i was thinking today that i'm not sure i comprehend undecided voters. here we have two drastically different candidates, and you're not sure which one you want to vote for? do you have any political leanings whatsoever, or are you voting on things outside of issues? is this a more complex issue than i make it, or is it utterly ridiculous to not be sure if you like mccain or obama more?

A lot of people like to claim a "lose-lose" scenario speech, or complain that there are no good options out there. No shit, Einstein. That just sounds to me like they're waiting to be told who to vote for.

im undecided.
from a strictly policy standpoint, I agree with McCain quite a bit more...
But i do believe that Obama MAY have the ability to be a very good leader (which im sure you cant comprehend because it can be shown in any tangible statistic.) even if i dont agree with his policies.

So I have not decided if my belief in Obamas perceived leadership ability outweighs my disagreement with his policies.

They sure do look different.



Is it utterly ridiculous to equally dislike both of them?

Well, do I vote for the guy who will keep us at war indefinately and maybe impose his moral views on me, or do I vote for the guy that's gonna institute some type of government run healthcare, raise taxes for some, maybe take away our right to bear arms (or try to)? Can I really trust either of them to do what they say they will?

This country is a mess right now. Choosing a new leader is something people should really be researching and thinking about. I don't think I'll completely decide until I walk into the voting booth.

Look at the current financial system and the deficits we're running. I don't care what Obama says, he's not going to be able to pass universal healthcare in his first term, if at all. I understand that's been a big part of his platform but it's just not going to be feasible when and if he takes office. The "take away your guns" thing? Not gonna happen, regardless of who gets elected. It's a wedge issue right up there with abortion where you may hear opposing views but at the end of the day very little is going to change. Look at foreign policy, taxes, things that definitely will be acted on one way or another by the new administration. Just my two cents.

i think sandler's views are fairly common amongst undecideds

another reason is almost the opposite of ed zeppe's, in that some disagree with bush's policies and by extension mccain's, but they also have some doubts about obama's ability to lead a nation that could potentially face another terror attack and many other problems. however, i'm sure palin's vp choice has given the second type of voters some second thoughts, especially due to mccain's age/past health problems(i know it has done so for my grandma).

Obama, like McCain, voted to continue to fund the war in Iraq. The also both voted to uphold the Patriot Act.



Neither party has been particularly apt at reducing overall spending, taxation, and the size of the federal government. These two gentlemen will not be any different.



Meet the new boss. He looks different and says different things, but do not be alarmed, because he really is just the same as the others at the end the day.

He is not going to take your guns away.

Probably will raise your taxes though. I think both candidates will do so. Or would do so if elected, I should say.

I don't disagree with you, really. Neither candidate is going to do most of the stuff they tell us they will.



This is what makes it hard for me to decide who to vote for. At the end of the day, does it even matter? The big decision for me, is do I vote for one of "the" two candidates or do I vote for a third party candidate with no chance? I did the whole "protest vote" in 2004, and honestly it didn't make me feel as good as I thought it would.

Heh, I think I'm write in "Green Habit from RM".



I know, but I think he wants to, and that just doesn't sit well with me.

why would you vote for someone whose policies you disagree with? just because a politician is a good leader doesn't make him a candidate i think would be best for the country. his policies need to align with what i think is best for american society.

i would not take their votes to continue funding the war as somehow meaning they are alike when it comes to their philosophy on the war in iraq. as i've stated, many a politician voted to continue funding the war for many other reasons than support for the war. in another line of logic, there is, of course, benefits to actually winning in iraq.



do you really think there is very little difference between mr. obama and mr. bush?

i think that my initial post also undersells that americans, in large part, don't differ very much in terms of political views.

of course not. fringe, but not utterly ridiculous.

Beyond that look at how the two campaigns are being run.

McCain/Palin continuing to repeat debunked facts, use of personal e-mail accounts to attempt to shield yourself legally, ignoring subpeonas, etc feels like a preview of more Bush policies before the guy has even left office.

actually, it feels worse than bush.

It does not matter what they said or believe. All that matters is how they act. They acted in support of the war by choosing to fund it. I fail to see any difference between these candidates when it mattered the most.

I would take it more along the line that despite rhetoric suggesting otherwise, when everything is put on the line these two candidates will act in a predictable manner, which is to say they will take the safest route politically in order to maintain their position. Their view on Iraq is essentially the same, because it will always coincide with whatever will keep them in power. The vote was simple: Do you believe this war should continue to be fought with even more taxpayer money than it has already required? The answer from both candidates was yes. There is nothing anti-war about either one's actions. The only thing anti about these two candidates is their strong adherence to anti-job loss tactics. In short, in efforts to keep their lucrative positions, they voted for the war. I do not care in the slightest of what they believe or what they say. I care about how they act. They unquestionably acted in support of the war by voting for it. I disagree with their actions and I do not see how they are any different when it comes to that particular issue.



I see both individuals support the War on Terror, the Patriot Act, and a massive federal government. They both sought the executive position of a corrupt and utterly inefficient organization with neither the slightest inclination or knowledge to change it for the better. The only places they differ, aside from appearance, is which particular part of the federal government they enjoy wasting tax dollars on the most and which social issues they abhor the most.

Is there any difference? Quite simply, no.

That sits well with me, for I am not prone to follow the pack blindly towards imminent oblivion. Perhaps you could relate in some way, for my view of mainstream party politics is akin to your view of mainstream religion. Perhaps you are still clinging to the falsehoods and fairy tales of the major parties just as the faithful cling to the ancient belief systems of the major religions. Or maybe science and reason does not apply to your politics as it applies so strictly to views on religion? Perhaps not, I cannot say.

Well, most Americans can be thought of as fighting over the color of a car as opposed to whether or not they should use a bicycle instead.

Its really sad that you have become so assimilated in your beliefs that you can no longer have a gut feeling... even if it goes against what your brain tells you.