Why vote 4 McCain?

[Fin]

Republicans &/or McCain supporters, I need your help.

Contrary to other people's assumptions about my political leanings, I am not a Democrat. I am an independent voter & have been since I came of voting age. In my time I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, & 3rd party candidates.

I would like to give McCain his fair due consideration, but I am having trouble doing so.

My question to you is: Why do you support his candidacy? What specifics about his policies & plans for this nation do you find so appealing?

This is to be a positive thread, used to express only your positive opinions of McCain. This is not a rip on Obama/Biden thread, eg. "I'm voting McCain because Obama sucks & this is why...." We have plenty of those threads elsewhere for both candidates, & frankly it's just distracting noise. Likewise, this is not the place to praise/rip Palin. This is a place to discuss why McCain is the right person for your vote.

Your answers are much appreciated by this swing-voter.

[Rev.Reverence]

Republicans &/or McCain supporters, I need your help.

Contrary to other people's assumptions about my political leanings, I am not a Democrat. I am an independent voter & have been since I came of voting age. In my time I have voted for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, & 3rd party candidates.

I would like to give McCain his fair due consideration, but I am having trouble doing so.

My question to you is: Why do you support his candidacy? What specifics about his policies & plans for this nation do you find so appealing?

This is to be a positive thread, used to express only your positive opinions of McCain. This is not a rip on Obama/Biden thread, eg. "I'm voting McCain because Obama sucks & this is why...." We have plenty of those threads elsewhere for both candidates, & frankly it's just distracting noise. Likewise, this is not the place to praise/rip Palin. This is a place to discuss why McCain is the right person for your vote.

Your answers are much appreciated by this swing-voter.

+1... I have been waiting for such a thing as well... EXACTLY.

[n0Mad]

I can't say why I support McCain because really, I don't. I am probably voting for him though. The reasons behind that lie with what you told me not to say, and that is the fact that I can't stand Obama. I was initially drawn to his charisma and I really wanted to like him, but the more I research him the more I can't stand him and the more I do not want him leading our country. I would love more than anything to vote for Ron Paul or Alan Keyes or some other third party. My conscience tells me I should and not waste my vote on the lesser evil. But I detest Obama so much that I am willingly shoving my conscience aside and voting for McCain because he's the only one who is not Obama that has a chance of winning. I can tolerate McCain in office far more easily than I can Obama and for me, that is worth it.

I know you told me not to say those things, but for me, those are the reasons that McCain is the right man for the job. Because I don't think he's the wrong man for the job and McCain has the only chance of defeating the wrong man.

[Fin]

I appreciate the honest response, Spook, but you're right:

I'm searching for the positives on McCain, his plans & his proposed policies.

I already know Obama's "pro's"--was hoping for help on McCain.

[Oh_My_Goth]

I would be interested in seeing a plus side to this Candidate as well.....

[Fin]

I would be interested in seeing a plus side to this Candidate as well.....

Honestly, I hope people don't think they're being baited. I'm not going to jump on anybody--it just seems that the campaign has become so much about why the opposition is so disliked. I have reasons to like Obama--that is a different thread. I want to like & consider McCain, so here I sit waiting for a reason or two....

[Rev.Reverence]

...yeah...same what Fin said...we'll just sit right here & listen...maybe ask some questions back.....but NO debating...just talking...

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I have very little I can say without contrasting to his competitor. I will endeavor to answer without resorting to that.

Reasons I support McCain:

1. His stance on Iraq. Though my reasons for supporting the invasion and occupation of Iraq differ from the current administrations stated reasons, I do think keeping troops there until we are done is the best course. I point to Germany and Japan as shining examples of what we are working toward. We occupied both those countries for 50 years after we beat them down. We then helped them rebuild their countries and reworked their war machines into productive members of the world economy. We can also do this with Iraq. It takes time, effort and a bit of blood but the end result benefits all.

2. Energy. I don't we can litigate are way to Energy Independence. We need to "build bridges" to alternative energies that allow us ween ourselves off Fossil Fuels. That will require us to burn more "clean" coal (I know it's not clean, but modern methods are far cleaner than they used to), develop ways to "harvest" Gas Hydrates (doing this wrong could kill us all in a matter of days, but could potentially double our fossil fuel stores and allow us to sequester Carbon emissions from other fuels). While doing all that, we fund research into efficient ways to create Hydrogen fuel, better wind turbines, better solar panels.

3. I don't believe in Socialized Medicine. It is failing in France, Canada and Great Britain. The only thing it seems to do well is make people poor (It's not free, they have super high income tax levels to pay for it) and stand in lines.

4. The number 1 job of the President is to Preserve and Protect. In that capacity, they are the top military commander. Of those running, McCain is the only one I think has to balls to do that.

5. The 2nd Amendment. This is important to me and i think McCain is the only one that wont try to take it away.

6. Abortion. McCain is pretty moderate in his stance on this. His competitor... sorry, I have to say it outright... is as close as they come to Pro-Abortion.

There are more reasons... and beleive me.. McCain is still the lesser of two evil for me.

[Fin]

Hi Gaf--thanks.

Can you elaborate on or direct me to links about McCain's stance on energy plans & his designs on health care reform? I've been listening but the details haven't been forthcoming.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Healthcare

Energy

[Rev.Reverence]

Thanx dude!

ANY MORE?

[TitsMcGee]

My reasoning is strickly based on the fact that McCain has more experience.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Thanx dude!

ANY MORE?

my reasons? or the links?

If links, just navigate his website. It's laid out well and goes into a bit of detail.

If you are looking for more of my reasons, no tonight.

