Straight answers, from both sides.

[ucfjtm]

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?

No. Best potential running mate to win an election would have been Hillary. The best potential running mate (that was considered) for me to want to cast a vote would have been Richardson.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?

No. Best potential running mate to win an election would have been Condi Rice or Mitt Romney. The best potential running mate for me to want to cast a vote would have been Gingrich.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?

Yes, moreso than McCain simply due to the number of years difference they've been in Washington, however either will have some "on the job training" when elected.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?

Definitely not. First, they don't like each other at all - look to the 2000 GOP primaries to understand most of that issue. Second, McCain has been outcast as a liberal from the entire party for far too long. Third, that's the argument the Democrats would use against ANY Republican running. Any Republican is going to "look like Bush" to a liberal. Condi Rice or Mitt Romney would be called Bush 3 if they were running as well.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?

No, but he's one of those most liberal with taxes and spending - Citizens Against Government Waste: Homepage. He's on the left side of his party, but I wouldn't say he's the most liberal in US history. (Who is More Liberal, Obama or Clinton? - this image is fairly consistent with the many senator-political-leaning images I've seen over the last year)

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?

No. Our country's government was founded on checks and balances - one person doesn't control all power. However, no one can see the troubles that may come up within the next 4 years, and the person at the top will need to make the right decisions.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?

McCain, no question. He's well aware of the troubles of war and how it affects our country in a negative way. He knows that sometimes it may be necessary, but he's not going to do something rash without fully understanding the consequences. He understood why leadership was getting the Iraq war wrong, and he understood why the surge would work under new leadership in Iraq. Just because he was for the surge doesn't mean he would have attacked Iraq in the first place if he were elected President in 2000. He understood what needed to be done to carry out what was already in place, and he was right. I'm not concerned with Palin running the country if something were to happen to the President - a replacement VP like Gingrich, Romney, Rice, Powell, Huckabee, etc will handle important decisions as an advisor to Palin, and any of them would be much better than someone like Biden.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?

No, and he even recently said that it won't be possible to complete all these things in 4 years. He knows he can't raise corporate taxes. He (hopefully) knows his healthcare plan will cost at least 10x the amount he's proposed ($150 billion). Both he and McCain know there's a huge deficit to overcome.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Yes, but I think one candidate likes the "fame" of being President too much, and the other is more concerned about using the position to help the country.

[JamesAbilene]

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

Please don't turn this thread into a bi-partisan one. Pretend you are analyzing from the outside in and have absolutely no interest in either party. Do not let you personal political opinions dictate your answers. BE HONEST!

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?

No, he did not.

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?

He selected the worst possible.

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?

Of course he will, but I believe he will learn quickly and make intelligent decisions.

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?

I think McCain will give us four more years of Bush/Rove

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?

I believe that he is a moderate who leans to left.

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?

Either candidate is going to have a tough time. The country is already in shambles.

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?

I believe if we elect Obama, we can avoid WWIII. If it happens, I want his cool head in charge.

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?

I think he will make good on them to a degree. It all cannot be done. We have to spend money in Iraq, pay loans from China, Saudi Arabia, etc. That will limit what he can do. The mortgage bail out will more than likely cause him to have to adjust his original plans.

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Absolutely, and I am tired of the constant implications that he does not.

[BigJon3475]

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?

No.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?

No....but it was a tactical move IMO.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?

Yup as any of them will.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?

Clear difference.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?

Very close if not the most....

Edit: I missed in US history.... No. he is not by a long shot unless he comes out in full support of socialism.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?

It might either way. Neither one gives any sort of hint at actually fixing our financial crisis. again IMO.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?

Reagan There is no avoiding a WWIII by the way.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?

civilian armies...aid to 3rd world countries...etc...If America wins the world lotto maybe.

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Yes.

[mommabear2]

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate? No. He should have picked Hillary.

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?No. There are far better, more qualified people than her but she gets the conservative voters behind him... which is what he wanted.

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins? Prior Presidents have stated that nothing prepares you for being that POUS so everyone will need on the job training no matter who it is.

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference? I don't see McCain as Bush even though they are a part of the same party. I'd rather judge candidates by their own merits. McCain has been known to buck his parties demands much to the annoyance of Republicans. Bush is a conservative, McCain has been for the most part a moderate.

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history? Probably not but he is a liberal.

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win? No, but I believe we will be worse off than we are now but if they win, I hope I'm wrong and they do well.

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country? McCain.

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc? I don't see how he can deal with idealistic endeavors when we already have serious problems to contend with. He will probably have to work with our existing systems and not create more until things get better.

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country? Yes.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

Please don't turn this thread into a bi-partisan one. Pretend you are analyzing from the outside in and have absolutely no interest in either party. Do not let you personal political opinions dictate your answers. BE HONEST!

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?
Probabably. I don't think Hilary wanted it.

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?
No way. She's a total liablility.

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?
More than likely
4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?
Well, Bush is a marionette. I don't see a difference between McCain and Rove etc. who are the ones really in charge.
5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?
no
6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?
probably not. i mean, they are the front men. the real power brokers are behind the scenes.
7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?
I want Ron Paul, because I think he'll keep us OUT of WW3. But other than that, probably Obama because he has an anti war constituency.
8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?
No.
9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Sure

All that being said, I really don't think that McCain has the temperament to be president. This debate flipflopping proves it.

