2008 Presidential Roundtable

(A look at the 2008 Election landscape, roundtable stylee.)



1. What are you looking for in the next President?
Mark: I'm looking for a president that will seriously tackle two policy issues: alt fuel/decreasing dependence on foreign oil & border security. I'm at a point where I realize that no president will ever be in a position to hit all of the issues that matter to me (like the war on drugs) but I think that if a president can push through one major policy change in 4 - 8 years, it's better than nothing. The next president has to be green but amicable to business as well. The problem with the folks from Green Peace and all of those other "radical" environmental groups is that they are far too hostile to business versus seeing the obvious and productive marriage between business and green activism. A president that can provide leadership in the merger of green policy with sound business practices is one worthy of my vote.

Then there's the border. This is very simple. BUILD A FENCE! That's all I care about at this point. Build a fence across the US-Mexico border and start deporting the illegals you find in this country. Besides that, as far as guest worker programs and all are concerned...I don't care. I'm not going to get my way, which would be that we stop encouraging people to break the law so I'll just settle for guarding the border as best we can instead of ignoring the borders. And for those that think my opinion here smacks of xenophobia, it's not about illegal immigrants so much as it is about security and terrorism.

Rev. John: Leadership. 'Nuff said. If accepted the fact that all candidates have a certain degree of bullshit to them (which we're partly responsible for), but what candidate wants to actually unite the country instead of just race towards 51% of the vote? If I disagree, what candidate is going to convince me their path is in the best interest of the country? We've gotten so divisive that without any recognizable leadership where a candidate stands on issues is irrelevant, because even if they're able to get anything done, the other party is just going to undo it in the next four to six years.


2. Is there anyone running right now who you think is a sure shot?
Mark: Well I think people will make the same mistake they made in 2004 and nominate the person they think can win the election rather than the person they want to win...his name is John McCain.

Rev. John: I don't think anyone is a sure shot. The way the system the country is now, if I were the Republican nominee and one of my liberal friends got the nod from the Democrats; we'd both start off with 45% of the vote no questions asked. I think the interesting thing to watch in 2008 is how the different states making their primaries earlier affect the nominating process. If California actually goes through with making their in early February, it could be come less about which GOP candidate can satisfy the southern base and more about which GOP has the best shot of putting California in play for the general election.


3. It's been said that Governors make better candidates than senators and/or congressman. Agree or disagree?
Mark: Governors are natural leaders versus Senators and Congressmen whom act on consensus. I think the job calls for the kind of boldness that Governorships foster rather than leadership by committee that is the lifeblood of the aforementioned Congressional leaders. In addition, Governors are trained executors highly bureaucratic estates like...well states and as such are better prepared to lead a highly complicated country, such as our, more so than Senators and such whom have no experience per se. While some may be former governors or mayors, I think it would be highly improbable that they would be able to shake the stink of Congress off of them.

Rev. John: Senators/Congressmen spend a lot of time talking about what they've done and how they've "worked" with the opposing party. Governors actually have a record to back it up. John McCain and Hillary Clinton can talk about their healthcare plans all they want...Mitt Romney has actually implemented one that has agreeable by the left, right, and center alike. I'm sure Newt Gingrich and Barrack Obama have great ideas about education. Bill Richardson has made actual improvements in the public school system for his state.


4. Out of all the "longshot" candidates, which one do you like the best?
Mark: Well we all know I have a special place in my heart for Dennis Kucinich but I think Governor Huckabee sounds like the most interesting choice.

Rev. John: Outside Anytime I've hard Mike Huckabee interviewed I've liked a lot of what he's had to say. There aren't many candidates who have a more impressive resume than Bill Richardson.