McCain Supporter wrote on Aug 17, 2008 1:53 AM:I'm supporting Sen. McCain for too many reasons to write in this forum.

Sen. Obama is a great orator and charms his audiences. His leadership is questionable and has not proven himself. He hasn't even managed a 7-11, so how could he be expected to lead or manage our country effectively.

Instead of looking at Sen. Obama as a celebrity, look at who he really is and what he stands for (or against), and you'll be shocked. Look at his voting record (or lack thereof), and it will open your eyes.

As a hard working taxpayer, I'm not ready to be taxed even more to support the free-bees and give-aways he's promised the freeloaders.

Poppy wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:27 AM:I was happy to see an event without heckling and name-calling for a change. I thought both men reflected clearly who they are and what they stand for. I appreciated the opportunity for everyone to decide for themselves who better represents them. I look forward to the debates.

Illustrative wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:37 AM:One can only be saddened by a thought process that gives more weight to a manager's position at a convenience store than the president of the harvard law review. We see clearly why Bush was elected twice. I am not threatened by an intellectual candidate and strongly believe this is critical to face today's problems. Please do not fall for Rovian fear-mongering. We will not be fooled again.

Roe vs Wade wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:39 AM:Obama is Pro Choice, McCain is Pro Life. Nuff said.

Alf wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:40 AM:Well, "McCain Supporter" at 1:53AM,
McGWB lost a bunch more votes with his saying a baby's human rights begin "at conception.
Up until 13 or 14 weeks the fetus, NOT BABY, does not have brain waves and is, therefore, brain-dead.
Unless I am mistaken, the lack of brain activity is one of the criteria for determining whether death has occurred.
Regards, Alf.

LIFESAVER wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:47 AM:To Alf: You are absolutely correct. Mao Tse Tung and his Red Guard used a similar rationale to kill millions of babies.

Tuck wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:52 AM:To Alf: If life does not begin at conception why do “most” mothers-to-be stop drinking the second they get a positive test? The fetus can be harmed, therefore, it is living.

McWar wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:45 AM:When asked about wise men, McCain gives the names of military leaders. And how is a McCain presidency not going to be Bush III? This from a man who admits he knows nothing about the economy.

That kind of experience, America needs like a hole in the head.

Former Republican wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:31 PM:Did any one notice that everything that almost everything that McCain said referred back to something military? Do we really want some one that has to want to continue wars? There are a lot of other things that have to considered, personally I would not want to know that my grand children would have to be going to war, getting wounded and God Forbid killed for nothing. Of course he was a hero, we will never take that away from him, really respect him and honor him for that but there are other things to consider now. Please just think about what has really happened in the last eight years. That is one of the reason that I have decided that there has to be a change in the way things have been going. Do not be fooled by some one that keeps going back to his military history.

esteban wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:53 PM:I thought Alf was for constitutional rights for all? So there is a group that doesn't deserve the protection the Constitution? Whoa..

ME wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:33 PM:I am voting for Mcbama!

TO Roe vs Wade wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:35 PM:You mean Obama is pro-death. Let's call it what it is.

Obama has it right wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:36 PM:Where in the bible does it talk about abortion or the rights or the unborn?

Oh yeah, that's right, IT DOESN'T.

Last I checked, though, Matthew is still in there. If we do a better job taking care of those who have already been born, then we will also do better by the unborn. Or don't you believe what Jesus said on the mount?

sdraoul wrote on Aug 17, 2008 4:23 PM:Poor Obama fans, they were shocked at his stupid nuances in Orange County. Shocked!

The truth is McCain walked and stomped all over Obama.

Remember he didn't know last week that Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and would and could veto anything that Obama asked for in his first public statement about Georgia (the country, Obama fans, not the state next to Alabama).

He proved that last night when asked when human rights began. He blabbered on about the answer being "above his pay grade" while McCain answered clearly what the majority of people in the entire world believes, life begins at conception, at the instant cell division occurs.

The baloney about the brain not functioning is pure baloney. Cell division is the only definition of life and if a woman has a baby growing by cell division, it is alive and its rights must be respected.

Unless, of course, you are 1000 percent for abortion and support the killing of almost 50 million American babies since 1973. That's Obama.

For the critics of all immigration, legal and illegal, the blame lies squarely on abortions since 1973. Perhaps one might notice that the number of immigrants, legal and illegal, roughly corresponds to the number of abortions since 1973.

