All About McCain

[Stan4dSteph]

Palin says "nuke-u-ler"

[Betty]

I'm curious if there is anything at this point, that could be revealed, that would cause you those of you that ARE voting McCain / Palin to NOT vote for them?

If a scandal came out - that was atrocious and seemed likely but couldn't be proved before the election, would you reconsider?

Or is it a democrat/republican thing and you would never in a million years vote for "the other side".

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Are you part of the base that has been shored up by his selection of her, or are you simpy admiring an astute gesture on his part?

Is there a point at which the personal would become political for you and at which you/the base would be adrift once again? Her alleged affair? The stories about her children's drug use? The suggestion--that I knew was coming--that Track joined the military because he was a screw-up with no other options, etc.

I am part of the republican base that has been shored up by her for two reasons.

First, I have doubts about the sincerity of McCain's recent move toward more traditionally conservative stances. Palin is much, much more so.

Secondly, I have been upset with the corruption in the party of which I am a member. She rose to governor in part because she took on incredibly corrupt republican politicians. Please note I believe corruption exists on both sides, so the corruption in my party is not enough to make me switch. I'd consider switching to libertarian if they ever had candidates that weren't....well, bordering on insane.

To address your questions, Strangler and Betty, of course there are things that could make me not vote for them. I have only recently become solidly McCain, and I have made that pretty clear over the last serveral months.

Nothing "alleged", no matter how believable some might find it, will sway me. As an example, there have been rumors that Obama is secretly Muslim. He made two misstatements about visiting all 57 states (and there's the whole thing about there being 57 Muslim states or somethig like that), and then saying "my Muslim faith" when he meant Christian. To some, that makes the rumors all the more believable, but I still don't buy it. For those offended by me bringing this up, I am saying this in direct response to questions about if of rumors (particularly the alleged affair) and if they would sway me and it is not an attempt to further spread this one in particular. No one here believes it anyway.

So, if it is proven she had an affair, I would have HUGE reservations, once again, about casting my vote for McCain. As I have admitted one of the factors in my new support for McCain is his selection of Palin, if she was shown to have had an affair and it was proven absolutely, my support would wane. I say this with one caveat....let's say the affair was 20 years ago. Not much of an impact for me. People change and no one is perfect. If it was 6 months ago, big impact.

As far as anything having to do with her children and their behavior? Nothing will make an impact there. As a high school coach I know plenty of great kids with screwed up parents, and just as many screwed up kids with great parents. As a parent, I do my best, but I know that my influence is limited and short of caging my children in the house 24/7 I cannot control every aspect of their lives.

[Alex]

A follow up question I'd ask (there's one bit in your response that I consider outright false but it isn't that relevant so I'll leave it be): Without engaging in comparisons to Barack Obama, I'd ask you to answer the following: Palin has no power to do the things that you like about her unless she becomes president (she may be a partner to McCain or at the first sign of disagreement he could put her in a closet to not be seen again for four years). If John McCain dies the day after inauguration, would you consider the country in capable hands?

[BarTopDancer]

Let's see where everyone is. The majority of LoTters are in CA.

Arizona is going to McCain
CA is going to Obama.

I think Moonie is in MD (but I may be wrong)
Steph is in NY
Couple people in WA

Where do those three states typically trend?

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex

If John McCain dies the day after inauguration, would you consider the country in capable hands?

Short answer - No.

Slightly extended answer - No. However, I do not consider Obama capable either.

A bit more extension - This is why I love the comparisons constantly made between Palin and Obama in terms of experience.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Short answer - No.

So she can't actually follow through on the things that make you want to vote for McCain and her. And you don't think she's capable of doing the one thing she might actually have to do. And yet it makes you more likely to vote for McCain. I don't quite understand.

[Alex]

So, my follow up question is: If Palin is not capable leadership for the country, and she really doesn't have any power to do the things you like unless she is put in that position, why does she bolster your support for McCain? Why does "not a good president" get trumped by "says she'll root out corruption"?

Again, Barack Obama is irrelevant to the question because we already know that even if he'd spent 20 years as the governor of Alabama you'd still not consider him an acceptable choice for president for policy reasons.

[scaeagles]

Why do you hate Cheney? Please don't answer - it is intended as rhetorical. I ask because I know he is one reason that you hate the Bush administration.

Cheney, like Palin, is a counselor to the President. Someone who, yes indeed, needs to be ready, and I truly do not think it is going to take long for her to be so. McCain has chosen someone who I view to be anti corruption and a solid conservative. It encourages me, just as if he had chosen Leiberman, whom I respect immensely but is no conservative, would discourage me. I suspect Obama will surround himself with liberals. This helps be believe that McCain will surround himself with conservatives.

In terms of capability, I also do not think Obama is capable to do the things he will have to do if elected from day one. So to me, the issue of doubting readiness of Palin vs. doubting the readiness of Obama is a slam dunk in favor of voting McCain.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex

So, my follow up question is: If Palin is not capable leadership for the country, and she really doesn't have any power to do the things you like unless she is put in that position, why does she bolster your support for McCain? Why does "not a good president" get trumped by "says she'll root out corruption"?

Again, Barack Obama is irrelevant to the question because we already know that even if he'd spent 20 years as the governor of Alabama you'd still not consider him an acceptable choice for president for policy reasons.

Oh, indeed. Hopefully my answer above may shed some light on your follow up a bit.

Yes, Obama is irrelevant to the question, but if the issue is experience and readiness of Palin, I cannot help but makes comparisons to the Presidential side of the dem ticket.

I would not have voted for Bill Clinton for policy reasons. I did not doubt his readiness.