1) Good idea, but this might be hard for me...

I am voting for Barack Obama because he is a man of strong, honest character and inspiring idealism. What I want from my leaders is truth in advertising and the ability to inspire and motivate people to make a difference in their lives and their country. Great bosses rarely are good at the daily grind. They are great at motivating their employees to do the best job they can while supporting them and giving them the resources and guidance they need to be productive and efficient.
I believe he will make a real effort to reform healthcare. I believe he will make a real effort to move us towards an enlightened energy policy, while being realistic about the pains of such a transition. I believe that he cares about the earth and the people who live on it, and will make a real effort to affect climate change and dwindling resources worldwide. I believe that he will not lead us into war or conflict without carefully weighing all options of diplomacy first. And I trust him to walk away from conflict if it's not necessary. I believe he will be honest with us about our need to participate in strengthening this nation, and I believe he will unite us because of that.

2) So, I went back to a blog I wrote in March. I still feel the same way about Obama that I did when I wrote this.
http://www.humzoo.com/spike/blog/5/

3) If I could vote, I'd vote for Obama because I think he has the ability to sway people. I believe that will allow him to make good, positive changes for everyone. I also find him to be a good-hearted, honest and affable person, which would help him win the respect of other world leaders. He has a powerful personality and a true love for the country and the world. The country needs change and I think he's the perfect candidate to lead it through necessary changes.

For extra points, I think McCain has a remarkable love for his country and has certainly proven that over the years.

4) I will be voting for Barack Obama because he is not part of the entrenched Washington politics that has been there for decades. I truly believe he is an honest man who has made himself what he is today without the help of rich parents or a trust fund. He has had to work for everything he has achieved and earned. He has been active in charity work and active in his community, usually for little or no recognition. He stands for family values and practices what he preaches by being faithful to his wife. I like that he has the integrity to run a clean campaign and not mudsling even though I’m sure he has been pressured to. Obama has plans/ideas that I would like to see enacted or put into place, some of which are: opposition of the use of torture on detainees, expanding adoption rights, repeal “don’t-ask, don’t tell”, oppose a constitutional ban on Same-Sex Marriage, helping veterans when they come home from active duty with medical care, help transitioning back into society, mental health care, etc. I could go on for a long time, so I’ll stop here!

I think our country owes a debt of gratitude to John McCain and all the others like him who were (and those who still are) POWs of the Vietnam conflict. He endured so much and NO ONE should ever have to endure torture! Enough said. I don’t want to beat into the ground any more. I think we all know the story.

5) I'm going to vote for someone other than one of those representing the main two parties. I like them because they are more likely to genuinely hold opinions and policies rather than following or being influenced by their parties.
We all know none of these candidates will win but if sufficient people vote for them then the main party strategists will take note of that and start looking at why the got so many votes. Possibly that might lead to the large parties looking into implementing some new policies or revising old ones. They're always looking to win votes and to do that they have to convince people that they will work for policies they care about.

6) Denny, this is such an awesome idea!!

I'm simply going to second what Matt, Spike and soundchick have said. He seems like a very genuine, honest man. I'm clearly passionate about education, and from listening to Obama, he seems to be as well. While I don't agree with all his education policies, he seems willing to listen to experts in education--the teachers--and to work with them instead of imposing his own agenda on us.

Plus he and his wife fist-bumped. How fun was that?!

7) Matt and Soundchick covered my main reasons for voting for Obama. I will just add that Obama seems to be one of the most intelligent politicians I have seen in my life. He has the wisdom to surround himself with people who are experts in their fields, although they might not share his views. He has an impressive track record for being in the Senate such a short time, which proves that he knows how to get things done.

I was somewhat ambivalent about Joe Biden when Obama first announced him as his running mate. But his speech at the Democratic convention last week was impressive and inspirational. On top of that, Spike sent me a link to a speech he gave in Congress once, which is absolutely brilliant. This man is smart, a great speaker and shares my feelings about the war in Iraq. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1op8vwF5UA

Sarah Palin brings excitement and a somewhat progressive feel to the Republican ticket. Although her experience has been called into question, I have said for a long time that experience is extremely overrated when it comes to the Presidency (and Vice Presidency for that matter). None of the candidates or their running mates have any experience as President. Palin would be possibly the most exciting VP we've had in my lifetime.

8) I am voting for McCain because he will do more to protect the lives of innoncent babies, like Palin's down syndrome child, than would the other candidate.

The McCain/Palin ticket has more executive leadership experience than does the Obama Biden ticket. And McCain is the only candidate who has truly fought for Americans.

