The Respectfully Republican Conversation

Ok, I have returned one more time with some thoughts I have observed.  I really tried hard to write what I saw a person that was making a decision in the campaign and being as respectful as possible to all on this thread.  Here is my honest opinion of what I have watched the last few months.  Whether Obama should be president or not, it seems he did the right things to become elected (of course that is if in fact he is elected tomorrow)

You all are right about the press favoring Obama, not sure what is up with that but they do tend to show him in a much more positive light than McCain.  I have never thought of John McCain as a bad man just don't think the office of the president is somewhere I want to see him (again, just my opinion).

I do believe McCain was let down by his own people.  People were hired to run a good healthy campaign for him to make it to the white house.  I would have to believe these were intelligent men and women because John McCain is not a klutz or incompetent man to find the right people for the job. I can honestly say I had no clear decision on a candidate before everything started and I watched the debates, news and read articles to make my choices.  The biggest thing that came across negatively for John McCain was his anger.  The first debate he was so angry with Obama and you know he wanted to say things he couldn't seem to get across without looking like a sorry SOB or worse been considered a racist even though these things were not true.

I think the people he hired failed him terribly.  From the beginning he never had a clear message, something to hang his hat on per say.  Obama set his campaign on change for America, what could McCain put his hat on.  He is a conservative republican and does a fine job for his party.  He stands up to whoever he needs to and does a fine job as a senator.  He just didn't have something for people to get ahold of.

His biggest problem was getting past George Bush.  He has been the least popular president in history.  People flat out do not like this man and cannot wait until he is out of office.  In fact, in the last few months I have not hardly seen his face on tv.  That was a big obstacle to overcome.  Because McCain is a republican just like Bush he had to get past the obstacle that I am not like George Bush.  The problem with that is John McCain went along with so many Bush plans and ideas it buried him at this time.

The next problem I perceived was the choice of running mates.  I think she was the right choice at the wrong time.  She probably could very well play a large role in Washington at some time in her life but not just yet.  It seems when Obama did not select Hillary to be his running mate McCain thought he might grab that female vote by finding a competent female to be his running mate.  Sad thing is she was very unprepared for this limelight.  Or much to what the advisors thought she was ready and held back when she should have been let go and not held back.  Maybe things would have turned around.

I really believe if John McCain had a better team running his campaign we would be looking at a different ballgame right now.

Having said that I by no means believe this election is over.  I still think it is anyones game.  Obama has a huge minority following and face it to vote you need an address and proper ID.  Alot of these people do not have a valid mailing address or a ID.  Therefore none of those votes are going to matter as much as someone wants them to.

Another issue I learned of in the news today is a lot of states are doing what Ohio does, they mail a voter registration card verifying where you vote.  If that card is returned undeliverable or person no longer lives there they are taken off the rooster of voters.  People who have recently been foreclosed on had registration cards returned are not allow to vote.  Not sure which candidate it will impact but it will be an issue.

Some people should be pitching major fits because when my son talked with me last week he had just received his absentee ballot in the mail.  By the date he rec'd it he was supposed to already have it mailed back which makes it useless.  The ballot may have been mailed to him in time but these soldiers in these war ravaged areas do not get regular mail call.  It is based on when a mail truck is coming there way when he gets his mail.  Very terrible system, so how many service members overseas are not getting to vote.  As I said before, my son wanted to vote McCain so that is one vote he cannot get now over the workings of our gov't with our soldiers.

I have seen some recent things put out by McCain in the last week that finally seem to make sense and be on the mark.  It's almost a day late and a dollar short.  But tomorrow will be the final proof of if it was too late or not.

Either way, I have enjoyed some conversations with some of you.  Sorry but some of the people on this board required me to take xanax which I did and then didn't read for a few days.  I really hope when tomorrow is all said and done we can reunite again as a country no matter who wins because if we don't the our whole country losses.

Most politicians at least wait until after the election to break a campaign promise.  The 'right thing' that Obama did was break his first promise to the people.  That is to accept public financing.  His people are prould that they used a loop hole to not document donations of 200.00 or less.  As one of his workers said, we are within the law, we may have skated up to the line, but never went over.  In other words, we knowingly broke the intent of the law, but not the wording.  Those are enough reason not to vote for the man.  If a man lies with his first words, and hires lawyers to circuvent the intent of a fair election, then he is a man that soul is not only for sale, it has been bought.

LuAnn, it is estimated that up to 90% of the soldiers serving in Iraq and Afganistan, will not have a vote.  This has been a problem since the 2000 election when the only disinfranchised voters were the military overseas.  There vote was thrown in the trash because of a mass shipment without individual post marks.  Since the date was not postmarked on the envelopes, even though them arrived on time, a tecnicality was used to kill them.  Had they been counted, there would have been no recount in Florida in 2000.  The democrats have refused to allow a bill to be voted on allowing military votes to be counted. 

that is so unfair that the soldiers don't have a vote that counts.  So not right.  What can we do about that, they are some of the most important people in the world.

