Presidential Primaries

The Republican Primary ... as I see it.

It is a hard pick between all of the Republican Candidates. Most have good qualities that if cobbled together would make a great president. Because of the number of candidates and huge number of issues this is oversimplified. Fox News gives good overviews for more info.

Because the Florida Primary is so early this year (Jan 29) it will really make a difference in who gets elected!!!

In Alphabetical order:

Fred Thompson DROPPED OUT of Race (aka. the guy on Law and Order, my #1 pick)
Experience: Assistant US Attorney in Nashville, TN, private attorney, council on Watergate committee, actor (18 films), 8 years in the Senate, (Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee)
Positives: has 100% Pro-life voting record, strongest conservative in the bunch, Good ideas on Social Security, strong stance against illegal immigration, strong supporter of less government spending and lower taxes.
Negatives: Got in the race late, Has a hard time expressing his opinions on TV

John McCain (aka the Maverick)
Experience: 22 years as Navy pilot, Arizona rep. US House of Representatives since 1982-1986, US Senate 1986-present
Positives: Strong supporter of Troop Surge and finishing work in Iraq, Strong anti-pork/earmarking. War Hero former POW
Negatives: Voted against Bush Tax cuts, Wrote McCain-Finegold which limits free speech possibly more than any other bill ever. Supports radical changes to policy to prevent Gorebal Warming (not misspelled). Wrote McCain-Kennedy would have basically given amnesty to illegal aliens (bill did not pass)
Personal Note: I don't like McCain, he loves the press and will say stuff just to get on camera

Mike Huckabee (aka the Southern Baptist Preacher)
Experience: 1996-2007 governor of Arkansas, past chairman of the National Governors’ Association, Southern Baptist Preacher
Positives: Very Strong Pro Life (as Pro as you can get). Personality, has a great wit and is very likable. Supports the Fair Tax plan, supports Marriage Amendment, Strong 2nd Amendment supporter.
Negatives: Immigration (supports scholarships and instate tuition for illegals), Endorsed by the NEA (national teachers union), Raised taxes a lot more than cut taxes while governor. Very little foreign affairs experience
Personal Note: Jimmy Carter was a Pro-life Southern Baptist too...

Mitt Romney (aka the wealthy Mormon, my #2 pick)
Experience: Former CEO of venture capital firm (Domino's, Staples, and Sealy) Governor of Massachusetts (2002-2006), Credited for turning around Utah winter Olympics from near failure to a success,
Positives: lowered taxes and helped to balance budget in Mass., claims strong pro-life stance, successful businessman, strong health-care plan
Negatives: Is longtime member of the Mormon faith, was once pro-choice, has implied possibly increasing taxes on rich.

Dr. Ron Paul (aka the Libertarian)
Experience: Air-Force flight surgeon, several years in specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, US congress for many years,
Positives: Anti-government control, wants to lower taxes and decrease spending, a federalist, strong Pro-Lifer, wants to reduce the size of government, good health-care ideas
Negatives: Is a nut job. An Isolationist, Wants to take ALL of our troops around the world back to US soil. Basically said Israel is on their own and he wouldn't help if they were attacked.

Rudy Giuliani (aka the country's Mayor)
Experience: assistant attorney general under Regan, US prosecuting attorney n NY, Former two term mayor of NYC
Positives: Turned NYC from a dirty crime-ridden city to clean and low crime, A strong leader during the 911 tragedy, is now strongly against illegal immigration, wants to lower taxes, strong supporter of reduced gov. spending, strong on anti-terrorism
Negatives: weak on 2nd Amendment (outlawed guns in NYC), pre 911 was soft on illegal immigration, strong supporter of gay "rights", use to be pro-choice