I'm one of those coveted independent voters everyone talks about. Since I've been able to vote I've voted Reagan-Reagan-Bush-Clinton-Cli­nton-abstained-Kerry. I believe in strong defense, law and order, tight immigration control, promotion of the middle class, and firm protection of the environment using the rule of law, not fuzzy-headed volunteerism which has been the buzz of recent administrations, including Clinton's, to some degree.

I truly used to like John McCain -- strong on defense (including diplomacy), law and order... so on, so on -- you get the picture. When it became clear he was likely to win the primary, and the Dems had a strong field, too, I said "awesome... there's no way we can lose this time".

Then came "the flip of all flips" -- more unaffordable tax cuts, more table-pounding and sabre-rattling, continued oil addiction. I said..."well, okay.. he's got to play to the so-called base to clear the primaries. He'll get back to square".

Then came the repeated bald-faced lies about Sen. Obama's plans and positions, completely without embarrassment...

Then came Palin.. that cinched it.

Are there any Republicans left that care about regular people? There used to be a lot of cool Republicans -- Richard Lugar, Orrin Hatch, and a few others are still around. But most of them are now just a bunch of puffed-up assholes serving their wealthy masters - dumbing down the American economy, talking tough on immigration while winking at their business buddies who employ masses of illegals. The whole God/guns/gays thing... They can't ever admit being wrong about ANYTHING.. They wear way too much makeup on TV, too -- gives them kind of an "Anthony Perkins in 'Psycho'" vibe. I think Tom DeLay and Trent Lott set that trend.

What a bunch of sad sacks...

You're right, at first I thought "either way, we will have a progressive in the Oval Office", but then the reversals and pandering to the extreme right began. McCain might have had a shot if he had remained true to his beliefs, but he sold out, and not just a little....a lot!