Who Does Everyone Here Support For President and Why?

[Bucksandreds]

My state votes in the primaries today and I would like to know where mustachians stand.

[MustachianAccountant]

I can't think of a single way this thread will turn out badly.

[jim555]

Hillary, will preserve the ACA, so that's enough for me.  Congress will limit her ability to do much.
Bernie, too far left, can't win.
Rubio, will raise SS age, he's out.
Trump, will destroy the ACA and his policies will tank the markets.

[Bucksandreds]

Hillary, will preserve the ACA, so that's enough for me.  Congress will limit her ability to do much.
Bernie, too far left, can't win.
Rubio, will raise SS age, he's out.
Trump, will destroy the ACA and his policies will tank the markets.

I agree about Bernie being too far left. If he won he'd piss off his supporters because he would get done about 2% of what he says he will.  Virtually all of the Republicans are too far right, imho.  Not sure why both parties aren't smart enough to put up their most centrist candidates, i.e. Clinton v Kasich.  It's too late for Kasich barring shady back room deals.

[crucial]

Trump, will destroy the ACA and his policies will tank the markets.

This is a good reason to vote for him if you're in the accumulating stage. :)

[Bardo]

Like the 20th topic on this.  Do politics not belong in Off Topic?

[MMMaybe]

No good choices. Could not stomach another Clinton. Trump hmmm. Luckily I am not American.

[Iron Mike Sharpe]

Whoever ends up with the Libertarian nomination.  It is time to destroy the Democrat-Republican single-party system.

[onlykelsey]

Clinton, because in the words of one of my clients: She's the only one who seems to be firmly rooted in reality.

I'm not wild about her, honestly, but I think my client was spot on.  Cruz is terrifying and wants to create and expensive military empire.  Trump is a clown who will fight with the other branches of government and possibly accidentally provoke war.  Kasich and Rubio are dead at this point, I think.  Rubio doesn't impress me in any way except maybe charm.  Sanders doesn't seem to understand the complexity of government and likely won't survive a second term, and is a bit left for the general electorate (although that's not what bothers me about him).  Clinton has her issues, but I think she's fundamentally a pragmatic problem solver, not an ideologue, willing wo find imperfect solutions that move us forward over time.

[Gondolin]

It's too late for Kasich barring shady back room deals.

If
A) Rubio loses Florida and drops out (likely)
B) Kasich wins Ohio and trump can't clinch (likely)
C) GOP goes to a contested convention

Kasich has a shot. In this primary a shady back room deal is the most likely outcome!

[onlykelsey]

Kasich has a shot. In this primary a shady back room deal is the most likely outcome!

I am starting to wonder about that, as well.  i knwo it's in his interest to talk about a brokered convention, but it doesn't seem impossible at this point.  I am interested to see what the GOP looks like in a couple terms.  A Southern Strategy populist arm, and a business-friendly arm?  Sort of leaves the evangelicals out in the cold, although you could see some moving in with the Southern Strategy group or the Democrats.

[Midwest]

It's too late for Kasich barring shady back room deals.

If
A) Rubio loses Florida and drops out (likely)
B) Kasich wins Ohio and trump can't clinch (likely)
C) GOP goes to a contested convention

Kasich has a shot. In this primary a shady back room deal is the most likely outcome!

Kasich - Sane, honest & generally agree w/policies or

Bernie - Sane, honest and disagree entirely with policies but won't get anything done.

[Bucksandreds]

Like the 20th topic on this.  Do politics not belong in Off Topic?

Good insight.

[Northwestie]

I can't think of a single way this thread will turn out badly.

A good morning chuckle - thanks

[Syonyk]

I'm a fan of the Cthuhlu/Dr. Horrible team. At least you know what they'll do in office.

[Ricky]

Not sure, so doubt I'll vote. I'm about 90% sure Hilary is going to win. Bernie's points are just insane - free college education for everyone? Good luck with that one. Trump is a lunatic and really needs no explanation.

It's going to be Trump v Hilary - but realistically it's going to be Hilary.

[mtn]

I voted for Kasich this morning.

I live in Illinois, so this is the only election that matters for me for the president (whomever wins the Democratic primary wins the state).

My take on the candidates: 
Clinton: No. Just no. Not that again. Dishonest, I don't think she is actually all that great anyways--her track record is, IMHO, pretty piss-poor.
Bernie: Sane, honest, but cannot do math (IMHO).

