing that I see as an extreme character flaw. I don't know any one who has met Bush, but I do get the impression that he is much closer to human than Kerry.

To me there really isn't an attraction to Bush. I was thinking that I would be voting for an alternate party canadate anyhow. After all that has gone on in the past few months though, it's appearing to me that Bush is the lesser of the two evils. From what I have seen Bush wants the next four years to do something for the country and Kerry wants the next four years to do something for John Kerry.

So, thanks to all the Bush hating Kerry supporters I am an undecided voter who may end up voting for a two party canidate for the first time. A lot of Kerry supporters exude the same type of arrogence that Kerry does and I don't think that is representitive of the majority of people in our country. I don't think that is an attitude that is good for our country.

 

Bush seems to honestly like other people. Kerry seems to just barely tolerate others, especially those beneath his station. I can't see Kerry doing anything that would cost him personally in the service of the nation. Bush has been taking it on the chin for 4 years now and looks like he's willing to go another round. He's not perfect; but, he's the right guy for the job.

 

I don't understand the Bush absorption either.

I also don't understand the disparagement towards Kerry.

The good news is, in the polls Kerry has closed the gap. I further expect favor to tip in Kerry's benefit as the debates continue. Kerry handled Bush quite nicely in the first debate- where they were answering questions that I'm sure they were prepared for. This time, it will be in a town-hall setting where questions will be fielded from the audience. President Bush doesn't do well when he doesn't have canned answers, so I expect round two to go to Kerry.

I say good news, not that I'm full-on siding with Kerry's way of thinking; I am however fully-against the way this country has slid for many Americans over the last four years. Sure, not everyone has suffered- in fact, I have prospered- personally, but many-many people I know have suffered. They have lost: jobs, homes, cars, credit ratings, husbands, wives, and families because of what’s been going on at home. The number one reason for divorce in this country is finances, followed by infidelity. Financial failure is why I lump all of this in… Because many have lost their jobs, many have lost it all- all under the watchful eye of this administration.

Furthermore, I don’t dislike President Bush. Nothing “ticked me off” more than our media relaying the whereabouts of President Bush during the attacks on September 11th. The entire world needed only to know was that he was alive and in charge- so yes, I care for President Bush. That doesn’t mean I agree with everything. In fact, he truly strikes me as a figurehead, and that he’s not REALLY in charge. It’s like someone hands him a note, and says- “Get out there and read this”. “Remember to smile and show confidence”.

It is the home-front: that’s where my vote will be cast come November. What’s going on in Iraq, while critically important- is secondary to me. What are we going to do about home? Then let’s worry about spending $120+ billion dollars to defeat Iraq & terrorism. I am a veteran as well- so I do not say this lightly. I look forward to the day that I turn on the TV or click on the internet to find out that our troops are coming home. Let’s make sure home is worth coming home too… Let’s make sure there I a job for them to come back to. (Guard/Reserve) With things going as they have- to quote Edwards; "I don't think this country can endure four more years of this administration". Not in it’s current mindset.

I'd like a 3rd of 4th choice: unfortunately, there aren't any others. So, with things being as they are- I'll be pulling the handle that says "Kerry/Edwards".

 

I find it increasingly humorous that people still will talk about Kerry being somehow dishonest when news comes out today that there is absolutely no WMD's or was in Iraq.

I am not a die hard Kerry supported but when you have been lied to about going to war one has to question the administrations agenda.

In 91 we went to war for oil we are there this time around for oil interests and our so called war on "terror" but die hard conservatitves will blindly believe that and that the current administration didnt lie to the American people about it.

It is human nature to try to avoid being wrong especially when lives have been lost so I guess that is why the current administration will still attempt to lead us to believe this war in Iraq was justified.

The current Republican party leaders are all extremely rich all white all christian males. None of that reflects modern middle class America but they will have you believe that it does.

Of course alot of these good ole boys reading these forums and driving thier F-150 trucks are easily duped into believing just what the Right Wing wants them to believe.

Fear and Paranoia go a long way to manipulate the masses.

 

why does every side think the other is brainwashed?

honestly, im neither republican nor democrat. Im somewhere in the middle and im voting on who fits my needs best. It has nothing to do with what the far right wing or the ultra liberal left is telling me.

twitst whats going on to whatever makes you feel best about your vote, but your not gonna change my vote by attacking the candidate I picked...

 

I have to point out that just b/c Bush may be an incompetent liar doesn’t mean that Kerry isn't. He doesn’t represent Middle America any better than the Bush administration; think he's ever worked a day in his life? He's not giving you answers, he's just saying I'm better, trust me. That scares me, his record scares me, and so does his indecisiveness.

Anyway, as for all of the easily duped good ole boys driving their F-150's, well I have the "privilege" of working with a fair amount of people of all races, economic stations, and parts of the country and of both genders who are working towards Doctoral degrees in various Biological sciences and if you think good ole boys in F-150's are easily duped fools, then you need to meet these people. They will believe anything that the extreme left tells them no matter what, and furthermore they are not half as informed on the issues as the good ole boys that I talk to on here. Nothing like being really gung ho about your beliefs but not having any background knowledge of the situation. They don't think for themselves, they let celebrities and pundits do it for them. There may be fools who blindly believe the extreme right but there are just as many that blindly believe the extreme left. I say don't drink the kool aid for either side. Anyway, not a flame, just wanted to provide some perspective. Fear and paranoia that Bush' storm troopers will come in the middle of the night and imprison you after declaring himself emperor is quite effective the other way.

 

Point taken and much agreed with in your statements. It is nice to see disagreement without the name calling and put downs.

 

you strike me as a wise and intelligent person from your posts. Objectivity is a good thig as is civil debate. Even if you told me I was a flaming jacka$$ I wouldn't want to start calling names as you are a vet. People who don't think for themselves scare the hell out of me, no matter which side they come from.

 

I find it interesting that no one believed a thing about Iraq, none of the reports, untill now. I tend to believe that there are a lot of people siding with Kerry who know nothing about his senate, and entire political, career. He wouldn't be where he is today if he was honest.

Fear and Paranoia go a long way to manipulate the masses. Yes, and the Kerry campaign has been using this tactic to the fullest extent.