So basically, I thought it may be beneficial to have a set thread where we discuss who we've seen speak, any key points that they said that you think are important, what are thoughts were, and, if you feel like saying it, if you would vote for them or not.
Hillary Clinton I saw her last spring, but I'll go based on what I remember. 1. The main key points I remember is she said she didn't like No Child Left Behind, and was for gay marriage. I can't remember much else, and those may be a little off, so if they are, sorry. 2. The main thing I remember was that she was really put together in her thoughts. She had plans, she had ideas, and when people asked her tough questions, she didn't skip a beat.
Barack Obama This was a few weeks ago, so sorry if my answers are foggy. 1. I don't remember exactly his issues, none of them are sticking out in my mind, though other things are. 2. He was down to Earth, willing to answer questions while he was shaking hands, knew a lot of statistics on crime (I was impressed since I'd learned them all the week before), and did give off the impression that he could be the change that America needs.
Mitt Romney 1. Is pro-life, for the Gay Marriage Amendment, pro-family, pro-creating a stronger America in order to show the world that we still have it together and that we can't be intimidated by terrorists, and plans to create a stronger America via creating strong family structures. 2. His aids called on people for questions, and out of about 10 questions, only one female was called out, and that's because Romney pointed to her himself. The only questions he answered were on his issues, none of them tough, and I, personally, did not like his plans nor his viewpoints.
Yes, I don't like the title of the article either.
And Clinton mentioned ENDA briefly, so I guess TECHNICALLY she is for transgendered persons as well, but as far as I have been able to research, Obama is the only one that actually mentioned transgendered persons specifically, and is supporting them.
Go Obama.
I like these calm little moments before the storm.
Obama is the only candidate that I know of that has openly made a statement for supporting transgender equality. That gives him a giant check mark of approval in my book.
I like these calm little moments before the storm.
Mitt Romney i herd his speach this morning on his religion beleafes and i think he did an exalent job he spoke about past presidents and how the fact that JFK had to do the same thing because of his being a cathlic, he did a very good job and i now want to congradulate him on that so good job Mr.President!
John McCain 1. For alternative energy, against torture, for mental health in insurance policies, against excessive government spending for things he (and others) feels are insignificant, against even gay civil unions, a Federalist, for Special Education funding and a plan that's similar to No Child Left Behind. 2. He gave us free pizza from the best pizza parlor in town which was a plus. The thing began with prayer (though to be fair, I do attend a quasi-religious school (Religion classes are required and there's a break every day for chapel, but attendance is not mandatory)), and the Pledge of Allegiance. He seemed to know what he was talking about, and seemed very opinionated.
Giuliani is in favor of same-sex civil unions (not straight out marriages)
Yes, that's right.
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Obama, on the other hand...he may support civil unions as well, but considering how he courts anti-gay ministers,
Actually, he added an openly gay minister to his gospel tour thing but is also being supported by a black, anti-gay singer. He's completely distanced himself from that singer's (I think his name 's McClurkin or something) stance on homosexuality.
Yeah, I doubt Obama and Giuliani's stances on gay marriage/civil unions differ very much but please don't refer to Obama as "deadset against homosexuality."
So did I and I have to say no matter how much they lampoon the man in the media, he's got a powerful speaking voice, security was no where as insane as what you were saying though megs...
"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done"."
I don't think you can really get an idea about a candidate just by listening to him/her speak. In their speeches they are only going to address their positives...whereas the negatives may significantly outweigh them.
I saw Bush speak in the last election. Because he was the President at the time, security was ridiculous, we were stuck on a muddy soccer field on a hot day for hours (we had to arrive at a certain time in order to be let in) and we had to be transported to the location by bus. About 5 hours after he was finished speaking, the last people finally made it back to the parking lot. Yet still...everyone left there with a very positive impression of him...even those who swore they were voting for Kerry beforehand. Well, we saw how that turned out...
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
Um, I don't know where you got the idea that libertarians are all in favor of ultra-orthodox capitalism, unless you consider anyone in favor of a free market an ultra-orthodox capitalist. Libertarianism is concerned with keeping the government out of the lives of private citizens as much as possible, so that includes leaving the market to its own devices. In other words, a libertarian would despise a controlled market.
I wouldn't expect a socialist to like it. But I don't much care. The government exists to protect my rights (both civil and economic), not to take them away.
