Why do you support the candidate you do?

[Lanshark]

Why do you support George Bush or John Kerry? I'd like the actually reason you support either man. What policies or characteristics do you like?

I don't want this to be a debate. I don't want the statements "I support Bush because I can't stand Kerry" or "I support Kerry because I can't stand Bush". I'd just like to see the positive things you have to say about the candidate you support.

 

[4cruisin]

I will vote for John Kerry because he is a veteran, something I think all US presidents should be; (I know GWB is also but...)Bush's handling of the Iraq issue scares me, I believe we were misled by our gov't about the threat Iraq posed to us. I think Kerry has a better grasp of the working man mentality (hey, so what...he married up) than Bush does. It helps that Kerry is from MA and I believe that it will benefit MA to have him as the president. I also like John Edwards and think he will make a good vp and a nice compliment to Kerry.

One last reason to vote for John Kerry.....Donald Rumsfeld

 

[jrydberg]

I support President Bush because the man has principles and stands up for them. I may not always agree with him (*cough* spending money like it's going out of style) but I know where he stands.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I almost always support a Republican President because they are usually a better choice for the American Farmer, which my husband is one.

When Clinton was in office the prices for our crops reached a record low. We were forced to get out of the hog producing business because the prices went too low and stayed there too long. And my DH and his brother-in-law, for the first time in their lives, were forced to get extra "off-the-farm" jobs.

With Bush in the White House the crop prices have done a major turn-around and we definitely appreciate that!!

Plus he has principles and views that I agree with.

 

[EltonJohn]

I will vote for Kerry, however; Bush will definately win the state. I like Kerry's pro-woman stance. The gov't should butt out when it comes to private medical decisions such as abortion. He's a vet who actually went to Vietnam. I also like the fact that he won't take orders from the Pope-he believes that his personal religious beliefs should be just that-HIS PERSONAL beliefs.

Most importantly, I'm a Texan, and I've lived under Bush's rule for FAR too long! I am so tired of him. The only other people that can relate to my situation are people who lived in Arkansas during the Clinton governoship and Presidency. I really would like to see a change.

 

[Lanshark]

My #1 priority is National Security. Although we still have a long way to go I support Bush.

 

[dmadman43]

Four words: GWOT.

I don't think Kerry has a clue about what to do. Yea, I know he's a veteran of Vietnam, but so was Ho Chi Mihn. Not sure how ihs service status is relevant 30 years later.

And like others said, while I'm not a fan of Bush's spending, but given the current state of affairs we are in, vis a viz terrorism, I think consistency is the order of the day.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I'm supporting Kerry for many of the same reasons those who are supporting Bush put forth; mainly, I'm incredibly concerned about our National Security, and feel that the current administration's efforts have made our nation far less safe than it could be had other courses of action been taken. I'm also tremendously concerned about the deficit that has ballooned, and think further tax cuts (as are proposed by the current admin) will do far more long term harm than short term good. I also do not want to see a woman's right to choose threatened (as it is, again, under the current admin) nor do I think we need constitutional changes dictating which consenting adults can marry, and which cannot.

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
I'm supporting Kerry for many of the same reasons those who are supporting Bush put forth; mainly, I'm incredibly concerned about our National Security, and feel that the current administration's efforts have made our nation far less safe than it could be had other courses of action been taken. I'm also tremendously concerned about the deficit that has ballooned, and think further tax cuts (as are proposed by the current admin) will do far more long term harm than short term good. I also do not want to see a woman's right to choose threatened (as it is, again, under the current admin) nor do I think we need constitutional changes dictating which consenting adults can marry, and which cannot.

I don't get a vote, but my husband does, and he will be voting for Kerry for exactly the reasons you gave.

 

[wvrevy]

I know the OP said that they didn't want this answer, but the simple fact is that a LOT of people will be voting against Bush in November, rather than for Kerry. Yes, I like the fact that he was an actual veteran, rather than just pretending to be one on TV. Yes, I like the fact that he seems to care more about those making $30,000 a year rather than $300,000. Yes, I like the fact that he puts his SECULAR beliefs ahead of his religious ones (something Bush can't seem to manage). But the simple fact is that I would be voting for him regardless, simply because he is NOT GEORGE BUSH.

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by EltonJohn
The only other people that can relate to my situation are people who lived in Arkansas during the Clinton governorship and Presidency.

Several people have told me that Bill Clinton was the best thing that ever happened to Republican party in Arkansas.

Our nation is at war and I think about how INCREDIBLY disruptive it would be if we were to change administrations. Read George Stephanopolus's book about the transition when Clinton took over - total chaos for some time. We just cannot afford that when our nations's security is at stake.

George Bush is a man of personal integrity and he is NOT stupid - maybe not the most articulate, but NOT unintelligent. How many of you could graduate from Harvard Business School? I don't care if you think that he had help getting in - that means nothing when it comes to making it through an incredibly rigorous 2 year program. HBS is know for being ruthless about weeding out people who can't cut it.