Trump: No. Hell no.
Rubio: Ehh.... he's ok. I guess. Don't think he has a chance. Not a fan of his immigration stance. Or other stances. But not deadset against him. 
Cruz: Hell no. The whole tea party thing is a big strike against him. I have less faith in him than in Hillary.
Kasich: Finally, one that I feel comfortable voting for on most accounts.

If it is Trump vs. Clernie (Bernie or Clinton) I will vote for Clernie. 
If it is Cruzbio vs. Clernie, I will vote Libertarian or Green.
If it is Kasich vs. Clernie, I will vote Kasich.

[MrFrugalChicago]

Bernie or nothing. If Bernie doesn't make it, will either not vote or go Libertarian or some nut job.

[SMCx3]

Frank Underwood........




I have no clue who will get my vote at this time. 

[YoungConsultant]

First choice Austin Petersen, second choice Gary Johnson. Either way, libertarian all the way.  I'd say people are so pissed off with the establishment these days that this is the best chance the libertarian party has had since ever.

I want income taxes abolished, business deregulated, and government "services" privatized as much as possible.

[caracarn]

I'm from Ohio and I have been very happy with Kasich as our governor and he received my vote this morning.

I pray with all my might that Trump does not win the presidency.  I shudder to think of the disasters as yet unthought of that will befall our great nation in that case.

[jim555]

First choice Austin Petersen, second choice Gary Johnson. Either way, libertarian all the way.  I'd say people are so pissed off with the establishment these days that this is the best chance the libertarian party has had since ever.

I want income taxes abolished, business deregulated, and government "services" privatized as much as possible.

What about John Mcafee?

[Syonyk]

Not sure, so doubt I'll vote. I'm about 90% sure Hilary is going to win. Bernie's points are just insane - free college education for everyone? Good luck with that one. Trump is a lunatic and really needs no explanation.

It's going to be Trump v Hilary - but realistically it's going to be Hilary.

Bernie's "free collage education" isn't quite that - it's just aggressive federal funds matching for states that want to throw more into their higher education system.  So not quite what it says on the box.

Trump vs Hillary is probably the worst option, because Hillary has a freight train worth of baggage that someone like Trump can just snipe at, repeatedly, and be right.  She's got a Trump-shaped target on her, and if you think he won't make use of that, you haven't been paying attention to how he's eviscerated opponents so far.

[fattest_foot]

I'm hoping Trump and Sanders end up with most of the support, but the parties nominate Clinton and someone other than Trump.

And then I hope Trump and Sanders decide to run independently and we finally kill the two party system.

[grizz]

Sanders. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. And the system is rigged for those at the top--no doubt about it.

[Jack]

A Southern Strategy populist arm, and a business-friendly arm?  Sort of leaves the evangelicals out in the cold, although you could see some moving in with the Southern Strategy group or the Democrats.

Evangelicals are the Southern Strategy populist arm. (At least the white ones are, anyway. Black evangelicals end up being socially-conservative Democrats.)

Bernie: Sane, honest, but cannot do math (IMHO).

Two out of three ain't bad, especially given what passes for "competition."

What about John Mcafee?

LOL. That guy's as much of a lunatic as Trump.

Bernie or nothing. If Bernie doesn't make it, will either not vote or go Libertarian or some nut job.

+1

[lizzzi]

I live in Ohio and I've liked Kasich from the start. I don't know if he can get elected, but he can do the job. All the other candidates are scary. I'm going over to vote for him as soon as I can get the puppy to poop so I can go out.

[KBecks]

For purposes of the internet, I am undecided.   I will make a decision closer to my state's election and of course, November. 

[OzzieandHarriet]

Those of you who would otherwise vote Democratic and don't vote or vote some protest candidate because you hate Hillary might as well vote for the Repub (but please don't). And Kasich -- okay, he's better than the others, but he's still very conservative. If that's your thing, so be it, but they don't have a very good track record on running the country, do they?

[mtn]

Those of you who would otherwise vote Democratic and don't vote or vote some protest candidate because you hate Hillary might as well vote for the Repub (but please don't). And Kasich -- okay, he's better than the others, but he's still very conservative. If that's your thing, so be it, but they don't have a very good track record on running the country, do they?

