Why I l like McCain/Obama, Palin/Biden Harper/Dion/Layton/May...

I've read a lot of reasons why people dislike political candidates, but I'm interested in hearing why people like political candidates.  Surely no-one would vote for candidate "A" solely because they dislike candidate "B", so what is it about your candidate of choice that has earned your support?   

 

Original Post by dreas:

I'm a Harper girl. (Canadian election)

 Thanks for posting dreas!

What is it about Harper's position that you specifially like?

Personally, I was very pleased to hear him say that he would support recognizing the credentials of of foreign trained professionals.

I'm voting for Obama-Biden for a lot of reasons, and also how they tie into my own personal life...

Biden is a Roman Catholic, and though he personally doesn't believe in abortion, he says he cannot impose his own theological beliefs on others, so that is why he is pro-choice. I really respect that. I am pro-choice because of personal experience...and people can have their own opinions, but you cannot pretend to know someone or judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Cliche, perhaps. But oh so very true. I think the Obama-Biden ticket acknowledges the differences in people, but claims that just because you don't agree with someone doesn't mean you don't have to respect them and it doesn't mean that they are not entitled to the same human rights as you are.

I also firmly believe the environment is really not a political debate, and that science and mother nature is screaming out as us to wake up.  Change is not easy, but I feel we are at the turn of the tide right here, right now. We need to respect the planet so that it can heal.  I believe in the investment in clean renewable energies (wind, solar, geo-thermal) and think it can create much needed job growth and stimulate the economy. I feel Obama is the candidate most likely to help these new industries thrive. This year in my town I have witnessed more numerous and violent thunderstorms that I have ever seen in a season, in my whole life. That is the truth. The weather patterns have been noticeably changing in the past 3-4 years, in my experience. I think it will only get worse....even if we act now, it could continue to get worse. But we have to try!  It's one thing to promote drilling off-shore (which I am against, though my candidates have said they are open to it, in addition to alternate energies)...but Palin has been pro ANWR drilling, which I cannot fathom. Also with the latest Oil scandal going on on top of everything else...I'd like to give as little $$$ as possible to this corrupt industry.

War is devastating not only because of physical casualties, financial impact, or violence...but also because of the emotional, ethical and mental scars it leaves on those who have served. The suicide rate is climbing among vets...and I believe war should be avoided at all costs, and should at the very least, be the ultimate last resort after all other options have been genuinely exhausted.   Keeping a country safe doesn't have to equate to war or threats of war...I have friends and family who have suffered PTSD due to the wars they have fought in during their lives. Some of my friends and family have not yet recovered, and may never. I am voting for Obama-Biden because of Biden's extensive foreign policy experience, and because I feel Barack would and could repair tense relations. I hope we can try to "give peace a chance."

Anyways...those are some of my reasons why I like Obama-Biden. In non-partisan news - I really like using calorie count since I have discovered it, and also reading forum posts and weight loss tips. I have quite a ways to go but am doing it slowly and steadily. That being said....Democrat, Republican, or Independant, we can ALL agree that it is important to stay healthy, and BRAVO to all of us for striving to do just that.

I like my candidate because I'm 25 years old, watching the economy tank, seeing my parents and brothers struggle to make it on very little, worried about the businesses that are collapsing like the house of cards that they were but sad to see so many people losing their jobs. I'm worried that, being in the financial industry, I might lose my job too. And then what would I do, being just out of school and having to pay back student loans? I'm watching the housing market tank, our country's resources go mostly to an unjust, unwinnable, never ending war. I'm seeing food and transportation costs sky rocket. I'm watching the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I believe our recession will turn into a depression. I believe our darkest days are yet to come. I believe that the next 8 years are absolutely crucial to the history of our country.

That's why I'm voting for someone who is unafraid of social programs, highly intelligent, highly educated, well versed in Constitutional law, warm, family-oriented, aware of his shortcomings (and willing to bring in advisors to help him in those shortcomings -- see his VP pick), progressive-minded, willing to seek out alternative fuels, diplomatic, and positive.

That is why I am voting for Barack Obama.

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

That's why I'm voting for someone who is unafraid of social programs

 did you say this?  i'm having a warm fuzzy moment!

It's socialism Heather dislikes, Pg, not social programs ;)

I harbor some hope of conservatives beginning to learn the distinction for the first time in our history. :)

po-ta-to, po-tah-to.  pure socialism doesn't exist any more than pure capitalism does.

I like Ron Paul because he actually understands what the federal reserve system is and why it's something Americans should be very, very worried about.

