So the lines are set for the 2008 presidential race. The parties have their candidates, the positions are pretty clear-cut, and the propaganda machines are warming up.
I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal comparing the candidates and their positions. Obama follows his party's age-old positions almost to the letter. McCain, on the other hand, is a bit of a maverick. His sketchy voting record on moral issues has many Republicans unsure of his qualifications. So what if Barack Obama bucked tradition and went right on ethics, supporting a pro-marriage amendment and an anti-abortion law?
Yeah, I know it's impossible. But it might pay huge dividends. While he would lose a substantial amount of support from within his own party, he would gain the vote of the evangelicals, who are already outspoken in their criticism of McCain. And most importantly, he would win over the "silent majority", the huge number of Americans who hold ethical issues first and foremost when voting for a president, but aren't necessarily outspoken in their views. Bush won their support in 2004, and creamed John Kerry in the general election. And with an increasing number of Americans in this group who are dissatisfied with the war in Iraq, a swing in positions by Obama would have them flocking to the polls in his support.
Of course the movement might be political suicide. There's no telling what would happen to the Democratic Party if Obama bailed on their positions. Already portrayed by the Republicans as something of a flipflopper, a sudden switch in views by Obama might sink his candidacy once and for all.
That's enough politics for today. Sorry if this post was too long. I probably sound like a nerd.
God bless,
Aaron
me and aus
