When it comes down to it, we have an extreme, somewhat malleable liberal, and a pseudo liberal as the presumptive candidates for president. Normally, I would once again swallow my pride and go for the lesser of two evils here, but it seems every time McCain opens his mouth, his words jar my conservative values all the more. When personal preference fails to make a decision, the next question that comes to mind is, what would be best for the country.

McCain seems to be, aside from immigration delusions, strong on a policy that would advocate protecting America and its interests from one of the most imminent external threats. Obama, in his naïveté, has shown his inexperience with a populist attempt at advocating pacifism. From this, you might say we'd be safer with McCain.

And yet, if we're really forward-looking, we might gamble a term with an extreme liberal trying to take the drivers seat (won't be hard with the current congress) and like the ancient nation of Israel, learn our lessons on liberal/socialist/fascist/pacifist etc. failures all over again, and lead the many stray, uninformed sheep, err, people to our nation's founding principles. The gamble is in how much ground will remain ceded to a much bigger government. McCain also seems to be a fan of bigger government (despite the lower taxes line), or at least more regulation. Don't get me started on how the faux crisis known as global warming a.k.a. climate change is spurring both of these demagogues to foolish economic ends.

In the end there is a liberal and liberal lite to choose from. Do we go for the gamble and send the RINO hacks of the GOP a message by voting for the likes of Ron Paul, or take a stop gap measure in what could become a terrorism crisis? If the rumors of a Mini-Me McCain running-mate are true, there's little hope of a voice of reason riding shotgun. Despite the media's ability to make and break Obama, there's little chance their minds will be changed; anyone who's seen the arrogance of their pundits can tell you that. It's going to come down to the question of does Commander Limbaugh have plans for extending operation Chaos past January to influence the legislature, or will it be a continuation of pointing out the simple truth behind the failures of contemporary liberalism and the obvious solutions that are within our grasp?

For me, it's still a gamble. What about you?

The only thing we gamble on is the war. McCain is telling us daily that he will reach across the aisle and hand Democrats a blank check on everything else. He will want to "get things done" so he can appear effective in the Oval Office. I think even the war will be a questionable gamble because McCain craves positive media attention. Therefore, there will not be a significant difference, for the country, between an Obama or McCain Administration.

It looks like Netanyahu will take over in Israel, sometime this year. He is not mincing words with regard to Iran. If our president won't do the job, he will.


I will not vote for McCain for obvious policy reasons. Also, and I think more importantly, I will not lend credence to this ongoing attempt to redefine conservatism. A McCain victory will only further entrench RINO elites. It is time to remind the Republican Party that it is a conservative party. Obviously, they did not get the message in '06. Change will require additional motivation.

Long term, I believe this is the best course for conservatives and the country. We have more to lose with a McCain presidency than we can hope to gain.

I won't vote for Ron Paul because his isolationist policy is naive and counterproductive. Strong domestic policy is useless without effective foreign policy.

I may cast a protest vote for Bob Barr. I haven't decided yet.