They may not vote for Obama, they just may not vote at all. That's what I think the Ryan pick is trying to prevent - Republican apathy.

It sounds a lot like America has hit the same wall we have hit in the UK, when both candidates for election are rubbish.
I suspect voter turnout in November will be primarily the die-hards. Apathy may rule supreme, as it has over here for two decades.

Wait, just how did you determine Romney is incompetent? You say he's less experienced in business and government than Obama was 4 years ago? He's "vastly stupid"? Wow, back some of that up, please, it sounds like ... well, just back it up.

Oh, like Obama has brought them back from China??

In the meantime the small business guy is caught in the middle of this power play between the two economic extremes. The people who employ the overwhelming majority of Americans. The way I see it the side to vote for is the side that hurts them the least.

@August
I don't remember if I asked you this, or not? What did you think of Romney as governor of MA?

It's not a hail Mary. Ryan, unlike Palin, is a known and tested quantity. He has real Washington credentials and speaks with authority on matters. Calling something a hail Mary would mean that it is erratic, which the McCain campaign was. Romney, on the other hand, has been Obama-esque in his calm and discipline. Look at how he came though the primaries. The hardcore R's don't like him, but he defeated his opponents one by one by not doing anything stupid while allowing them to run their mouths to their own demise. He's doing the same thing in the general election, as is Obama, which is why we haven't seen any real fireworks thus far. They're both waiting for the other guy to do something foolish.

I don't think that Ryan will appeal to moderates either, but to call it a last gasp and compare it to the schizophenic McCain strategy would be innacurate.

It is Obama that is losing when you look at the "enthusiasm" gap. For the Team R base - getting rid of Obama is enough to get the voters out. Keeping Obama in is not enough to do the same for Team D.

When polling "registered" voters, Obama win's polls. When polling likely voters - his lead entirely evaporates. WHY? Because most of the Democratic base isn't happy with Obama either.

Obama being re-elected depends heavily on motivating supporters - Team D is struggling there - BECAUSE of Obama.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/art...ap_113729.html

Sometimes it seems like the Democrats want to increase spending and increase taxes to pay for it

Republicans want to increase spending and borrow money to pay for it.

But I agree, neither party is at all interested in small government or in reducing spending. Both parties want to reduce spending in one area and increase it in another.

I was a citizen of Rhode Island during the years he was governor so I have no direct experience but you have to remember that Massachusetts is more than a blue state, it's a one party state. Republicans are only elected here when the electorate thinks "The Party" needs to be taken down a notch.

Gridlock being the best form of government for the common man.

So you openly admit to being from RI?:haha:

Now that I think about it, I remember the conversation. So I remember your answer now.:D

Haha, funny how that is indeed true in a lot of cases. We had our own case of that in Canada for a few years, where there was a minority government - that, as the first wave of the economic crisis was hitting in 2008-2010, really wasn't able to take any action on it due to being gridlocked, while to the south the Obama administration was throwing massive bailouts and passing new legislation left and right. In the end the Canadian economy weathered this period far and above better than the US counterpart. Go figure!

It's not gridlock if both parties are hell bent on spending more and more of "our" money. Since the GOP passed up the best choice they've had for a candidate in years, then they shouldn't be surprised when the incumbent wins. :/\\!!

Got that right Oberon, neither candidate appeals to me, hard for me to get excited about another election.Once this presidential election is over, they'll start getting ready for the Senate races. I can hardly wait.

The only thought I get excited about when it comes to politicians, is the idea to take Reid,Pelosi, Boehner, McConnell and the Tea Parties poster girl for mental retardation, Michelle Bachmann, and drop them in the water near the Great Barrier Reef, and hope a Great White takes them all out, quickly. Congress might get something done, no matter who is in the White House,lol

Why such a short list? I'm sure there are a great many Great Whites and I sure wouldn't want to see them go hungry.
Seems we have a over abundance of shark food running this country, why not use it. :D:D:D

Magic

Have you not been following what mitt romney has been saying? I had assumed that most people who were to vote or suggested voting for Romney wouldve picked up the many, MANY instances where hes shown just what kind of mentality he is set upon.

"Ill take alot of credit for this industry's coming back", speaking of course about the auto industry, who came back because of the automotive bailouts given by OBAMA. Mitt romney was also the one who strongly opposed the bailouts, saying that if the bailouts were given "you can kiss the American Automotive industry goodbye"

"I dont worry about the poor, theres a safety net there". self explanatory, one would hope, of why this is an incredibly ignorant and elitist statement.