Of course it's true some see us as a bully. But I'd still have a problem with Edwards because he was siding with the people who see us that way.

We do everything for the world. Does the world ever come to our aid? NO..Hell NO

So here is what I'd agree on.

I don't give a damn what the world or John Edwards thinks of "THE United States" aka US

Haven't you learned that anything perceived as being against Bush's policies overseas is inherently anti-American? 

IMO it's the DNC along with the partisan MSM that has successfully marketed that perception - not Bush's policies:)

how do you like that blanket accusation?

wove some truth in there for ya 

Jer,

I think Obama will end up governing like a centrist...the natural instinct for 2nd term self-preservation will ensure that.  I certainly don't think he will skew any further left than Clinton or McCain would.  Despite his liberal voting record, I don't think he is seen as the hyper-partisan that Boxer, Schumer, Durbin, Kennedy, Reid or Pelosi are...even if it can be argued that each one (Boxer included) is more qualified to run for President than he is.  His tone, his personality and his composure make him an infinitely more acceptable candidate than Chuck Schumer would be.

I believe that Conservatives have good ideas; however, the Republican Party is unwilling (or, more likely, unable) to articulate them properly.  We have too many McCains, Gingriches, Schwarzeneggers, who, lacking the ability or application to advocate conservative policy with clarity, simply concede policy arguments to the left.  Like him or not, I believe John Bolton is the perfect example of someone who communicates Conservative policy clearly.  Dick Cheney took John Edwards to the woodshed in their 2004 debate.  Tom McClintock, a California State Senator who will hopefully win election to Congress in November, is the best person I've ever heard when it comes to discussion of fiscal policy (addressing specific line items where wasteful spending can be cut to help balance the budget).  With no little bluster, John McCain likes to portray himself as a "straight talker".  If anything, he's an intellectual lightweight who believes in compromise for the sake of compromise...and then uses the media to inflate his sense of moral superiority.  I have much more respect for someone who has a point of view (liberal or conservative) and comes armed with supporting evidence than I do for someone who governs by polls and "feelings".  But I suppose the best candidates for President have a difficulty in that they're largely unelectable...not a broad enough appeal.

I am not above voting for a Democrat...in the right circumstance.  Hell, I voted for Clinton and Dianne Feinstein in 1992 because they were running against RINO failures.  If McCain came up against a Harold Ford or a Bill Nelson instead of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama (but I would sooner see Clinton, Obama or McCain in the White House before I saw Edwards there), I could see myself voting for the Democrat.  As it stands now, I may write in a candidate or skip the Presidential portion of the November ballot altogether...such is my level of irritation with McCain.

-fitz