LuAnnH, that was the most real, straight from the heart, post I have read yet.  Thank you for it.  I agree with everything you said 100% and you left nothing to argue.

I hate that our military personnel -who should be in the front of the voting line- votes wont count.  That is yet another slap in the face for them.

I hate that we can't express our reasons for our candidates without being called names-and that is true on BOTH sides.  Everyone has the right to vote, and defend, and discuss their opinions or the "facts as THEY see them". 

I like the Obama supporters who have come to this thread to plead their cases because they know they will get rebuttle, but are secure in their candidate enough to take the chance.

I posted my opinion on the Obama thread ONCE and learned my lesson real quick.  I didnt get a fair "rebuttle" I got called every nasty name in the book.

I am glad that Obama supporters feel comfortable enough to post here and I am not offended by them.  They actually help give me peace that Obama as president might not be as scary as I fear.  I pray that McCain wins, but I have to have peace inside that GOD is the one in control and if Obama wins, it is part of God's plan. 

 I trust God WAY more than I do my vote or anyone elses vote.  And regardless of how things go,  I have His comfort of knowing it is the way it is suppose to be.

If there are fellow believers reading this post, I urge you to look up to heaven for guidance and peace and no where else.  God has our backs!!!!!!!

McCain files suit to get our military votes counted:

The suit filed by Mr. McCain's campaign against elections officials states Mr. McCain could lose votes from military members overseas who support the Vietnam War hero.

"There are many military service members and overseas voters who support Senator John McCain for president in the upcoming election and whose right to vote will be denied without relief from this court," stated the complaint, also filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond.

The complaint states some Virginia localities did not send absentee ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before the election, as recommended in 2004 by a congressionally created commission.

It names such jurisdictions as Arlington, Chesterfield and Fauquier counties and the cities of Richmond and Virginia Beach as areas that did not even receive ballots from the printer until late September.

The complaint cites the specific case of a Marine stationed in Iraq who did not receive his absentee ballot from Arlington County until Oct. 29. It asks that the court order absentee ballots for federal offices sent by Nov. 4 from qualified voters and received by Nov. 14 in the state to be counted.

"The McCain-Palin campaign believes without exception that the servicemen and women on the front line protecting our freedoms deserve every opportunity to make sure their vote counts," McCain spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said.

It was not clear last night when the suit would be heard in court.

"Of course we want to make sure that all the absentee ballots that are coming in from overseas are counted," Miss Skinner said. "We'll comply with whatever order the judge gives on that."

LuAnn, you are the "bigger" person in this whole debate thing.   In this case "bigger" is a compliment.  I have seen you in action trying to get us to be civil toward one another.

LuAnn, I have to disagree with you.  Obama never laid out a plan.  He spoke eloquently.  He talked about change, hope and yes we can.  We are the ones they've been waiting for.  Uh?

He draws tens of thousands of people to hear him speak.  McCain's lucky to draw 1 - 2 thousand.  But I trust this man.  I do not think he was angry in the first debate.  Perhaps I missed something.  Republicans recently WANTED him to be angry.  One woman said she was scared of Obama..that he was an Arab..McCain's face sunk and told her no, he's a good man.  You don't have to be afraid of a President Obama.

Obama has changed his mind so often.  I can pull up the YouTube piece about why he "didn't" wear the flag pin.  Then he CHANGED again.  Every time I see that flag pin on his lapel I think it's phony.  I know that's nothing compared to important issues. 

I just want to know one thing...what has he accomplished other than running for the presidency?  I'm not trying to be disrespectful.  Again, YouTube is a good source to use sometimes.  I've seen two on YouTube who could not answer that question..one that Chris Matthews interviewed and one that Hannity interviewed.  And, of course there's more than can't answer that question.

There are many, many reasons I didn't vote for him.  And one of them IS NOT because of his skin color.  I'd vote for Michael Steele in a heartbeat.  Larry Elder would be good, but I don't know if he has the qualifications.  I don't always agree with Juan Williams, but if he was elected president IF he had the qualifications I could live with that.  I'm just pointing out that I have NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING against Obama because he is bi-racial.  Or, if it suits others better, he's black or African American.  I do know what racism looks like.  I don't need to be whacked in the face to see it.  I've seen it.

Shirley

Am I the only person on this board who does NOT HATE George W. Bush? 

Shirley

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Thomas Jefferson also advised, "A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of the laborer the bread he has earned. This is the sum of good government. …"

The statement above speaks volumes..................I think I will stay away from CHANGE.

Terry 

I couldn't possibly hate GWB.  He took out a tyrant.  I know, I know what happened later, but one less tyrant coming home to splendor while others had to shake in their boots everyday. And how many had to die in that country?  If only we had the same opportunity in the 1930's. Considering Gore lost his election  by the slimmest margin ever and I don't think he would have thought to take out Hussein for any reason. Some things are just meant to be.  What else can we think about it?  Oh yeah, he went to war over oil, heard that 100 times, but Hussein and his evil sons, who would have been even worse to the Iraqi's, are now gone.

