I think alot of people pinched their noses and voted for Mc Cain, but alot of people (me included) were really disgusted that he got the nomination. To me he was another Bob Dole.
I think the so-called independents voted AGAINST George Bush more then voting for Hussein Obama. Same with Kerry. People voted AGAINST Kerry more then voting for Bush. People couldn't really identify with Kerry. I am from Massachusetts and I can not stomach the guy.(Kerry)

Keedy

I agree. Unfortunately, these last dozen years the Presidential election has been a lot of vote-against rather than vote-for.

Now if we can channel that vote-against to be vote-against-Congressional-Incumbents with over 6 years on the Hill, we might get our country back.

I know it's impolite to ask for whom you voted. So I won't. But you yourself just said you were disgusted that McCain got the nomination. Don't answer to anyone but yourself, but did that disgust make you vote for the candidate even more to the left??

If the answer is "yes" you win the argument. If the answer is "no", I win.

What argument? I think the the "hate Bush" syndrome was real to an extent. I don't think people were really looking at the issues and where the candidates stood on said issues. For instance, the extreme left, which dominated the internet, spent the last 4 years spewing anti-Bush venom and demanding ultra-left policies from Hussein Obama for their votes.
Needleess to say...they are not happy with Comrade Obama. People were voting with emotion instead of their pocket book or rational policies.
Of course this is just my opinion...but I read alot of political blogs the last couple of years, so I think I have a fairly good handle on some issues.
Keedy

"What argument?"
the argument you made that Obama got elected because McCain was too liberal. I say that makes no sense because people aren't going to vote for someone who is more liberal than McCain because they want someone more conservative.

Yet, you say that in order to get the Republicans elected they have to go more conservative.
Did I misunderstand you?

:agree: Steve...I think that is the smartest thing I have heard in quite some time. Like my earlier post where I said maturity doesn't win elections but strength and strategy does.
We don't need moderates....we need hard-core strong ,smart, focused, determined Conservatives to take control of this great country.( While there is still time)
Keedy

It seems like the Republican party might be moving in this direction. Hopefully they'll find some strong credible voices. If not it's going to be a long 4-8 years.

Here's the problem I see:

Right now we have the "most leftist" President and Congress ever, as a result of a pendulum swing from the early days of the GW Bush Presidency and GOP control of both houses, which was seen by them as "mandate" from the people for a strongly conservative government.

We could very easily wind up with a big swing the other way, because the current powers are taking this as a mandate for their version of "social reform."

I think these big pendulum swings result in strong polarization, and alienation, and are detrimental to the country as these "extremists" engage in legislation that by virtue of its extremism alienates everyone who is not on the far right or the far left (depending upon which brand of extremism is currently at the wheel).

I think the GOP's best shot at the next election is to woo the moderates. They'll still get the conservative vote.

Sorry to disagree but we missed out on one of the "big swings." Bush's terms were not extreme right. That is what the problem is. We haven't had a big swing to the right since Reagan. Bush had the chance with a republican congress but they did absolutely nothing. The huge swing we are seeing now has never happened before. The outragious spending and left-leaning policies coming down the last 4 months will turn this nation upside down.
You cannot spend your way out of dept. Printing money will only lead to inflation. You will need a wheelbarrow full of money to pay for a loaf of bread if the private sector keeps getting these hits.IMNSHO
Keedy

Where did GW fall short of the true conservative agenda?

Where do I start...fiscally,no-vetoes, immigration...

start wherever. I just want to know where he fell short of the conservative agenda.

Immigration, I agree with you.

Vetos: please explain.

Fiscally: please explain..

tell you what,,,I'll start a new thread.

I would rather concentrate on the NOW and the issues facing us today. George Bush is gone and Hussein Obama is in.
Keedy

Laker, what do you think McPain was, if not a moderate. I'm tired of voting for RINO's.

BINGO!!!

Boomer