Obama wouldn’t know that.

By the way, editor of the Harvard Law Review isn’t a big deal when it is given out for affirmative action reasons which is why he was admitted to Harvard Law in the first place.

To Obama has it right wrote on Aug 17, 2008 5:17 PM:Please explain the details of how Obama will do a better job of taking care of those already born. Thanks!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:05 PM:Maybe someone in here can explain all the missed votes and 130 'present' votes in the Senate Obama has.

Maybe someone can explain how a 'freshman' (aka rookie) Senator who hasn't even completed one term is better suited than McCain, or one of the many other experienced Democratic senators to be president.

Maybe someone can explain all the questionable associations Obama has, including sitting in front of his racist pastor for 20 years.

Maybe someone can explain how far-left Obama has flip-flopped (like offshore drilling, et al.) and moved to the center.

Maybe someone can explain Obama's switch from Muslim to Christian faith so he could align himself up for a run at the presidency.

Maybe someone can explain how he's going to pay for all the promises he's made and the socialized medicine he's proposing, without raising taxes.

I have an idea, go to Youtube and pull up the videos of him and what he said 'back then' and compare it to what he's saying now.

Shall I go on, or is this enough for now?

It's obvious all his supporters believe his snake-oil sales pitch, and will follow him around like lemmings.

McCain is Anti-Woman wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:21 PM:McCain is anti-woman, anti-family planning and suddenly now has a life at conception mantra. This is something very new for him now that he has to pander to the hard right. Previous to this, he though each state should make the decision. Previous to that he felt it wasn't anyone's business to legislative medical care in this arena.
He is dangerous for our country (most admired man a war-monger Petreas), our women, our families, our middle class- and his quick, short unthinking attitude will keep us at war with the world until you and I die.
Besides all that-- Frankly it's none of your d**m business what I do on the advice of my medical professional. Keep your laws off my body and out of my intimate areas. It's mine, not yours. Let's talk about real issues like war, the economy, social security, medical care, education!

Oh Pleeeez wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:22 PM:Obama says the question of when life begins belows to God not man. What part of that do you people not understand? Was it too clever, nuanced, symbolic for you? Duh.

Erato wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:30 AM:If you believe Obama was a muslim, you’re the lemming.

Both Useless wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:31 AM:Personally, neither one of them are anyone I want to vote for. McCain will continue the disaster that has been Bush and Obama is just not experienced enough to truly accomplish anyone.

What does it take to get a decent candidate to run this nation?!

Bill wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:45 AM:Yes, I was quite impressed and sat wondering through out the night...One of the guys will and one of them won't. I wonder which one it is?

The question I am referring to is...

What's the difference between a Republican and a Democrat?

One will clean off the stump before bending you over it and the other won't!

local osider wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:48 AM:When I listen to McCain I tend to like the guy....he doesnt seem to be the kind of person we need right now though as he will get us involved in more wars that will cost us more money than we already have and our deficit will grow and he will make excuses for it...I think McCain will make GW Bush look like Ghandi if he becomes president though. He is too easy to upset and has a poor temper when things go wrong...this will lead to bad decisions

German American wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:00 AM:I look at the american public and laugh...stupid people who used to be so smart..You use WWII as a reason for justifying new wars when they are so different..Your country is sinking before your eyes and you dont even know it...McCain will be another terrible president for Americans and the world as he will take you to war with Russia, and ask Europe to come along...listen to what he is saying today, he wants to stand stong against Russia and make them accept the consequences of their actions...this is madness...you cant take on the world, no matter what the TV makes you think....You will end up having a draft if McCain is president, your children will go to war and life will change for you all if you elect him...This is a warning....You need to repair your relationships, make some friends that you dont owe money too..Obama is the only voice of reason in a room of testosterone driven rhetoric!! you still have hope...Vote for Obama! There are more important things than abortion...like NUCLEAR WAR.McCain will push the button...dont think he wont.

Both Useless wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:12 AM:TYPO CORRECTION:

Personally, neither one of them are anyone I want to vote for. McCain will continue the disaster that has been Bush and Obama is just not experienced enough to truly accomplish anyTHING.

What does it take to get a decent candidate to run this nation?!

