Rick, a little pre speech prediction from me.

Republicans will like what The President says.

Democrats will dislike what the president says.

So called Independents will be split down the middle.

But that doesn't matter. Only 40% of the people will

actually vote in the next election.

Anyone marching in a peace or war rally that did

not vote in the last general election should be shot on

the spot or their mouth should be sewn shut.

Just a thought.

Clark

Husky,

Isn't it possible that not voting could be a form of protest in and of itself? I suspect that those protesters that don't vote do so because they feel disenfranchised from the political landscape. Not so much that their vote doesn't count but that the none of the candidates represent their interest. I can certainly see where they would get that impression. None of them look as if they could make significant campaign contributions to either party.

I agree with Clark! Well put and to the point!

Charlie

Not voting is a form of protest? Wouldn't doing a write for someone you DO like make more sense? By not voting your impact on the outcome is exactly nil. Okay voting for your brother would have no impact either. But you could stand up tall and say you voted! A protest vote would be like....well, voting for me! Hey a grassroots word of mouth campaign. I promise a cigar in every mouth! We could turn our convention into a super herf! The Smoke 'em if you got 'em party.

Standing up tall and saying you voted? I think they are getting their beliefs across more succesfully by walking the streets with a bullhorn and a sign. Fact is, a "write in" candidate much less a third party candidate stands a snowballs chance of getting elected to anything above dog catcher. The one thing both the Republican and Democratic parties agree on is that they don't want any third parties cutting in on their action.

(By the way, what brand of free cigars are you basing your candicy on?)

Spiny, the brand would depend on the pro cigar lobby. They would supply the smokes to have me endorse liberal cigar smoking policies. This would be the backbone of ALL my administrative policies. Economic aid to Nicaragua? How many free cigars did they send out last month? Seriously, it is a belief I hold dear that in a democratic republic, voting is something you do on principle. Declining to vote as protest is like threatening to hold your breath. It doesn't work. Now, walking around with placards and bullhorns, that's a protest!

huskey

good thought.

Wrll you got my vote X!

Can we expect a quick change in policy towards the ISOM should you win?