Interactive Graphic: Swing States on the 2008 Electoral Map

I hate politics and in particular the two party system that of stereotypes people as Democrats or Repubicans, we all need to think for ourselves. As a middle class American making less than $250,000 a year, and paying more than $60,000 a year in various taxes, I propose my own candidiate for president, "Jay Sabo"-short of course for "Just Shut-up And Bend Over" . Because after all when it comes to how government spends our hard earned money, all taxpayers get screwed. Nite all.

I've been reading your comments, everyone, and while it's probably fun to slam GW Bush, he walked into
the Presidency and a hell of a mess after 8 Clinton/Democrats administration - then 9/11 and while I don't
love the man, he handled it as best he could. Congress is Dem so again - he couldn't do all he did by
himself, good, bad or indifferent. I don't love McCain/Palin but the alternative is an eloquent, charismatic man whose history is full of holes, his background is questionable at best, his ties to Islam are undeniable,
and his 'friends' through his political career are shady indeed - he has so little going for him that the only
thing in his favor may be his color - people who are against him will be branded racist. I don't trust politicians
anyway, but since we have to choose - I'd want a candidate who is totally American, who served his country
with distinction and is less dishonest than most - because Obama is going to hand this country over to its
enemies on a platter - he reminds me of the Manchurian Candidate - if you don't know what that means - search the net.

There is a reason that politics can be considered a sleazy profession. When a candidate and his campaign will do anything and say anything to win, even while they profess to be providing "truth" to the masses, everyone loses.

I am a registered Republican - my very own cross to bear right now. I actually voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries - back when he saw a "special place in Hell" for the gutter politics that lost him the primaries that year. But the GOP and, sadly, the nation, have been hijacked by a narrow-minded group of demagogues who put forth the "you're either with us or you're against us" philosophy. A philosophy that is ruining the United States of America - both here and abroad. What happened to nuance, discussion, differing points of view? Why am I un-American to doubt the direction our country is headed? Am I less of a patriot because I have beliefs that differ from yours, or theirs? How sad that McCain, once truly considered a maverick has thrown his lot in with this mob of neocons.

I have never before been involved in a campaign. I have never done more than make my own decision and vote. This year I feel compelled to make my voice heard. I refuse to allow the filth, fraud, and divisiveness that have been spewed for 8 years (12 if you count the circus provided by the Republican Congress at the expense of Bill Clinton and which did nothing for us as a nation) to be the face that is seen of America around the world. Guantanamo? Abu Ghraib? The war in Iraq? The NSA? Blackwater? Multi-million dollar bonuses for corporate executives while their stockholders suffer the consequences of Washington's belief that the market will regulate itself and American families are turned out of their houses by dishonest lenders? When do we, a decent, hardworking people, stop these atrocities??? When do we finally decide that we must clean up our own government before pretentiously attempting to clean up others'?

Basically, which of these men do you believe will move America forward? McCain, who is using the very same team of thugs to run his campaign that thumped Dubya into office nefariously - twice? Who has cozied up to and amened Bush until the last 12 months when it was not in his best interests to do so? Or Obama who has been extremely consistent in his message, level-headed in his approach to the name-calling and divisiveness? Who has put forth an actual PLAN for changing America? A man whose worst fault, according to early McCain campaigning, is that he is well-spoken and likeable?

I absolutely believe that Obama provides the leadership, vision, and temperament to move the USA back to what has made it a shining example in the world's eyes. He can inspire us to accomplish more than we think is possible. I joyously voted for him and encourage you to join me.

I think the saddest thing about this election is that mcCain is even close. With the total catastrophe that we have in DC now, how could anyone support this strange duo? That even 40 to 50% of the public believe these ideological nonsense is what is really scary. The rest of the world already is watching us in disbelief. Haven't you read the polls in Europe and other countries. McCain doesn't even show on the meter.

Can someone help me? Someone tell me what Obama has done of substance in his life that qualifies him to be president. Again no resume of substance and no experience. I am having a lot of difficulty justifying a vote for him. MCCain blows him away with his experience. Sorry guys I'm a democrat for MCCain.

Man I just had a co-worker call me up and say "Hey, Adam, If youre guy wins I guess we'll all have to learn how to pick cotton". WHAT THE HECK???? Man, I didnt know race was still this big of an issue in this country!!

Ferdmcberf-no I do not work for the Mcain Campain. The problems we are seeing today is a cumulation of decisions made by all of our political leaders (democrate and Republican) over the last 50 years. We cannot blame one person for all of our troubles. The reason all these problems continue is the lack of bipartisanship we have witnessed through BOTH parties. Both democrats and republicans are responsible for what we are going thorough today. What we need is people who are elected make thier decisions based on what is right for the American people and not what is good for the party. Anyways the question is still ...how can the government continue to operate on a checks and balance system if 1 party holds the power in all? In a perfect world, they would just get rid of the party system and a person can run for office based on thier values and decision making skills rather than who can bring more liberals or conservatives into office.

I agree that we the people are all to blame for the mess our country is in right now. It is unfortunate that we have become so numb to the workings of our government that we just shrug and say, "Oh well" while the folks who we hired to represent us go about their daily business as if they answer to no one. Lets look at our four Presidential and VP candidates. Three sitting US senators and a sitting governor. Three of the four are being paid to do a job as US employees. They are not being paid to run for their next office. All three should have had to take an unpaid leave of absence from the Senate while they are on the presidential campiagn trail. Afterall, how long do you think any of us would be allowed to keep our current job if we used spent all day, every day at or current job trying to find a new job? Yet none of these guys seem to have a problem with continuing to accept a senator's salary. As to the governor, If I was an Alaska resident, I would not be very happy that my employee was shirking her duties to the state so she can run for a different office.