McCain for President wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:12 AM:What a guy! More war..."lets hold Russia accountable for their actions", More debt "frankly I dont know that much about the economy"...IDIOT!
This guy talks about everything as it parallels WAR. Are WE REALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO ELECT THIS GUY??? McCain means more war, a draft and all you comfortable middle class church goers will have to tell your children why they have to go to war...
McCain says he is pro life??? How many lives will he take that are already living and breathing is my question...how many other countries can we go to war with???count em and then kiss you high schoolers good bye!

McCain for President wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:33 AM:What a guy! More war..."lets hold Russia accountable for their actions", More debt "frankly I dont know that much about the economy"...IDIOT!
This guy talks about everything as it relates to WAR. Are WE REALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO ELECT THIS GUY??? McCain means more war, a draft and all you comfortable middle class church goers will have to tell your children why they have to go to war...
McCain says he is pro life??? How many lives will he take that are already living and breathing is my question...how many other countries can we go to war with???count em and then kiss class of 08 good bye!

Tank wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:40 AM:Would it be wrong to vote for a mummified Harry Truman?

to Greg in Oceanside wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:44 AM:According to the Washington post, John McCain has missed 407 votes in the Senate, more than any other Senator. Yes, Obama was listed 3rd on their list of missed votes. These are candidates running for president, so their absence is understandable.

I trust Obama's judgement and integrity over my experiene of McCain: juvenile campaign tactics and hotheaded demeanor. I'm looking forward to a country run by grown-ups.

How about McCain's questionable associates? Look up the Keating Five, then get back to me.

If you consider Obama having flip-flopped on oil drilling by saying it may be necessary to compromise, then you certainly must also consider McCain to have a huge flip on the issue as well, since he opposed drilling until recently.

Obama was NEVER a muslim. Don't be so obtuse.

Can you explain how McCain and Bush plan to pay for all their wars while cutting taxes? Obama does plan to raise taxes on those making over $250,000, yes. Taxes pay for things. If you support the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, but oppose paying taxes for them, you are selfish and unrealistic. And a lemming.

TOVR wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:48 AM:I am voting for someone I can look up to...so that would be Obama. McCain has a Napolean complex that will lead us into more wars. We do not need more of the same so vote Obama. McCain is just another republiscum that cares more about the fetus than the person.

Re to Greg wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:10 AM:I have to object to one specific thing you said: "These are candidates running for president, so their absence is understandable."

There's absolutely nothing understandable about a paid public employee not doing their full and complete job ... regardless of what promotion they're trying to secure.

fence straddlers wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:44 AM:both of them, vote chuck baldwin with the constitution party

God Bless USA wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:52 AM:To me, the economy and immigration are two serious issues that effect us here in Calif. I don't like when RoeVWade arguments are always at the forefront. I think our Democratic Congress has messed up. I don't like war but I like national defense. I think our citizens should have priority in a crisis more so than other countries, that's what the Red Cross is for, not our Federal Govt (Katrina v MyanMar) and I think a leader should have experience to lead and a voting record we can look back on. Although charismatic, I think Obama has too many questionable issues, his affiliation to Racist Wright, his Kenyan Father, his liberal leanings. Too many unknowns. I think McCain is too old and too much of a career politician. But instead of rabidly supporting one or the other, I think everyone should take their vote seriously and really learn as much as they can. One of these men will have a huge impact on our future and on American History.

What wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:38 AM:Obama as commander in cheif, with Russia and Iran threatening America, a president who has never been in the military? I don't want to vote McCain but I can't see an alternate anywhere.

Obama Comes wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:39 AM:Obama has huge steel ones to keep going into these media ambushes. He knows that eventually it will all shake out and he will prevail. Obama entered this race betting on the American people. Although there are a lot of bitter slow-to-evolve opponents, there are enough sensible, progressive ones to carry the vote and usher us into an era of grand reform. We pray every day for this! USA needs Obama with his brilliance, dedication, and ability to surround himself with the best minds of the generation, in order to bring this country out of its mess and back into play as an honorable world leader.

I would vote wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:39 AM:democrat if JFK was still alive, even considering the Bay of Pigs.

If you wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:41 AM:haven't noticed neither will tackle the immigration issue, heck they won't even tell us how many more than 12 million including terrorist are in our country.

Truth Will Out wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:23 AM:I want a President to be thoughtful, rather than barreling right of the gun. McCain knew the questions beforehand and had been coached. Let's see what Rick Warren has to say on Larry King Live tonight. He has to correct the statement that McCain was isolated in the Church. Now we learn that he was not there. Just in his limo watching the Obama responses. How low can you get?

