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I am worried about McCain because he opposes abortions.
Steven, the recent attempts by the GOP's swift boat squad to portray Obama as "insincere" is (to use one of Rudy G's favorite put-downs) silly. Having said that, and assuming that in 2012, 33 years of living with HIV hasn't killed me by then, I will be very surprised if Obama's four years in the Oval Office haven't proven him to be less than spectacular as our President.
David, you at least detect earnestness in Mr McCain. I’ve been eager to appreciate some sincerity in Mr Obama, but he keeps confounding. Neither McCain nor Obama were my preferred candidate for the US presidency. The GOP’s troglodyte right and leftist media, ie the New York Times, derailed Rudy Giuliani’s candidacy. He may have to come to our rescue in 2012, although Obama would be smart to name him US Attorney General in the meantime.
Steven, while you say that "Circumstances, perspective, history, geopolitical realities, Man's nature and objective knowledge of the issues and candidates matter more—at least to me", the circumstances and geopolitical realities are such that another four years of the kinds of policies that John McCain advocates and/or endorses simply will not work. I have no doubt that he is earnest about his beliefs, and at one time he may have been the right man for the job, but he is the wrong man for the job now. Nonetheless, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, as well as to vote for a man whose polices and time have passed.
I voted for John McCain today. I did so because I am unable to let a single issue dictate my voting preferences or my thinking in general. "What's-in-it-for-me" voting is also anathema. Circumstances, perspective, history, geopolitical realities, Man's nature and objective knowledge of the issues and candidates matter more—at least to me. This year, the Democratic Party, the US media and the public overall have banished "character" from presidential qualifying standards, thus keeping their candidate viable. "Celebrity" status seems to compensate well now. Mr Obama hasn’t abandoned all campaign tradition. He continues to promise everything to everyone. And he’s flip-flopped on major commitments, including campaign finance, oil drilling and Russia policy. And the liberal Democrat couldn’t be cozier with members of the press, who unabashedly show their support for him in roundtable discussions, political interviews and reporting the news. They can handle spin for him as needed. Mr Obama is already swapping the intoxicating campaign oratory for more earnest TV ads that aim to limit the public’s frenzied expectations. The concept of change never seemed so loaded—and empty—as it now stands in America and beyond.
MovedToWrite
Steven--I cannot imagine what your definition of sincere is if you cannot detect it in Obama. May I suggest you read the October issue of Rolling Stone which features an excellent story and interview of him? It's a good read and highly informative. He, to me, is the epitome of sincerity and the incredible shot in the arm, shot in the morale, shot in the world-stage credibility, our country needs.
November 5, 2008