Best GOP Candidate

[GhostWriter16]

a) an easy position on 2nd Amendment, treat it like a 'no duh' position
b) concern about military and medicare overspending
c) a strong position on energy dependence, climate change, and sci-tech R&D
d) intermediate ties to the pro-life position, just enough to be 'better' than Obama, but not actually crazy
e) a moderate understanding of the financial crisis

I wouldn't vote for this candidate if he exists due to d.

But I think Ron Paul fits the other 4.

 

[kochman]

Giuliani entering might make me consider voting Republican. Let's see if he makes a serious run at it this time.

 

[downtown]

So, is there anyone in the field that fits my criteria? Someone whose policies I should bother looking at?

Only 2 candidates have come out supporting any kind of climate change/environmental policies at all...Mitt Romney (barely) and John Huntsman. I think Huntsman is the guy closest to you.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Giuliani entering might make me consider voting Republican. Let's see if he makes a serious run at it this time.

Just curious, but if he doesn't run, who are you thinking of voting for?

I surely hope not Obama... The thought makes me shudder...

 

[kochman]

Just curious, but if he doesn't run, who are you thinking of voting for?

I surely hope not Obama... The thought makes me shudder...

Well, I could very well abstain.

Personally, I like to have a Repub congress and Dem pres, or vice versa... grid lock is great. It keeps spending down by default, since they don't "agree" on a lot of things.

 

[Masquerouge]

Colin Powell would be the only Republican I would actually think about voting for.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Well, I could very well abstain.

Personally, I like to have a Repub congress and Dem pres, or vice versa... grid lock is great. It keeps spending down by default, since they don't "agree" on a lot of things.

Its really sad that you say this, but its true. Its sad politics are that partisan though.

 

[Tee Kay]

Just curious, but if he doesn't run, who are you thinking of voting for?

I surely hope not Obama... The thought makes me shudder...

Third parties, guys...

 

[kochman]

Third parties, guys...

3rd party? In America?
Might as well just abstain, unless you think they will sweep to victory out of nowhere...

I wish it were otherwise, but, it isn't.

 

[Jehoshua]

Good thing I don't have to worry about such things as in Australia by law voting is compulsory.

 

[kochman]

Good thing I don't have to worry about such things as in Australia by law voting is compulsory.

Which is terrible!
Forcing someone to vote, who doesn't care or take interest... it seems counter productive.

 

[GhostWriter16]

3rd party? In America?
Might as well just abstain, unless you think they will sweep to victory out of nowhere...

I wish it were otherwise, but, it isn't.

Voting 3rd party at least shows you care. Abstaining sends a message of apathy.

@Jehoshua- What about religious groups who think its sinful to be involved in politics (Jehovah's Witnesses for one.) Are they exempt?

 

[Tee Kay]

3rd party? In America?
Might as well just abstain, unless you think they will sweep to victory out of nowhere...

I wish it were otherwise, but, it isn't.

If all the people who are going to abstain decides instead to support a third party to break the D-R duopoly, that third party might actually become relevant.

Edit: alternatively, what D3K said.

 

[kochman]

Voting 3rd party at least shows you care. Abstaining sends a message of apathy.

Or contempt.

 

[kochman]

If all the people who are going to abstain decides instead to support a third party to break the D-R duopoly, that third party might actually become relevant.

I agree...
But, until it happens, it doesn't.

The R-D use fearmongering so effectively, they make people so entrenched in their party line, they ensure themselves power.

 

[GhostWriter16]

That's true.

If there's genuinely nobody you can support, I would turn in a blank ballot to show that I cared, but that I wouldn't vote for any available candidates.

That said, there's usually SOMEONE you can support.

Heck, my grandpa once voted for his wife to show total contempt for both Bush and Gore

 

[Tee Kay]

Or contempt.

The bastards up in Congress aren't going to care. As long as there are people voting, the game continues. If enough people votes for a third party instead, however, it screws up the game, and that will really grab their attention.

 

[kochman]

That's true.

If there's genuinely nobody you can support, I would turn in a blank ballot to show that I cared, but that I wouldn't vote for any available candidates.

That said, there's usually SOMEONE you can support.

Heck, my grandpa once voted for his wife to show total contempt for both Bush and Gore

I'll still vote for other positions... it's not like I am just staying home.

 

[Jehoshua]

Which is terrible!
Forcing someone to vote, who doesn't care or take interest... it seems counter productive.

On the contrary, most australians take the view that if you are uninterested in the affairs of the nation you arent worthy of being a citizen. Sort of like the old athenian view back in the day.

In regards to groups who object to voting the answer is

NO

voting is compulsory, that is the law, you either accept the law of the land and vote or you leave and move elsewhere.

You might also like to remember that Australia has no bill of rights (which I think is good since a bill of rights I think actually limits freedom as it defines specifically the rights of a person thus opening the door to interpretations that actually limit freedom but this is another discussion so don;t pursue this.

 

[kochman]

voting is compulsory, that is the law, you either accept the law of the land and vote or you leave and move elsewhere.

I am generally against the government forcing people to do things... when you force someone to do it, they might do it, but it'll be half-assed.
In other words, more freedom, less compelling.

The thinking that someone must vote to be a good citizen is very rigid.