2008 U.S. Presidential Election - Primaries

[mr_pikachu]

Okay, I've given my technical analysis; now for my personal opinions.

This is an odd year, because while I lean a little to the right (more on economic than social policy), I'm actually very hesitant about many of the Republican candidates. Huckabee's done everything he can to avoid talking about the issues during the debates - the "I did this" evasion gets old after the first eight times. Ron Paul seems outright nuts to me in more ways than one, and it's irrelevant since he's not getting the nomination anyway. Giuliani might be a good choice if he actually had a snowball's chance of winning. McCain's a strange choice, because while I agree with most of his calls on the war, in everything else he's basically a Democrat. That leaves Romney as the only decent choice for me.

The other side is simpler. Hillary outright scares me, and Edwards seems way too conniving somehow. I don't agree with many of Obama's positions, but at least he seems like he has some semblance of honor. That's more than I can say for many of the Republicans, really.

This leaves an interesting series of potential choices come November. Should Hillary or Edwards get the Democratic nod, I'll vote for anyone who opposes them (except maybe Paul). But if Obama wins it, my final vote depends on who he's facing. If it's Romney, I'll stick with him. Paul would probably prompt a Democratic vote, and even Huckabee might do the same. I'm unsure about McCain and Giuliani at this point, too.

Gotta love scenario politics. It's like watching a baseball playoff race.


EDIT: Roy, let me remind you that Hillary's claiming to have 35 years of experience in politics. Enough said.

[Roy Karrde]

EDIT: Roy, let me remind you that Hillary's claiming to have 35 years of experience in politics. Enough said.

You do bring up a good point, she does rely on saying she has 35 years of experience. Although really I am shocked that Obama hasn't called her out on it, saying that 8 of her years were focused around decorating the white house, attending rubber chicken dinners, and visiting heads of state. And the next 6 years she was a unremarkable Senator who really has done nothing special.

[mr_pikachu]

I think he's hesitant to call her on it because he doesn't have an expanse of experience either. Besides, she's doing a good enough job of damaging herself right now. Changing the subject like that would distract voters from her self-destruction. She was supposed to be virtually unchallenged at this point, after all... the biggest reason she's in a fight is herself. Why give her a way out?

As it stands right now, both of them know that calling the other one out will result in a damaging counterattack. That leaves them with a natural stalemate. But we might see ads on the experience subject around the 3rd or so, for obvious reasons.