[Oh_My_Goth]

Honestly, I hope people don't think they're being baited. I'm not going to jump on anybody--it just seems that the campaign has become so much about why the opposition is so disliked. I have reasons to like Obama--that is a different thread. I want to like & consider McCain, so here I sit waiting for a reason or two....

I hear ya.....

[Oh_My_Goth]

My reasoning is strickly based on the fact that McCain has more experience.

More experience in what?????

[n0Mad]

5. The 2nd Amendment. This is important to me and i think McCain is the only one that wont try to take it away.

If I were a one issue voter, that would be it for me. The Second Amendment is the keystone that holds the Constitution together. Take away that, and everything collapses like a house of cards. A candidate's stance on gun rights can make it or break it for me.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Foreign Relations, Bi-partisanship, Voting, Negotiations and host of other things.

[TitsMcGee]

More experience in what?????

Politics mostly, but I also look at his life experience.

[Fin]

Politics mostly, but I also look at his life experience.

That's cool, but it's pretty vague. Do you have a list of specifics for each? Not necessarily references & sources, but your own knowledge of his political & life experiences? I'm sure it can't be based only on a couple for each. I'd like to know, since I'm not as familiar with either.

[Rev.Reverence]

my reasons? or the links?

If links, just navigate his website. It's laid out well and goes into a bit of detail.

If you are looking for more of my reasons, no tonight.

No...no sir... you were quite concise...I was asking for more from the other pro-McCain voter types...

(I won't goto those websites)

(I hear they use brainwashing techniques)

[phee]

It is interesting to see that while some are voting for McCain... others are voting against Obama.

(I myself voted "against" Bush 4 years ago... heck I would have voted for a lawn chair if I thought it would have ment getting him out of office... and the way that the U.S. is now.... I kind of wish the lawnchair had won.)

One thing I will say (and I am not voting for him) is that he HAS to be better then what we have now.... right?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

That's cool, but it's pretty vague. Do you have a list of specifics for each? Not necessarily references & sources, but your own knowledge of his political & life experiences? I'm sure it can't be based only on a couple for each. I'd like to know, since I'm not as familiar with either.

Look above, I posted a short list of thing in which McCain is the more experienced candidate.

[Fin]

Look above, I posted a short list of thing in which McCain is the more experienced candidate.

I appreciate your thoughts--you have offered more than others have.

I'm hoping more McCain supporters will chime in with their specifics, not just a "sound bite."

What I am really looking for are not references & sources, but personal reflections & interpretations. Do you really know your candidate, what specifically motivates you to vote this way, etc. Though propaganda, media outlets, & pundit analysis are interesting, I'm more interested in how individual voters are approaching his candidacy. Because feelings are obviously strong, I'd like to know what it is about this guy that I am missing.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

It is unfortunate, but I dare say, you are not going to get what you are looking for. There are a couple of reasons that come to mind.

1. DGN is mostly populated by people of the Liberal mind set. So, true McCain supporters are small in number here.

2. Those few, tend to keep it mostly to themselves. Liberals are mean and nasty to anyone who does not think like them, though they will deny it to their graves. One need only read a few threads where a definite conservative view is expressed. It will shortly be followed by both veiled and unveiled insults, disdain filled speachs and general hate.

3. It's an election with only one "winner". (I put that in qoutes because it's teh people that will win or loose, not the canidates) That naturally brings about a compare/contrast mindset.

4. I don't think we will ever have a true "Democratic" or "Republican" canidate until we get rid of open primarys. I know many Democrats that voted in the Republican Primary to keep Romney, Gulianni and Huckelbee out of the picture. Rush had many Republicans voting for Hillary to sow chaos in the Democratic primary.

4. last but not least... it's just not that simple.

[Fin]

It is unfortunate, but I dare say, you are not going to get what you are looking for. There are a couple of reasons that come to mind.

1. DGN is mostly populated by people of the Liberal mind set. So, true McCain supporters are small in number here.

It's funny--I have noticed a decent split. My suspicion is that the board goes as the population does--younger tend to be more liberal, older tend to be more conservative (blanket statement, to be sure). As a relatively young board, I suppose that makes sense.

2. Those few, tend to keep it mostly to themselves. Liberals are mean and nasty to anyone who does not think like them, though they will deny it to their graves. One need only read a few threads where a definite conservative view is expressed. It will shortly be followed by both veiled and unveiled insults, disdain filled speachs and general hate.

As a centrist, I must tell you I see both conservatives & liberals swinging wildly at each other. Both level ridiculous charges, & both will go to the mat for their beliefs. I suppose the level of resistance is seen as greater on the other side of the fence no matter what party you believe in.

3. It's an election with only one "winner". (I put that in qoutes because it's teh people that will win or loose, not the canidates) That naturally brings about a compare/contrast mindset.

True. I was just trying to get beyond the "but he's more...etc." mind-set so I could get a decent look at McCain. I feel the real man has been sheltered behind a political veil somehow, & I was interested in finding out what supporters think.

4. I don't think we will ever have a true "Democratic" or "Republican" canidate until we get rid of open primarys. I know many Democrats that voted in the Republican Primary to keep Romney, Gulianni and Huckelbee out of the picture. Rush had many Republicans voting for Hillary to sow chaos in the Democratic primary.

That's a good point. There ought to be a unified approach nationwide, though I suspect New Hampshire & Iowa will buck any changes whatsoever regarding the primary/caucus process.

4. last but not least... it's just not that simple.

What is not simple is doing one's research. You & I know this, as we have tried to research these issues as much as possible. Part of the reason I started this thread was to borrow the research others had found on McCain beyond standard-issue party-line propaganda that exists on both sides.

I do appreciate your thoughts. These kinds of discussions are constructive.