And because I agree with about 99% of The Revolution.  ;-)

:)

Original Post by lysistrata:

I like Ron Paul because he actually understands what the federal reserve system is and why it's something Americans should be very, very worried about.

And because I agree with about 99% of The Revolution.  ;-)

 Agreed!

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

That's why I'm voting for someone who is unafraid of social programs

 did you say this?  i'm having a warm fuzzy moment!

 Yeah, I'm sorry we had to "meet" when I was on a hardcore libertarian streak, which I blame on having my first real job and living in a more affluent area. After moving to the South Side of Chicago, I fell back into my college idealism of there being a better way.

On top of that, I think we're going to need another FDR to rescue us.

as many others have said, i like obama because he is articulate. i know it may seem like a simple thing, but as a leader the ability to communicate is important. i admire my boss for the same reason.  and i like obama because he can give a specific detail into his plans and/or beliefs, thus allowing you a better understanding of where he is coming from.

now i don't really believe in the full power of words as much as some do, but i cannot deny that it is one of our main tools for communication and our president is our representative. i cannot trust what any politician says but there are times when communication skills are going matter the most. no president really makes his/her own decisions by him/herself (if not we would call them king or queen) but they will have to communicate any decisions not only to their subjects (oops i mean voters) but many times to everyone else that shares this planet (especially as the world's current superpower).

I like Obama for both his judgment and conviction. He stood to up against entering war with Iraq back when it wasnt particularly politically popular. 

He speaks facts to correct misinformation campaign massively emailed and promoted online against him, shunning the political ploy of playing the martyr card. 

He doesnt make excuses.
He doesnt exaggerate his accomplishments.
He doesnt present himself as perfect.

I also like how Obama doesnt parade his christianity for the religious campaigning, considering hes had more christian upbringing and involvement than most and how it can draw in the votes. 

He could say from age 10 to graduation, he attended a school whose mission ws promoting morals "consistent with the Christian principles"and how after graduation, he served as director of a christian based organization (www.dcpincorp.org).

Instead he waited until asked by journalists to address muslim accusations to simply confirm he is christian, a member of this church and was sworn in to office on the bible, not the Quran..

He is dignified and not defensive, important to maintaining civil relations. 

Mostly though he has insight, good judgement and vision.

Original Post by sun123:


Instead he waited until asked by journalists to address muslim accusations to simply confirm he is christian, a member of this church and was sworn in to office on the bible, not the Quran..

 

Yeah...the way things are going, I have a feeling that's going to change in the near future as well.

Original Post by hgielrehtaeh:

 Yeah, I'm sorry we had to "meet" when I was on a hardcore libertarian streak, which I blame on having my first real job and living in a more affluent area. After moving to the South Side of Chicago, I fell back into my college idealism of there being a better way.

On top of that, I think we're going to need another FDR to rescue us.

 aw!  don't worry, heather.  i had my moments (late teens, early to mid 20s), when i would have been right there with you.

Yeah, pretty ashamed of my behavior. I was ready to scream ANARCHY! and run naked through the streets. Good things I've been repressed by my mid-western farm upbringing.

I'm learning things about candidates AND CC'ers!

I've thought about this a lot.

I like My Candidate because he's honest (or more honest, at the least than average), even when hitting his opponent back hard. He doesn't need to make up lies to get his point across.

I like Stephane Dion because of his carbon tax idea. I like the fact that he stands up for what he believes in, even if it's unpopular. (I also liked Martin when he made the sponsorship "scandal" ten times worse by ordering an inquiry - he had to know it would hurt them politically but did it anyway, because it was the right thing to do.)

But I prefer Jack Layton because of everything else. His positions, his political savvy, everything. I was alarmed at a recent poster in which his mustache was not very visible - he must never ever shave! My BF jokes that I'd love a mustache ride, and he's not wrong. Though I could claim that it's only on principle. ;)

Gilles Duceppe is a smart man with whom I mostly agree on issues except THE big one, and that's why I can never vote Bloc. (Plus, he sold out the ROC on the age-of-consent issue, supporting a bad law that he knew would never be applied in Quebec, in exchange for political favour.)

And Harper, well, on this thread, if you can't say anything nice, you don't say anything at all.

Original Post by trustwomen:

... if you can't say anything nice, you don't say anything at all.

 Thank you for sharing your thoughts trustwomen, and especially for playing by the rules. 

I like what Jack Layton stands for as well, and your post made me reconsider my bias that, at least within my riding (decidedly Conservative vs. Liberal, with all others falling a distant third), a vote for the NDP isn't necessarily a wasted vote.