Merged Thread: Romney Drops Out; Can McCain Defeat Democrats?

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Do you think Obama is more likely than McCain to work across party lines? If you do, please explain why

I'm not saying anyone is more likely. (Even though I know you were addressing dmek). I feel like no matter who runs this country they have to be willing to reach across party lines from time to time to unite and be overall successful.

Although I don't agree with that 100 year war thing..

[RobH4413]

From all the rhetoric I've been hearing amongst the candidates...

I really can't believe that anyone is going to literally bring all of the troops home within four years. A decrease in troops... maybe, but a total withdrawal seems unlikely to me.

I know it's a popular buzz topic that's been floating around, but I just can't make sense of it. The place is a wreck, and it would cause widespread chaos if we just straight up dipped out.

I'm not saying we should stay in Iraq 100 years... I'm just saying that I don't think it's likely any of the candidates will withdraw all of the troops within four... otherwise we'll be back in in even less time.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

From all the rhetoric I've been hearing amongst the candidates...

I really can't believe that anyone is going to literally bring all of the troops home within four years. A decrease in troops... maybe, but a total withdrawal seems unlikely to me.

I know it's a popular buzz topic that's been floating around, but I just can't make sense of it. The place is a wreck, and it would cause widespread chaos if we just straight up dipped out.

I'm not saying we should stay in Iraq 100 years... I'm just saying that I don't think it's likely any of the candidates will withdraw all of the troops within four... otherwise we'll be back in in even less time.

I think it's doable somewhere between 4-8 years. The worse thing we could do is just yank everyone all at once. Hopefully its a small slow withdrawl over time.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

I'm not saying anyone is more likely. (Even though I know you were addressing dmek). I feel like no matter who runs this country they have to be willing to reach across party lines from time to time to unite and be overall successful.

Although I don't agree with that 100 year war thing..

If you're looking for someone to reach across party lines in D.C., look to Hillary and not Obama. After all, Hillary is the compromiser. Outside of D.C., Hillary is a "divider" and Obama draws support from both parties, but I think that's largely a function of his charisma and speaking abilities. I think Obama will likely lose some of his luster after he is in the White House and starts implementing some of his policy objectives.

For example, take Iraq. Some 66% of the American public is "against the war." However, the GOP base gets very upset when people use the word "withdrawal" or "re-deployment." Obama is the candidate most likely to withdraw our troops the fastest, regardless of the "conditions on the ground." When U.S. troops start withdrawing from Iraq and as the progress made by the surge evaporates, expect to see a lot of people up in arms and quite upset with Obama.

I'm still an Obama supporter, but I'm not sure he will be able to unite the country in the way many people think he can. He's certainly going to be a big improvement over GWB, but I don't think he will be the next JFK.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

If you're looking for someone to reach across party lines in D.C., look to Hillary and not Obama. After all, Hillary is the compromiser. Outside of D.C., Hillary is a "divider" and Obama draws support from both parties, but I think that's largely a function of his charisma and speaking abilities. I think Obama will likely lose some of his luster after he is in the White House and starts implementing some of his policy objectives.

For example, take Iraq. Some 66% of the American public is "against the war." However, the GOP base gets very upset when people use the word "withdrawal" or "re-deployment." Obama is the candidate most likely to withdraw our troops the fastest, regardless of the "conditions on the ground." When U.S. troops start withdrawing from Iraq and as the progress made by the surge evaporates, expect to see a lot of people up in arms and quite upset with Obama.

I'm still an Obama supporter, but I'm not sure he will be able to unite the country in the way many people think he can. He's certainly going to be a big improvement over GWB, but I don't think he will be the next JFK.

I'm an Obama supporter as well but I hope if he did get into office and puts a staff together they advise him to slowly withdrawl instead of just pulling everyone really fast.

I've talked to a few guys who are in/were in the military and some who are currently stationed overseas (democrats) and they absolutely, do NOT want Hillary in the White House at all and they've been siding with Obama.

Anyone know why this is?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

I'm an Obama supporter as well but I hope if he did get into office and puts a staff together they advise him to slowly withdrawl instead of just pulling everyone really fast.

I've talked to a few guys who are in/were in the military and some who are currently stationed overseas (democrats) and they absolutely, do NOT want Hillary in the White House at all and they've been siding with Obama.

Anyone know why this is?

The Clinton White House was perceived, rightly or not, as very anti-military. There were stories about men in uniform being pulled aside and told to wear their civilian clothes at the White House since staffers didn't like military men. Whether those stories are true or not, they are out there and most people in the military believe them. Moreover, by most accounts Bill wasn't particularly comfortable with military matters. Like LBJ, Bill was a President specializing in domestic matters who didn't like being sidetracked with messy foreign affairs.

Unfortunately for Hillary, she inherits Bills rep among military folk. It's kind of ironic since Hillary is more hawkish and conservative than Obama.