Never, ISM.

I was quite disgusted with GHWBush. The whole "read my lips", not finishing the job in Iraq, whatever, and Clinton was new, promised tax cuts (which I can't believe I almost thought he meant), talked more smoothly....he was an opportunity for something that was different than what we were experiencing.

While it would be disingenuous to say I found him more inspiring than Dole, and i didn't like his first term, I thought of voting for him out of protest for the Republicans putting up such a flippin weak candidate because it was "his turn".

And why can't I say it's idiocy to vote for a man for the most powerful office in the world simply because he inspires you? I can think of many people who rose to power because they were inspiring even though their policies were crap (or worse).

Inspiration has seen many countries through some very difficult times- and it tends to encourage people to be more involved in whatever struggle is happening at the time. (I'm thinking of Winston Churchill as an example). I think it's beyond idiotic to vote for someone who is morally corrupt and has so many acknowledged negatives simply because one has such a curious disdain for his opponent. I say curious in that many of the reasons Scaeagles cites for disliking him are somewhat vague or seem based on a personal dislike or distrust of the man.

I am definitely up for some inspiration- it's been a very long time.

You can say it. I don't think it is a reasonable position, but you can certainly hold it. But it is awfully elitist of you to decide that simply because someone is inspired they are an idiot. It seems to suppose that being inspired is a meaningless thing. Despite your protestations otherwise, the speeches that have inspired people do contain content. Go ahead and dismiss that if you want.

And again, I am not saying it is the best thing if simply being inspired is the only reason one has (but I also don't think there are many people for whom that is true). But it is still, and let me say it one more time so that I can be sure you'll understand me, not nearly so frakking idiotic as not voting for Obama because he is a Muslim. And you equated them.

And I can think of many uninspiring people who made it to office. So another reason McCain is thoroughly ****ed.

???? Do I need to post a laundry list?

Raising taxes, whether income or capital gains
What he would do to health care
his energy policies (or lack thereof)
his tremendous lack of experience

Do I need to go on? Would you classify those as vague?

Wait, you mean there are actual specific issues with which Obama is inspiring millions of people who aren't you and agree with him? Those idiots, I thought they were just going based on a beautiful smile and fancy words.

Didn't say that. I said voting for someone simply because they inspire you akin to not voting for someone because they scare you. Which is what the whole Muslim thing really is....not voting for him because they find that scary.

Also, apparently McCain is a bit inspired too.

Read my earlier post. I said earlier that there are people who will vote for Obama just because he says "hope" and "change" when they have no idea what his policies are. I don't think i said anyone here is in that category. Just like no one here said I was in the category of not voting for Obama because I think he is a Muslim.

It sure seems as if you are going to great lengths to find offense. Certainly there are stupid voters on both sides. That's all I said.

Another thing- much has been said about Obama being 'arrogant', etc. I think it's bull****, much along the lines of confident, ambitious women who get labeled 'b i t c h e s' while their male peers are referred to as 'take-charge' or 'self-assured', etc. The man is articulate, intelligent and doesn't drag his knuckles when he walks, which I know is a huge departure from our current leader. It's a nice change.

I'm not offended (I'm definitely in neither of the camps; and in case that was an implication that I'm standing up for my woman, neither is Lani). I just think you said something stupid and are swinging wildly to avoid admitting it.