Thanks for your reply, Ender, which I didn’t see till now. But let me respond, because I am not sure I am merely resorting to “slanderous soothsaying”!
Your wheels are coming off already; his actual choice was Palin, who made a difference in the debate simply by being who she was: unapologetically pro-life.
I think this was a political calculation, not a result of honest soul-searching.
This is not just uncharitable and judgmental it is irrelevant. What matters most is who the candidate would nominate to SCOTUS and there is no rational argument that an Obama nominee would be preferable to the pro-life cause than a McCain nominee.
I completely agree with you that McCain would be more likely to nominate a justice both of us would like than Obama. I just don’t think it’s
certain. And I think that judging the moral character of a person is important in making a decision! Most politicians “flip-flop” so often (McCain
certainly) has that in order to know how they would govern, I think we need to do more than take their campaign websites at their word. We need to look at their personal and moral history, etc.
Also, McCain will never say “I think we should go to war with Iran,” to take just one example – but his temperament leads me to believe that he would be far more likely to lead us into one than Obama.
Finally, I think you need to respond to the actual arguments I’ve made about McCain’s character before dismissing them as “uncharitable and judgmental.” People are calling Obama King Herod and a supporter of infanticide, and all for no reason…so I just think we also need to look at McCain’s history and call a spade a spade.
Don’t confuse insult with argument.
I hope the above response has clarified that it’s not just that I dislike McCain personally – it’s that I think he would be a dangerous and irresponsable leader.
It is reasonable to question her qualifications but irrational to cite her lack of experience while ignoring Obama’s. She at least had been a state governor for two years; he has quite literally had zero experience in any executive capacity whatever. Her qualifications, however inadequate you may see them, still exceed his.
I don’t want to get into this, but really briefly: I think a few years’ experience as a small-time mayor and a few months’ experience as governor is not comparable to decades’ experience as a legislator. But I don’t make my decisions based on experience alone: McCain has tons of it, and I still don’t trust him. Rather, I recognize that Palin is (I don’t want to be uncharitable, but she asked for it!) remarkably inarticulate, illogical, and uninformed – her interviews, speeches, etc. attest to that. Whereas Obama, say whatever else you will about him, is clearly brilliant, rational, cool-tempered, and in my view, responsible.
**It must be wonderful to have the ability to see into other men’s souls and to be freed from the prohibition not to judge others.
**
I will admit that my words were a bit strong, but honestly, I think I am right about this one. Check out the “Renegade Maverick” article in Rolling Stone and tell me what you think…
We can be pretty sure those steps will include support for FOCA and the elimination of the Mexico City accords and the Hyde Amendment.
You’re right: I grieve over Mexico City and Hyde. Although FOCA is terrible legislation and even most Senate Democrats admit it’ll never pass.
I consider all of your arguments so far to be classics.
Are you familiar with the term "rationalization?"
I think these comments are a bit snide…are you familiar with the term “ad hominem”?

Seriously, if I put down these arguments it’s because I think they’re worthwhile…please tell me precisely why you think they are not.
Do not conflate prudential issues with moral ones. Positions on most political issues have no moral aspect; the choices are seldom between actual good or evil but simply between what one perceives to be beneficial or harmful.
I hopefully responded to this one in my most recent post.
Hoping that Roe will be overturned does not compensate for acting is such a way as to eliminate the possibility.
Non sequitur…I was just trying to defend myself from ad hominem attacks, here. I don’t think that I am acting in a way that will eliminate the possibility of overturning Roe…I am trying to discern what is the best way to reduce abortions. Don’t forget, I am on your side!!
I believe that AGW is complete nonsense but this is actually a serious argument and much better than the slanderous soothsaying you resorted to above, but this post is already too long for me to get into this one. Let me know if you care to pursue it.
I would be interested in having this discussion at some point, yes. Don’t have the time right now to present my case, but if you start a thread, I will definitely follow along! Perhaps I was a bit hasty in evoking global warming…I believe it is a lot more than complete nonsense, but I do think it has been hyped a bit, and I don’t want to give the impression I think the sky is falling…
Thanks for this spirited exchange! I enjoy it.

Peace!
+AMDG+