Nate’s Place

 Politics, Rants

 I’ve rarely touched on politics as of late, and with good reason: I kinda knew this time I was pretty unimpressed with what either side had to offer as far as candidates went.  I’ve been seriously thinking about voting independant this year, and I more or less shied away from any political news until the field was narrowed down a bit more and the ’serious’ debates started taking place.

So, I can tell you, this Guitar Hero III wielding (I’m 5-staring Easy now), sex-craved, 30 something republican made it a point to watch the debates the last two evenings.  Yes, while you’re watching Brett Michaels “Rock of Love II”, and Celebrity Detox (oh wait, I watch those too), I sat on my couch with chip and salsa, a drink, and began to watch in earnest.

Republicans:

With the CA debate down to four candidates (after Rudy pulled out just before the debate and threw his support to McCain) I finally took an interest.

• Mitt Romney – I was pretty impressed by him and his over all deamonor.  He even ‘looks’ Presidential, however, I think the whole ‘mormon’ thing is going to work against him sooner or later.   I like the fact he has a business background, and he seemed pretty articulate.
• John McCain – Okay, perhaps my judgement is a little clouded out of the gate on John.  He just seemed stubborn and bitter at times during the debate, especially when it came to the overuse of the word and example of ‘Timetables’ when it came to Romney’s previous comments months ago about Iraq.  John was fixated on this, and too me running for President is much more about the war in Iraq.  I’m not diminishing the war in any way, but it seems McCain, at least for the Wed’s. debate purposes, was a one trick pony.  Iraq. Iraq. Iraq.  Got it John.  I also get you led in the armed forces for 22 years.  But how does that secure our border today?  I just kept hearing about the past and his leadsership experience….very little anything new about today.  Sure he spoke about ‘today’, but its the same ‘ole rhetoric that all the candidates spew.  John, my number one issue is immigration and the economy….that’s what effects me, not ‘Timetables’.  AZ, your home state may back you, but you’re gonna have a tough time in the Southwest buddy for your amnesty ideas.
• Ron Paul – Some no non-sense talk from Ron.  This was the first time I saw him, and while he made some interesting points, he’s a bit too radical and maverick for my tastes.  His comments on the economy, while good, are also unrealistic…these aren’t gonna fly in a congress run by democrats…nice try, but do not pass go.  Personally, I’d liek to see more of what he has to say, but he comes off at the crazy old neighbor guy down the street yelling at kids to get off his grass.
• Mike Huckabee – Color me impressed.  While CNN focused most of its questions towards McCain and Romney, when they did get to Huckabee, I was ‘very’ impressed with him.  Unfortunately McCain has so much momentum at this point, I fear Huckabee lost weeks ago, but I really hope he stays in there and take some wins this upcoming Tuesday…at least to the effect it wakes up McCain to take notice that this Huckabee is turning ears.  I was listening to some analysts and I agree, Huckabee would be a prime candidate for V.P. for either McCain or Romney, and they’d both be fools not to put him towards the top of the list.  I can support this idea because I think this would give Huckabee 4-8 years worth of grooming and exposure to take over.  He came across as very intelligent, a straight shooter in my book, and pretty likeable.  Too bad he just didn’t get enough exposure early on, but he’s my dark horse to shake things up.
• Rudy – He was my original choice, and I’m sorry to see him go.  I have no idea what happened to him and why he chose the strategy he did.  That strategy shot him in his own foot months ago and he could never recover.  Maybe he could be McCain’s V.P. as well?  I don’t see Romney choosing him.

Democrats:

So I was expecting a slugfest last night, and all I witnessed was a schollgirl pillowfight and ass kissing between Obama and Clinton.  All the media leading up to the event made it sound like we were gonna witness history.  All the pundits said these two were gonna eat each other, and as a Republican I was relishing in the idea they were gonna get nasty.  Instead, I lost count who was kissing whose ass more.  They seemed to agree more than they disagreed and were pretty cordial….so much so in fact I got bored and took my dog for a ten minute walk.

• Obama – Came across eloquent and smart.  I’ll admit he had some reasonable answers and explanations and was not bogged down by cliche’s.  He actually carried a thought from beginning to end and explained it so even I could follow.  I’m a concerned about his drivers licensing for illegals, his 1.5 year plan of withdraw from Iraq (while I do want our troops to come home, I wouldn’t announce a timetable on national TV my plan so our enemies can hear it), and his ideas on Healthcare need a bit more explanation for me, but overall, I liked his idea better than Hillary’s.
• Clinton II – I said it before, a woman in the office doesn’t bother me one bit…if she’s good and honest.  Margaret Thatcher was kick ass for England.  Hillary came off pretty darn good last night too.  She definetly comes across intelligent and articulate and doesn’t stutter like Obama.  Since she decided to not to lambast Obama and instead make out with him, she turned her barbs towards Bush.  She had a few one liners you know she had been saving up to use on camera for some time so she was trying out her stand-up material last night.  Not that some of those barbs can’t be justified, but I think their was definite strategy to turn up the appeal factor there for people who aren’t sure about her and think she’s a robot.  She spoke of her experience as well, but I’m really surprised that nobody (and I can understand why…to an extent) pressed her about Bill’s involvement, or how she stood by his side during his numerous indiscredtions.  She actually spoke very highly of her husbands administartion…yes the one where he and Monica got together and he lied in regards to his morality, how he botched not nabbing Osama Bin Laden when he was brought up a threat back then.  But to be fair, and I am fair, Bush sure has hell has installed a great deal of confidence in me either.  Anyway, taxes were both their themes as well as health care and it appears under her administration, I suppose people can pay more.  I agree with them on those who use healthcare and don’t have insurance..(aka illegals), but I don’t see how they’d enforce this, and what exactly is the punishement.  She also spoke briefly on immigration….and, well, I didn’t like what I heard from her (or Obama).  If I had to compare the two, dare I say she in fact did seem more Presidential.  Goodness, I can’t beleive I am admitting that.
• Audience – Yes, I’m speaking about them too.  The CNN camera’s took every opportunity they could to flash the crowd and show what celebrities were in the house.  GAG!  Puke!  Of course, the most left of the left bleeding hearts were there…and as you can expect, many ‘Hollywood’ personalities who think somehow because they have an Emmy or Oscar, they’re experts on world affairs.