PRIMARYS JUNE 3rd Part 1

This is part 1 of 2 or3 parts reflecting my thoughts about Tuesday’s elections. Locally and for the US Senate every vote will be important. Part 1 concerns the Presidency. Part 2 will be devoted to Local, County, and if space permits, the US Senate and Congress elections.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

2008 is a Presidential election year. Too often in the past by the first week in June the successful candidate had piled up an insurmountable lead, and New Jersey was denied the chance to play a significant role in the process. This year with the early special Presidential Primary every vote counted. While the General Election is
not until November, it is not too early to start evaluating the candidates as part of an ongoing process.

I for one am far from deciding who I wish to vote for. I do know that as usual I will not be tied down by Party affiliation. Instead I must judge which candidate has the most pertinent pros and least cons for the office and cast my vote accordingly.

All three remaining candidates come with much baggage.

McCain the Republican has taken a firm view on the continuing presence of troops in Iraq. This is a position I agree with. I served under fire in Europe during WWII. I understand that troops facing disabling injury or death need the country’s support. For whatever reason we are there, we did disrupt the Iraq’s political infrastructure. We must show the guts and ability to restore it. We did destroy Saddam a murderous genocidal tyrant. His replacement must be unique to that nation’s culture. Personal and religious freedom is not incompatible with that goal. We have the responsibility to see that it is achieved.

But I am scared by McCain’s convictions on issues such as the separation of Church and State. Will he follow the present administration’s cow-towing to the Religious Right? Will his government surreptitiously continuing directing Federal funds to blatant evangelistic organizations? Will his personal views on abortion lead to further legislation restricting the right of personal choice? What will his stand be on the illegal immigrants? How will he address the ills facing Social Security and Health Care with a legislature controlled by the opposite party?

The Democratic Candidate will most likely be Obama, not Clinton.

Senator Clinton is probably the strongest willed candidate of the three. She can be ruthless in trying to achieve her goals. On the other hand she is political wise and will have the least problem with congress. Will she revisit her prior impractical and ill fated Health Care reformation attempt? Can she function on her own or will she be an extension of the Bill Clinton Presidency? Does she plan a rapid retreat from Iraq? Where does she stand on the Near East issues? Is she trying too much to be all things for all groups?

Obama could or could not be the proverbial “White Knight” (an interesting phrase) of politics. The big question for the party is can he carry the “Red Neck” States as well as Florida. Their last two candidates could n ot.

There are still major questions remaining about his personal discriminatory status. How could he not have opposed his former minister and friend’s bigoted out bursts? He could not have been unaware. How will he handle his naivety in international affairs? Where does he stand on issues such as the Hispanic illegals and the “Right to Life” versus “Personal Choice”? He has yet to clarify his health care plans. Will he too implement the Democratic line of an early and prompt disengagement from Iraq?

Time will give us better insight as to the character of these candidates. Of great importance in this election will not only be their party’s choice for Vice Presidency, but also whom they favor for Cabinet appointments.