I wouldn't oppose a few more federal mandates on sentencing. We've had 50 years of Democrat-appointed judges, and our wonderful /sarc legislature keeps vetoing our current governor's picks. Of course I worry about too much federal law enforcement, but things have gotten so slack at some levels I wouldn't oppose things changing direction for a few years. I am really trying to not be smarmy, but from I have seen, the JulieAnnie supporters have put on their emerald slippers, tapped the heels three times while chanting "he's tough on terror" and {poof} its true.
Up till the "JulieAnnie" comment you were arguing with some common sense. Why do you need to name call? Particularly other Republicans. For starters the refusal to accept funds from the Arab Sheik. Haven't seen many politicians in my time turn down money from anybody without getting caught at it. Rudy talks tough and has the strength of his record in the city to back him. No, but he is a social liberal. As much a social liberal as any 'rat running.
He says he'll appoint judges in the Roberts and Alito genre. I have no reason not to believe him. And I'm a social libertarian, so while the gun issue worries me slightly, it certainly wouldn't be any better under any of the Democrats. As to your other social issues, you can't convince me that a newly fertilized egg is the same as a baby. I'm willing to compromise with the far right on the issue but they (at least some of the folk at this site) aren't willing to compromise at all, even with measures that would decrease the number of abortions. It seems they're almost as bad as the Democrats who refuse to budge on Social Security reform so that they have the issue come next election.
Gay marriage? Again I'm a social libertarian. Two people should be able to write a contract together that is honored at all levels - particularly hospital visitation, passage of property and the like. I don't particularly care what they call it.
I appreciate your calm discussion without the threats some of the others have been throwing about. I've only voted for one Democrat in my life, and that was in the last primary here - the only race that had a chance of changing anything was at the primary level between two Democrat House candidates (Case and Hirono). I voted for the more conservative of the two. My Republican credentials are solid - I just don't have the same exact priorities and agenda that some here have.
I appreciate the folk on this board and go elsewhere as well. We agree on more issues than we disagree, and I'm not trying to change anybody's mind on their religious beliefs. The vitrole on this thread, however (NOT you specifically), has been particularly sad, and we've lost a lot of the good people who contribute a lot to the site. Take a look back through the thread at the nastiness exhibited by those gloating over the zotting of the person they just tattled on.
Sad.
Rudy has given you reason to not believe him. After saying that he would appoint strict constructionists, he then redefined the term in his view to allow a strict constructionist to uphold Roe. Which basically obliterates the meaning of the term.
And I'm a social libertarian, so while the gun issue worries me slightly, it certainly wouldn't be any better under any of the Democrats.
Heck, after the 1997 Empire State Building shooting, Rudy was calling up Carolyn McCarthy for a presser to call for more federal gun control. He was also Handgun Control Inc.'s favorite pubbie. I would say he did more damage to gun rights than Dems because he allowed them to claim gun control was a bipartisan issue.
I'm sure his two former wives (well, at least the first one) had no reason to not believe him when he we agreed to the "forsaking all others" part, too. I'm sure that will go into the "tearing my guy down" column also, but Spyder, that is not rumor or innuendo, that is history. And a history we saw before in 1992; a guy that had such low character and selfishness that he could'nt even keep his zipper up around women that were not his wife. The same criteria also disqualifies Gingrich in my book (plus the fascinating knack he has by semmingly offending people he says "Hello" to). If that sacred vow is broken, how can we trust him with the Oath of Office or any campaign promise? I had enough then. No more.
One last thing.
you can't convince me that a newly fertilized egg is the same as a baby.
Everyone you see walking around on your beautiful island paradise today started as a "newly fertilized egg" and in most cases were inside a woman that thought of it as "my baby" from the day they discovered they were pregnant.