Democrats versus Republicans

[cardiacpaul]

Steve,
I think they have a spare bedroom.

[PBzeer]

Nice link Steve, now read what she said, not what the reporter wants to believe she said.

[SteveInMD]

Here's my point exactly....how is any of this political debate?

[PBzeer]

Then what is political debate, if the size and scope of the federal government is not?

[SteveInMD]

That would be just fine with me. Personal attacks and statements like McCain will do what he says he will and Obama wont just aren't worth the tiny little space on the Internet they take up. We probably actually agree - to much government, too much spending. I don't think it's at all clear which candidate will help change that. It's not a simple answer.

[PBzeer]

If based on things other than their past records, I would agree. But a persons past record is indicitative of their future perfomance. McCain's says he wants to reform government, and has a record that shows it. Obama says he wants to, but his record shows that when he has had the opportunity, he hasn't.

Why that is somehow not relevant, is beyond me.

[SailKing1]

Originally Posted by SteveInMD

That would be just fine with me. Personal attacks and statements like McCain will do what he says he will and Obama wont just aren't worth the tiny little space on the Internet they take up. We probably actually agree - to much government, too much spending. I don't think it's at all clear which candidate will h.elp change that. It's not a simple answer.

Steve, you are absolutely right. Going back and forth saying what one or the other will or will not do is not worth the space.

What is worth the space is based on the past performance and character of the individual in question. As that is all you have for reference. That is where the discussion belongs.

With that said forget Palin nd Biden, Look at the character of Obama and McCain to find your answers. That has been demonstrated through out their lives and can not be challenged.

[erps]

The logic the Republicans will keep taxes lower, and more importantly *spend less money* in government than Democrats is overly simplistic and is not reflected in history. I want to see a balanced budget because I don't want my kids to pay the Bushs' mistakes. Unfortunately it looks like my grandkids will be paying for them too.

I don't want to keep running our government on debt as well but I didn't know Bush could pass unbalanced budgets all by himself.

The current problem with our political system is that people just vote for their party like they root for their sports team. It doesn't matter who the players are or what the policies are or how they did last term, no real thought goes into it.

While that assessment may closely match your experience in voting, it certainly doesn't match mine. I've voted for democrats and republicans and I put a lot of thought into which candidate will do the least damage.

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by wannam

A couple of things to ponder:

1) Ignore most polling, especially those polling "Likely Voters". Such polls ignore two significant groups....those who have recently registered and those with only cell phones (read mostly young voters).....both groups would likely lean towards Obama.

2) McCain, should he be elected, would have a very difficult (if not impossible) task getting many of his proposals through a congress certain to be even more democratic-leaning than it already is.

Two good points...but I would disagree a bit. Why would LIKELY voters exclude recently registered? Where are you getting that from? Each survey qualifies the respondent.
I would also add that there is another effect that is not accounted for...people who SAY they will vote for a black man but in the end, do not. This has been documented in several other elections where the polls AND exit polls indicated a different result.
Another effect is the "student" effect which makes even registered students less likely to vote than others.
Net net...I think the polls ARE compromised by a lot of factors...which probably end up cancelling each others effects out.

As to McCain finding it impossible to govern/change things with an overwhelmingly democratic congress...I personally find that comforting. I would much prefer a national government that does nothing than one which would actually IMPLEMENT Obama's program, confirm his Supreme Court Nominations and change our way of life while compromising the security of the country.

[US27inKS]

Obama's intrade chart is down 1.6 today with heavy trading, and is still below the bollinger band.

McCain is up 2.6 in light trading above the band.

Intrade is always right as it gets nearer the event. Currently McCain has a 6.2 point lead on Obama. We'll see how things hold out.