Voting for the lesser of two evils!

[17thfabn]

On several threads people have stated they will not vote for Senator John McCain if he is the Republican nominee. They have said they are tired of voting for the lesser of two evils.

I'm not a big John McCain fan, but if forced to decide between Senator McCain or Senators Clinton/Obama I'll vote for McCain.

My main point isn't about McCain. My main point is that almost every election is about voting for the better of two candidates. I think just about every one can think of some one who would be a better president than any one that ran on either side. Just about every election comes down to picking the lesser of two evils.

I voted for George W. Bush both times. I don't think he has been a very good president over all. I wasn't impressed with him when I voted for him. But I felt, and still feel the county was better off with him as president than Gore or Kerry.

Those of you who don't like McCain because he is not conservative enough, and say you will not vote or will vote for a third party candidate, I have one question for you. Do you honestly believe the country will be better off with 4 to 8 years of rule by Senator Clinton or Obama?

[USMC-03]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

On several threads people have stated they will not vote for Senator John McCain if he is the Republican nominee. They have said they are tired of voting for the lesser of two evils.

I'm not a big John McCain fan, but if forced to decide between Senator McCain or Senators Clinton/Obama I'll vote for McCain.

My main point isn't about McCain. My main point is that almost every election is about voting for the better of two candidates. I think just about every one can think of some one who would be a better president than any one that ran on either side. Just about every election comes down to picking the lesser of two evils.

I voted for George W. Bush both times. I don't think he has been a very good president over all. I wasn't impressed with him when I voted for him. But I felt, and still feel the county was better off with him as president than Gore or Kerry.

Those of you who don't like McCain because he is not conservative enough, and say you will not vote or will vote for a third party candidate, I have one question for you. Do you honestly believe the country will be better off with 4 to 8 years of rule by Senator Clinton or Obama?

I just heard that Mitt Romney has just bowed out of the GOP primary. "For the good of the country during war time," to paraphrase him. Taking Romney at face value, he has just earned some considerable respect on my part.

To the point at hand, no, I don't think that the country will be better off with a Clinton or Obama presidency. However, McCain is going to have to work very hard to earn my vote.

[17thfabn]

I am surprised, I thought Romney would hang in until some of the other big population states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas had voted. The fat lady hadn't sang yet!

I wonder how long unti Huckabee hangs it up?

[berto64]

That depends on who Romney's supporters go for. If they get behind Huckabee it's a whole new ballgame.

[22WRF]

If Romney would have made that speech a month ago he would be the front runner

[satellite66]

If Fred would have gotten in faster and spoke louder he would be the guy.
I think McCain is Hillary lite myself.

[Pistolenschutze]

As to the main thrust of your comments, 17th, I must agree. No, I don't particularly like McCain, nor do I particularly trust him for that matter. He's pandering to the political right currently only because he desperately needs the support of conservatives if he is to have any chance of defeating either Clinton or Obama. And therein lies the crucial point: McCain MUST have the support of conservatives if he is to win. Too many on the right side of the political spectrum out there today are contemplating "protest" votes against McCain out of some imagined "duty" or sense of "principal." That is utter BS! Wake up and do some thinking people and apply a little logic! Don't you realize what will happen to this country if either Clinton or Obama gets into office with a Democratic-controlled Senate and House to implement their agendas? This country will be a bastion of socialism within less than four years and America as we know it will be gone, with virtually no hope of ever redeeming it. All I'm really saying is face facts: The next president--thanks to the incompetence of the current one--WILL BE MORE LEFTIST than most of us would like. I don't like it, you don't like it, but it is virtually inevitable. Therefore,the only realistic hope we have is to mitigate the damage as much as possible, and that, unfortunately, means a vote for McCain whether we like it or not.

Berto, you made a very salient comment when you suggested that Romney's supporters may flock to Huck. That is certainly possible, but consider this: Do you really believe Huckabee would have a snowflake's chance in hell of actually being elected? He would end up being another Barry Goldwater or Bob Dole, and he would LOSE . . . badly. Look at the numbers, folks. Even Romney, who is obviously much less conservative than Huckabee, just threw in the towel because he couldn't get enough national support to win. What do you think would happen with Huckabee as a nominee? Yes, if Huck should somehow end up being the nominee, I would vote for him, but it would be an exercise in utter futility, and give the Democratic winner a "mandate" to crow about.

Any good general knows that sometimes he must order a retreat in battle to avoid losing the war, and that is precisely what we conservatives are faced with in this election. We can nominate someone who is more liberal than we would like, but who has a reasonable chance of winning, or we can insist on political "purity" and lose the election to a candidate who will destroy this country.

Just my $.02 worth.

[Rommelvon]

I dont like any of them, but I;'ll be damned if I ever vote for hillary or obama,,,,,too bad we don't have a time machine to get Ronald Reagan back

[satellite66]

It seems to me that the destruction of the country is at hand now since McCain is the GOP guy. What possible good can it do for us or conservatives if McCain is at the helm of our shipwreck?

