(Thread title changed.)

First, let me note that my statement, here, is personal, and in no way reflects the consensus of the team at Heartland Center for Spirituality. Those who have followed the discussions on the POTUS 2008 thread will not be surprised that I favor McCain over Obama, and here I will briefly state why:

As a Catholic, I place the highest priority on pro-life issues when considering the positions of candidates, and of the many of such issues, I consider abortion the top of my list (so do the Catholic bishops). I do so because it predicts a person's attitudes about a great many other issues. If one cannot unambiguously state that unborn human life is sacred and should not be destroyed except in instances where the mother's life is at stake, then one will hedge on a great many other issues. That said, I do not consider myself a one-issue voter, and agree with Johnboy (from past discussions) that one ought to consider a candidate's positions "on the whole." Having done so, if one candidate does not demonstrate a decided advantage over the other concerning pro-life issues "on the whole," I will grant priority to the anti-abortion candidate. So it is that I am voting for McCain.

I have other reasons:

- he will see the Iraq war through to a successful and satisfactory conclusion for the Iraqis and the American effort; I have my doubts about Obama, in this case;

- his health insurance plan emphasizes individual responsibility for one's health care and will encourage competition among health care providers; Obama's plan leads to universal health care at great government expense;

- he has experience in foreign policy and Obama does not;

- he has demonstrated an ability to work with both sides of the aisle and Obama has not;

- he has, through the years, sponsored/co-sponsored many significant pieces of legislation; Obama's career in the Senate is undistinguished (he has basically been preparing a run for President since he arrived);

- he favors education vouchers to make school choice available to minority groups and others deserving better education; Obama does not;

- he favors developing all possible resources for energy, including nuclear and green options; Obama is a recent (poll-driven?) "convert" to offshore drilling and seems to oppose nuclear;

- he will work to reduce earmarks, pork-barrel spending and size of government; I have my doubts about Obama;

- he will deal with the economic crisis by providing a means to help homeowners re-finance their homes and make their payments, thus removing "bad paper" from the economy; Obama has no such plan;

- he will not raise capital gains taxes nor increase taxes on corporations at a time when the economy is suffering and investment needs to be encouraged; Obama will do the opposite;

- he is anti-abortion; Obama is pro-choice (100% approval rating by NARAL and Planned Parenthood), even having voted against a bill that would provide medical assistance to babies surviving botched abortions

- he confronts excesses in his Party and has opposed Bush in key areas; Obama has never voted differently from his Party;

- he will work to reduce the size of the federal government; government will expand under Obama;

- he will work to provide a just and compassionate resolution to immigration issues; Obama's policies seem similar in this respect;

- he will take a strong stand against terrorists around the world and set firm boundaries for rogue states like Russia and Iran; Obama will try to talk them into "liking" us;

- he will choose Supreme Court justices of a "constitutionalist" perspective who are also likely to overturn Roe v. Wade; Obama will not;

- he has experience as a soldier, POW and work on armed services committees that qualify him to be an excellent commander-in-chief; Obama has no experience in any of these areas;

- his political views are on the moderate/conservative side of issues; Obama was voted the most liberal Senator last year by the National Journal and has hung out for years with far-left kooks;

- McCain will continue policies that provide a social safety net while encouraging individual responsibility and self-determinism; Obama wants to "spread the wealth around" in socialistic fashion, hence undercutting individual initiative;

- he would be a Republican President with a Democratic House and Senate; Obama would make it an all-Democrat slate with him, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid running the country -- not a good thing, imo.

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So there you have it. As you can see, there's more than abortion at stake, here; can't accuse me of being a "one-issue voter."

What�s wrong with this picture?
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Phil, those are well-articulated reasons.

I happen to disagree, but I respect your choice.
Furthermore, I do not believe you have any ulterior motive whatsoever for your endorsement of McCain.

Colin Powell gave well-articulated reasons for not being able to support McCain. And Powell gives clear and compelling reasons for endorsing Obama. (Reasons that you disagree with, just like I disagree with yours.)

Just because you happen to disagree with his arguments (good arguments that millions of Americans clearly share) those reasons are just dismissed?

And suddenly Colin Powell endorsement of Obama is all about race?!

Do you not see anything fundamentally wrong with this picture?

HP, Powell's endorsement of Obama isn't 1/10th as substantive as what I've done above -- most of which, I suspect, Powell would agree with. Actually, most of my reasons above are a matter of fact, though a few are opinions.

- - -

What's puzzled me from the beginning is why Obama even believes he's qualified to be President. Is it a calling for him? Ambition? Ego? He obtained the nomination and could even be elected, but not because of his record and experience so much as because he ran a good campaign and is rhetorically superior to Hilary Clinton and John McCain. He's also obviously a very intelligent, reflective man and quite likeable as well. Then there's the fairy tale story of a Black man rising to the top -- and that would be very good for young Blacks, especially, to have such a role model. But, heck, we're talking about President of the United States, not a television drama series, or a good novel. My greatest fear, here, is that our country, with the help of the media and the Obama campaign's deep pockets, are being duped by "style over substance." We shall see if people wake up in time.

Thread title changed. Feel free to share your own choice. And, yes, I will love and respect those of you who will vote for Obama.

America�s vote is for...
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Here is a great article on the many good reasons why Americans are making the decisions they are, and Why Barack Obama Is Winning.

HP, would you mind if I deleted your post above and you could post it on the POTUS 2008 thread. My intent for this one was for people who so desired to share about their vote (you're welcomed to do so as well, even though it would be hypothetical ) and to interact about that.

Thanks.

I certainly don�t mind if you move the "America�s vote is for" post, if that�s the one you mean. The article referred to is more of an in-depth profile highlighting Obama�s political maturity.

The other post I feel is highly pertinent, as it has to do with whether or not we take seriously and respect someone�s stated and well-argued reasons -- in this case Colin Powell�s.

-- HeartPrayer

..and if you are still undecided, this just might help you choose the better candidate...

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AMH, thanks for sharing a brilliant video!

My suspicions were confirmed:
McCain is a cool dude, but Sarah Palin is decidedly unmusical as a candidate. But I suppose McCain�s campaign organisation is learning that the hard way

That was a funny video. Excellent video editing.

Johnboy recommends: http://tinyurl.com/jss-potus

Oh well . . .

Since we�re onto videos, perhaps you should watch this one:


McCain advisor on the "real Virginia"

In all likelihood, McCain and Palin will have at least four years to contemplate and regret the way the terms "real Virginia" and "real America" have been thrown around. It may play well to local audiences, but there�s far more people in the larger audience walking out on them. Wantin� nuthin� to do with �em. You betcha!