Does VP matter? Is your mind already made up?

To me the VP pick does matter a lot.

Contrary to what some people on here might think, the VP can have a lot of influence in an administration (just look at the current one), as do other cabinet members and advisors. All these people are key to how a country is run and I have a feeling the president is as much a figurehead as he is a decider. We should probably be looking into who's behind the scenes more closely. Often the real brains of the operation.

I'm not into either of these candidates as president. They are both terrible, everyone knows that, it's all over ATS....

My favorite choices for president when it all started were Paul, Kucinich, and Biden.
Since all of those getting knocked out, I was considering writing in a Liquidsmoke/Scramjet ticket, but obviously with Obama's choice as VP being Biden, I have taken a new interest in his campaign.

Looks like McCain may choose Romney....he must be senile....that ticket could never win without total voter fraud. Which means, they're probably in like Flynn.

To sum it up....yeah to someone like me who was a Biden fan from the beginning, then yeah this particular choice does matter to me. My mind was not and still isn't made up.

reply to post by walkinghomer

Bottom line is, Most republicans will vote McCain because they are Republicans and Most Democrats will choose Obama because they are Democrats. It takes a lot for a person to want to switch parties

Unfortunately we all know how true that is. We have become cheerleaders for option A or option B. Then there is always the independant who has zero chance (except to play spoilers for the real candidates).

As for switching party loyalties did you see this thread.

Thanks for your comments!

My mind is made up unless McCain chooses Liberman. I wont vote for him if Liberman is on the ticket.

reply to post by Scramjet76


Nope..In fact the people I know are even more against Obama now. They smell a mistake or disaster coming from the mouth of the two time stoke vicitm Biden. He and his hair plug bad self said not long ago that America does not need a 1 term Sen in the Oval Office.


The right wing attack machine is gearing up for this one.

I was tired of hearing about Obama and Hillary even though in some strange way, I am sorry to see her out of the picture. That doesn't mean she won't have another chance though. Now that he has chosen Biden, I'm waiting to hear about real issues rather than the same old political bs drama these two parties always do 'as if' some phoney wrestling match.

The chance of some miracle independent coming forward seems impossible in a system that's so pretentious with it's own same old agenda. Box of chocolates; Different color....same filling?

It's time for a change that the public decides the agenda and not some manipulated news polls.

[edit on 23-8-2008 by aleon1018]

I'm voting for Paul. I don't care who these fools choose as their running chimp, I refuse to accept the 2 party system.

reply to post by Scramjet76


yes it does and in a big way it matters to me, look what VP Cheney business and private agendas brought to the nation.

Nothing but and economical nightmare.

people needs to understand that our politicians links to private interest will dictate the outcome of their presidencies and the decisions that they will make in behave the American people but in favor of their interest.

VPs don't matter unless one candidate is very new to washington and could benefit from an experienced VP or if another candidate is of an age where he could pass away in office.

reply to post by Rockpuck

I refuse to accept the 2 party system.

Right on Rockpuck.

It's good to see someone with the courage to vote for someone other than the democrat or republican. It's getting ridiculous. People tend to be so opposed to the democrat or republican winning, that they have become to afraid to vote for an independant, libertarian, green party etc. Everyone is voting based on the "lesser of 2 evils" psychological mindset. It's insane!

...but hey let freedom ring right?

reply to post by liquidsmoke206


Thanks for your response liquid... I am totally in favor of a liquidsmoke/scramjet ticket...

Seriously though, I appreciate your thoughts and I wonder if your decision would become difficult if McCain were to choose someone like Paul?

reply to post by marg6043


Thanks for you comments marg

You bring up some good points. I'm not sure how to fix those issues short of revamping the whole system. Liberals and conservatives with money will always have a lot of influence.

Already made up. I wouldn't vote for a republican if there were only republicans running. You'd have to be an absolute, non-caring, inhumane, ignorant fool to want those wealthy sychophants to ever run this country again.

I already made my mind up.
I will vote for Change.

For me, the VP can make a difference in who I vote for this term, but I'm as confused now as I was before Obama chose Biden.

I believe I'm not happy with either candidate this time around, so I guess once McCain announces his VP, I'll know which way to go, so yes - in this case for me, the VP really holds merit in this election.

I will not vote for either of them no matter who they pick as vp. Since Paul is no longer running I will be voting Libertarian (Bob Barr) and just wait on the republicrats to take charge.

reply to post by Ahabstar


I think that it is good to have a VP that can be a counterpoint to the presidents ideals. It is good to have your ideas and beliefs challenged. Having a counterpart who is willing to challenge and stand up to you when you are obviously wrong can be a good thing.

Getting perspective from someone you trust is a good thing even if it goes against what you believe.

IMO, having a VP(or anyone in an administration) who is merely a yes man/woman, is not a good thing. Its is much easier to make poor decisions when no one around you is willing to tell you when you are doing so.

I dont agree with all of Obamas policies or beliefs and same with Biden but I think they will compliment each other very well.

McCain on the other hand is in a tough spot with his VP selection. Most Republicans view McCain as left of center, so choosing a very right leaning VP would help him with securing his base but he would be further alienating any on the left who would consider voting for him. If McCain chooses someone closer to the center(Lieberman), he would be alienating his base(who already feel alienated by McCain as the nominee) but he may pick up a few more votes from the left. Even though most Democrats do not support Lieberman anymore and consider him a Republican.

I think McCain will probably choose a right leaning VP but I think if he wants to win he has to choose a far left leaning VP and hope to gain votes from independents and democrats. I mean what would happen if McCain chose Hilary as his VP!?!?! That would throw a wrench in things. A more logical choice on the left would be Richardson.

I just dont think that most Republican really like McCain and trying to secure his base with a far right choice, just may not be enough. There are a lot of Americans(Dems and Reps) who are on the change bandwagon and a lot of Republicans who are not fully on board with McCain, so I dont think securing his base will help him in this election. He needs to pander to the left or I dont think he has a chance.

For me personally, the candidates' choice of vice presidential nominee helps to illuminate their self-image, probable political strategy, possible longer term political goals if elected, and demonstrates how much or how little they are willing to compromise their own positions in order to create a cohesive ticket.

To that extent, the selection of vice president does impact my decision. It can help to solidify an opinion I already have of them, or take it in a new or unexpected direction. Unfortunately, it's looking increasingly like the VP selection is only going to bolster my existing inclination, which is to abstain this year. It was possible, for example, that Obama's vice presidential selection might have brought me back around to him if it had reaffirmed what attracted me to him before his nomination, but it instead only verified my existing post-nomination concerns.

[edit on 8/24/2008 by AceWombat04]

Originally posted by aleon1018
I was tired of hearing about Obama and Hillary even though in some strange way, I am sorry to see her out of the picture. That doesn't mean she won't have another chance though. Now that he has chosen Biden,

Don't count her out yet. Her people are VERY dissatisfied that she wasn't asked to VP and I have a feeling they are going to make a stand at the convention. Remember that any democrat delegate can change their mind on the night of the convention and vote for anyone they choose.
I can't wait for it! It is going to be a fun night.

Originally posted by TheOracle
I already made my mind up.
I will vote for Change.

What change do you expect exactly?
What about "Hope"? you forgot the "Hope" part...

[edit on 24-8-2008 by Fathom]

reply to post by Artista


Thanks for your perspective Artista. So who are you hoping McCain will pick? Should he pick a counterpoint in a similar strategy (to Obama)?