What do you think the weaknesses of your party's candidate are?

Question

Democrats: what do you not like about Obama?

Republicans: what do you not like about McCain?

Answer 1

It's not that I don't like this about McCain, but it's not preferred.

McCain doesn't connect with his audience as well as Obama, he appears older and less attractive and sometimes makes awkward faces.  His speeches don't move people as well as Obama's.  In short, he is less likely to be as popular because of his persona.

Elections are ultimately popularity contests, and these fickle attributes do play a role in them.

Answer 2

I'm a Libertarian, so I'm going to talk about Bob Barr (who I think is the worst candidate we could have chosen).

Bob came into Congress as a Gingrich Republican, where he quickly established himself as a decidely ANTI-liberty member of congress.  He has attempted to outlaw abortion, immigration, all use of marijuana, and g*y marriage.  h**l, he even tried to outlaw Wicca as a recognized religion for our armed servicemen and women!  I guess defending the first amendment doesn't mean that you yourself get to practice it.  During his eight years in the House, from 1995 to 2003, Barr voted on 24 major bills and amendments affecting the freedom of Americans to trade and invest in the global economy. He voted in favor of lower trade barriers only four times, voting in favor of higher trade barriers 20 times.

Now, since being voted out of office Barr has seen the light and come around to the Libertarian point of view.  Or at least he claims he has.  I personally don't buy it.  Bob Barr is not a libertarian, he's an old school right winger and an opportunist.  And the Libertarian Party, the "party of principle", has elected him as our standard bearer this year simply because of the name recognition factor.  I will vote for him, but for the first time in my life it won't be because I think he's the best candidate.  This year there IS no best candidate, and if Barr takes a large enough percentage of the popular vote it will make getting on the ballot easier for our candidate in 2012.  That's what I'm voting for: ballot access.  If I voted my conscience I would sit this election out.

What are the weakensses of my party's candidate?  His voting record, past stances on the issues, and a total lack of credibility.

Answer 3

They are both Politicians. Most people no longer trust them because they have self interest, E.G. party/ special interests groups, and not the people that vote for them. Peace  

Answer 4

I'm a Republican.

There isn't really anything I like about Obama.

As for McCain, he's pro-amnesty for illegals, which I don't like.

Answer 5

Voting for FISA was a mistake for his base. There are actually alot of things it would be great for Obama to endorse, such as the decriminalization of marijuana, but I also know America isn't ready for and won't vote for someone who supports such positions.

I think for the most part, Obama has hit upon a good mixture of liberalism with just enough militarism for people to accept. I think he could ham up the populism a little more, do the John Edwards or Bill Clinton tour through impoverished areas telling people 'I feel your pain', but otherwise he is doing a great job of being an electable liberal candidate.

Answer 6

I don't like either one of them.

Obama: tax and spend

McCain: deficit spending

Obama: welfare

McCain warfare