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[Mike Ingels]

I am a Barack Obama skeptic.

But I think that Michelle Obama is incredibly persuasive.

She gave a very down-to-earth speech that focused on ground level economic issues.

This speech might be VERY important.

[Greg Chamberlain]

I watched the speech. I can't really remember her main points. All I remember was the idiotic diatribe from Pelosi. You know, I wasn't going to vote in November but the way the demoncan'ts are running this election is making me want to go vote for McCain.

[BoatLady]

Those who don't vote really shouldn't complain about what they get. I'm surprised at you Greg as much as you talk on here and your not going to exercise your right to change it. If all the people who don't vote got together and voted things could change. Until then were in for trouble with only a few truly running America instead of we the people

[Greg Chamberlain]

Those who don't vote really shouldn't complain about what they get. I'm surprised at you Greg as much as you talk on here and your not going to exercise your right to change it. If all the people who don't vote got together and voted things could change. Until then were in for trouble with only a few truly running America instead of we the people

I'm most likely going to vote liberarian. We need a viable third party in the mix.

[Mike Ingels]

Greg!

I agree about Pelosi.  And I was ready to get onto monroetalks and slam the convention.  The first hour or so, we saw Pelosi, Jesse Jackson Jr., Howard Dean and Ted Kennedy in a video on his sailboat.

But the good thing is that nobody saw it.  The great thing about the way the networks cover the conventions is that you can schedule all of the people who will hurt you from 7-10.  And then, you put the good people on from 10 to 11.

I think that Kennedy's speech was good simply in the fact that he was able to stand and give it.  And he could, possibly, help with some Catholics.  Not many, but some of the old guard.

And I think that Michelle Obama was excellent.  She seemed like a good mom.  And it seemed like she really loved her husband.  And she mentioned a lot of ground level issues that are important to the working class.

It was a good hour or so.

[monroedude]

Greg!

I agree about Pelosi.  And I was ready to get onto monroetalks and slam the convention.  The first hour or so, we saw Pelosi, Jesse Jackson Jr., Howard Dean and Ted Kennedy in a video on his sailboat.

But the good thing is that nobody saw it.  The great thing about the way the networks cover the conventions is that you can schedule all of the people who will hurt you from 7-10.  And then, you put the good people on from 10 to 11.

I think that Kennedy's speech was good simply in the fact that he was able to stand and give it.  And he could, possibly, help with some Catholics.  Not many, but some of the old guard.

And I think that Michelle Obama was excellent.  She seemed like a good mom.  And it seemed like she really loved her husband.  And she mentioned a lot of ground level issues that are important to the working class.

It was a good hour or so.

She dosen't know the first thing about middle or working class. She is rich whether she admits it or not.  And how about the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she is employed, steering away non-insured people to other crappier hospitals and clinics.  She is an America hater and is totally wrong for the White House just like her husband.

[ktreas]

She dosen't know the first thing about middle or working class. She is rich whether she admits it or not.  And how about the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she is employed, steering away non-insured people to other crappier hospitals and clinics.  She is an America hater and is totally wrong for the White House just like her husband.

And add that to the first thing I ever heard her say that I actually remember that she was proud of America "for the first time in my adult life."  Has made this lifelong Democrats vote guaranteed for McCain. 
Now in case anyone has the urge to get in "attack mode" over MY comment, Here is what I am basing my decision on.
When a couple has been together for years, Not that many people ever paid attention, but I have in my long term marriage, the couple will take on their partners mannerisms(not all, just some) and they will also take on their partners ideals and sometimes logic.  With my beliefs I am convinced that comment was shared between Borack and her, and I don't want someone who even partially believes in that saying to be our President or anywhere near the White House.

[Matt (formerly ML)]

Those who don't vote really shouldn't complain about what they get.

You're completely backward. 100 percent wrong.

What you're saying is exactly the same as claiming that a mere bystander at a game of roulette must pay for the losses of some gambler who deliberately chose to put his money on the table.

Even George Carlin got this right:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u6lCBnRoHQ

(Beware the obscenity at that link.)

I wouldn't ever submit your rights to a vote. Why would you do that to me?

Would you have the audacity to come to my house and do to me what government does to me on your behalf?

[Mike Ingels]

I actually do agree that withholding a vote CAN be a powerful political statement.

In this election, we have potential vote withholding strategies on both sides.

On the Republican side, we have Evangelicals who might be upset about McCain's moderate past.  I view this as highly unlikely.  And Bob Barr also acts as a safety valve voting option within the system.

On the Democratic side, we have white, working-class voters and, to a lesser extent, older female Hillary Clinton voters.  I think that most of these will eventually vote for Obama.

However, Obama was never a good pick if the goal was to attract the white, working class.  This was made abundantly clear in the primaries.  And, in fact, the push for an anybody-but-Hillary candidate was a power-play on the part of Democratic liberals to gain party supremacy from the moderates.  And, in fact, the Obama candidacy has always been a reckless endeavor.  The clearest path to victory this year was always party unity behind Clinton.  By choosing Obama, they placed victory over another party faction ahead of victory over Republicans.

So, let's say that a Democratic Party moderate wants to send a clear message that moderate issues need to be heard in the party.  Voting for Obama will never get that message across.  Voting for McCain is selling out.  Staying home is a legitimate strategy to send that message.

Note: I DO NOT recommend this strategy.  Obama is, for me, a bitter pill to swallow.  But I will vote for him and the Democratic moderate Mark Schauer and Democrat pro-lifer Dudley Spade and hope that these moderate Democrats will uphold the moderate view within the party.