25 replies to this topic

[Dixie-Girl]

The polls continue to fluctuate every week or so, depending on the top story of the moment. Don't get me wrong, I respect anyone's right to wait until the last minute to chose his or her candidate, but I just don't understand it. To me, Obama and McCain are so different. If you're undecided, can you explain to me how it's possible at this stage in the game?

[BlindMessiah]

Lack of an ideology perhaps?

[MasterPo]

I don't think ideology has anything to do with it.

Don't let this and other forums skew your view. The majority of people don't view themselves as Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal. Party affiliation or ideology affiliation is meaningless to most people.

I think history is veru clear for those who will look and have the courage to accept it. On the whole, Republicans are are lower taxes, less government, stronger defense and more personal responsibility.

On the whole Democrats are for more and higher taxes, more government regulations and oversight of everything, cutting defense and relying on talk, and a government program to answer all the problems and hurdles of life.

There are exceptions and it's never a straight cut. But on the whole if you look at the last 30 years (from Carter on) that's the only breakdown a thinking person can get.

So which do you agree most with?

[Omnaka]

Neither.

[ninjadude]

MasterPo on Sep 29 2008, 10:10 PM, said:

The majority of people don't view themselves as Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal. Party affiliation or ideology affiliation is meaningless to most people.

And you would be VERY wrong in that. Non registered voters are meaningless.

Quote

In 2004, it (the Democratic Party) was the largest political party, with 72 million voters (42.6% of 169 million registered) claiming affiliation.[7] An August 2008 estimate is that 51% of registered voters, including independents, lean toward the Democratic Party and 38% lean toward the Republican Party

Source

[BlindMessiah]

ninjadude on Sep 30 2008, 06:38 AM, said:

And you would be VERY wrong in that. Non registered voters are meaningless.

Ummm, meaningless?

[Wickian]

Dixie-Girl on Sep 30 2008, 02:26 AM, said:

The polls continue to fluctuate every week or so, depending on the top story of the moment. Don't get me wrong, I respect anyone's right to wait until the last minute to chose his or her candidate, but I just don't understand it. To me, Obama and McCain are so different. If you're undecided, can you explain to me how it's possible at this stage in the game?

To me they're both exactly the same, they'll say whatever they think appeals to their "target audience" to get votes.  If I find a third party candidate who I think both genuinely believes in what he says and fits my ideals I'll vote for him.  I just haven't gotten around to researching them yet.

[Wickian]

ninjadude on Sep 30 2008, 05:38 AM, said:

And you would be VERY wrong in that. Non registered voters are meaningless.



Source

I would be ashamed to be seen with people who vote for the next president of the United States just because they're in the same party....  It's ridiculous to turn a blind eye to issues you don't agree with just because he's "your man" according to the consensus.

Also, last time I checked my vote is worth just as much as a party member's vote.

[SQLserver]

Exactly.
I never could understand it.

I've overheard a lot of conversations that go as follows:
"Well, I think Palin's good"
"But, I like Obama"
"Yeah, I like him too"
"Do you think that Palin's experienced enough"
"I dunno. But I think I'm going with Obama."

And:
"Yeah, even though Obama went to Harvard I don't think I'm gonna vote for him"
"Yeah, it's a real hard decision though."

Seriously? What the heck. I don't understand why American politics have become all about the presidential candidate, AND NOT ABOUT THE ISSUES.

I could care less who the person running is, as long as they aren't ridiculously flawed/stupid/elitist/criminal. If McCain and Obama's positions were switched, I would vote for McCain.

It's the issues that matter, not exactly the candidate. I'm interested a heck of a lot more in WHAT THEY WILL DO then their age, skin color, quality of speeches, or charisma.

[IrishAidan07]

I think a few things need to be taken into consideration before an undecided voter is written-off as ideologically defective.

For example, often times we vote for people because we like them, even though their policies may not be in our best interest. We just sometimes like a person. I know many Democrats who've told me how much they like and admire John McCain. I know a few Republicans who've told me they like and admire Barack Obama. I think many of the undecided voters share this paradigm.

Edited by IrishLexie, 30 September 2008 - 11:22 AM.

[SoCrazes]

MasterPo on Sep 30 2008, 03:10 AM, said:

I don't think ideology has anything to do with it.

I think history is veru clear for those who will look and have the courage to accept it. On the whole, Republicans are are lower taxes, less government, stronger defense and more personal responsibility.

On the whole Democrats are for more and higher taxes, more government regulations and oversight of everything, cutting defense and relying on talk, and a government program to answer all the problems and hurdles of life.

There are exceptions and it's never a straight cut. But on the whole if you look at the last 30 years (from Carter on) that's the only breakdown a thinking person can get.

So which do you agree most with?

This is a traditional view of the parties and very untrue today.

[IrishAidan07]

Quote

This is a traditional view of the parties and very untrue today.

Not to mention an incredibly bias view.

[Ginger]

I like a lot of the things Obama has to offer, and I don't like a lot of the things he has to offer.  I like a lot of the things McCain has to offer, and I don't like a lot of the things he has to offer.  That's why a lot are undecided and I think the majority of individuals should be undecided for a while.  Because, if you tune one candidate out...that individual might have something to say that you REALLY like but you missed it because you already made up your mind.

[IrishAidan07]

Ginger on Sep 30 2008, 08:09 AM, said:

I like a lot of the things Obama has to offer, and I don't like a lot of the things he has to offer.  I like a lot of the things McCain has to offer, and I don't like a lot of the things he has to offer.  That's why a lot are undecided and I think the majority of individuals should be undecided for a while.  Because, if you tune one candidate out...that individual might have something to say that you REALLY like but you missed it because you already made up your mind.

Good post. I really think that makes a lot of sense. This is why I consider myself a left-leaning Independent. I refuse to assign myself to the Democratic Party because I'm one of those people who realize there is more than one way to get things done. I don't always think the Democrats have the best ideas, so I don't register as a Democrat. The chance of me voting for a Republican is nil, but with a candidate like John McCain, it's certainly a possibility. The first debate the two had didn't make my decision any easier. Right now, it's about 53-47 in favor of Obama. I really like McCain, but the fact that his campaign is run by a bunch of lobbyists isn't setting right with me. Also, his conviction that Iraq is still a good idea pisses me off. He's really going to have to talk smooth in the next few debates.

Edited by IrishLexie, 30 September 2008 - 12:29 PM.

[Guardsman Bass]

Most undecided voters remain undecided at this point because, to be blatantly honest, most of them either don't know or don't give a **** about politics, so when they can actually be arsed to vote, they tend to vote on stupid personality-based ****. Very few of them follow political news like the partisans do.