And when he got into school and college his father was not Vice President or President - he had held a US Representative seat (Texas has a zillion reps.) and was a failed Senate candidate.

Do I like the fact that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq? - of course NOT. Every lost life is precious. I don't care if Sadam was bluffing about WMD or not, there is no question in my mind that Iraq would have loved to help terrorists that wanted to destroy our society.

The surest way for Iraq to become another Vietnam is for the US to elect a president that is not totally commited to winning and that would be Kerry.

I do not hate Kerry - nor do I begrudge him his wealth - but I do have a problem with his way over-the top-ostentatious life style. I know people who have way more money than he and Teresa and they do not choose to flaunt their money and see how many homes and possessions they can have.

I just think it is so interesting the number of Democrats that now believe it is so important for the president to be a veteran who served in a war when that meant nothing to them when Dole ran against Clinton.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by wvrevy
I know the OP said that they didn't want this answer, but the simple fact is that a LOT of people will be voting against Bush in November, rather than for Kerry.

and those people should stop and really think about what they are running to as opposed to what they are running from.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by Pete's Mom
and those people should stop and really think about what they are running to as opposed to what they are running from.

I'm sure they have done exactly that. Why would you suggest they haven't?

 

[jrydberg]

I think because some of the posters have pretty much said they wouldn't care what they were running *to* as long as it was away from Bush. Don't want to wade into the particulars of a debate over whether that's wise, but that is what's been said.

 

[snoopy]

Besides the fact he knows the difference between being a leader and being a cheerleader, I'm voting for John Kerry because I think he's smart, educated, experienced, honorable, and his political views most closely match mine.

 

[Lanshark]

That was the point of wording the thread in the way that I did. To see if people could give me the positive reasons they are supporting a particular candidate without relying on the negatives about the opposing candidate. Some did quite well and others seem to have a hard time saying something positive about one without countering it with something negative about the others.

Personally, I hate negative/uncivil campaigns. If a candidate cannot stand on his/her own merits with out having to run down the other they aren't a very strong candidate, IMO. Unfortunately, it seems, this is the way of politics on both sides of the aisle these days.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Originally posted by jrydberg
I think because some of the posters have pretty much said they wouldn't care what they were running *to* as long as it was away from Bush. Don't want to wade into the particulars of a debate over whether that's wise, but that is what's been said.

Well, as far as I can tell, none of the posters on this thread have stated that the *only* reason they are voting for Kerry is because they don't want to vote for Bush. But even if they had, it seems obvious that anyone who has given enough thought to decide "anyone but Bush" has given enough thought to what the alternatives are.

 

[Microcell]

Bush has been having to deal with one of the lowest points in the history of our country, and I believe he has done so with the best intentions in mind. When we first went to war with Iraq no one was disputing that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. Now we know he was working with Kadaffi and funding programs in Lybia. He had WMD programs, just not on his actual soil perhaps. It is a very hard time to be president, there are many threats and possibly more attacks (I am betting right before an election) We need to be smarter than those who may try to sway our election. If there is an attack, then I hope we can all show solidarity and keep GWB in office. I fear we will let those who work against us influence our choices.

Oh and by the way- we cannot be nice enough to terrorists to make them stop. They will only be satisfied when we are destroyed or become like them, a religious society who oppresses women and minorities. That is what they want!! I just heard Peter Jennings say during Reagan's funeral that it was showing in Arab countries and he hoped they would be impressed with how we revere our dead. DUH Pete, the terrorists out there saw those Capitalist pigs spending too much of that awful money they make so much of and if they could be living more religiously they would see that material posessions are no good and if they were not making all that money they could stay at home and abuse thier wives. We are not dealing with rational people.

 

[N.Bailey]

I'll be voting for Bush. I believe we should have a strong military at all times and history has showed that democrats like to lower the military budget. Even in times of peace, I believe we need that strong military, not to use it, but more so we don't have to.

I firmly believe in Reaganomics too. It worked during the Reagan years, and our economy is starting to recover under this administration too. If Kerry would get into power and do away with Bush's tax plan, I fear we'd be set back into another recession. I understand that the rich got the biggest tax cut, but I also know the rich pay the most taxes, so that's a no brainer to me. Plus, I know a person of limited means in NEVER going to be creating jobs for the masses.

I'll be flamed for this I'm sure, but I like having a president who is a Christian and who is not afraid to profess it. Sue me, it does influence my decision, but I'll leave it at that!

I'm against abortion, for the death penalty, and against gun legislation. I'd have to say these 3 qualities are more to be found in a Republican candidate.

I could go on, but I think I'll leave it at these reasons for now.

 

[luvwinnie]

But what if I REALLY AM VOTING AGAINST KERRY? I consider myself Republican, but was very open to voting for a Democrat if someone ran who I felt I could trust...I know, silly me, looking for an honest politician. I voted for Bush the first time, but again, I felt it was a "lesser of two evils" type of vote.