I think it was Albert Einstein that said "You can't solve a problem using the same people that created the problem in the first place" It's a rough paraphrase, but you get the drift.

As far as the hatred of Americans overseas, I used to beleive that was a fact, as well. However, when I was in Europe two years ago I was pleasantly surprised to find that the people on the street were not really much different than we are. They didn't hate us instantly because we were Americans. On the contrary, many of them, especially in France, went out of their way to show their appreciation for what the US did over 60 years ago. Talk about long memories! The interesting thing was that it wasn't just memories of folks from the WW II era. Those folks had passed their appreciation for America on to their children and grandchildren! It was these younger generations that continued to demonstrate appreciation. So, don't believe everything you see in our media!

Final thought, I have run into a lot of folks over the past several months, Repulicans and Democrats who seem to think their political affiliation is akin to having a favorite football team that they have to be faithful to. Frankly this is maddening to me! We all need to understand where the candidates stand on the important issues of the day. It is unacceptable to act like being a Democrat or Republican is no different than being a Detroit Lions fan. We are choosing people to run our country, not routing for our favorite football team!.

JRSAMPLES: First of all, if you really are a Christian, what are you doing judging me? Remove the plank from your own eye before you try to remove the mote from mine! Then, read your Bible and learn how to behave like the Christian Jesus asked you to be, because what you wrote was seriously un-Christian!

I am not "your kind" of Christian. YOU are NOT God, and in no way do you have HIS authority to judge anyone else. Christians are given "discernment", not "judgement." I choose to believe that unconditional love, emulated by Jesus, is the spiritual calling in all of us. That being said, I also believe there are many paths to find God, including many religions that are not "Christian" based. My God, is a God of Love, and He is omnipitent, therefore, HE is powerful and almighty and is working in mysterious ways for all of the mankind He created.

Pro-choice is an issue between a woman and her maker. Anyone's relationship with God, is between them and their God...not you, not me. If you want to be in a religious war, go join your like minded in the Middle East where they have continued to kill in the name of God for thousands of years. And beware, judge not, lest ye be judged. God Bless you!

Guess what rexy. I support abortion. If a woman is raped by a man like..Jeffery Dalmer, for instance, I would certainly not expect that woman to bring a child into this world carrying his incredibly insane DNA, a thing which could destroy the rest of the woman's life. I believe that in a case such as that, it should be the woman's choice. The reason I believe that, is because in such situations, I believe in errinng on the side of freedom, and not the ideas of a sellect portion of American people who would like nothing more than to have all Americans live according to their religeous beliefs. You're trying to walk some fine lines here. Please be careful when you try to speak for everyone. Also, your posts will be more effective if you calm down a bit, and don't curse at religeous people. Who knows, they might .....melt..:) Gleason

Rukus, Thank You for this link: www.therealmcain.com and this video of McCain says so much: http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/468-the-real-mccain

If you are an undecided voter, an educated, thinking person who has not bought into the propaganda being hurled at you, I invite you to spend an hour or two reading many excellent entries below. Sorry, you will have to sift through many comments that'll make you shake your head. But you will also find an endless wealth of contributions by intelligent, educated, knowledgeable people who share the same concerns as you. Many of us have transcended the "noise" and researched and read and deliberated both sides of this Presidential race. Many of us are not ignorant or naive about politics or politicians. Many of us have been paying attention for decades. All of us are deeply concerned about our country. Honestly, I hope you'll vote for change, but at least I hope you'll give your vote considerable thought.

DefyObama - Educate yourself about the issues. And as far as Barack Obama, a friend of mine had him as a law professor in Chicago. He is the real deal and an intelligient, geniune individual. He is not a mystery. He is the man born in Hawaii - yes, one of our 50 states, who had a single mother. He worked hard, went to college, to law school, and got involved in the political arena for the good of the country. Secretive and a mystery? I don't think so. And he doesn't own 5, 6,7 ,8 or is it 9 houses?

I am very troubled and concerned with this upcoming election. i do not feel the need to be talking about President Bush at this time is the right choice by anyone. He is not one of the canidates running for office.My son went to Iraq for a year and I have never once heard him blame President Bush for the war we are in. I do not think you will hear from very many of our service men/women balme the President.Yes I am a republican but that doesn't mean that I always vote straight republican. I go in and vote for who will be the best man/women to be voted for. I honestly hope all Americans can go to the polls on Tuesday open minded with the canidates and not just based on being democrat or republican. Think if you are wanitng our country to be open for another attack or remain safe. Think about a picture of canidates standing for OUR National Anthem with their hands on their hearts except for one canidate. That just disrespects our country. Think about one of the canidates and his wife having tight connections with people in Iran. What about a document that has been sealed with a picture of one of the canidates having a toast with a close friend from Iran.?. Funny it won't be opened for the Americans to see. Don't go to the polls and just vote for the man whom will make history just because of the color of his skin. I am tired of hearing look just what all the republicans in office have done. Just because one is a repulican doesn't mean he or she will not do a great job for our country. We are all different individuals with different ideas and thoughts. Think about one of the canidates if sworn in, will be choose his own bible to place his hand on over ours? While voicing my comments here I am not happy with the way the election works. A canidate is declared winner in a state by electoral votes before our polls are even closed. So this means each individual vote does not actually even count.?. I am just hoping everyone that goes out to vote on Tuesday goes into the polls with an open mind and thinking things over regarding each canidate and vote with your heart and not just because of your political party. I think it is going to be a huge job for whomever wins this election to step into as President of the United States. John McCane is the best one to fill the shoes as President of the United States this time around.

Well said Mya...well said.