[pirate girl]

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?

I don't know if it was the best but it was definitely a good person to balance his strengths and weaknesses. Biden is honest, has convictions and appeals to the middle class.

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?

No. He made a move that he thought would pander to the stupid women of Amerrica and it's biting him in the rear end.

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?

Anybody that is named to that position will need on the job training. Obama will need technical training. McCain would need attitude adjustment training. I have visions of him sleeping with the "blow em up button" clasped tightly in his hand.

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?

I don't see much of a difference although I think McCain is slightly more intelligent.

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?

No. I believe he is looking at fixing America from the inside out and that is desperately needed right now.

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?

I think we'll be headed for some big problems on an international level and that it will take decades, if not the remainder of the 21st century to recover from. We will be more hated than we are today.

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?

With Obama as our CIC I don't believe we would be in WWIII. He is capable of diplomacy and will bridge the divides we have created with the rest of the world. He may not fix everything, but he won't be threatening to bomb-bomb-bomb Bomb-Bomb- Iran.

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?

I don't think any candidate can make good on all promises they make for the American people. We're lucky to have 20% delivered upon.

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Yes I do. But Obama is evidently more capable of accepting differences in people around the world. McCain just wants to blow everyone up.

[RayinAK]

I am an independent voter, so here is my take:

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?
No. Hillary would have been better, but he can't handle strong women that oppose him, and Hillary would be too tough on him

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?
Yes. MacCain is just a little more conservative than Obama and Hillary. Palin is pretty much a right-wing conservative, although she has to follow McCain's mold. She will bring in the Christian, undeclared, and gun owner's vote.

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?
Of course he will. None of the candidates have any experience on the jobs ahead of them. To say they do is like saying that a plumber is the right man to fix the toaster

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?
No. Every person is different. For example, not even Hillary is Bill. But Bush is slightly more conservative than McCain. On such issues, yes they are close.

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?
No. But more like Hillary. Obama is more of a left socialist. Much like some of the European communists of the past

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?
No. Presidents and vice-presidents don't make any decisions alone. They surround themselves with the best and closest advisors they know.

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?
MacCain, of course. But Obama can do OK depending on how good his cabinet is

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?
No. I believe that if the lending companies as well as automakers, etc., are bailed-out, the next president and Congress will vote for a tax increase to pay the national debt

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?
Yes. But McCain a lot more than Obama. Obama is a "man of the world"

[WestCobb]

Originally Posted by CarolinaCowboy

Please don't turn this thread into a bi-partisan one. Pretend you are analyzing from the outside in and have absolutely no interest in either party. Do not let you personal political opinions dictate your answers. BE HONEST!

1. Did Obama pick the best potential running mate?

I think Biden was a solid pick. He could have chosen better for political purposes (Clinton), but I don't think there is really anyone better qualified than Biden.

2. Did McCain pick the best potential running mate?

No. McCain said he would pick someone capable of leading given his age. Does anyone truly believe that Palin would be ready if she had to step in?

3. Do you think Obama will have some "on the job training" needed if he wins?

Yes. I also think he's a smart guy and a disciplined student so he should be fine.

4. Do you really think McCain is Bush, or do you see a difference?

There are definitely differences between the two. To be honest, I think a McCain administration is a complete unknown. McCain could decide to govern left of center and it wouldn't surprise me at this point. He has proven this week he's capable of extremely unpredictable, erratic behavior.

5. Do you really believe Obama is the most liberal Senator in US history?

No. I think that whichever Democrat had won the nomination would have been awarded that title. Paul Wellstone anyone? Robert La Follette?

6. Do you really believe the country will literally fall apart if the candidate you support does NOT win?

No. I think that there would be differences between the two adminstrations, and more people who make less than $200,000 annually would do better economically under Obama, but I don't think the election of either would lead to Armaggedon. I think both would handle the War on Terror more or less the same, listening to credible military and intelligence advisors on the matter.

7. If, in the next 4 years we find ourselves in the middle of WWIII, whom do you want leading our country?

Obama. He just seems to have a more steady hand, and I see him as less likely to second guess top military leaders. McCain's go-for-broke tempermant concerns me, but I still think he would lead capably.

8. Do you really believe with the economy heading the way it is, Obama can still make good on all his promises for the people? IE. Health insurance, college funding, etc?

Yes. I think Obama would take this country in a very different direction economically. I think he would be very careful to point out again and again how middle income people (those whose income range up to the very upper limit of $250,000) are doing better under him. The tax-and-spend Democratic party died sometime in the 80s. Clinton didn't govern that way, and I don't think Obama will. It would be political suicide to do so.

9. Do you truly and honestly believe in your heart both candidates sincerely love this country?

Yes, but I think they love very different things about it. I think they interpret what America is in character and values differently. Obama seems to love the ability of America to refashion itself and take a higher moral ground than it originally staked if needed. America has historically provided a clear moral vision to the rest of the world, and I think Obama understands this and loves this. McCain seems to love the prosperity, strength and tenancity of the American people.