[oldredneck]

Too many on the right side of the political spectrum out there today are contemplating "protest" votes against McCain out of some imagined "duty" or sense of "principal." That is utter BS! Wake up and do some thinking people and apply a little logic! Don't you realize what will happen to this country if either Clinton or Obama gets into office with a Democratic-controlled Senate and House to implement their agendas? This country will be a bastion of socialism within less than four years and America as we know it will be gone, with virtually no hope of ever redeeming it.

I agree with the Pistol on this one. I'm from a very conservative area of the country and I keep hearing the same knock on McCain about him not being conservative enough. Good Lord, anything would be better than Clinton and/or Obama. The Clintons are ruthless in pursuit of power and her first order of business will be the disarming of people like us. Can anyone recall a socialist ruler whose first order of business wasn't the disarming of citizens?
They must remove any threat of rebellion when they begin to nationalize businesses and take from the middle class to subsidize those who are too lazy or too uneducated to provide form themselves.

[Tom Militano]

I'm with Pistol on this issue also.

[armedandsafe]

I will vote for McCain if he is the Republican nominee. However, he will be notified that he has my support only so long as he supports me.

Veto gun bans and restrictions, ammo bans and restrictions, close the borders to international criminals and punish their aiders and abetters.

Keep those cards and letters flowing, lads'n'lassies.

Pops

[BIGBOOMER]

I can't see any difference between McCain and Hillary. If McCain wins he'll screw up the country and the Republicans will get the blame and we'll have a Democrat in 2012 and Democrat control for the next 30 years or so. Also, since he will then be the leader of the Republican party, the Republican congressmen and senators will be pressured to vote for his socialist initiatives, and of course the Democrats will be glad to go along, hence much damage will be done. On the other hand, if Hillary wins, she'll screw up the country just like McCain, only difference is the Democrats will get the blame and Republicans will have a good chance to retake the White House in 2012. Also, with Hillary in the saddle, the Republicans will fight her socialist initiatives tooth and nail. Also, Hillary might be too distracted trying to keep track of Bill to do to much damage. Just a thought.

Regards, BIGBOOMER

[Vladimir]

Originally Posted by USMC-03

I just heard that Mitt Romney has just bowed out of the GOP primary. "For the good of the country during war time," to paraphrase him. Taking Romney at face value, he has just earned some considerable respect on my part.

To the point at hand, no, I don't think that the country will be better off with a Clinton or Obama presidency. However, McCain is going to have to work very hard to earn my vote.

I didn't get a chance to read the whole thread but wanted to respond to this right here. I think this is going one of two ways.

1) Romney might be looking ahead and feeling confident a republican win is better than a Hillary/Obama, even IF that means McCain. By bowing out he also gives Huckabee a slightly better chance. But this clearly isn't a means of giving the race to Huckabee (IE for the more conservative candidate) or he would have thrown his support to Huckabee.

2) And/or he may be trying to one-up Huckabee for a chance at the Vice-Presidential spot. Romney and McCain threw a lot of mud, though us Rudy lovers would like to think Rudy would get the spot (hell I'd even love one of his other big supporters- Lindsey Graham, though there might not be enough name recognition) it is likely to go to a more conservative candidate like Romney or Huckabee. Anyway, since Romney and McCain basically fought it out, Huckabee would be the more logical choice. But if Romney decides to throw his support to McCain for "the republican win," he's very likely to get it.

On that note though the election is young. Romney might be sitting it out for a few weeks to see who to throw any support to. Maybe he's hoping for the VP spot of either candidate.

One thing is for sure though, it was only a matter of time come to think of it. Romney essentially tried to buy himself a candidacy. Though he had a lot of support he relied too heavily on his own money and not on donations. But without financial support from your supporters you can't get anywhere, and to stay in the race was just going to continue to clean out his own accounts- surviving only on a thin hope the trend would reverse and he would start raking in donations.

[17thfabn]

Vladimir, I agree that Governor Romney may be shooting for the vice president spot! This may be a morbid view, but McCain's V.P. has a good chance of succeding him. If McCain wins he would be 72 when he takes office. Again apoligies to our older members but a 72 year old man in a high pressure job has a high chance of dying in office. Even if McCain survives 4 years he may be in such ill health that he wouldn't run again in 2012. His V.P. would be in perfect position to be the parties candidate in 2012. Being V.P. you are a national figure, and basicly can continue to run for president for when it is your shot.

Since 1960 four of our presidents have been former vice presidents:

Johnson succeded Kennedy after his murder in 1963.

Nixon was President Eisenhower's V.P. and won on his own in 1968

Ford succeded Nixon, in 1974 when Nixon resigned.

The Senior George Bush was President Reagan's (some times known as Saint Reagan to die hard conservatives) V.P. He won in in 1988.

In addition Vice President Nixon almost won in 1960, and Vice President Gore almost won in 2000.

So 4 of our last 9 presidents have been former Vice Presidents! Who ever McCain chooses as his V.P. would have a good shot at being president if McCain wins in 2008!

On an unrelated note it seems unfair that the Republican race has been all but decided with many states, including such big population states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas not yet having voted!

