I saw something we both have in common, Democrat and Republican: we’re leaning in one direction with our policy ideals but still keeping an open mind. It sounds like policy put into action, and not continuing to debate, would be your ideal (a la Jack Bauer.) I agree we need action, as long as it isn’t another unilateral executive deciding to bypass the rules (like, excluding Congress.)

Do you think his long business experience will translate well to the format of D.C.?  I’m asking knowing that CA’s Governor ran on a similar platform; he has managed to find a bi-partisan way of legislating, while still making decisions. 

There’s something else we have in common, namely, looking at Ron Paul.  He’s a candidate who stands out from the entire field and I’m listening and reading about him too.

Hi Alma!
Thanks for taking time to read my silly blog.  While I get a kick out of watching Jack Bauer’s ridiculous antics, I don’t think a President or any poliltican should rush to action quite like he does nor bypass the rules as you mentioned.  Debate and deliberation are necessary and important.  I love that our country auditions presidential candidates for a year (and then some) before we choose who is going to be the leader of the free world.  Sure, most people are sick of watching the umpteenth debate on TV, but we have a critical decision to make and we need to gather all of the facts as best as we can.

Romney has had experience trying to balance the needs of people from both sides of the aisle in Massachussetts.  I think the best leader is one who can hear both sides, rather than be dictated solely by his party.  It seems to me the line between parties has blurred a lot lately anyway.

Yes, it bothers me a lot that Romney has the reputation of beach footwear, a real flip flopper; however, some might award him honesty points for being brave enough to change his stance and admit his change of heart.  Political schmitical?  Probably, but none of the Republican candidates are as perfect as I’d like them to be.  Then again, neither am I.  Some of them are even a bit scary.  Sometimes, especially in the morning, I am too.

As to Ron Paul, it’s too bad he’s not doing better in the Primaries.  I love his protective grasp on the Constitution.  He seems to have struck a popular cord with younger voters too.  Next Tuesday is going to be...uh...SUPER!

How refreshing to find a blogger whose ideals mirror my own so perfectly! Thank you, Trina.

This is going to be a very interesting campaign year, and with the writers’ strike, there will be fewer distractions than ever before. Look sharp, people. Get all the information you can, then make wise voting decisions, based on Constitutional guidelines and who can best lead our country, not which politician promises to give you more entitlements and perks. There’s no free lunch!

I was delighted to see John McCain win the Florida primary.  Though I think Romney’s success in the private sector is admirable, I don’t know that it follows that he would be a good executive officer of this large, unwieldy, shared-power government.  McCain’s ability to reach across the aisle and work with the opposing party needs to be harnessed in pushing through needed legislation.  I don’t think his age is any sort of an impediment.  I’m 66 myself, still working full time while being a published writer.  I think the senior years can be the most productive time of one’s life. But most of all, I value that McCain is/has been true to what he believes, standing staunchly when his views are unpopular. 

By the way, welcome!  I’m sure yours will be a welcome forum during the election.

I’m with you on this one, Trina. Mitt Romney has my vote, good and solid--not because of his religion (yeah, so I’m from Utah), but because of his qualifications as a leader and honest politician (I didn’t think there as such a thing until Romney), and his overall integrity as a citizen, husband, and father.

I agree that Romney is the better republican for the job. The only thing McCain can tout is that he served in the military. I’m grateful for that and I think a man who’s been in war would have a big perspective of our current circumstance, but I"m far more impressed by the economic ‘wars’ Romney has been fighting his whole life. He has the political know how, the economic know how, and the business mans savvy necessary to make the best overall decisions in regards to running this country. I also agree with his education, health care, and immigration stance.

As for Jack Bauer--that’s one I’ll argue with you on. Did you know Keifer Sutherland used to be a vampire? We don’t need any more of them in politics.

Your comments are right on target.  With your permission, I would like to share them with friends and family in other states who will be voting February 5.

