It’s About Character, Stupid.

I have decided to vote for John McCain.

Now, before you start screaming “traitor”, hear me out. John McCain is not exactly America’s most conservative Senator. I know that. I have issues with his stance on immigration. I have issues with campaign finance reform. But, the truth is, at this point McCain may be the only Republican I actually respect.

I like Mitt Romney. I think he is smart and God knows he is attractive (but, if all I care about is smart and attractive then I might as well vote for John Edwards, God forbid). The thing that I don’t like about Romney is that he wants to test the water before he gives his opinions. He wants to see what America thinks before he tells us what he thinks. I don’t like that and I don’t trust that. I really want a President that can think for himself.

I like Mike Huckabee. Who doesn’t? (Well, besides Romney.) Huckabee is a NICE guy. I am a sucker for the “awe shucks” candidate. But, Huck has a bad habit. He says a lot of stupid stuff. It’s like he just says whatever comes to his mind. He says insulting things that he may or may not mean as an insult and he throws religion around a lot. http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Huckabee_Amend_Constitution_to_meet_Gods_0115.html He reminds me of a certain President that has the lowest approval rating in history. Another guy I really like. I won’t tell you his name but his initials are George W. Bush. I can just look at “Dubya” and see what Huck would be like in office… daily media beatings and the but of world wide jokes. Yeah, I don’t think we need another guy like Bush.

Thompson doesn’t even want to be the President and who can blame him? He would be the perfect conservative candidate if he actually changed out of his house slippers and did a little stumping.

Rudy? Well, if I were to vote for him, I would have to admit to myself that character doesn’t matter. And it DOES matter. Rudy strikes me as shady and untrustworthy. I think he is a bad ass, which I like. But, being tough might be his only good quality. That is not good enough for me.

If nothing else, this election comes down to experience and character. The only candidate that has the experience to win and end this war is John McCain. McCain has been right about the war since day 1. The only candidate with character that I trust to do what he believes is right (even if I don’t agree with him) is John McCain. John McCain is the only choice as far as I can see. I guess if it came down to it, I would vote for Romney. And, let’s be honest, ANY of the Republicans (including that loon, Ron Paul) are better than either one of the democrats… especially Monica Lewinsky’s ex-boyfriend’s wife.

The Norris Factor: Chuck Norris endorses Mike Huckabee

Now, maybe it is just me, but, I think the new Chuck Norris/Mike Huckabee commercial is a riot.

Yesterday I heard Todd Schnitt on the radio ranting and raving about it saying that he didn’t understand who it was geared toward. And, to tell you the truth, I think that is the problem. Maybe the media doesn’t “get” it! I saw the ad and then immediately forwarded it to everyone on my list with the message, “I know I said I am leaning toward McCain, but, I think I just changed me vote!”

Many a truth is said in jest.

The media in general (and especially Todd Schnitt, I would think) is aware of all of the stupid Chuck Norris jokes that my generation (gen “x”ers) find so funny. They must be! There are pages and pages of them clogging up the web. http://www.chucknorrisjokes.net/   http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=323 Admittedly, these jokes are not funny to some… there is no question that it is generational humor.

But, here is the thing… most of my friends don’t know much about politics. Some, okay, MOST of my 25-30 year old friends just label themselves one thing or another and watch the news once a month or so… probably in a mechanic’s or Dr.’s office waiting room. So when I got response after response to my e-mail that said “I’m in.” and “He has my vote” it made me stop and realize something: Many of my friends did not even know what a “Huckabee” was a week ago and now they are Googleing his name and saying they will vote for him. Nothing has ever motivated the under 30 crowd to vote! Not the draft, not free concerts, not even P-Diddy! Can Chuck Norris do it? I know there is a new Chuck Norris joke in there somewhere.

The Generation ”X”ers may not actually vote for Huckabee but, he certainly peaked their interest enough for them to look up from their text messages and lattes. I think the spot is brilliantly funny and hip. No amount of pictures of Obama in swim trunks can top that.

Should we turn this election into stand up comedy? Certainly not. (Besides, Hillary makes Jamie Kennedy’s stand up look entertaining.) And, I understand everyone’s concern about making light of the serious issues, but kudos to Huckabee for lightning the mood. I’d love to see those old clips of Rudy Giuliani in drag on Saturday Night Live make a comeback.

Fair warning: if Huckabee shows up at a campaign stop wearing a “Don’t Hassle the Hoff” t-shirt and calling himself “McLovin”, he will probably get his own reality TV show.