@Foxfyre,
One of our law professors was fond of saying, "argue the facts, but if the facts don't support you, then argue the Law and if there isn't adequate supportive law, you must appeal to the sentiment of the jury. If all else fails, then jump up and down and make mountains out of mole hills."
In political campaigns all Parties rely upon sentiment, image and spin. Facts are seldom clear, and there is no authority that can be appealed to. Political campaigns deal primarily in the future where glowing promises, fervent hopes, and gut wrenching fear prevail. Parties appeal to their "base" whose idealism is focused on political theories more than on realities. What is left, but spin, spin, spin. As voters we needed to cut through all that chatter and rhetoric and make our choices on more realistic foundations.
We need to keep in mind the role, the duties and responsibilities that the Constitution place at the disposal of the Executive. Those essentials are to manage the executive functions of our government, to set and conduct foreign policy, negotiate Treaties, propose budgets, make periodic reports to the Congress, and above all command the military forces of the nation. The executive is intended to make decisions without regard to their popularity in Congress, much less by the mob or foreign interests.
Setting aside campaign rhetoric, which candidate hold most closely to the political philosophy embodied in the Constitution? Which is the more mature and responsible candidate? We have to make the judgment on our own. Polls won't do, neither will the ruminations of the media commentariat. What do we reasonably know about the candidate(s) when they were off stage, and before they were stung with the notion that they should run for high government office? What sort of life experiences did they have, and how did they handle stress and risk? Did the candidate choose to pursue a course of action for a larger purpose regardless of the risk to their own self-interest? When faced with a moral or physical challenge did they face up to it, or try to avoid the issue? Does the candidate have a set of core values that are clear and consistent with the traditional values that have guided the United States since its Founding?
The responsible voter will listen and observe the campaign, but in the end will make their choice not on the basis of the campaign, but rather on those factors I've outlined above. For me, that choice is clear and John McCain is with no doubt whatsoever the best choice to lead our nation during the next four years. For others the choice may very well be Barak Obama. Regardless of how we individually decide to vote, the election will be determined in accordance with the totality of votes and the Constitutional system for selecting the new administration. A landslide for the GOP would be nice, but I doubt that will happen. American politics has been increasingly influenced by those in a few large markets whose values have shifted away from faith in the individual to manage his own life and self interests. The idea that Government can and should manage every detail of our lives is far too common these days. At the same time, and with the same group who hold that belief, there is a demand that Government never take a position that is unpopular, or not completely supported by their interest group. Oh well.