It’s unfortunate that the national, liberal media goes out of the way to slant Mitt Romney’s background and record while promoting the candidate of their choice.  We have not had a candidate for President with such great credentials since Ronald Reagan.  Hopefully the public will not be misled by the biased media and will cast a vote for the most qualified candidate—Mitt Romney.

Thanks for presenting the facts in a succinct manner.

I read McCain’s book Faith of My Fathers and had a lot of respect for him until I saw the way he’s running his campaign.  He’s throwing tantrums and going off on tears—he can’t seem to argue his points calmly.  We need a level-headed president.  I’m voting for Romney.

Romney has my vote, especially after last night’s debate. It was very apparent to me that McCain is trying to smear Romney’s reputation by twisting Romney’s comments or flating saying things that are false about his apponent. And I didn’t like how he was constantly smirking when Romney was talking. How unprofessional and rude! I was going to vote for McCain. I am a military wife and I admire McCain’s military record and consider him a war hero. After listening to him and his comments, I have come to the conclusion that the only difference between him and Hillary is that he is pro Iraq war and doesn’t want to immediately pull the troops out. I feel he is being dishonest to try to win votes. Any voter that does their homework will see what I’m talkign about. That’s the only difference is the war in Iraq.  And personally I think that most people that used to be Republicans are now really Democrats and those that call themselves Democrats are really Socialists. We need to return to our conservative roots!  Romney was a successful govener. Running a state is like running a smaller version of the US. Senators don’t have this kind of experiene. Yes, Romney’s state didn’t do so well in getting more jobs, etc. But it was so much farther in the hole than any other state and had farther to go than any other state did. He turned things around for them! Remeber the Olympics in SLC? Full of corruption like no other Olympics had ever seen and he came in and turned it around too. Go back in time and read up on what happened. The US is at a crossroads here. Are we going to head down the path of socialism or worse? Or are we going to return to the glory days of Ronald Reagan? McCain isn’t going to fix Washington neither will HIllary or Obama. They are part of the problem. Romney has a history of fixing broken companies and organizations. And I believe him to be a moral man as well. We need morality and honesty and sheer executive know how to pull this country out of what could be a huge train wreck!

I believe Mitt Romney is the right man to be our next President.  He is financially responsible and experienced.  He has the integrity to lead this great nation.  He has ethics and integrity and has the humility to admit he was wrong in areas that matter to our family.  He is a strong leader with well-planned, realistic and workable goals for our country.  The three areas that he represents us most is (1) economy (2) illegal immigration and (3) securing our nation.  He can and will do this because he has a plan.  Also, he can’t and won’t be bought.

It’s okay to be Republican.  No one’s perfect!

Just kidding… Seriously, really interesting article!  Thanks for writing it, and good luck in these next few months!

I would vote for Rudy Giulani - if we were still in the race - because of the way he handled 9/11.  I like him and feel that he has not done the bashing that the others seem to feel is the thing to do.

Since he is not in the race I would probably vote for John McCain - he seems to be on the same platform that Rudy is.

I would like to hear what the canidates are for and not what the other one has done wrong.

I’ve asked myself the “If the election were tomorrow” question quite a bit over the last several months, and I’ve always come down very reluctantly in Romney’s camp.  I think his biggest selling point is that he’s a man of integrity (which, as has been said, is rare these days).  He’d also, undoubtedly do a great job with the economy.  But unlike many of the commenters, it’s his stance on immigration and health care that make me dislike him--and I dislike him more every time I watch a debate.

As of five days ago I officially gave up on Romney, just as I gave up on the Republican party three years ago (I’m now an Independent).  On Sunday I jumped to the dark side, and now am very reluctantly supporting Obama.

I wish that the Republican primaries weren’t an “I Love Reagan More Than You” contest, pandering to the most conservative elements.  I miss election of 2000 when everyone was trying to prove they were the most moderate.  This country could do with a little less ideological chest thumping, and a little more compromise and results.