I do respect Biden and have always liked him. He is not one to forsake other family members. In fact the story he told about how the rest of his family was there for him in rough times was very inspiring. I wish all of the candidates would help their other family members out who are down on their luck. It really shows what kind of moral character you have.

I like McCain because he has a common sense approach to the energy problem and will use ALL options, including drilling, nuclear, and alternative investments. He will not be narrow sighted and take some of those options off the table.

I like McCain because he is a realist and doesnt live in fantasy land. McCain will not promise us the world.

I like McCain because he is for all Americans and doesnt want to steal from the rich to give to the poor. He wants the poor to be rich. He doesnt want to rule the poor and be looked upon by them as their saviour.He wants to give them the chance to live the American dream.

9) i'm with limey george, i love them thar candidates that ain't gotta snowball's chance.

10) PS-palin is HOT!

11) I believe either candidate is qualified to lead this country into the future. Both have a knowledge of the problems facing our nation and possible solutions. I could survive with either candidate running our country. Having said that, I will admit that I get a feeling of pride and enthusiasm when I think of Obama as our leader, a sense of feeling good about who is running our country. I don’t get that feeling when I think of McCain as our leader. On the other hand, many years ago when I asked a principal why he had so many young, good looking females on his staff, his response was that you just as well enjoy the scenery you have to work in!! The “moose hunting lady with the nice rack” (as SallyPants termed her) offers more eyesight friendly scenery to me than does Biden. Consider that a sexist remark if you must, but the truth is that public appearance of a person has a lot of to do with how others perceive that person. I am sure that Palin has many political qualities that would serve her well in a VP role, but I am also sure McCain picked her for the “vote gathering” ability her sex and/or good looks may bring him in the election. So, who gets my vote? I love Alaska and its scenery (not its gov’s scenery), my vote goes for Obama.

12) I don't want to repeat anything so I'll just add that I'm voting for Obama b/c he can speak! Ok, I'm being silly but the man knows how to move a crowd. Also, for the simple fact that he's a democrat in addition to what most said above are reasons.

I said long ago that if a Republican were to win in November, I'd want it to be McCain. They don't call him The Maverick for nothing. He's admitted to being on the fence (or at least more open minded) about issues I feel very strongly about.

Sarah Palin brings new life to the Republican ticket and the "hockey mom" image will take her a long way. More importantly, her soon to be son-in-law and father of her soon to be grandchild is HOT.

13) I like Obama because he actually makes me excited about politics! Whenever he talks I feel like he truly means what he is saying. I think our country is stuck in the past and needs an update seriously. I like the fact that Obama is young and feel he is the change we need.

14) I'm an undecided voter... ok, not really.

McCain. He's pro-life, he's been much more tested by real-life trials, he's respected in both parties (consider the Hillary/Biden "endorsements" of earlier in the year), and his energy position seems more realistic and consumer-friendly. I expect him to endorse the Pickens Plan soon. He will keep the Bush tax cuts in place and cut taxes in other areas. He will eliminate all pork spending in Washington, and truly have the authority to push for a balanced budget. He will make government smaller- something Bush failed to do (yet promised). He will not make party loyalty a priority, as is the most common plague of Congress.

Obama speaks well. He seems to be a good family man. There's got to be more I can say- it just isn't coming to mind right now.

15) Neither one for me but I think both candidates have positive qualities. If Ron Paul was still in it, he'd have my vote. I'll be voting along those lines.

16) Obama because of inspirational leadership and level-headedness -- and most of the other reasons so well-explained above.

17) And -- well done, Denny!!!

18) I think I'm going to vote for McCain because of Sarah Palin. She's a hottie! :))

19) lol at everyone's hot comments regarding Palin...

Everyone has pretty much clearly stated what I feel about Obama. He is an inspiration, and his likability reminds me of everything I heard and read about when Kennedy was campaigning back in the 60's. At least I think so anyway.

I also do like McCain. I may not agree with his stance on a lot of issues, but he is the most liberal republican I've ever seen. I also like the fact that he has an open mind about things and is actually willing to listen to people. I at first thought his choice of running mate was a mistake and a total gimmick, but after hearing and seeing Palin, I now understand why he chose her. She is a strong woman and she is hot!

20) OK, so I've stayed out of many of the political blogs thus far because everyone else pretty much covered what I was thinking, and I didn't want to sound redundant. I also agree here, even when it comes to the positive McCain comments. In fact, if Hillary were the Democratic candidate, I would be seriously considering voting Republican for the first time since 1984 (yes, I voted for Ronald Reagan).

So why am I voting for Barack Obama? He gives me hope.