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Post by gk on Aug 22, 2011 9:33:44 GMT -6
What do you guys think about Huntsman? It seems like he's not crazy - that's a plus. His fatal flaw.
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Post by mayor on Aug 22, 2011 10:10:40 GMT -6
Indeed. Maybe the republicans will be looking for a non-crazy candidate in 2016.
Though I wouldn't vote for Huntsman against Obama, I also wouldn't be embarrassed of our country if he was elected president.
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 10:24:08 GMT -6
Don't both sides have completely whacked out candidates when they're running against an incumbent?
Howard Dean can rival Bachmann every day and twice on Sunday.
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Post by mayor on Aug 22, 2011 10:35:49 GMT -6
Even if Howard Dean is comparable to Bachmann, which I would dispute, the Dems didn't have a field of candidates almost entirely composed of people that crazy. The Repubs right now have Bachmann, Perry, and Cain (some might add Paul to this list) who are pure crazy. And don't forget Palin and even Trump who are/were in conversations to run for president.
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 10:56:08 GMT -6
I don't think Perry is crazy in the way Bachmann is, he's the exact prototype of the "do anything to stay in power" politician.
Didn't Al Sharpton run in 08?
One thing you guys do have us beat on though is dullness. Between Gore, Kerry, and Gephardt, there might not have been a pulse between them.
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Post by gk on Aug 22, 2011 11:03:18 GMT -6
Don't both sides have completely whacked out candidates when they're running against an incumbent? Howard Dean can rival Bachmann every day and twice on Sunday. Not sure that's the right analogy. I think Kucinich and Mike Gravel might be a more suitable comp. And those guys never came close to the nomination or even winning a primary/caucus. For the record, I don't think Rick Perry is crazy. I mean, he believes basically a lot of the same stuff that a large plurality or even majority of Americans believe. Certainly a majority of GOP primary voters.
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Post by gk on Aug 22, 2011 11:07:42 GMT -6
Just a reminder about Mike Gravel.
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 11:09:59 GMT -6
I do have a legitimate question for those of you leaning towards Obama.
Is there one thing that he could do (or not do) that would cause you to say "I refuse to vote for him'?
I mean realistically. Not like he comes to a press conference wearing diapers or converts to David Koreshism.
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 11:11:32 GMT -6
OK that Gravel ad is either the greatest or the worst political ad ever.
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Post by gk on Aug 22, 2011 11:14:22 GMT -6
By the way, I need some advice: what do you think? Should I re-register as a Republican so I can marginally affect the GOP primary? If Paul were on the ballot by the time it gets to Colorado I'd consider voting for him in the primary.
Will I be dooming myself to getting GOP mailers and house visits in 2012?
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 11:18:00 GMT -6
I've only got one thing in the mail and zero house visits as a registered Republican. Maybe because I live in Austin?
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Post by fatmenace on Aug 22, 2011 11:18:28 GMT -6
And yes, Ron Paul needs every vote he can get.
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Post by gk on Aug 22, 2011 11:28:15 GMT -6
I do have a legitimate question for those of you leaning towards Obama. Is there one thing that he could do (or not do) that would cause you to say "I refuse to vote for him'? I mean realistically. Not like he comes to a press conference wearing diapers or converts to David Koreshism. That's a great question. He's already renegged on tax increases, Guantanamo, and stimulus (signing into law the mother of all anti-stimulus measures last month after the debt negotiations) and has pretty much given up on any substantial environmental legislation. So there's not a ton left on domestic issues to let me down on. For me, it would come down to something like if Obama were to declare some sort of war expansion (I know, I know, more so). The thing is: that would (probably) be followed by a declaration from the GOP candidate that he/she would expand military intervention further according to the formula: Obama+30%. So I doubt I'd vote red under any circumstances (Ron Paul considerations aside, and that'd still be a "maybe"). I've voted Green in the past and I could see going there again. But then, I'm betting I'll be so terrified of a Perry presidency that, living in a swing state, it'll be hard for me to "throw away" my vote. On the other hand, a Romney presidency will probably be indistinguishable from an Obama 2nd term, so I might look elsewhere in such an instance. I'll say this: if any candidate shows up to a presser in diapers, he/she has my vote for life.
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Post by "Redneck" Johnson on Aug 22, 2011 11:42:20 GMT -6
My inclination would be to suggest you register for the party you prefer and vote in the primary for your Representative. It'd be more meaningful if a Colorado Senate seat was also up in this election, but there don't appear to be any this year.
I'm pinning my hopes on getting people in Congress who will change things. The President has his bit of work, but it's the House and Senate that do the budget.
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Post by mayor on Aug 22, 2011 12:09:40 GMT -6
Geoff - do you really think "a Romney presidency will probably be indistinguishable from an Obama 2nd term"?
No way. Especially if the House remains republican and even more so if House and Senate were to go republican (though I don't think that will happen).
Perry is nearly as crazy as Bachmann. And Ron Paul is close.
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