Interesting Commentary, all of you.  This is an interesting election for us wherein we do not have a seated president or vice president running for the Oval Office.  I think it has allowed us the opportunity to step back from politics and look at the individuals in a way that is unique to this election.  There is a lot of dialogue about reaching across the aisles and looking for bi-partisan solutions.  I hope we, as voters, can look past who has the best media presence and can deliver the best speeches and evaluate who is best suited to lead the country.  While I am not planning to cast my vote for Huckabee, I think he said something important in last night’s debate.  He talked about the need to re-capture the American spirit and the “can-do” attitude when looking to the future, whether we are Republicans or Democrats (or something else), He talked about bringing us together to believe in ourselves as a nation.  It is the candidate that can actually deliver that kind of leadership—as well as the candidate who posesses the most experience and resolve to actually get things done—that will be the candidate to get my vote!  In the meantime, like Trina, I am trying to keep an open mind.  I’ll let you know after SUPER Tuesday!

It’s nice to see such a fresh take on the political wasteland that has become the current race to the whitehouse. With the Arizona election next week, I have been researching, and soul-searching “the right candidate for the job”, if there is such a perfect specimen anymore. As a Mom, my “platform” is setting a good example, and leading by the same. we need a President who is ready to make change, and I am not talking about what will be left of a budget when he gets through. Actions speak louder than words, thus my vote will be going to Mitt Romney. He is a leader who ldoes so by example,a proven record to stand by it. His values are something this country needs to come full circle on. He has respect, honor and commitment...things that can still be acquired without a millitary career.

Thanks Trina. I too believe that Mitt Romney is the only true candidate in this presidential election. John McCain is a Democrat is disguise. He preaches standard republican values but he acts in a totally different manor. The interesting part about it is the fact that none of the media are calling him on his faults or deceptive traits. Why do you think that is?
I believe that the liberal media would love to have the Republican party make a big mistake and nominate an egotistical hot headed “politician” as our candidate ranther than a thorough, intelligent individual who has proven to be successful in every aspect of his life and in anything he has been involved with.
I was listening to a talk show on the radio and the narrator said, “I pick a candidate on the opinions of others who have had past experiences working with a candidate” Mitt Romney has received massive amounts of praise from co-workers, partners, running mates and pretty much anybody he has come into contact with. To me that shows true character and the signs of a leader that can lead this country at a pivital moment. He is the only candidate that will be able to defeat the Democrats and take this country to where it needs to be.

Mitt is the only conservative left, I mean right, McCain is left.  Right on Mitt - I’m starting the printing press for bumper sticers that read Romney-Bauer.

In addition to their particular stands and how they match my particular views, I have a huge preference for the candidate that is less likely to be too beholding to the interest groups that fund the campaign and subsequently have tremendous influence on policies.  None of our politicians can avoid some of that; it’s an unfortunate by-product of our dysfunctional political system and campaign “requirements.” McCain seems to be someone who is independent and definitely speaks his mind, sometimes without adequate diplomacy.  Romney also, in part because of his personal wealth and ability to fund much of his campaign himself, seems to be someone who can think independently.  I do like the fact that his understanding of organizations and his personal integrity were both integral to turning the Olympics from a total fiasco to a respectable event.  He has been successful as a businessman and as a governor.  I don’t think McCain can point to the same accomplishments even though I like his forthrightness.
Obama lacks experience in general and Hilary is far too calculating and intertwined with the established way of doing politics, etc.
It’s a toss-up at this point between McCain and Romney for me.

I have a bit different perspective on politics.  Frankly, I don’t really care whether someone is Democrat or Republican.  It seems to me that in the end it amounts to the same thing:  When you take money from people, you OWE them.  It’s not possible to take tens (or hundreds) of millions of dollars from huge campaign contributors to purchase air-time and advertisements and then ignore them after you get elected.  As a consequence, nothing ever changes in Washington.
We talk about campaign finance reform and it never happens.  We talk about tax reform and it never happens.  We talk about reforming health care and it never happens.  We talk about he skyrocketing prices of drugs in America and nothing is ever done.  We talk about becoming independent of oil and nothing ever happens.  We talk about doing something about global warming and nothing is ever done.  I could go on and on, and I’m sure many feel the same.
I have really only one question when it comes to a presidential candidate:  Is he part of the problem or part of the solution?  I believe Mitt Romney will be part of the solution.  Every other candidate, from McCain to Clinton will be part of the problem.  I frankly don’t think that Mitt will be able to change much given the state of the Congress but at least it’s a start.  Perhaps people will get fed up with the same old stuff and vote for real change eventually.
But I’m not holding my breath.

