I cant say I care for those running on the Republican ticket this time around. Especially the front runners. From the poll numbers, other Republican voters are not too fond of their choices either. None of the candidates increased their stock much, if at all, in last weekends debate.

Unfortunately for the country, in 2008, it seems we will yet again be faced with choosing between bad and just as bad. (or third party) The candidates most likely to win the nominations for their respective parties are career demagogues beholden to special interest. At this point in the race, it looks as if America is in for another long torturous administration.

If a Republican wins, Im sure the Cabinet and staff will consist mainly of the same Bush/Reagan retreads we have now. (Similarly, if Hillary were to gain the Presidency, we could expect Clinton era retreads)

This country needs fresh government. We have to reject the stagnant status quo political body that voting complacency has gotten us. We could just annoint Chelsea and Jenna now, for office in 2020 and 2028 respectively? Take all thought out of the process. Except we dont live in a monarchy people.

The freshest voices on the Republican side are Huckabee and Paul. But people (voters) fear change, and fear the unknown as well. Thats what we could have with these two- change and unknown. Paul is fun to watch at the debates, but his positions dont seem to align with mainstream Republicans. (Although the poll of voters had Paul and Romney neck and neck, winning the FOX News channel debate a couple months back)

If your name is not Guliani or Romney, or to some extent, Thompson, (sorry Tommy, not you) there is very little chance of gaining the nomination. Thats too bad, because these candidates are not what we have been led to believe is "conservative".

If this were 2004, and Romney were named Kerry, he would have been swiftboated into "flip-flopper land" by now. Romney came off as a boor during this debate, constantly trying to respond to other candidates during their turn to speak. I agree with Dickerson, his handlers are trying to turn him into Reagan-lite. We've been there and done that too.

So I liked Huckabee, I think he has done well at every event, and continues to gain name recognition. He doesnt screw up, doesnt have a questionable background and speaks well. The name Huckabee doesn't roll off the tongue, and thats too bad. President.... Huckabee? I know a funny name is a shallow reason not to vote for someone, but there are all sorts of reasons voters use to make their decision.

Its still unclear who will emerge as the Republican nominee. Mitt Romney seems likely to be on the ticket in some capacity.

How would a Romney/McCain ticket match up to an Edwards/Obama ticket? Would it come down to who has the best hair?

P.S. There is still lots of time left for one or more of the candidates to have a Howard Dean style experience (the scream), and there is surely going to be some embarassing dirt dug up on all participants. These future events will shape the outcome of the primaries.

The primary candidates will be bought and paid for by those with the cash to spare.

In the end, you will be left with the hollow choice between Asshole-A & Asshole-B. After that, your vote will not actually count because the election is in the hands of the Electoral College.

I know that I am cynical. I have tried to overcome my cynicism, but reality keeps slapping me in the face.

"After that, your vote will not actually count because the election is in the hands of the Electoral College."

Living in California, my vote usually means squat, unless of course I vote for the democratic candidate. (in national elections)

Locally, and rurally, Republicans do quite well.

In national elections, because of time zones, the race is often decided by the time we get to cast ballots. I've long advocated pushing back the time the eastcoast polls open, and opening our a little eariler, so nationally all polls open and close at the same time.

Lately, I have been casting my vote for Asshole-C, (knowing the Libertarian or Green candidate MIGHT get 3% of the vote) as my little personal protest to the two controlling parties.

If Ross Perot wasnt such a whackjob, we could have established a viable third party back in 1992. As it was I think he got 16% of the vote. It was unfortunate Buchanan highjacked and destroyed that partys chances of becoming legitimate.

I think the best candidates on both sides are the second and even third tier guys. I think it would be interesting for someone like Biden to pick a counterpart on the repub side and have a debate of their own.....maybe MSNBC could have minidebates between pairs of dems and repubs.

It might even by kinda funny after Edwards and Clinton getting caught in that off mike moment talking about eliminating some of the other candidates from their debate.

middleview:

I think the best candidates on both sides are the second and even third tier guys. I think it would be interesting for someone like Biden to pick a counterpart on the repub side and have a debate of their own.....maybe MSNBC could have minidebates between pairs of dems and repubs.

It might even by kinda funny after Edwards and Clinton getting caught in that off mike moment talking about eliminating some of the other candidates from their debate.

This might actually happen if the media were not owned by the same corporations that select Asshole-A and Asshole-B.