[AL MOUNT]

Originally Posted by BIGBOOMER

I can't see any difference between McCain and Hillary. BIGBOOMER

Are you crazy man.........McCains better lookin....

Originally Posted by BIGBOOMER

Also, with Hillary in the saddle, the Republicans will fight her socialist initiatives tooth and nail. Regards, BIGBOOMER

But.....if the dems control all 3 houses, God forbid, I shutter at what might be shoved thru.....

[17thfabn]

Al Mount have you noticed that pictures of her on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN look better than pictures on FOX news? Those who back her try to give her the best camera angles they can.

I love to see pictures of her form her college days. In the 60's were they nerds or geeks?

[notabiker]

in the 2004 election i held my nose and voted for bush. nobody could be worse than him on the illegas, he loves them. kerry was not a option [trator]. i will vote for mc cain over the dems. at least his war record is spotless. i am worried he is also a open border fan. living in so cal i am a one issue voter. the invation here has already started long ago.

[Vladimir]

Now heres a crazy thought. What if Romney bit the bullet and dropped out, has a deal with Huckabee and Huck' pulls him as VP in the next few days, solidifying the conservative vote- and almost all of Romney's delegates would follow, combining- leaving McCain still in the lead (IIRC) but not by nearly as much.

Though this seems unlikely since that leaves out the option of a north/west/moderate candidate to draw more votes- it worked with Bush. Who knows!

[BIGBOOMER]

Originally Posted by 17thfabn

Vladimir, I agree that Governor Romney may be shooting for the vice president spot! This may be a morbid view, but McCain's V.P. has a good chance of succeding him. If McCain wins he would be 72 when he takes office. Again apoligies to our older members but a 72 year old man in a high pressure job has a high chance of dying in office. Even if McCain survives 4 years he may be in such ill health that he wouldn't run again in 2012. His V.P. would be in perfect position to be the parties candidate in 2012. Being V.P. you are a national figure, and basicly can continue to run for president for when it is your shot.

Since 1960 four of our presidents have been former vice presidents:

Johnson succeded Kennedy after his murder in 1963.

Nixon was President Eisenhower's V.P. and won on his own in 1968

Ford succeded Nixon, in 1974 when Nixon resigned.

The Senior George Bush was President Reagan's (some times known as Saint Reagan to die hard conservatives) V.P. He won in in 1988.

In addition Vice President Nixon almost won in 1960, and Vice President Gore almost won in 2000.

So 4 of our last 9 presidents have been former Vice Presidents! Who ever McCain chooses as his V.P. would have a good shot at being president if McCain wins in 2008!

On an unrelated note it seems unfair that the Republican race has been all but decided with many states, including such big population states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas not yet having voted!

You have a good point about McCain's age, and ability to make it thru more than one term, if that. If he were to select someone like Fred Thompson, Duncan Hunter, or Ron Paul as his VP running mate, then I would vote for him for sure.
Regards, BIGBOOMER

[rosierita]

Originally Posted by BIGBOOMER

I can't see any difference between McCain and Hillary. If McCain wins he'll screw up the country and the Republicans will get the blame and we'll have a Democrat in 2012 and Democrat control for the next 30 years or so. Also, since he will then be the leader of the Republican party, the Republican congressmen and senators will be pressured to vote for his socialist initiatives, and of course the Democrats will be glad to go along, hence much damage will be done. On the other hand, if Hillary wins, she'll screw up the country just like McCain, only difference is the Democrats will get the blame and Republicans will have a good chance to retake the White House in 2012. Also, with Hillary in the saddle, the Republicans will fight her socialist initiatives tooth and nail. Also, Hillary might be too distracted trying to keep track of Bill to do to much damage. Just a thought.

Regards, BIGBOOMER

this is how i see it, but the bigger issue for me is what happens to the military under a hildabeast rule? (or obomba) i feel like a vote for a 3rd party is a vote for a dim & a vote for a dim is throwing our military under the bus.... a chance i'm just not willing to take. (well, not w/ my vote!)

i hope that mccain picks a TRUE conservative as a running mate... maybe voting for him will be a little less painful.

[358 winchester]

I am spending all my spare change on supplies

[notabiker]

you will not like the supream court if the dems get in. at least mc cain will not put a lefty in the court. i do not know what is in mc cains head but i know i do not like clinton.
if only to save the supream court vote for mc cain.

[satellite66]

It is nice to think that McCain would not appoint a liberal judge but given his past record of crossing the aisle and the likelihood of having a bigger dem majority I don't see how he will avoid it. It was McCain and the gang of fourteen that prevented the GOP from getting conservative judges appointed when the GOP had the majority. He has shown that he is more interested in getting along with the left than with standing up for principle. I for one am worried about gun rights no matter who is elected.

[notabiker]

the only hope we have is mccain, once he is in i hope he lets the conservitive part of his brain dominate. i am more worried about the illegales than my gun rights. here in so cal things are pretty grim. here you better have un insured motorest on your insurance becouse the guy that runs into you from the rear will hall ass and nobody gives a shhhhhh