I love to hear talk of balanced budgets.. and no free lunch… it’ll be such a change from the last 8 years.. of out of control spending.. and then giving money back to the people to get the popularity up.. a chicken in every pot!!

California and the country need to get back on track.. we’re closing our parks because of bi-partisan bickering.. (http://pangeanative.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/arnold-responds-about-state-park-closures/) ..Our economy is going in the tank from lack of confidence in the Federal Government ... please.. step out of the Red vs Blue box.. AND take off the blinders.. if you feel yourself picking one of the candidates because it’s the default choice of your party.. stop.. step back .. take the pictures and names away from what the people are saying.. then make a choice…

If the politicians see that being genuine works.. they will work hard at being genuine… let’s do our part and give them an honest vote.

Thanks Trina for the truth in jest opening statement. I vote Jack too for VP- he gets things done. As for Romney-I think he’s one of the few with true internal integrity and external business sense. I don’t agree with your accusation about him flip flopping- he never supported abortion but chose to not change the existing position of the state of Mass. He spent his efforts elsewhere. As for Guiliani- not even the NY Times gave him support in last week’s publication. They called him a dishonest, crude and selfish man- pretty harsh coming from his own city. Romney shows a stark contrast for good. Here’s a big applause for all those Republicans who at least acknowledge that the GOP way of working for what you get instead of being given it all by the govt. on the dole- is the true American Spirit. We don’t need another democrat as Pres. who believes in higher taxes and govt. invovlement in every aspect of your lives.
If Bauer were VP we know what would happen to Iraq…

I will enjoy casting a vote for Romney on Tuesday. It will be a privilege to finally vote FOR someone, rather than against others. That being said, if he does not make it to the general election, I will not vote for McCain. If this country is going to go down under a Democrat, then it will go down under someone registered as a Democrat. McCain is just as much a Democrat as Hillary and Obama, he just happens to have an R next to his name.
To the people who say it doesn’t matter whether someone is a Democrat or Republican - it does matter. There are reasons why there are seperate parties. Each party has a philosophy of how the country should be run. They have platforms that they follow. One believes in limited government, one believes in big government. No matter how nice they are, or how much you like them, they are going to cast thier votes along thier party lines. So you decide on the ideas that you think will move America forward the best, and vote for candidates who by being members of that party have aligned themselves to those ideas.
That is why a lot of conservatives dont like McCain. He is a traitor. What the Jello republicans dont realize is that without us conservatives, they are not going to win anything. If the conservative base leaves the Republican party due to them turning away from thier conservative platform, the Republicans will be no more. The liberal Republicans will always vote for the real liberals - the Democrats, and that will leave just the middles. Alone and without shape, they will slide off the political plate. If they vote McCain the nomination, the Democrats will win the White House. The conservatives, will be left to create a new home for themselves.
Enjoyed your column,
Brenda

If every car in America were electric we wouldn’t be in Iraq.

Trina, Thank you for the comments.  I am leaning toward Romney myself. I appreciate his knowledge of economics, example of integrity, and what he had done with his American opportunities.  Being an Arizona resident, I was originally looking at McCain as my candidate of choice.  However, now that I am seeing his lack of ability to control emotion and run a positive campaign, I am doubting his ability to control crisis and represent our nation in a positive way.  Mostly, it comes down to integrity, honesty, and ability to bring about change.  For these reasons, Mitt has my vote.

Wow!  I walked away from my computer for a little while and all of sudden there were 23 comments from lots of wonderful people!  That’s terrific!  Thanks for supporting “Citizen Voices”!  I’m so pleased that there intelligent voters out there like you who are taking their voting power seriously.