Ok Democrats, You Convinced Me!  

Para,thank you for a refreshing way to wake up, have my morning coffee and enjoy some quiet before my day begins. You are one of a handful of people here that I can chose to agree to disagree with, yet still see an intelligent conversation.
I totally understand where you are coming from, even though I am not a McCain supporter, and as of yet have seen nothing that would even remotley make me change my mind about him.
I've wondered for a long time about the whole "90%" argument, I still don't agree with McCains voting record, but if you are a Republican I see where it makes sense. Thank you for shedding light, and putting it in a way that makes it understandable.
But I do have to say...Obama/Biden '08 :)

I too will be voting McCain / Palin.

The thing about McCain is that he is possibly the only Republican who can win this year. True, a lot of us would like to have someone more conservative, but such a person could not draw the democratic votes that will be needed to win. I was not for McCain getting the nomination, but I'd rather have McCain / Palin winning the election than some suitably conservative Republican lose the election.

While I was not for McCain getting the nomination, I'm all for McCain / Palin winning the election.

In this age of staunch and rabid party line towing and adherence, 10% does indeed a maverick make. When even one vote in congress or one bill's support can get you branded as a traitor, it makes you an outright rebel. Anyway, thanks for this one Ted, another good post, love your logic sometimes. I read and got to thinking and it seems to be about where I am right now, though I am still considering voting constitution, haven't totaly made my decision yet,still some unasnwered things about the vp candidate, she seems great, but still waiting on a few things and still trying to reconcile my constitutional ideology with a big box vote.

I commend you for a very insightful post! I will be voting McCain/Palin in this year's election.

I doubt that there has ever been a President that didn't get criticized for some of their decisions. It's somewhat like being a parent - the children don't always like your decisions, and sometimes you have to take some very unpopular actions - "for your own good"!

I believe that President Bush has been presented with some very difficult problems/decisions over the past eight years and I don't believe that the Democratic candidates that opposed him would have been able to do the job as well as he has.

What can you say to that? That was a very well worded response to the critics.

I liked reading that.. and really haven't a response.. It's interesting to me to note that anyone who knows anything about politics whatsoever, knows Senator McCain isn't a follower.. tho now it's quoted as gospel truth.. (ironic in a sad way)..

Very well argued. Being a Canadian I don't have a say in US politics, but if I did I still wouldn't vote McCain though because I don't think Bush was a good president, I think he was better then the critics give him credit for, but certainly a far cry from a good president. Really with our own election coming up in October I am more concerned with who will be the next Prime Minister (go Happy Jack) then who will be the next president. Your argument however was very well reasoned and extremely well worded, I think any Democrat would have difficulties debating your logic.

I haven't understood why the Democrats kept saying voting for McCain was the same as voting for Bush. It has almost been like they are running against Bush instead of McCain. I know the point they are trying to make, is McCain will have the same policies as Bush, but why not go head to head with McCain on his policies, instead of just running the same ads over and over. I would love to see McCain and O'Bama have a good old fashioned debate, head to head, toe to toe, come out swinging and may the best candidate win. I have heard both of them say they are not afraid to debate, so whats the hold up? Bring it on.

I almost fell out of my chair when I read this discussion. The last time I respond to one of your discussions, which was one week ago I wrote this "What is the difference between Bush 2004 and McCain 2008, Kerry 2004 and Obama 2008? To me there is no difference between Bush and McCain, but Kerry was actually better than Obama. So using the logic of the opponent make the other candidate more exciting, McCain is an easy choice." Your response to me was "Ah, the old 'McSame" rhetoric. Read McCain's website instead of relying on the incompetent press for information. The war in Iraq and the need for troops in countries other than the US are two of only a few issues they agree on." I do not know if I should congratulate you on your decision or should I demand an apology! I am scratching my head on this issue.

Hello ParaTed,

Wow! I sure hope that this well formulated, well-penned discussion tops the daily discussions throughout the day. What a thought-provoker!!!

You have absolutely pinned 'the tail' on this elephant (as opposed to donkey) in your descriptions within this discussion. I honor your willingness to elevate sincere analysis above partisanship!!!

I would not challenge any part of your analysis. Instead, I would only add one point that pierced my consciousness leading up to the GOP Convention. That point is that McCain demonstrated that he places the well-being of the nation over his personal whims and wishes. Can anyone doubt that McCain would have preferred Joe Lieberman to be his running mate? Yet, McCain recognized that 'We The People' would not have been assuaged by that choice. So, he put the will of the nation above his own, and chose a Governor who would be able to connect with multiple, disinranchized voter blocks, and be able to inspire the nation to look toward future challenges rather than ruminate in rankor about America's willingness or unwillingness to position a woman in our offices of highest authority.

McCain's running-mate pick strikes me as not so unlike the honorable employee who welcomes the opportunity to train his or her predecessor -- without ego, for the sake of the well-being of the organization.

While I still fundamentally disagree with a few of McCain's two decades worth of legislative endeavors, specifically McCain-Feingold and McCain-Lieberman, and McCain-Kennedy, I figure we're all entitled to a difference of opinion now and again.

Suffice it to say, your point is an excellent one. If I agree with McCain more than 90% of the time, then pulling the lever shouldn't be a problem. Geesh, how many Americans can honestly say that they agree with their own spouse as often???