Thread necromancy, I choose you!

Frankly, I think none of the candidates are that great.

McCain being a former POW, and the only veteran of the group, yet somehow the most war crazy of the three baffles and scares me. I'd think the guy with experience fighting in a war that is almost universally agreed we fought far too long in would be the one trying to find an end to the situation, not reassuring us that we need to stay and "win", despite not actually telling anyone what the terms for "victory" would be. We've been playing this "we gotta fight them over there so we don't fight them here" game for 5 years now, and it doesn't work. I have friends and relatives over there fighting a war that is now an afterthought to the American public, so I'd prefer a candidate that at least wants to see us out of there sooner than later.

Hillary isn't a whole lot better, and seems like the most typical "politician" of the group. (Well, McCain is pretty close due to all the pandering he's done to get the nomination. McCain of 2000 was a guy I respected for his policies and stances. The "what do I have to do to get nominated" McCain of 2008, not so much.) I'd really not be opposed to her, because of the idea of her having Bill there providing advice, assitance, or whatever you'd want to call it. Bill was a president I happily voted for in '96 (not old enough the first time). She obviously has her warts as a candidate, but I'd take her over McCain, and think she'd do a decent job.

Obama would be my first choice of the three. (Though not wholeheartedly. Like I said, this is more a least of three evils thing.) First of all, he's charming. I like a president who seems engaging, not one that looks like he'd yell at me to get off his lawn. I just don't trust a crotchety old guy to handle diplomatic measures that well, when God only knows he may hit "the button" trying to press his Medalert necklace.

As far as the whole Rev. Wright thing goes, who really gives a shit? The truth is, I don't really trust anyone who takes important advice from someone preaching about the great flying spaghetti monster. Each candidate has to use religion as part of their appeal, it just so happens that Obama's pastor, minister, whatever he is, is colorful and made a few outrageous sermons. Shit, if I had someone that interesting as a preacher, I may actually go to church strictly for the theatrical appeal of it.

Frankly, I have more respect for someone who takes the trouble to actually question some of the things that happen in America than any of the Republican candidates who were asked what their biggest complaint about America was, and they said they "couldn't even think of one". Really? Everything's perfect right now? Good to know, since I almost started worrying about the shitty economy and this war we're in. The whole point of democracy is to question the actions of the city, state, or even country if you don't agree with them. That's why you get to vote: to change the leadership if the current one is on the wrong path.

Just because someone is saying things to this effect in front of a crowd doesn't mean it's rubbing off on them, and if it were, it's not exactly a bad thing if it makes them think. There's a guy in my town who stands on a corner in front of the courthouse from monring to night pretty much every day, holding a sign protesting the porn store here in town. Lots of people see him, but yet the porn store is still up and running. (And has great dildos at AMAZING PRICES.*ahem* So I hear.) If people were that overcome by anything they hear spouted at them, I'm guessing it wouldn't be.

Anyway, the reason I'll end up voting for Obama if he's the nominee is that I think, of the three, he has the most chance to make his much spoken of "change" happen. Whether it's working out a realistic gradual exit plan in Iraq, or just trying to change the perception of America throughout the world both diplomatically and policywise. The other two candidates seem to be more focused on the interests of their respective parties. Obama seems like the one of the three willing to work with whoever, Democrats, Republicans, whatever, in the interest of the people first and foremost, and not just the Democratic party. In the way Bush said he'd be "a uniter, not a divider" (and then actually became perhaps the greatest all-time example of a "divider") I think Obama can help to wrestle some sense of common good back into the presidency. He ain't perfect, but until Jesus comes back, neither is anyone else. (And if Jesus does show up, boy am I screwed.)