yeah... but even if Obama is running his campaign "better/cleaner" - I don't feel like I would trust that man any more in the position as President.  Unfortunately, with two "great sinners" running for President, and if I am "forced" to vote - I will vote for the one, even as sinful as he is, that has the platform which alligns more closely to what I support.

And if you're going to be angry/upset at McCain - be angry at the rest of the nation of America as well - b/c the harsh belittling is something that occurs every week in competitions like this (football, baseball) - where humility is not honored, but arrogance instead.  I don't mean the players necessarily, but I definitely mean the fans.  If anything, the Olympics have "more class" b/c everybody is representing their nation (both fans and competitors).  But when it comes to representing "your side" in America (with freedom of speech, freedom of representation, basically freedom to do whatever you want ALMOST to the extent without any humility or accountability), it leads to the constant belitting, mud-slinging, hateful, and ignorant responses - why?  B/c... "we" want to win.

Actually, it's too bad there's no default... like... to go a year without a president, b/c majority of people weren't comfortable to vote.  ... now THAT... would be a sight to see.  If the majority of the citizens of America just didn't vote, and then going a "year or so without a President."  But then for people to say something like "I don't feel comfortable voting for either of them", then getting targetted for not taking responsibility of their right and not taking responsibility for weighing the candidates and platforms properly, etc.

But I think we should all write in "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" and vote for him.

@Wesican - lol Wes.  I would never run for president or government office.  So much temptation to sling mud at people in campaigns, take bribes from people with power, firing people just because "you can".  (The Obama campaign from OSU just called me like 5 minutes ago...I have no idea how they got my phone number, so creepy).  Politics is like Survivor....only its real life.  I would never touch a governmental position with a ten feet pole.  Anyways, sorry about not hanging out with you at Columbus.  I lost your phone number.

P.S. I wouldn't be old enough to be president during 2012 :p

@Riceman5938 - Thanks for your comments.  Your comment about "we want to win" is interesting. That phrase is actually the reason why I've been seperating from the Republican party more and more (for this period).  This is the party that calls themselves the Christian party, the party with morals and values, the party with moral integrity, the party that follows the laws of the constitution.  For a party that labels themselves these things, they have done a lot of things that contradicts what they say about themselves.  Stuff like the Patriot act, FISA, promoting torture, guantanamo are complete violations to the constitution.  For a party that has "moral integrity", they have no problems labeling their opponent as "Scary", "antichrist", "airheaded celebrity", "terrorist", "traitor" etc.  Why?  Its exactly like the quote you said, because they want to win. 

 I find that very very problamatic, especially since many non-christians are watching this campaign.   Because the message that is being sent out to them is ,.  "Republican Party is the Christian party, the party of morals and values, but when it comes to winning elections, attaining power...morals and integrity doesn't matter anymore."  I feel that it doesn't really matter if a person is "pro-life, anti gay marriage" if they cannot conduct their campaign with integrity.  Once a  person does that, their character is being questioned and they lose trust from everyone regardless of what the believe in.  Its the most damaging when that person "represents" christians. 

As for being upset about the spectators, I am.  I am disgusted with the outright racism be expressed by the spectators.  I don't know if I was making myself clear, but the rallies I was talking about, were rallies that were held by McCain and Palin in Strongsville, OH, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.  Some of the rallies have turned into a lynching mob.  Its one thing when the audience boos a person, its another when the audience is screaming "kill him" "lynch him", "traitor", "arab", "terrorist" or a guy holding a stuffed monkey labeled Obama.  But at the same time McCain and Palin has to be held accountable.  McCain and the Palin have the power to tell their audience to be quiet, or to tell their audience that they are wrong to say such things.  I don't believe that Obama has run the cleanest campaign, but I have a lot of respect for him and Biden to tell their supporters to knock it off when they were making fun of Bristol Palin's pregnancy.  Obama had many oppertunities to dig up a ton of dirt on McCain (Keating 5, McCain leaving his first wife after she almost died in a car accident, Palin's abusive power etc.) but he didn't.  When McCain and Palin do not tell their audience to be respectful...they are sending out a message.  It is a message saying that they are okay with their audience slandering their opponent racially.  Their silence approves of that.

@moonpi - Thanks for your comments Andrew.  I'm not sure if my criticism was that mature.  I am trying to be self-controled when doing criticism...its very easy to get carried away and become very emotionally charged (politics really does that to people).  That insult of Palin is really stupid though.  I kind of don't know about Palin.  On one hand I'm supposed to root for her because she is an "Evangelical", I do want a Christian who isn't going to embarrass the Christian community.  On the other hand I am very dumbfounded at her lack of awareness in very basic things (knowing the concept of Roe vs. Wade)...she also comes off as a charicature during the VP debate (winking to the cameras).  I have to admit it really doesn't help that she was found guilty last Friday for using her entire staff to fire a guy for personal/family reasons.

@RyanC481 - Oh I agree with everything you're saying against McCain and Palin and the Republican Party and also the right-wing conservative Christians, ... but with that being said... I simply don't feel comfortable voting for Obama.  I can't vote for Obama based primarily on integrity for the past year or so (meaning, not that he hasn't run the campaign well, but rather... 1 year isn't enough to tell me about his integrity) and I can't vote for Obama for platform.  McCain's history seems to be more "rough and ragged" politically speaking, but Obama's is... mostly unknown and won't let anybody know anything about his past.

I guess we're down to deciding if we're going to vote for either (a) strictly Integrity, (b) strictly Platform, (c) both, or ... maybe even (d) trying to "guess" how the one would be able to perform AS President based on what (little) we know of Integrity and Platform.  McCain's integrity as "sour" as it looks now... despite his age... may BE better as a President.  Of course, the argument is, If he would go "so low" to take pot-shots at his opponents, and also would not control the crowd in their "lynching mode" - how would he be as President.  But Obama also took pot-shots, and also has his fans/supporters all rouled up as well.

BUT - in more so accrediting how our Government works - even if hypothetically speaking, Obama does have an "interesting past" that is connected w/ "radical ideas" and it comes to light post-election... the position of President isn't completely safe/secure and it isn't with unlimited power.  If he doesn't do a good job - 4 years, he's gone... OR... if he tries to do something underhanded/scandalous, then he's impeached.  And this last bit is of more of my thinking outloud as I write... that perhaps ... there is "no harm done" if Obama becomes president.  There's just a wonder if there will necessarily be GOOD that will come out of it (i.e. the "change" he so desires to see/have... and whether or not the change he wants is indeed GOOD - both morally and practically speaking).

Thanks for the dialogue, Ryan, and your passion for wanting to be fair and true, good and just, and making reasonable/sound judgments as a Christian. =)