afraid to ask...poll included!

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Posted by Xelindrya

You know I have to say this.. I really don't give a DAMN what Kerry did or didnt do in Vietnam. I don't care what Bush did or didn't do in Vietnam.

Bush was there when we needed him and did what I wanted him to do. He didnt need a committee or a long drawn out delay to poll the masses and make sure it was politically safe to act. He went straight to the UN and played his cards. No purple heart necessary.

Kerry seems so weak. He just doesn't strike me as a 'do it' type of guy. He seems like he goes with whatever is in best interest of his party or his career at the time. I don't actually mind this.. it's politics afterall, but I want to know what he'll do in this day and age of terrorism.

Enough about what they did or didnt do in Vietnam, tell me what they did or didnt do in the time of 9/11.

Kerry flip flopped, plain and simple. I'd have respected him more if he had said, 'we did what we needed to do and I support Bush on that, but now it's time for work here at home' or something like that.

Enough of both wars, Mr. Kerry. Tell me what you are planning to do with my life. Not what you WANT the congress to do (taxes, etc) what you SERIOUSLY have as an agenda. Stop the BS and give me some real issues.

He's beginning to come off as a whiner to me. 'swiftboats lied about me -boohoo' gimme a break. In a day and age when the public is willing to judge a man on the actions of his teenage daughters of 3 years past, you expect the public to ignore a few jabs at you? It's politics my boy, learn from Bush a little, ROLL with the punches and give the public something ELSE to chew on.

I think Kerry's only REAL support right now is folks who hate Bush. That's sad. I'd hate to be chosen not based on my values, my agenda or what I have to offer but only because you don't like the other guy. LAME The media did it's job Mr. Kerry, they've got every angle on everything to make Bush look bad (granted it's not hard, but they're having a field day with it). Now that the media has to question you about ads, you squirm and hide? Why? If you really have nothing to hide, then just face it. It's realy not that big of a deal, hell the Favorite President of these folks Mr. Clinton smoked pot, lied to America, Admitted it and draft dodged - they loved him, what's to lose?

*hops off soapbox*

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I agree!!!!!!!!!!! 100%

I am voiting for Kerry. I have faith that he will serve the US well.

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Posted by Xelindrya

I think Kerry's only REAL support right now is folks who hate Bush. That's sad. I'd hate to be chosen not based on my values, my agenda or what I have to offer but only because you don't like the other guy. LAME.

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Xelindrya, you're awesome!!! I love your avatar, by the way

This particular part of your post is what really hit me. No one that I know of loves Kerry. Not one Democrat, hard-core liberal or wavering independent. When questioned as to why they will vote for him, it ultimately comes back to 'because I don't want Bush in office any longer.' That makes for a sad state of affairs in today's politics, but I digress.

My point is this... people have been looking for an alternative, any alternative to the current administration. All someone had to do was give them something, ANYTHING, to grip on to. Someone mentioned earlier that we did this very same poll a few months ago on this board and the results were a landslide in Kerry's favor. Now here we are, months closer to the election and it's a virtual tie. Kerry is not giving anyone anything, basically because I don't think he has a whole lot to offer. This election was basically in the palm of his hand 3 months ago. He's all but given it away at this point. Think of how many people are utterly frustrated and totally dissatisified with the Bush administration and then ask yourself why this is still predicted to be one of the three closest elections in US history.

Because John Kerry can offer nothing to this country and to the office of President of the United States and people recognize that.

Other than the 'he's not Bush' anthem, why will you all be voting for Kerry?

I am quite a bit to the left of Mr. kerry myself, being a 2000 Naderite. However, I think he has some really strong ideas and platforms. I believe in the 'classic' liberal agendas, no tax cuts for the wealthy, more socialized education and health insurance, etc. I feel that he is a man of conviction and this is evidenced by the exact same votes that cause republicans to label him a 'flip flopper.' He didn't want to give the $87B to the war effort if the government wasn't going to find a way to pay for it. I like John Kerry. He's a man of faith, but he doens't let that dictate his political sphere, like some wackos who think Jesus speaks to them in the oval office *ahem*. I don't think Kerry has given a clear picture of what he believes through his appearances, but I wish he would. Unfortunately you have to go through the newspaper with a fine tooth comb to find anything in either campaign that isn't more rhetoric, but if you dig deeper, it IS there.

Also, for me, Bush/Kerry seems a metter of life and death. I really do fear for my life every day that GWB is 'president' because he is setting up this comic book hierarchy with all of these black and white 'good and evil' archetypes and he's making more enemies and fueling the radical fire on both sides. I could go on and on about his oil connections, his many platforms I disagree with, his phony war, tyrannical oppresion via the USA PATRIOT Act, etc...but that would take days at least. I'm a chritian, but where I come from, if you hear voices in your head, you belong in Bellevue, not Washington.

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Posted by marymoon

I am quite a bit to the left of Mr. kerry myself, being a 2000 Naderite. However, I think he has some really strong ideas and platforms. I believe in the 'classic' liberal agendas, no tax cuts for the wealthy, more socialized education and health insurance, etc. I feel that he is a man of conviction and this is evidenced by the exact same votes that cause republicans to label him a 'flip flopper.' He didn't want to give the $87B to the war effort if the government wasn't going to find a way to pay for it. I like John Kerry. He's a man of faith, but he doens't let that dictate his political sphere, like some wackos who think Jesus speaks to them in the oval office *ahem*. I don't think Kerry has given a clear picture of what he believes through his appearances, but I wish he would. Unfortunately you have to go through the newspaper with a fine tooth comb to find anything in either campaign that isn't more rhetoric, but if you dig deeper, it IS there.

Also, for me, Bush/Kerry seems a metter of life and death. I really do fear for my life every day that GWB is 'president' because he is setting up this comic book hierarchy with all of these black and white 'good and evil' archetypes and he's making more enemies and fueling the radical fire on both sides. I could go on and on about his oil connections, his many platforms I disagree with, his phony war, tyrannical oppresion via the USA PATRIOT Act, etc...but that would take days at least. I'm a chritian, but where I come from, if you hear voices in your head, you belong in Bellevue, not Washington.

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I agree! Thanks for saying it.

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Posted by marymoon

I am quite a bit to the left of Mr. kerry myself, being a 2000 Naderite. However, I think he has some really strong ideas and platforms. I believe in the 'classic' liberal agendas, no tax cuts for the wealthy, more socialized education and health insurance, etc. I feel that he is a man of conviction and this is evidenced by the exact same votes that cause republicans to label him a 'flip flopper.' He didn't want to give the $87B to the war effort if the government wasn't going to find a way to pay for it. I like John Kerry. He's a man of faith, but he doens't let that dictate his political sphere, like some wackos who think Jesus speaks to them in the oval office *ahem*. I don't think Kerry has given a clear picture of what he believes through his appearances, but I wish he would. Unfortunately you have to go through the newspaper with a fine tooth comb to find anything in either campaign that isn't more rhetoric, but if you dig deeper, it IS there.

Also, for me, Bush/Kerry seems a metter of life and death. I really do fear for my life every day that GWB is 'president' because he is setting up this comic book hierarchy with all of these black and white 'good and evil' archetypes and he's making more enemies and fueling the radical fire on both sides. I could go on and on about his oil connections, his many platforms I disagree with, his phony war, tyrannical oppresion via the USA PATRIOT Act, etc...but that would take days at least. I'm a chritian, but where I come from, if you hear voices in your head, you belong in Bellevue, not Washington.

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Marymoon - that's what I mean about Kerry. He just hasn't given anything solid. I think that for the first time in many many years, the debates will actually have a big effect on the election.

I appreciate voting with party ideals (same here, just in the other direction) but you sort of proved my point. Voting for Kerry again is in large part a vote against Bush and Republican values.

I just think that when they both stand up there and debate one another, we're all going to be sorely disappointed in the state of affairs.

Heck I'm Agnostic!! hahaha

Still I'd rather have a man who believes in Christianity than the price of ketchup.



(a little humor guys.. no menance intended)

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Posted by eogara

I just think that when they both stand up there and debate one another, we're all going to be sorely disappointed in the state of affairs.

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Very true

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Posted by Xelindrya

Heck I'm Agnostic!! hahaha

Still I'd rather have a man who believes in Christianity than the price of ketchup.



(a little humor guys.. no menance intended)

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Posted by Xelindrya

Heck I'm Agnostic!! hahaha

Still I'd rather have a man who believes in Christianity than the price of ketchup.



(a little humor guys.. no menance intended)

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As far as I knew Kerry is a practicing Catholic- which the last time I checked was the mother of all Christianity.

And yes, a vote for Kerry is a vote against Republican ideals, just like a vote for Bush is a vote against Democratic ideals.

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Posted by Sassyz75

And yes, a vote for Kerry is a vote against Republican ideals, just like a vote for Bush is a vote against Democratic ideals.

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I can only hope.
I hope that the it's not just a vote 'against' Bush cause that scares me more than anything. THat means then Kerry doesnt really have to win, he just has to make the other guy look worse or make himself look opposite of Bush. So far that's all I've seen. He's a blank slate and THAT is something I dont want. Give me all the faults you want in a man, at least I can learn to deal with them. Blank slate before coming into the office means I can't say I knew better.. THAT is fear.

Heck I'm pro-choice and I am totally against Bush for being his opinions on abortion. Thank god for Laura who is pro-choice as well. Still I'd rather have the troubles I know about then a mystery man who is like smoke, never quite definable in his opinions or direction.

As far as Catholics being the mother of Christianity.. I disagree. Christ himself is, and when he asked Peter to build his church on this Rock he never said 'make it catholic' but that's another thread.

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Posted by Snowboardgirl

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Posted by Xelindrya

You know I have to say this.. I really don't give a DAMN what Kerry did or didnt do in Vietnam. I don't care what Bush did or didn't do in Vietnam.

Bush was there when we needed him and did what I wanted him to do. He didnt need a committee or a long drawn out delay to poll the masses and make sure it was politically safe to act. He went straight to the UN and played his cards. No purple heart necessary.

Kerry seems so weak. He just doesn't strike me as a 'do it' type of guy. He seems like he goes with whatever is in best interest of his party or his career at the time. I don't actually mind this.. it's politics afterall, but I want to know what he'll do in this day and age of terrorism.

Enough about what they did or didnt do in Vietnam, tell me what they did or didnt do in the time of 9/11.

Kerry flip flopped, plain and simple. I'd have respected him more if he had said, 'we did what we needed to do and I support Bush on that, but now it's time for work here at home' or something like that.

Enough of both wars, Mr. Kerry. Tell me what you are planning to do with my life. Not what you WANT the congress to do (taxes, etc) what you SERIOUSLY have as an agenda. Stop the BS and give me some real issues.

He's beginning to come off as a whiner to me. 'swiftboats lied about me -boohoo' gimme a break. In a day and age when the public is willing to judge a man on the actions of his teenage daughters of 3 years past, you expect the public to ignore a few jabs at you? It's politics my boy, learn from Bush a little, ROLL with the punches and give the public something ELSE to chew on.

I think Kerry's only REAL support right now is folks who hate Bush. That's sad. I'd hate to be chosen not based on my values, my agenda or what I have to offer but only because you don't like the other guy. LAME The media did it's job Mr. Kerry, they've got every angle on everything to make Bush look bad (granted it's not hard, but they're having a field day with it). Now that the media has to question you about ads, you squirm and hide? Why? If you really have nothing to hide, then just face it. It's realy not that big of a deal, hell the Favorite President of these folks Mr. Clinton smoked pot, lied to America, Admitted it and draft dodged - they loved him, what's to lose?

*hops off soapbox*

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I agree!!!!!!!!!!! 100%

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DOUBLE DITTO!! I couldn't have said it better myself!!

I like Kerry. I don't love him - but I don't think I've ever really loved a candidate. . . and I dont think it's that important that people not be in love with Kerry.

I loved Clinton's presidency - but do I think he's sleazy? sure. I like Guiliani a lot and I love what he did for NY and the country following 9/11 - but did I love him pre 9/11? not really. I voted for Rudy and Clinton without loving either of them.


As a pro choice person, with possibly two supreme court nominations coming in the next 4 years I cannot vote for a candidate who is anti-choice.

As an educator I cannot vote for a candidate who used 'No Child Left Behind' as the centerpiece of his 2000 campaign (along with Laura touting it last night as a success) and then cutting the funding for it during his administration.

As someone with considers themselves a person of the world and not an isolationist - I cannot vote for a candidate who disregards the United Nations. . . Arnold said last night You're a republican if you believe the United States is better served at guaranteeing Democracy than the United Nations (not a direct quote). That's fine, but I don't agree. I dont agree with a 'go it alone' foreign policy.

Yes, Kerry is Catholic, but he doesn't umm..project his religion in the same way Bush does. Bush govenrs based on his religon, which some people may think is great and fine, but I think it's wrong in a 'secular' nation. If I'm Jewish or Hindu or Wiccan or anything else, i don't want jesus being part of my government. I'm catholic, and I don't want jesus to be part of my government. I firmly believe in separation of church and state.

I hate Bush. I'll say that out loud any time I'm asked. I think he's disgusting and wrong for our country in so many ways and I'd rather elect, you know, some guy off the street than Bushie over there. But I do like John Kerry. I don't think there's ever a perfect candidate. They've always done something wrong or they stand for something I don't believe in, or whatever. The only way to have a perfect candidate is to run yourself. There's something I really like about John Kerry. Maybe it's just his whole attitude, but he's a man who can handle complexities and make decisions based on a number of factors and change hs mind with new info. I don't like the way he's talking around the war issue and I wish he'd have a stronger stance, but Bush's 'Strong stance' really frightens me because he is completely unwavering, even in the face of new information and that's just scary. All of you teachers and sych majors know that that's how children think. Only children see the world in black and white. It's relly frightening. I think the debates will be very interesting. If John Kerry would just stake out his position, he'd mop the floor with Bush. It's frustrating to be a Kerry supporter, because he's not living up to his potential right now.

I think it's scary that people would vote for just anyone becuase they are a change from what's currently in office. That is not, nor was it ever, an intelligent way of picking a leader...especially a president! But now, with terrorism up in our faces, with some of us scared to go to work on some days (think back a few weeks ago, please) it is absolutely insane to pick someone just becasue he is the 'other guy'. Bush was there when we needed him...he did what was necessary. FH was in military, would I have been thrilled if he went to Iraq...no, of course not...but for the same reason that I am getting nervous that he is going to be a police officer. War is not fun, but unfortunately it happens. What would have happened if we did not get involved when Hitler was around? Hate to tell everyone, but it is the same thing. My grandfathers fought against the Nazi's...and won more purple hearts than Kerry. Sometimes it is necessary to protect ourselves as well as the world. Anyone who thinks Saddam was harmless are probably the same people who, during the Clinton administration, thought Osama Bin Laden was harmless too.
As far as Kerry's platform on healthcare...I would love free health care...trust me...but not to sound cynical...it's never going to happen in this country...HMO's make too much money. Kerry is not going to get into office and make that happen...just like Clinton did not make it happen either. If you have a job, there is a way to get health ins in NY...that has to do with our govenor, not our president.

***off of soap box***

As far as the spitting on soldiers thing, there's no evidence that that actually happened. It's an old wive's tale. There's nothing to say it didn't happen, but still..


Anyway, no one's accusing John kerry of spitting on his fellow soldiers. I belieeve it take s astrong person to fight in a war and save himself and his comrades and then come home and protest it. I don't think he did his fellow soldiers a disservice by wanting to bring them home. Even if some protesters DID spit on soliders, NO ONE is saying John Kerry did, so that's a totally moot point. Some christians are in the KKK, should I not be christian?

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Posted by FutureMrsH

I think it's scary that people would vote for just anyone becuase they are a change from what's currently in office. That is not, nor was it ever, an intelligent way of picking a leader...especially a president! But now, with terrorism up in our faces, with some of us scared to go to work on some days (think back a few weeks ago, please) it is absolutely insane to pick someone just becasue he is the 'other guy'. Bush was there when we needed him...he did what was necessary. FH was in military, would I have been thrilled if he went to Iraq...no, of course not...but for the same reason that I am getting nervous that he is going to be a police officer. War is not fun, but unfortunately it happens. What would have happened if we did not get involved when Hitler was around? Hate to tell everyone, but it is the same thing. My grandfathers fought against the Nazi's...and won more purple hearts than Kerry. Sometimes it is necessary to protect ourselves as well as the world. Anyone who thinks Saddam was harmless are probably the same people who, during the Clinton administration, thought Osama Bin Laden was harmless too.
As far as Kerry's platform on healthcare...I would love free health care...trust me...but not to sound cynical...it's never going to happen in this country...HMO's make too much money. Kerry is not going to get into office and make that happen...just like Clinton did not make it happen either. If you have a job, there is a way to get health ins in NY...that has to do with our govenor, not our president.

***off of soap box***

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I'm sorry you cannot compare this war with WW2 and Nazi Germany- we did not go at that war alone- we did have allies... we did not go into Germany with faulty information- we knew 100% what was going on over there...

I don't think one person on this site or who reads the paper would think Saddam was harmless- however, I think it is pretty much fact at this point that he wasn't an immediate threat to the United States. Clinton didn't think Osama was harmless either- there was plenty of information available that he passed onto the Bush adminstration- he didn't have enough information at the time of the Cole Bombing to justify major military action.

I think we really need to put it on the table and figure out WHY we are in Iraq and HOW we are going to pay for it...

Why we have tax cuts in the middle of the war- why t he only people sacrificing in the face of this war are the lower and middle class? It's BS.

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Posted by Sassyz75


I'm sorry you cannot compare this war with WW2 and Nazi Germany- we did not go at that war alone- we did have allies... we did not go into Germany with faulty information- we knew 100% what was going on over there...

I don't think one person on this site or who reads the paper would think Saddam was harmless- however, I think it is pretty much fact at this point that he wasn't an immediate threat to the United States. Clinton didn't think Osama was harmless either- there was plenty of information available that he passed onto the Bush adminstration- he didn't have enough information at the time of the Cole Bombing to justify major military action.

I think we really need to put it on the table and figure out WHY we are in Iraq and HOW we are going to pay for it...

Why we have tax cuts in the middle of the war- why t he only people sacrificing in the face of this war are the lower and middle class? It's BS.

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I agree!!!