Carol wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:58 AM:McCain is the man we need for President. Obama skirts around nearly every question that's put to him, making you guess at what he's really saying. He is too "wishy washy" and we need a President who is able to make things clear to the people. McCain will do wonderful things for this country if given the chance. He will put our security first too! He will not go to war, in fact, I believe that would be the last thing he would want to do...I think he's lived through enough of that already! With the grace of God he survived being held captive, tortured, and crippled from his tortureous treatment. He is an honorable man. We do not have to guess if he is patriotic or not like we do Obama. I'm afraid Obama would try to change more of our constitution because he is so far out liberal and that is a scary thought. McCain is a God fearing, God loving man. He is fair and has proven to be able to see both sides of a situation. He is more of a liberal conservative and that is exactly what we need. Someone who can work with both sides. He's done that already!
Between McCain and Obama, just no comparison really because McCain is far above Obama in all aspects!

To Carol wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:46 AM:Actually, I thought Obama's personal faith was much more evident in his answers Saturday night than was McCains. McCain appeared very uncomfortable and answered very quickly when asked about he lives his faith everyday, then walked right into a war story. I understood everything Obama said because he thought carefully before he answered and did his best to be honest and sincere. I know it is easy to understand key word talking points such as McCain's use of his stump speech (although he was asked not to) but it does take a little more applied knowledge to "get" what Obama is saying. We need someone smarter than Bush in office, and McCain will just be more of the same. If you closed your eyes Saturday night it could have been Bush talking instead of McCain, cackling smirks and all.

Independent wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:49 AM:For people who like substantive answers, Barack won.

For those people who like stump speeches and story time, McCain won.

McWar wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:01 PM:A forum moderated by a christian conservative, in a church in front of white evangelicals...who actually thought this wouldn't be tremendously advantageous to McCain. As much as this type of forum wants to make me hurl, I watched anyway. I thought Obama was thoughtful and real, and substantiated what the forum was really supposed to be...a conversation. I thought McCain hijacked the process and was allowed to stump for an hour, that didn't sound like any real conversation, that sounded like a classic stump speech on the campaign trail. The amount of times I heard "My friends" precipitated by some war story, I wanted to throw the remote at the TV. This man scares ... me, you thought Bush was bad, this man strikes me as a trigger happy gunslinger who's only remedy for foreign policy issues is to dispatch the National Guard.

Fair and Balanced as Fox News wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:04 PM:Speaking of stump speeches, how many times did Warren ask Obama not to launch into his? Yet he allowed McCain to give shallow answers to the faith questions and launch into his stump speech repeatedly . . . with NO requests to refrain from doing so. Whatsup with that?

TO fence straddlers wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:23 PM:I just looked up Chuck Baldwin. I really like many of his ideas. I would like to learn more about him. How can I do that? CNN won't cover him!

Ok Mush heads wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:48 PM:tell me who do the American people want as president if Russia and Iran carry out their threats?

To Mush Head wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:08 PM:I most certainly don't want Dr. Strangelove with his finger on the nuclear button.

Try googling October Surprise and educate yourself. Then try not to make decisions based on fear.

You're welcome.

Hey Obama you wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:15 PM:and Govie Arnie are right, we don't need oil, just keep our tires inflated. Gee these guys are sooo brilliant, he has my vote.

oops take that back wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:16 PM:Peolsi now says she is in favor of drilling!

To Hey Obama you wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:31 PM:Obama, the Govenator and 10,000 Nascar drivers agree with you. Thanks.

sdraoul wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:38 PM:It turns out -- based on Obama's words -- that he knew questions in advance as well as general topics. he knew he was going to be asked about abortion and didn't have an answer because it's "above his pay grade."

Affirmative action certainly doesn't prepare anyone to be direct and answer clear questions -- when do human rights apply to babies in the womb -- with a clear answer.

Nuance, my kool aid.

Doesnt matter how you vote wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:50 PM:Obama will win all of California's delegates, just like John Kerry did. So go ahead and vote for a third-party candidate or write in Ron Paul rather than hold your nose and vote for McCain. Or stay home.

