As we enter the final campaign stretch and before we view the debates, here are my feelings toward the candidates. Remember, I am a self-described conservative Republican who may have some liberal leanings (according to my best friend, Al).

So here is how I believe the candidate's currently stack up:

HOW I SEE BARACK OBAMA ...

• A charter member of the "Angry Black Man" club along with Reverend Wright, Louis Farrakhan and Spike Lee.
• A prolonged exposure to ""Black  Liberation Theology" which promotes a far-left Marxist agenda.
• An inexperienced legislator who is still feeling out his foreign policy positions.
• A legislator committed to increasing tax revenues to fund a variety of social programs that have failed in the past.
• A reliance on democrat advisors who were part of the failed Clinton Administration and who have proven to be mostly inept or corrupt.
• Beholden to unions.
• Does not support the war or our soldiers.
• Plays the race card and seems to view everything through a racial prism.
• An elitist who is not what he appears to be.
• Spouse: Bitter, angry and an unknown quantity.

HOW I SEE JOE BIDEN...

I cannot believe that Barack Obama selected an old democrat party hack for a running mate. In spite of his familiarity with the ins-and-outs of Congress and he foreign affairs knowledge, I think Hillary Clinton would have been a stronger choice. Not selecting her as his running mate proved,  for one and all, that Obama was not strong enough to control the Clintons and to use their talents to his advantage. Which speaks poorly of his leadership and executive abilities. Each and every time Biden opens his mouth, one wonders what he might say. He is a loose cannon past his prime. A perpetual, Teddy Kennedy-style democrat who is out of touch and out of place in this campaign.

HOW I SEE JOHN McCAIN ...

• A hesitant and unpolished public speaker (but overcomes it with sincerity and conviction)
• Too concilliatory towards democrats to fight harder against their socialist tendencies
• A non-traditional Republican who has successfully collaborated with democrat politicians which ended with ineffective campaign finance legislation (McCain-Feingold) and the rise of George Soros-style far left 527 organizations.
• A non-traditional Republican who has unsuccessfully collaborated with democrat politicians which ended with an unworkable immigration system which appeared to compromise United States sovereignty (McCain-Kennedy) which inspired a citizen uprising against the egregious legislation.
• A non-traditional Republican who ignores existing science and buys into the political fraud that is global warming warming seems to support bi-partisan global warming legislation  (Warner-Lieberman).
• The possibility of diluting the Republican party further by nominating or appointing democrats to key Administrative positions.
• Supports the war and, especially, our soldiers.
• A reliance on unknown advisors.
• Does not play the race or sex card.
• Spouse: rich, aloof and an unknown quantity.

HOW I SEE SARAH PALIN ....

As a person, Sarah Palin represents a breath of fresh air in the land of  winks, nods, pre-arrangements and Washingtonian understandings. I do not agree with all her views, as reported by the media, and especially on creationism and abortion. While I believe in a higher power, I do not discount the role of evolutionary development and I certainly believe in abortion when it comes to rape, incest and medical necessity. If that makes me less than a conservative, so be it. I am sure that Sarah Palin's viewpoints were probably filtered through a biased press with a preconceived notion about so-called evangelicals. However, I am extremely pleased that Palin is on the McCain ticket and believe that it provides the team with the requiste youth, vigor and a younger viewpoint. Not that McCain is not vigorous or has strong opinions.

HOW I SEE BOB BARR...

In spite of his apparent sincerity, I am considering the fact that he might be an opportunist seeking a powerful position in the McCain Administration as a reward for abandoning his run and siphoning off votes. Cynical? You bet -- but when all is said and done, he is a pragmatic polititian.

HOW I SEE RON PAUL ...

In spite of the main stream media, Paul seems to be unofficially still in the running. However, I view him as a candidate in the  Ross Perot mold. Intelligent with no chance of winning.

HOW I SEE RALPH NADER ...

A trial lawyer who appears to be something is is not. An almost iconic image seeking to influence the race and re-prove his relevance.

Summary:

Barack Obama -- my fear that he is a closet racist with anti-American sentiment. Any person who would allow a Che Guevarra banner to adorn his campaign office is not my kind of  politician. I believe he is an opportunistic, Chicago-style politician. Or even worse, a wishy-washy politician susceptible to the influence of his wife and advisors. I measured him against my favorite choice for President, Colin Powell, and found him wanting. (I am keeping my Colin Powell for President buttons) I just don't trust Obama or the democrat party.

John McCain -- I do not trust John McCain to pursue a conservative Republican agenda. However, since I believe that McCain is the best defender of the American way of life, he is my current frontrunner. With the addition of Sarah Palin to the team, my belief in the McCain Presidency has found a measure of newfound hope.

What can YOU do?

This may be one of the most important elections in our nation's history. Research the candidates. Check their associations with both advisors and supporters.

Ignore race. Ignore sex. Ignore age. Ask three major questions: one, can this person defend America against all enemies, both foreign and domestic;  two, does this candidate look like they can deal with our domestic economic malaise; and three, can this person dial-back the hyper-partisan Agencies to return them to a normalcy which pursues the people's business rather than the party's business.

Do not vote for any candidate or current politician who is willing to subvert the safety, security, sovereignty and economic strength of the United States or limit an individual's right of self-defense for their personal philosophy, power, prestige or profits.

Comments pointing out my ignorance, bigotry and lack of good judgement are always welcome. Just remember to make some point.

-- steve

Quote of the Day: "For Sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds."  --William Shakespeare

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius