Convince me...

[pandybat]

Originally Posted by crazytimes

Make a list with your top three issues. Go down the list and ask which candidate discussed each issue the most. 2/3 wins. Just a suggestion. For example, I did:

1. College - Bush because he supports Pell Grants and has increased funding
2. Social Security - Bush because he wants to actually do something about it
3. Jobs - Kerry because Bush hasn't done that well IMO

Bush had 4 years to do something about SS and he didn't. Instead he focused on NASA and the $12 billion in funds to get people on Mars. And he signed every other bill that came across his desk. The man never met a bill he didn't veto.

Bush Has Threatened to Use the Veto 40 Times, but Never Has--What's Up?
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He's had plenty of time to do something about SS. He's just chose not to do anything.

[jeskibuff]

Pip,
This election should be a no-brainer, especially for a Christian.

The matter comes down to one word: integrity.

Bush has plenty.

Kerry has none.

Kerry's lies have been well documented.

• He claimed he was in Cambodia in Christmas of 1968. The Swiftees said this was a lie. Against overwhelming proof (think "the blue dress") Kerry later had to admit this was false.
• Kerry claimed to have won 3 Purple Hearts. The Swiftees said that they were all for superficial wounds, some self-inflicted because they were the shapnel (and rice) from grenades that he tossed! Kerry later had to admit to that.
• Kerry's own accounts of his war service conflict with Kerry's own accounts.
• Kerry claimed that war atrocities were the norm, not the exception. This is the primary reason that vets are upset with him. Yes, My Lai did happen, but Lt. Calley was prosecuted for his war crimes and turned in by his own men who abhorred such slaughter. Kerry's desire to achieve his own political gain by labelling Vietnam vets as inhumane savages is an affront to all soldiers who served honorably in that war.
• Kerry makes differing promises to different people. People like him because he says what they want to hear. The only problem with that is that you cannot trust what he says. He told an Arab-American group in October 2003 that Israel's wall was an atrocity, an impediment to peace. Earlier this year he told a group of NYC voters (think "heavy Jewish population") that Israel's wall was necessary for the security of Jews. Those are two conflicting positions. Which John Kerry should you believe?
• Kerry says he has plans, plans and more plans. Yet these plans offer no more than superficial details and empty promises. He says he will build a stronger coalition, yet he's already called Iraq's new leader (Allawi) a liar, he's insulted the people of Italy, the United Kingdom and other members of the CURRENT coalition. Of over 250 Swift boat veterans, he's only got a handful that support him, and those are paid people on his campaign. How can he build a coalition when he can't even get fellow soldiers on his side?
• He promises that when he's President, he'll put more troops on the ground in Iraq. How's he going to come up with his magical figure of 40,000? Sounds to me that Kerry is the one who would institute a draft
• Kerry is the typical backseat driver. All he's good at is criticism. You can always criticize someone when they take action and say that you can do things better. Kerry offers NO tangible solutions, just intangible "plans"
• Kerry's messages have been totally inconsistent. This has best been stated by Paul Greenberg who in [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] basically states that Bush talks sideways but his message is crystal clear. Kerry talks crystal clear but his message is foggy.
• The media have done their best to get you to vote for Kerry. That includes trying to push bogus documents by none other than Dan Rather. Michael Mooron's film is FULL of documented lies and distortions. Michael Halperin of ABC wrote an internal memo which lays out the strategy to report favorably on the Kerry campaign and unfavorably on the Bush campaign. You saw the Michael Moorons and Kitty Kelleys on the national TV shows (Kitty Kelley 3 days in a row on The Today Show), but you never saw any Swift Boat Veterans, did you? They certainly WANTED to get their message out. Ask yourself why you want these confirmed liars to convince you to vote for Kerry.
• Bush has been ridiculously consistent. He's led this country out of a recession and the effects of the worst attack on our soil. Two countries now are no longer under control of brutal dictatorships. TEN MILLION Afghans just exercised their right to vote for their leadership - the first time in 5,000 YEARS! Iraq WILL have an election in January, just as control was turned over to them AS PROMISED BY GEORGE W.BUSH BEFORE SCHEDULE in late May. The world is a better place because of GWB's strong leadership!
• Bush has made tough choices atypical of politicians. If his intent was to make POPULAR choices just to get re-elected, he's failed. But he made UNPOPULAR decisions that are for the long-term good of this country. If you want a typical politician who you can't trust, vote for Kerry. If you want someone in control who does what he promises he'll do, vote for Bush.

I can go on and on, but if you can't see the difference between a good leader like Bush and a conniving con artist like Kerry after all the information that's available, there's no convincing you now.

[chippers21]

My one line reason: Bush is consistent and strong in his beliefs and he surrounds himself with strong advisors while Kerry is about as inconsistent as I have ever seen (he has supported both sides of just about every issue) and he is influenced by the leftist of the left in this country, such as Ted Kennedy.

[Pipanella]

I think most people know that I'm a conservative. I'm neither Republican nor Democrat. I don't 'get' that whole party thing. I look at individuals.

In regard to the basic moral issues, my choice would be a no-brainer. But for the other issues, applying those beliefs to what the candidate promises is a bit more difficult.

I DID get the feeling, after watching the debates, and especially the second one, that Kerry should have stopped making promises about midway through his list. He lost credibility with me at about that point, however, he IS a politician, as is Bush. It can be so hard to cut through all the political crap.

In many ways, I don't think a whole lot will change, no matter WHO gets elected. Real change isn't that easy.

I believe that this has been a particularly difficult time in our country's history. I think that President Bush has taken the fall for many things that were beyond his control, and I don't know that another president would have done any better. There may have been some different choices made, but 'different' doesn't guarantee 'better.' And it's so easy to be an armchair quarterback.

Have I always agreed with Bush? NO. Do I think he's infallible? NO. But I refuse to be one of the 'anyone but Bush' voters. If I vote for Kerry, it needs to be because I truly believe the man can and WILL do what he says. He hasn't convinced me that he can or will.

Another thing that bothers me is how both Bush and Kerry have been judged on their speaking abilities. Tell you what...my boss says I have incredible verbal skills. Does that mean I'm any smarter than the average Joe? NO.

It sounds like I'm leaning toward Bush, doesn't it? Maybe, but I still don't feel entirely comfortable with voting for him, either. Maybe that's the problem I have. I want to be SURE. It may be that I'm going to just have to go with my gut here.

Thanks for all your responses. I do appreciate you taking the time.

[bobbcat]

As for whom OBL and Iraqi beheader Sarkawi would vote for, who cares?! That's a ridiculous argument! As radical Muslims, they abhore pornography; does that mean you should rush out and rent lots of porn? They drink water; does that mean you should never drink water again? None of that matters; we must vote for who is best for our country. And our country had been on a downhill slide for the last 4 years!

Nice try at a reasonable analogy, but it does not wash. There is a reason terrorists want to see Kerry at the helm. Bush has thrown a huge monkey wrench in the terrorist activities which has served to slow them down to a trickle's pace. You can count on Kerry to do the same thing? HAH!

Face it, there is little (if any) reason to support Kerry other than the case of wanting to ditch Bush. Your statement above makes that case very nicely.

Pip, good luck with your decision.

[ILUV2SHOP]

I honestly hope that whoever wins this election that things will go good for the United States,
Whoever wins we will stand behind and hope that the country is in a safe and unturmoiled state and that we will move on and that God will bless our country

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by ILUV2SHOP

...Whoever wins we will stand behind...

I really do hope so........

[Reneek]

Originally Posted by whitequeen96

Crazytimes, Bush SAYS he supports Pell Grants, but he doesn't FUND them! And that is typical of the doublespeak he is so fond of!

Absolutely, my daughter's pell was cut. Talk is cheap...actions speak louder than words!

[Reneek]

The who would OBL vote for argument is the most ridiculous crap that I've heard yet. Anyone knows that he would love for Bush to win....the guy has given him three years of great recruiting material and best of all, he's still breathing!! Not to mention the fact that he has become quite the cinematographer!!

(their desperation is comforting!)

[bobbcat]

You have proof that OBL is still alive? I'd like to see it.

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by luvmetender

I gave you one good reason in one sentence.. pandybat said basically the same thing.

Pandybat didn't say it. Michael Moore did. And he's not someone whose opinion I value.

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Pip, good luck with your decision.

Thanks, bobbcat. It's been made, and I voted, right or wrong. I still don't feel good about it, but it's done.

[ShainaT]

Allright Pip! After all this....it would be nice if you told us who you decided upon.

I'll guess Bush.

[Pipanella]

Originally Posted by ShainaT

Allright Pip! After all this....it would be nice if you told us who you decided upon.

I'll guess Bush.

You would be correct.

[mayfly]

I am glad you did vote Pip. It's our responsibility to live out the freedom our founding fathers fought for. Sometimes it's not easy, but we still have to choose. I am proud of you that you did vote.