I just talked on the phone to my son who lives in Shanghai, China, and he said this election is on everybody's lips there.  The whole world is watching like never before.

Hey Shirley,

I can't wait to see you on the other threads!  It was so good to talk to you yesterday! 

I guess yesterday when we talked, when I mentioned what Biden said about Obama, both things about him being tested and also about how we may not agree with what he is doing or something, but we need to go along with it, anyway...  I know I don't have the wording right...  I am still afraid of what will happen WHEN those terrorists come back and attack us again, and I am sure that they will.  The only reason they haven't tried anything is that GWB is president.  I don't hate him... I love him!  I don't agree with all of his policies, but I felt safe with GWB as president, and yes, I voted for him BOTH times!  I am so glad that my dh is not still active duty Navy, stationed in Washington, DC, because I worry that someone I love might be hurt in any future attacks against this country.

It really makes me mad that the others <----------------  think that we are only voting for McCain because we are racist!  He could be purple with pink polka dots, and I wouldn't care.  I am from Maryland, and I also like Michael Steele, and I also think that Colin Powell will help Obama with his weakness for international issues...

Moody, yes I am trusting GOD to know what is best for us, or if it is still part of HIS plan for B.O. to be president, then I trust that GOD will protect us from any of  B.O.'s mistakes. 

And, YES, those in the military NEED their votes to count, too!! 

Hello, Amy.  I hope you feel better after "venting."  I hope we are proved wrong if Obama should be our next president.  I hope this country prospers; that no terrorist attacks hit our country; that we do not lose some of our freedoms i.e. back to the Fairness Doctrine Act.  There's more, but too numerous to list. 

Shirley

It took me a long time to decide to post here~~~and I was made to feel extremely sorry and upset that I did. I have learned to censor every word I write, which may be necessary for some time to come. I am waiting for the National Security Force to throw me out of my house I am not entitled to and throw me in a Repug Work Camp.

I am back from voting; in line from 4-4:30, behind a woman calling to alert office that there were McCain signs near the building and they needed more of their signs!. That wasn't so bad, but the entire half hour was spent talking to children, boyfriends, girlfriends. The poll supervisor had to tell her to get out of line when we got to the booths. Down with cellphones!!!! (Though I did hear a lot of juicy stuff; so did a lot of other people!)

People coming for Sharecroppers' Stew tonight; we are sharing the wealth, or upcoming lack thereof!

What are the plans for this thread? Delete all posts so we won't endure attacks for the next four years? Maybe we should just give our computers to charity?

Good luck to you all.......

My Husband wrote this and I thought it was very good.  

All,

Well, the battle is over or soon will be. We won't know for sure who won for a week or two, but one party will probably claim victory before midnight tonight.

And either way this thing goes, some of us will be excited about the results, some of us will be saddened by them, and others still will not care. Most of us will just be glad it's over.

But it's not over. In the Bible, the history of Israel shows that when the nation of Israel turned "as one" to God, that God raised up godly leaders. When the nation of Israel turned away from God, then God allowed un-godly leaders. I read the first few verses of Romans 13, and I believe this passage indicates that the pattern holds true for ALL nations. Including and especially our beloved United States of America.

Whatever your thoughts about the new leadership of the United States, it is not the end of the world or even of this country - God is still in control!

In four years there will be another presidential election, but in the meantime there are other elections for Senators, Representatives, State Governors, City Officials, new laws, etc... And I for one do not plan to sit back and watch it all happen and complain about the things I don't like. I am committed to making a difference by involving myself in each election, not "just the important ones".

We can say that our efforts won't make much difference, or we can look for opportunities where our effort CAN make a difference, and do that much at least. We can say that we are too busy because we work long hours at our jobs or we can fight for good leaders and laws, realizing that poor leadership and laws may cost us our jobs. We can say that our families are more important and so we should spend our time with them, or we can get our families involved and spend time with them doing something truly important. We can say that we don't have the time, or we can start using our time more wisely by turning off the TV's and Internet and other time-wasters and finding more constructive ways to spend our time. In short, we can ALL do more.

It is up to us to be informed, be involved, and be influential.

Above all else, as Christians, we have a job to do that is ours alone. Regardless of whether we ever vote again, we have a God-given responsibility to step out in faith and expect God to work through us to turn this country of ours "as one" to God. We cannot change our country on our own, only God can effect this change. However, we can do our part by praying, studying God's Word, loving our spouses, teaching our children, reaching our neighbors, supporting our church, etc...

Regardless of what is happening anywhere else in the world, this job starts anew for us today. It starts again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. And for the rest of our lives.

Please join me in accepting this vital task, and "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works" Heb 10:24.

God's grace to you all,

Ron