Obama Running for President.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Geeky, well, I'd place the value of a couple terms as governor above the value of being in the US senate for half a term and in the state legislature for a bit.

It would seem that the electorate would agree with you.

Recently, the road to the White House has been through Governor's Mansions for whatever reason.

Senators have not done too well.

That may be due to governors having to actually "run" something.

Or, it could just be a fluke, I suppose.

[shinerbock]

I hope Romney gets the nom, he'd be great.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I hope Romney gets the nom, he'd be great.

Why don't you try having him for a governor before you go around singing the man's praises.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I hope Romney gets the nom, he'd be great.

Maybe you or Collin can fill me in on your support for the guy a little bit - he's obviously incredibly bright, and his business background is impeccable, I have no doubts there. His background, however, is almost purely in organizational work and budgeting/forecasting - past 'balancing' the MA budget (which primarily came via cutting local funding for towns, plus a ridiculous accidental surplus in capital gains taxation), what has he really done?

I love the idea of giving each kid a laptop, but that wasn't really a tremendous success, and MA schools have actually suffered due to budget cuts that helped to push the budget into balance - I think MA is like 47th in the nation in school funding. The usual Repub platforms (vouchers, anti-gay marriage, pro-life) are fine and whatever, but some of these are kind of bizarre - he based his response to the MASC's ruling by claiming "Children have a right to a father and a mother," which blows me away.

While I'm very supportive of a return to conservative economic ideals and decreased central gov't and spending, does he really represent the best way to do this? Is this the only issue he really brings to the table?

[shinerbock]

Big surprise, Mass residents hate their GOP governor...

He's a great financial strategist, very inspirational/strong leader, strong record on traditional values, common sense ideas about immigration reform...Naturally we don't know much about his plans for foreign policy, but that will develop as we get further into the campaign.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Big surprise, Mass residents hate their GOP governor...

He's a great financial strategist, very inspirational/strong leader, strong record on traditional values, common sense ideas about immigration reform...Naturally we don't know much about his plans for foreign policy, but that will develop as we get further into the campaign.

Big surprise, a republican from the south who doesn't have to deal with this man's policies adores him.

[shinerbock]

What, like being against gay marriage? Yeah, its terrible. Trying to empower law enforcement to curb illegal immigration? Ridiculous. Thankfully, the rest of the country doesn't share your values, or lack thereof.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

What, like being against gay marriage? Yeah, its terrible. Trying to empower law enforcement to curb illegal immigration? Ridiculous. Thankfully, the rest of the country doesn't share your values, or lack thereof.

Oh whoops, I forgot that creationism is a totally acceptable thing to believe. Yeah, gay marriage is so wrong, there are only so many marriage licenses and if Teh Gays get them then how will straight people be able to get married in vegas only to divorce a day later? Gay people make a mockery of love I tell you!
God I'm so glad I don't live in the south.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

What, like being against gay marriage? Yeah, its terrible . . . *trim* . . . Thankfully, the rest of the country doesn't share your values, or lack thereof.

This argument obviously has no end, but the exact quote I referenced - "A child has a right to a mother and a father" - seems extremely odd as a stance against gay marriage . . . any thoughts, since the institution of marriage is not at all 'sanctioned' for the purposes of child birth, rearing, or anything similar? (I say this because he was challenging a legal ruling in this case, not to start an 'ethics' argument)

Also, he's wavered in the past on these 'traditional' values - when he ran for Senate in MA in '96 he said he would always support legal abortion, even though he was personally against it, because of the experience of a relative . . . he now wants to ban all abortions except in cases of rape (or threatened life).


Just saying, these are the kinds of issues he'll have to deal with to be elected.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

He's a great financial strategist, very inspirational/strong leader, strong record on traditional values, common sense ideas about immigration reform...Naturally we don't know much about his plans for foreign policy, but that will develop as we get further into the campaign.

I could, of course, be wrong, but I'd be very surprised if he could get the GOP nomination.

[shinerbock]

Mystic, I think you might turn out to be wrong. We'll see. A lot of people feel he has more push and appeal than any other Republican. I talked to CT from the National Journal via email, and he said his money is on Romney at this point. A fraternity brother of mine within the RNC said that while he was with everyone in the last days of the Talent campaign, Romney was easily the candidate with the most buzz from within the party.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Mystic, I think you might turn out to be wrong.

Well, there's a first time for everything, and this well could be it.

I'm speaking mainly from personal observation. I have a hard time imagining many in the evangelical wing of the GOP voting for him, and many of the old-line (fiscally conservative, small government, socially libertarian-leaning) Republicans that I know would, I think, also be hesitant.