Politics are economics, since there are no politicians in the US even willing to question the current economic establishment none of them deserve my vote.
And if libertarianism implies Friedmanism and ultra orthodox capitalism I sure as hell hope you don't ever gain any significant political power.
Giuliani does not support gay marriage. Kucinich and Gravel (I believe) are the only candidates who do. And in no way is Obama dead set against homosexuality. Whatever gave you that idea? He's pro civil union, against a federal amendment banning gay marriage. Just like Giuliani and most of the Democratic field.
Hmm, it seems the candidates are sending mixed messages. According to my sources, Giuliani is in favor of same-sex civil unions (not straight out marriages) and has supported many gay rights issues. Obama, on the other hand...he may support civil unions as well, but considering how he courts anti-gay ministers, I have a feeling he's in the same boat as Giuliani when it comes to outright marriage for gays. The idea of civil unions is a rights issue. You don't have to like homosexuality to give people rights. Being in favor of marriage, on the other hand, means you're willing to redefine what marriage is. None of the viable candidates seem that eager to do that, unfortunately.
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Giuliani is a Republican because he is fiscally conservative (supports the Bush tax cuts) and is a war hawk. He's in favor of vouchers and against gun control.
I fit both descriptions, but I don't call myself a Republican. If you're socially liberal and fiscally conservative, you're a libertarian. That's probably why I like him. But I won't vote for him as long as he caters to everything the Republican Party wants. Being pro-choice and pro-civil union is one thing, but still putting your weight behind a war that's clearly a big mess...
I would love to see a good Libertarian Party candidate this year. I'd also love it if more people realized that the LP actually existed...
those three words makes me more supportive of a politician then almost anything else add in some of Giuliani's more liberal social ideals and he's very awesome.
but I'll end up voting the libertarian ticket like clpo and if there is a kind, benevolent god out there in the universe we'll storm the white house
"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done"."
Well, maybe Rudy Giuliani (sort of). It's surprising, actually. He's pro-choice and in favor of gay marriage, which officially makes him more liberal than Barack (who, apparently, is deadset against homosexuality). Why he's a Republican I will never know.
Giuliani does not support gay marriage. Kucinich and Gravel (I believe) are the only candidates who do. And in no way is Obama dead set against homosexuality. Whatever gave you that idea? He's pro civil union, against a federal amendment banning gay marriage. Just like Giuliani and most of the Democratic field.
Giuliani is a Republican because he is fiscally conservative (supports the Bush tax cuts) and is a war hawk. He's in favor of vouchers and against gun control.
I haven't seen anyone, though Barack Obama made a stop here in Seattle last year to promote his book. I almost went, but since I didn't have (or especially want) the book, I figured it'd be pointless.
Bill Clinton also showed up at our college bookstore, but he's not running for president so he doesn't count.
I don't really like political speeches or rallies. I tend to get my information on the candidates from other sources. As it stands, I don't like anybody. Well, maybe Rudy Giuliani (sort of). It's surprising, actually. He's pro-choice and in favor of gay marriage, which officially makes him more liberal than Barack (who, apparently, is deadset against homosexuality). Why he's a Republican I will never know.
I'll end up voting Libertarian again. It always happens.
Admit it, Ikki, you made this thread just to brag. You Iowa people with your constant influx of presidential contenders...
Anyway, I've only seen Edwards. His big things, as you might expect, were poverty and health care. He also gave a very impassioned speech about how we need to make continuing education available to people in all walks in life, just to foster a society that loves learning (or something...forgive me, this was like 6 months ago). He supported withdrawing all combat troops from Iraq within a speedy time frame. He fielded questions well, even managing to gloss over taking a question from a conspiracy theorist.
I'll vote for him if he wins the Democratic ticket, but I don't think I'll be voting for him in the primary. Though I agree with him on most issues, something about him just rubs me the wrong way a bit. It might be the fact that though he has some genuinely good ideas, he'd rather talk endlessly about he comes from poor roots than go into any detail about them. It leaves the impression that he hasn't fully thought through how he's going to do things like "eliminate poverty within a generation." Oh, and did I mention he sometimes makes ridiculous claims like that he'll eliminate poverty within a generation? But he's a politician, so he has to speak in bullshit to some degree.
I'm still waiting for Joe Biden to come to town.
And then, as the books were told, Fina replied: "A can of worms, my dear friend? What has this to do with reason?"
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