My people, politics time. As your gifted leader and Knower to Things™ allow me to sum up the 2008 Presidential race to date:
War on Terror: We need to win. Anything that doesn't point us in that directions can't be allowed to happen. It may not be popular, but then again, neither are a lot of things we have to do (see also, work: if it was fun, they'd call it something else).
Illegal Immigrations: Needs to stop. Simple as that. Don't care if we crack down on businesses that hire the little fence jumpers or build a wall so high, old East Germans step back, whistle through their remaining teeth, and say, "Damn, that's a nice wall!"
Spending: Spend less. Again, simple. Spend less than you take in, try to pay down future debt. You do it with your own debt, our federal government should do the same.
And that leads us to the 2008 Presidential contenders/pretenders.
On the GOP side, McCain will never get my vote. He's moderately evil and you can't trust him to not flop or flip with the political winds.
Romney seems to religious. Aren't we at war with some other folks because they are too Charlie Church to get along with the rest of the world? (Marvin Muslim? Adam Allah? There really isn't a good combo here...)
Oh ,yea, and the whole "Right to Life" Thing? I could care less. What really burns me is that regardless of my views, or yours, don't try to force me to follow your ideals and I won't impose mine on you. Set up a clinic if that floats your boat, set up a place where unsure men/women can pause and consider before making a choice, but don't ever tell me what I can or can't do because it offends your sense of morals. And the whole protest via pictures of dead babies, I can live without that.
As for the Democrats, well, serious people can't really consider them as viable options. See the list above and note all of them fall pretty much on the wrong side of all three main issues. Don't get me wrong, Barrack is a great speaker and he at least knows what he wants to accomplish, but that isn't enough... at least for now.
Clinton? Please! Think of the children who will one day fail tests trying to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton presidencies in order.
What about the Breck Girl? Hahahaha, stop, I'm getting a stitch in my side.
Lieberman is about as close to a real contender as your going to get from that side of the aisle but the nut-roots guys would never let him escape the primaries because he, like, wants to win in Iraq.
So, now I hear you asking asking, "That's it? All the choices seem pretty lame"
Well, there only seem to be two real choices at this point: Rudy and Newt. Yes, I suppose you could say there are three choices if you count curling up in to the fetal position and hoping it gets better, but that isn't really an option as while your lying there sucking your thumb, some fool from the undesirable list could get elected.
Where was I? Right, Newt has potential, but a freakin' ton of baggage. At least he's an idea guy in that he's not just spewing up the same stuff as everyone else and can rub two words together in public with forcing us to make a face. We like Newt and I think we could do worse.
Then there is Rudy. Say it with me my people: Rudy! Sure, once you get past thinking of Sega/NHL Hockey thing — Bill, Derek, I'm looking at you here and don't give that "school in the summer time" shit. Mr. Mayor has got the juice to go the distance. The president is about leadership and focusing the country in a direction. Maybe not making the popular decision, but making a decision based on what is best for the country now and in the future. You can't take a poll every other day to try and figure out what to say. A litany of complaints is not a plan. Giuliani seems to know what he wants, knows how to get there, managed to clean up NYC, towed the cars of the freeloaders in Turtle Bay (he gets beaucoup style points for that one), and didn't do too bad after that whole 9-11 thing.
"But what can I do?"
Right now, not much. That's the cool thing about a race that doesn't really happen until next year. No need to rush off and actually do anything just yet. You got some time.
I know I've already made up my mind: Rudy! The other clowns are, well, clowns. I think Rudy will make a good, if not great, President. If you want to hedge your bet and save a spot on the bandwagon before it is too late, drop your name in the hat at Join Rudy. Go on... don't be shy.
If you're maybe interested in doing more blog/new media type stuff for the election, like I am, stop by Patrick Ruffini's blog and leave a trackback. You never know, it might help and it certainly can't hurt.
Memo to everyone else: Even if you've made an incorrect choice and have decided not to support Rudy, *cough* Bretta *cough*, let your browser do the walking and find a candidate you do like and then see if there is anything you can do to help them. Being involved is most important thing. And, don't overlook third party candidates, 'cause, well, you never know.