Maybe Obama wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:05 PM:will pick John Kerry as VP then they can make military jokes together!

alfredo wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:50 PM:What made the biggest difference in the candidates' appearances before The Warren was that McCain knew the questions beforehand and his aides had time to prep him whereas Obama answered them cold.
It's a fact that McCain was not sequestered where The Warren told his audience he supposedly was. McCain was in his limo on the way to the event while Obama was being questioned by the aspiring holy man.

McCain Needs All The Help He Can Get wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:38 PM:Even knowing the questions ahead of time didn't get him to speak from his heart. More talking points from McCain. Put George's face on McCain's body and get it over with.

Tired wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:54 PM:of all the BS. Obama and McCain are politicians and I believe them about as much as I believe the poker player sitting across from in a poker game.

I like the fact wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:48 PM:Obama is much smater than McCain, he knows that all we need to do is keep our tires properly inflated and we will not have an oil crisis. GO OBAMA!!!!

Wanted A New Party wrote on Aug 18, 2008 5:13 PM:Both these guys are just party drones. Obama with the elite socialists and McCain with the elite capitalists. We need someone is who for American freedom and liberty not big government or big corporation.

Bill wrote on Aug 18, 2008 5:39 PM:Do any of you think it matters who gets elected? The person pulling the puppets strings won't change!!

Back to Roe v Wade wrote on Aug 18, 2008 6:51 PM:Why do we need the government to tell us if it is moral or not to have an abortion? This is something that should be taught in the home by the parents & family. It should be taught in the churches.

I am pro choice and have chosen NOT to have an abortion and am teaching my children to chose that same way if they are ever in that situation.

Teach people how not to get pregnant and what the CHOICES are if they chose not to abort: keep & raise the child, give it up for adoption. Take away our choices and women will go back to breaking the law by having abortions in back alleys. Then our health care system will be more impacted because these women will be coming into the hospital with infections, uncontrolled bleeding, etc.

Keep it pro-choice, but chose not to abort.

To Bill wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:18 PM:Right on!!!

Oh Brother wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:44 PM:INFLATED TIRES ... Could we get a more tired and stupid sound bite if we tried? Any reasonable thinking person would not even imagine that was Obama's complete and only answer to the gas issue. However, anyone who owns a car should know that proper care & maintenance improves the cars use of energy. That does include properly inflated tires, among other things. It won't solve the problem, but even pennies add up.

WANTED A NEW PARTY ... Better idea. Wanted NO party. Why does someone have to belong to some stupid club in order to get elected? If you ask me, partisan politics is one of the biggest stumbling blocks this country needs desperately to overcome. Although you are right about one thing. These guys are both just towing the lines they think will get them the most votes. What's truly pathetic is that it works.

ABORTION ... This is a medical procedure that has no business being legislated at all. If you don't agree with it then don't do it. I'm personally not sure it would be for me, but who am I to say that to someone else? It may very well prevent a child from being born and subsequently abused. I would love to know how many people who are against abortion adopt the unwanted kids waiting for good homes.

WE HAVE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ... Economy, Education, Real Estate, Unemployment, Retirement, Energy, Getting out of Iraq, Staying out of Russia & Iran, Etc Etc Etc ...

FOCUS PEOPLE ... Get over the sounds bites you're being fed and take the time to research and learn ... then vote your educated beliefs (even though it's still the lesser of two evils). Our futures, our children's futures, our children's children's futures (and so on and so on) depend on it.

TFB wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:14 PM:SDRaoul says that a "majority of people in the entire world believes, life begins at conception, at the instant cell division occurs."
Actually, Raoul, this is an absurd proposition. Life does not begin at fertilization ("conception" is a religious term). Life begins BEFORE fertilization.
The sperm is alive. The egg is alive. They appertain to the human species.
They are human life.
Thus, everyone agrees there is a difference between a human life and a human person.
Some people believe that personhood begins when the sperm and egg join, but that is a belief; an opinion.
Others believe that something more is needed, otherwise, a "human person" is no different qualitatively than any other one-celled creature. Many believe that there must be the onset of at least the beginning of the actual attributes of consciousness and autonomy that make us human. An embryo has none of these actual attributes, merely the potential to maybe develop them if a lot of factors fall into place just perfectly. A baby that has been born has ALL of these actual attributes, however primitive.
More important, it is no longer occupying the most private part of another person's anatomy.
And as long as it is, the person who owns the body is the one whose beliefs win out.

Travis wrote on Aug 21, 2008 1:17 PM:JC is Anti War