bainton+blog


 * Presidential Election for 2008**
 * December 17th, 2007**

On January 3rd, 2008 there will be Caucuses in Iowa and only three candidates from Republican and Democratic arties will make it out alive. After the Iowa Caucuses the candidates will move onto New Hampshire.

Like every other election year, by early February there will only be one nominee from each party. Though now there is talk of February 5th possibly not being the end for all the competitive candidates. The predictions are that each candidate for the Republicans is going to win a different state. We know this much is true. But, no one candidate will come in first place. The four strongest; Romney, McCain, Huckabee, and Giuliani at that point will be even, meaning each will have to go into February 5th together.

On the Democratic side though, it is also a tight race right now, but it is more probable that only one will move into February being the democratic nominee. Though I said earlier that three are promised to leave Iowa successfully, on the Democratic side there are only three who have a fighting chance to begin with; Clinton, Obama, and Edwards.

Edwards is said to have the upper hand in Iowa because he has lived there for a few years already. But if he does not go on that will pretty much be the end of the line for him. If that does happen that will mean Obama and Clinton will have to go on to compete for the one spot for a Democratic nominee. That will have the same result as what the Republicans are currently facing. It will be a very close call for everyone on February 5th.


 * Presidential Election for 2008**
 * January 5th, 2008**

Change. Change is denfinatly a familiar word now amoungst the candidates. Everyone wants it, but can anyone actually stay true to thir words and deliver us change? I think it's safe to say that not many people like the wasy the goverment is being run as of right now, and has been run the last few years. Even Republicans aren't satisfied, and in Iowa the name George W. Bush wasn't even mentioned.

For Democrats, most women were leaning towards Hillary Clinton, but Obama fiuxed that quickly, and did well with both men and women in Iowa. Lots of people (Democrats) have been leaning more towards Obama, they believe he if anyone can bring about change to this country. Though some are still sticking to what they know; Hillary Clinton. She has a lot more experience than Barack Obama, and appearently has a better chance of winning anyway.

Barack Obama is saying that he can single handedly get America back on its feet. But he's not very specific, he preeches different ideas but no one really know if he actually plans to go through with them.

While Hillary Clinton on the other hand is too safe. She would recieve more votes if she showed the country new ideas, not just what everyone is bringing to the table. Although so far Hillary Clinton does seem like the most qualified nominee for Democrats right now, Iowa voters disagreed on Thursday night. No one really bought it.

Republicans have also been preeching change a lot lately. Mike Huckabee's views sound a lot like that of George W. Bush. But people are tending to lean towards him, because like Hillary, he seems like a safe choice.

January 9th, 2008**
 * Presidential Election for 2008

There were two big successes recently for both the Republicans and the Democrats. Hillary Rodham Clinton was victorious over Barack Obama in the Democratic Primary in Manchester, New Hampshire. And for the Republicans, John McCain was victorious over Mitt Romney. This is now Romney's second big loss; the first was in Iowa. This was a good turnaround for the two candidates after their embarressing defeats in the Iowa caucuses.

Though Barack Obama lost, he still leaves New Hampshire proudly. The spotlight was on him in Iowa, when he took the win. And his support for upcoming contests is growing.

As far as voting is concerned right now, Hillary Clinton is in the lead with 39 percent, while Barack Obama isn't too far behind with 36 percent, and John Edwards trailing far behing with 17 percent. For the republicans John McCain is currently in front with 37 percent, Mitt Romney with 32 percent, and Mike Huckabee also trailing far behing with a mere 11 percent of the vote.

On the democratic side Hillary, after showing some emotion from losing, gained some positive votes from women around the country. People, mostly women, were able to relate to her, and see her as more than just a candidate; a human who just experienced a great loss.While Obama gained the younger voters and a lot of men.

For the republicans, McCain had to fire most of his staff for his campaign after losing a large chunk of money for advertisements. Though in the field of money spent, Romney definetly beat McCain, with a wopping $8.7 million. McCain was only out $4.3 million.

There are still a lot of voters who are undecided, though they know they know the general party they're going for, just not the person. Mr. McCain recieved 38 percent for the Republicans, while the Democrats got 40 percent.

January 14th, 2008**
 * Presidential Election for 2008

People have been very undecided when it comes to politics. All candidates bring up different issues and different solutions to those issues. But who is the right choice? At the South Carolina primary for Republicans, this is the current issue. Who is best suited to lead our country for the next four years?

Some say Mr. Giuliani is a good choice because of his actions after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. People say that without a doubt they feel confident that he could run this country like he ran New York City. Though others are considering McCain, for the same reasons the Democrats want Hillary, experience. That's the bottom line, Americans want someone who knows what they're doing.

Rick Beltram, chairman of the Republican Party of Spartanburg County says that this election is unlike recent ones. For Recpublicans there are four perfectly qualified candidates, so it's a tough call. Where as with President Bush it was narrowed down to two Republicans early on.

Mitt Romney appearently has the support of Evangilical Christians and many miliary and retired military members, as well as strict conservatives. Though McCain will probably steal the military votes due to him being a P.O.W. in Vietnam.

Mike Huckabee can also win the support of Evangicals and conservatives, but he has also been criticized a lot for mixing church and state a little too much. Fred Thompson too has criuticized Huckabee, though he says he's too liberal and much like a Democrat.

January 15th, 2008**
 * Presidential Election for 2008

Recently, the Democratic candidates have been proposing their different plans for tax rebates, benefits for unemployment, and house foreclosures.

Hillary Clinton's plan is said to cost around $40 billion in tax rebates, while Barack Obama's plan is going to cost $75 billion for immediate tax rebates. John Edwards has also proposed a new plan to help the unemployed, and to help out people who may lose their homes.

On the other hand, Republicans don't like plans like these. They like to have plans for lower taxes and less regulation. Though one Republican who has not exactly followed the normal ways of most other Republicans is our very own George W. Bush. He has recently proposed a plan which will try to cut taxes.

Rebublicans like John McCain and Mitt Romney have different plans from the Democrats. McCain wants to propose a plan to get rid of the alternitive minimum tax, which is said to save us an estimated $1 trillion in the next 10 years. Romeny wants a fivefold increase in spending on energy and other technologies. Giuliani though, does not have a proposal at this current time.

Clinton's and Obama's plans will cost together $110 billion. Clinton's plans will go into "emergency housing crisis fund" for $30 billion, and $25 billion helping to pay for lowincome families' heating bills.

Obama is planning on giving $250 to workers and an extra $250 to all people collecting Social Security benefits. He is also planning on providing $10 billion to help homeowners avoid forelosure.