Comment from Bob
Time October 10, 2008 at 6:06 am PDT

Wow…

Here’s the thing buddy…
Use your analytical powers, I know you have some…

Bill Ayers and Obama are friends doesn’t really matter. What matters is Obama will raise your taxes, that is clear, and Obama will damage the economy, and he’s inexperienced, there is no question about it. You just don’t vote inexperienced people into office. You voted in Bush—– you say "oh well we hate Bush", well then why did you vote for the inexperienced ticket?

Keating 5 and John McCain is so silly you don’t even know… The 5 senators that were facing these problems, were ALL democrat EXCEPT John McCain. He was ONLY included because of Democratic insistance that there be some Republicans on there, so that they don’t look so guilty. McCain was found completely innocent on this case. There was nothing to this. And it was 30 years ago. The difference is, Obama is friends with Bill Ayers KNOWING that he’s an unrepentant terrorist.

LASTLY, on Barr:::::
You don’t vote third party, only high school kids vote third party because they believe Ron Paul will legalize Marijuana. You don’t vote third party because it doesn’t have any effect….

It doesn’t make John McCain cry and come to your house and say "I’m sorry I been such a bad guy", it doesn’t affect the RNC… It doesn’t affect Obama, to cry and come to your home and apologize, it doesn’t affect DNC. It only affects you…

And I know all 3rd party voters have that speech: "Oh but its the principle and my vote means a lot"… no it doesn’t, your vote means SHIT. Your vote is a piece of paper. It means nothing. What it means is that you have the power to help the lesser of the two evils get elected. In the 2008 election, John McCain we know through his record and experience that he’s not one of those evil lying politicians, he’s a DIFFERENT BREED. Bob Barr has no chance, he won’t do anything…

Read through his biography. Then read through Barack Obama’s biography. You’ll notice a difference… You’ll find unanswered questions in Obama’s bio… and you’ll find a hero and an open-minded person in McCain’s bio. That’s the key.

Comment from Michael Merritt
Time October 10, 2008 at 6:35 am PDT

Man, no need for the third degree.  I’ve explained my position on this matter, and I’m actually going to do some more tomorrow.

1. I didn’t vote in Bush.  I voted Kerry.  Take it as you will, but don’t make blanket statements without knowing what you’re talking about.

2. I know all about the Keating 5 scandal.  This post isn’t an accusation of either candidate.  It’s about the stupidity both have exhibited in their accusations.

3. I don’t smoke marijuana for starters.  Bob Barr was against the bailout/rescue, which I’m still trying to decide my position on.  My only quibble with the L’s is that they’re a little too economic conservative for this economic moderate.

4. Ah, the ‘ol "high and mighty" statement.  This ignores that 3rd parties actually can have good points.  We’re seeing some of the biggest socialist policies enacted in our times by the people you support.  Now, Obama supported it too, to be sure.  And I have an issue on that with him.

Last, I know Barr doesn’t have a chance to win.  Of course he doesn’t.  Maybe my vote is symbolic, but maybe that’s the message I wish to send to Washington.

Comment from C Stanley
Time October 10, 2008 at 2:43 pm PDT

I can understand the sentiment to vote third party and the sentiment of refusing to reward what you feel is inappropriate campaign tactics.

For me though, I have to use a hierarchy right now due to the extreme crises that we’re in. Who we elect is more important to me right now than how he gets elected. I suppose if you really feel that Obama and McCain would handle the economic and foreign policy matters equally well or equally badly, then it makes sense to vote your conscience and let the chips fall where they may. But to me there are such substantive differences between the two men, not to mention the need to consider balance of power and insure that the current Democratic Congressional leadership doesn’t go unchecked, that I can’t possibly worry about whether or not the candidates have strayed from their promises to run positive campaigns.

Comment from nicrivera
Time October 11, 2008 at 5:09 am PDT

You don’t vote third party, only high school kids vote third party because they believe Ron Paul will legalize Marijuana. You don’t vote third party because it doesn’t have any effect….

Wow. It’s good to know that in Bob’s eyes, Michael Merritt and I are just “high school kids.” I guess we’re not as sophisticated as you Republican and Democratic types.

Bob, there are many reasons why voting third party “doesn’t have any effect”, one of which is that the Democratic Party and your beloved Republican Party have stacked the deck in their favor, creating ballot access laws that impose stricter standards for third parties getting on the ballot that they do for Democrats and Republicans. That’s not something to be proud of.

Comment from nicrivera
Time October 11, 2008 at 5:20 am PDT

Bob,

Your comments suggest that you are sympathetic to the Republican Party. Ironically, if 19th century Americans had followed your advice about not wasting one’s vote on third parties, then the Republican Party (which, itself, started off as a third party) would never have come into existence.

Comment from Michael Merritt
Time October 11, 2008 at 6:52 am PDT

To be fair, Nic, the Whigs were pretty much always doomed to failure because of the slavery issue. The Republicans ended up inheriting most of the anti-slavery Whigs.