Patrick - like I said, I understand you not wanting to vote republican, even though I am one. However - mark my words - the libertarian wing or the traditional Robert Taft wing is going to take the party back. Then you may not be so hesitant to vote Republican - because really, all we want is liberty, which will empower liberals as well as conservatives. This can be achieved by simply going back to the constitution which our forefathers fought so diligently to instate. The reason RP can't really run as an independent because, as Jesse Ventura pointed out, it is very very difficult to get ballot access in this country as an independent, and you are marginalized by default. The 2 party system has to go, but until then we have to fight for liberty in the best possible way. If you read the Republican platform, especially in Texas, you will find that none of the politicians really follow it. We are actively trying to take the party back and it is working, one candidate at the time (go check out paulcongress.com)
About voting for someone who "has a chance" - that is precisely the problem in this country, that the mainstream media determines who people think has a chance. If everyone voted their conscience rather than who the media has anointed, well - let's put it this way - John "I'm a liberal republican" McWar wouldn't be our party's nominee, I promise you.
It looks like we 100% agree on the war issue. I would then therefore implore you not to vote for someone who will drain the remaining lifeblood from our country with the UN global poverty tax and social programs which mortgage our children's future, like social security which has proven to be an epic failure. Do all the reading on Ron Paul that you can, and if you can bring yourself to hold your nose to vote Republican despite the reputation the neocons have given us, as hard as that may be, for the cause of liberty I would shake your hand and welcome you to the revolution.

@Jeff: I liked Ron Paul - but he is listed as a republican and just after the hell the bush admin has put us through I can't vote republican - just because we need for sure people on the left side to counter all the damage of the past 10 years.

If her were libertarian, independent, dem, or green, or any other party and had a chance I'd for sure vote for him.

Obama is pretty much the lesser of the three evils.
I personally don't like clinton- but I'm ok with powerful women in America- however countries like iran won't deal with women in politics so I think even an african american stands a better chance of negotiating with foreign leaders than a white woman.

Not being sexist - but we're talking about Iran where women have no rights at all - how far would we get if our biggest competing nations won't even accept being in the presence of our Commander in Chief? .. not very.

Personally I think we're screwed no matter what - the next 5 years is just going to be crazy, and I wouldn't be surprised if another civil war were to show it's face in America.

@Jana Murray: Who do you suppose we vote for? Me Personally - I'm a Kucinich fan.

Personally I believe that we should pull our troops out of iraq immediately -- and put the saved money towards building schools, roads, and creating universal healthcare for all Americans.

Also fixing the economy is a huge deal. No candidate has an explanation on how to do that.

have you researched Ron Paul? He is against the war in Iraq, but voted for Afghanistan to capture Bin Laden (which we failed miserably at achieving, obviously.)

On the war, Obama has deceived his followers, saying he wants immediate withdrawal from Iraq - when his real position, which he revealed to the council on foreign relations, is that he wants the very same thing Bush and McWar want - including possibly attacking Iran. (read here: http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=10181) Additionally, Obama has continually voted to fund the Iraq war and also voted for the patriot act.

I understand you not wanting to vote for a republican, but not every republican is a neocon. The neocons and neolibs are one and the same when it comes to their long term agendas. At least traditional republicans, like Paul, and democrats like Kucinich want to adhere to the constitution unlike these warmongering neocons AND democrats.

Nice Site layout for your blog. I am looking forward to reading more from you.

Tom Humes

Check Mr. Obama's plans for foreign aid. He will tax us more than any of the candidates. Who wants to be a slave? Do you want your children to deal with this mess? None of the mainstream media candidates will change or improve anything... Vote Obama, Billary, McCain for much more of the same and I do emphasize the word MORE and SAME.