The Presidential Race 2008

I have never really followed politics much, if at all, but this year the race has received more of my attention for reasons unknown. Maybe it's because I'm older. I don't know. But anyway, I'm following it more than usual. As November 2008 draws nearer, I'll probably hate politics all over again due to the negative ads and incessant barrage of junk mail and pre-recorded phone calls.

A couple months ago, I completed a questionnaire at http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460 to see which candidate best matched my views and opinions. Since I was not familiar with most of the candidates, I thought it would be nice to see who I should be following as far as ideals go. As it turned out, the candidate who most matched my opinions the first time I completed it was Mitt Romney. The list was top-heavy with Republicans. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were near the bottom along with most other Democrats.

I just went through the questionnaire again and came up with different results. No, the questions didn't change, but my answers must have. I'm not sure where my opinions have changed since I didn't print out the results. Anyway, at the top now is some guy named Duncan Hunter, a Republican and Vietnam Veteran endorsed by Chuck Yeager. Mitt Romney has slid down the list a ways. Clinton moved up the list and Obama remains near the bottom.

My point in all this is that I'm still not sure who I would want in office. In my opinion, I think whichever candidate I tend to agree with should be the one I vote for. At the conclusion of the Iowa Caucus and hearing all of the candidates' speeches afterwards, I would have to say that the best person for the job, the one who sounds like someone who would be a GREAT PRESIDENT, my gut feeling... is for Barack Obama! What? His viewpoints for the most part are the opposite of mine. But, listen to his speeches. I sense great things are to come from this man. His post-caucus speech was reminiscent of speeches from other notable historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln (no recorded speeches, but his speeches are timeless masterpieces), John F. Kennedy, or Martin Luther King, Jr. Listen to him! Wow!

Don't get me wrong. I haven't voted yet. My feelings may change. At this time, we still don't know who the Democrat or Republican candidates are. We have a better idea of who they might be. And, as a Republican, I'll be the first to say that I won't necessarily vote Republican. I'll vote for who I believe to be the best candidate.

Now, assuming Obama becomes the Democratic nomination for President, and assuming he wins and becomes our next President, I fear great tragedy for a great American politician. Obama has two qualities about him that many prejudiced people may not be able to look past - his race and his religion. One or the other could quite possibly end in his demise. I, for one, would not want to see that happen despite our opposing viewpoints, simply because assassination is not the answer to anything. Not only that, but the United States would be in turmoil. Think about it... race and religion riots... not just in America, but around the world, repercussions would be felt.