Indecision '08

For the first time in my life I am not 100% sure who I'm going to vote for in the presidential election. I'm not one of those people who vote along party lines exclusively. I tend to vote for candidates who mirror my values (at least on the outside anyway).
This cycle though, it hasn't been as clear cut. I am going to watch the debate tonight and maybe something one of the candidates accidentally says will convince me one way or the other. I say "accidentally" because you can't trust politicians. They have polished answers and speech writers who tell them what to say. So maybe one of them will let something slip and let those of us who try to read between the lines will get a glimpse of who these people really are.
Another thing that may sway me is the way the candidates supporters behave. One camp in particular seems to have nothing but sarcasm and name calling on their side. I have yet to hear an Obama supporter say anything positive and substantial about their guy. Everything I hear from that side is about how bad/old/inexperienced/over experienced/religious the other ticket is. They talk about how "inexperienced" Sarah Palin is but they don't want to talk about experience when it comes to Obama versus Mcain. Not one candidate on either ticket has 1 day of presidential or vice presidential experience so I don't put much weight behind that argument. I want to hear why your pick is a good one, not why the other pick is bad. As of yet, I haven't heard anything but buzz words and mud-slinging.

Palin was clearly a token choice by the Mcain camp but at least their supporters are, for the most part, respectful and haven't resorted to name calling (so far). You could make the same argument about Obama or Hillary, had she won. Sure you've got your whack job conservatives hanging effigies but those nuts are few and far between (thank God).

All in all, I am having a hard time figuring out how either candidate will make my life any better. Maybe the debate tonight will answer some questions, maybe not. My advice to you: Don't listen to what they say, try to hear who they are.