Me too.

I like Obama because he's the only Democratic candidate I believe is worth putting in the White House. I have kept a close eye on his short Senate career and appreciated his candor with constituents, especially people from the Democratic base, on issues like Iraq, Social Security and immigration. He speaks harsh truths to people, not sugarcoating or denying the often heady times we are in. I forgive him his lack of specifics at this point because 99% of first-term Senators and others do not have much of an agenda, nor much of specific ideas and programs, John Edwards and Lindsey Graham excepted. We'll see what happens in the fall, if he has not given us specifics, then I will be forced to support whomever the GOP nominates.

Re: McCain

He was on ABC's “This Week” and professed to be unaware of the military classifying homosexuality as a “defect”. He's so desperate for power he's getting in bed with major donors and big party movers who hate gays, want to impose religion in the government and have been busy waging other culture wars for decades now, much to the detriment of society and governance.

The “far right” to me is the type of people who have sold out conservative principles and decided to cut taxes in times of war, rapidly enlarge the federal government to suit their power needs, invade countries with no solid plans for the aftermath, ruin America's reputation abroad by poorly hiding torture and naive hypocricy on issues like popular democracy and human rights and a host of other abuses of power, decency and real and important conservative principles. No straw men here, I'm talking about George Bush, James Dobson, Trent Lott, Dick Cheney, George Allen, etc. I respect relatively honest and realistic conservatives like Newt Gingrich, Sam Brownback, Billy Graham, Rudy G, etc.

Sean,

Re: Obama, I agree with the comment on Tom Barnett's blog, that is quite true, especially in these times of fair trade, evil gay marriage and illegal immigrant demagogues.

Re: state of America,
While there are good indicators that Barnett and other opportunists (including myself) love to show, I believe that our ruling class is overwhelmingly filled with a bunch of amateurs and idealogues and has been since the Clinton's era. While private citizens and corporations can do much on their own, there is still too much that is important in this country that is being squandered and ignored by the ruling class across the three branches of government. Worse, the military has also become afflicted.

“He was on ABC's “This Week” and professed to be unaware of the military classifying homosexuality as a “defect”.”

I saw McCain's appearence on This Week. It seemd much more like a disagreement over whether the military used the “defect” or “defective” in describing homosexuals than whether or not the military had a don't-ask-don't-tell policy

“…who hate gays…”

Any justification for the choice of verb in this sentence, other than policy diagreement?

“The “far right” to me is the type of people who have sold out conservative principles”

Such as?

“decided to cut taxes in times of war”

Is war somehow morally associated with high taxes? I would think wars should be won, while tax policy should center on economic growth.

“rapidly enlarge the federal government to suit their power needs,”

Especially with regards to NCLB etc, I agree.

“invade countries with no solid plans for the aftermath”

To an extent… Though perhaps the real problem was the wrong plan, rather than like of one. [1]

“ruin America's reputation abroad by poorly hiding torture”

The countries that care of this — those dying states in Western Europe — are the ones we least need.

Thanks for the comment.

[1] http://www.tdaxp.com/archive/2006/11/05/death-and-betrayal-in-iraq.html

re: Obama: someone said over on Tom's website that good presidents are optimistic, they present a positive vision for America and the world. if Obama can manage the other stuff, i think he could be a good candidate in this regard. i'm more concerned about him being a senator (make bad candidates) and relative inexperience in foreign policy.

Eddie: perhaps the 'notable decline' is a rising, non-zero-sum tide of globalization that is raising all of the boats. some which were further behind more than others. i think such a view of globalization precludes continuing American hegemony. (of have, of course, drunk Dr Barnett's Kool-Aid on this

re: McCain: leaves me very cold and is, frankly, getting old to go along with his pre-esixting crotchetiness

re: this discussion: i would like to say that y'all are coming to some good consensus here that i'm willing to get in line with. now if we could just a) convince the parties and then the electorate, or b) institute temporary oligarchy, we should be fine

In 2000, I gave a little money to the first time to candidates McCain and Bill Bradley in the primaries – which was the kiss of death for both.

This was the first time I ever donated money to any candidate. I am not a member of any political party.

Ever since, whenever an election nears, by answering machine fills up messages for Republican candidates in the area. It pisses me off every time.

So, besides campaign finances reform be farce (thanks also to my Senator Feiggold), McCain sold my name to a republican fundraiser.

Not Cool McCain!

Hmmm…Rumsfeld time has come and gone…I was okay with him though.

I hope whoever is president in 2008 can find a spot to get Ford some executive experience….he has a future. perhaps Warren Buffet could bring him onto the BRK board and mentor him some.

Forbes…yes.

Ashcroft? I don't know about that. I Negraponte has some years to go.

SysAdmin? Armitiage doesn't do anytiing to me…how about a Guiliani there? How about the retired Coast Guard Commandant turned FEMA director? Also, didn't Hammes retire from the Marines…

Lieberman at State works for me.

Bolton works for me.

What about Romney? What about Rudy? The same could go for them. I'm interested in all of them, because we need new ideas and fresh debate, not the old stale business about abortion, taxes, Iraq, etc.

I picture Tom as more of a back-room, speaking-to-the-Central-Committee kind of diplomat. But it will be fun to have him at the ceremony recognizing the Republic of Taiwan as an independent country! :-p

Eddie,

If you don't believe Obama has been substantive, then why support him?

Could you provide specifics on McCain's issue-changes. His position on homosexuals in the miltiary, for instance, seems unchanged over the last decade.

Likewise, how are you definition “far right wing”? As policies you disagree with?

As VP: Paul Wolfowitz.

Purpleslog,

I admire Ashcroft for his policy of “throwing up static” — a million small hurdles for any of our enemies. It increases the chances of catching these guys.

He was a terrible AG, however. He had a very agenda-driven view of the Justice Department which weakened him considerably.

My admiration for Armitage comes from his description in Rise of the Vulcans… any guy who quits the American military in order to keep fighting for South Vietnam is my kind of SysAdmin. [1]

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Vulcans-History-Bushs-Cabinet/dp/0670032999

Who is the VP though?