CNN iReport

After a year and a half of campaigning, the 2008 Presidential race is about to draw to a close.

We started out with more candidates then a person has fingers for each party, most of them are still unknown, down to two well-known and qualified individuals.

Normally, I like to keep my election vote to myself, and maybe tell a few friends whom I talk politics to every now and then.  This year though, I got the gut to write about it.  I know not everyone is going to agree with my point of view, and that is fine.  Please respect it, just like I will respect yours, whatever it maybe.  We live in America, and we get to vote.  That’s the great thing about this country, we have a choice, and it is our right to express it on Election Day.  I want to the time to explain myself, and why I feel the way I do about both sides.

Normally with elections, I like to keep an open mind till election time, and this election is no different, as I made up my mind only a few days ago.  I consider myself to be an independent, and registered as such, so obviously, I am one of those core voters both candidates would love to go after.  I have some views on the left and on the right.  I believe both parties have good things to bring to the table.

Needless to say, I had a tough time this year selecting a candidate.  I even considered some of the third-party candidates, including Bob Bar in particular.

Both major candidates bring good qualities to the Oval Office, but unfortunately, I cannot take Barack Obama’s Iraq stance with John McCain’s bipartisanship to create someone for office.  I can select only one.

I am born & bread in Arizona.  Even though, I do not live there, and have no plans on moving back as of yet (not to say anything about me not being registered there any longer), I still view John McCain as my Senator.  I have supported him for as long as I can remember.  I voted for him every chance I have had, including during the Massachusetts primary this past winter.  I have met the man, and I have loads of respect for him.  I salute him for the public service he has given to our country, just like any other long-term politician in Washington on both sides of the aisle.  He is a national hero for what he went though in Vietnam.  My political opinion of him is not influenced by his time in Vietnam, but it shows what kind of person he is.  I think he is one of the most honest, candid, and honest people in Washington.  Just that alone is good enough for my vote, in a normal election year.

This year though is not a normal election year.  President George Bush had the potential to be friends with the world after 9/11, and was for a while.  That all turned around when he went on his personal mission in Iraq.  Our image internationally was damaged as a result.  In this day in age when the whole world is connected economically, politically, militarily, and in some ways, culturally, the world’s most powerful country, needs to be friends with the world.

I am not trying to say McCain is George Bush.  I believe John McCain is John McCain, not George Bush.  McCain has been around for a long time.  He is an older face.  Normally, I have no problem having a face we have seen, but in light of our image internationally, we need a fresh face, someone new.

That is the core reason why I am voting for Barack Obama.  Obama is well liked internationally.  He has the ability to bring all sides together to discuss what needs to be discussed.  He strongly believes in resolving international issues diplomatically.  He is also someone who has not been in Washington for too long, but long enough for him to understand how it operates.  It is time to go in a different direction, and why elect someone who has been there for a while, and is going to bring the “old Washington ways of doing things” when we can start with something new?

Another edge Obama has is his pick for vice-president.  Delaware Senator Joe Biden is a respected individual in Washington.  He knows the issues, and how Washington is run.  I know he has been in the Senate longer then I have been alive, in light of what I discussed in the previous paragraph, but he could use that experience to help Obama get things done, by either advising Obama or discussing the issues with members of Congress. 

I also think Senator Biden is more qualified then McCain’s pick in Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, who is absolutely not qualified to be Vice-President.  I think Palin is a smart individual that has received harsh treatment from the press.  I know about the stupid things she has said in interviews, but that comes from the lack of the necessary skills, and knowledge.  I think she has potential, but politically she has a lot of growing to do.  Why McCain picked her is a mystery, as there are other Governors (just that group alone) out there who have more skill, and experience then she does.  MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann said it the best the day she was selected, as it appeared she selection was a desperate move to pick someone.  Personally, I wish he could have picked a bipartisan Joseph Liebermann, but the Republican base would not approve that.  As someone who was celebrating when Mitt Romeny left the Massachusetts State House, after showing he is the most incompetent politician ever elected in public office, since he was never in the state to do the job he was elected for (spent his time in early primary states), I am glad he was not selected, as I would have not considered McCain if that selection did take place.

I will say though, Gov. Palin can relate to the average person because she has a child she has who needs special needs and a teenager who is pregnant.  There are real average Americans who are going through that, so she can relate.  Just that reason alone though does not make he automatically qualified to be Vice-President.  Only giving credit when and where it is due, that is all.

Gov. Palin needs to sharpen up on her national issues, not to say anything about international issues and exposure.  The only issue she knows about is energy.  Even though it is a top issue, she needs to know more about other issues.  I saw her being interviewed on CNBC before she was named Vice-President, and I liked the way she presented herself.  I did not see the same Sarah Plain on the campaign trail, mainly because of the lack of knowledge, and experience.  She also needs help in better selection of words in her speeches.  I see why she is saying what she is saying, as she is trying to show she can relate to the common person. The thought the Republicans could use her as a top Republican the next couple of years is scary, and potentially be political suicide.

As far as the issues are concerned, I always hear candidates say this, that, and the other thing, but they do not follow through too often.  That’s why I am looking at the person, and the past rather then what they say about the future.  Plus, no one can predict what the next President will face.  Sure, they can say all they want about Iraq, the economy, and whatever issues you can think of, but we do not know what international disputes or domestic issues conflicts or disasters will arise.  Exactly what will happen is entirely unexpected.  It was McCain who did say in the town-hall style debate that his biggest challenge, if elected, will be dealing, and preparing for the unknown, simply because we do not know what the unknown will be.  I will acknowledge that some of these unexpected events tend to derail what they say they plan to do in the White House.

Say what you want about the economy.  As someone who works in the investment industry, follows the capital markets, and the economy everyday, I am not sold that the theory the President controls what goes on in the economy, but my opinion about the economy is for a different column at a different time.  There are plenty of people to blame, trust me on that, and little is on Washington.

Even though conditions in Iraq are better then they were a year ago, I want out like anyone else.  I think regardless who is elected, we are still going to be in Iraq, and will be in there for a while.  The democrats can talk all they want about getting out, but they do not know how to leave in a civilized and clean matter. Who is elected though can effect how things are run there.  Obama wants to get out quicker the McCain does, but who knows long ling that will really take.

One issue I wish was discussed is the national debt.  President Bush took on a surplus, and will be leaving with an over trillion-dollar debt, because of spending on Iraq, and the economic packages.  Of course, that will go back to what I discussed earlier, no one knows exactly what unexpected events will occur which could have an effect on the national debt.  In addition, depending on who gets elected, what programs they get enacted/what programs get slashed and what uncontrollable events occur will be the telling story on our national debt the next 4 years.  So, obviously, there are many variables, some of which can have little control, on what maybe the most important never discussed issue in this election.

This election has been one eventful roller coaster.  It will all come to an end, finally, on Tuesday night.  It is a night I am looking forward to, and will be glued to be TV for what potentially will be an eventful night.  What we do know is history will be made.  It will be interesting.