So who are you voting for? You seem to have missed the question.

Of course, I would argue that the Democrats don't have a very good track record either. Better than the Republicans, but that isn't setting the bar very high. I'd still argue that Kasich is the best overall candidate (I don't look at conservative/liberal, and I abhor people that do. That should have nothing to do with it; it should be individual voting record and ability to lead).

And actually with the electoral system, in many states it is definitely not the same as voting for the Republican candidate. We're talking about the primaries here.

[l2jperry]

Preferably Gary Johnson for the Libertarian nomination is who I would support.

[infogoon]

Probably Stein (Green Party). I live in New York State, so whoever gets the Democratic nomination will win the state.

[MasterStache]

My vote is for Bernie. Kasich is ok, but having first hand experience at how he helped stifle the growing renewable energy industry in Ohio left a bad taste in my mouth.

[soccerluvof4]

Trump...Hes not the person hes acting to be to win the nomination but being a politician (in all the wrong ways) to try and get the win. I am sick of the left and right and want a businessman to shake things up. So that makes me one of those "Angry" voters they are always talking about. I think he will be the most in the Center.  If i have to vote for a Bully or a Criminal then I will pick the Bully in this case because i feel its just part of his act for now where as Hillary is a Criminal.

[YoungConsultant]

First choice Austin Petersen, second choice Gary Johnson. Either way, libertarian all the way.  I'd say people are so pissed off with the establishment these days that this is the best chance the libertarian party has had since ever.

I want income taxes abolished, business deregulated, and government "services" privatized as much as possible.

What about John Mcafee?

I'd guess that McAfee is less likely to get voted for by regular non-libertarian voters than the other two. I kind of see Austin has having the good parts of Trump (meaning the charisma) without the bad :)  If I had to stick Austin or Gary in a televised debate with Trump/Hillary, I'd think Austin has the personality to match. I like Gary too but he's similar to Kasich in personality, who is losing to Trump right now.

TLDR: electability :)

[mtn]

Trump...Hes not the person hes acting to be to win the nomination but being a politician (in all the wrong ways) to try and get the win. I am sick of the left and right and want a businessman to shake things up. So that makes me one of those "Angry" voters they are always talking about. I think he will be the most in the Center.  If i have to vote for a Bully or a Criminal then I will pick the Bully in this case because i feel its just part of his act for now where as Hillary is a Criminal.

My biggest issue with this (other than the downright racist and fear-mongering comments, whether intended to be followed out or not) is that he is a horrible businessman! Nothing he has done has been profitable, other than suing other people.

[jim555]

First choice Austin Petersen, second choice Gary Johnson. Either way, libertarian all the way.  I'd say people are so pissed off with the establishment these days that this is the best chance the libertarian party has had since ever.

I want income taxes abolished, business deregulated, and government "services" privatized as much as possible.

What about John Mcafee?

I'd guess that McAfee is less likely to get voted for by regular non-libertarian voters than the other two. I kind of see Austin has having the good parts of Trump (meaning the charisma) without the bad :)  If I had to stick Austin or Gary in a televised debate with Trump/Hillary, I'd think Austin has the personality to match. I like Gary too but he's similar to Kasich in personality, who is losing to Trump right now.

TLDR: electability :)

I would think Mcafee would have greater celebrity pull and get more votes.

[onlykelsey]

Trump...Hes not the person hes acting to be to win the nomination but being a politician (in all the wrong ways) to try and get the win. I am sick of the left and right and want a businessman to shake things up. So that makes me one of those "Angry" voters they are always talking about. I think he will be the most in the Center.  If i have to vote for a Bully or a Criminal then I will pick the Bully in this case because i feel its just part of his act for now where as Hillary is a Criminal.

My biggest issue with this (other than the downright racist and fear-mongering comments, whether intended to be followed out or not) is that he is a horrible businessman! Nothing he has done has been profitable, other than suing other people.

Agreed.  I wasn't a Romney fan, but he was an actual businessman.  I think Trump's skill lies mainly in media manipulation, which is extremely lucrative, and also terrifying in a president.

[infogoon]

I would think Mcafee would have greater celebrity pull and get more votes.

The only guy McAfee could draw more voters than would be Peter Norton.

[Yaeger]

As much as the Republicans are too far right, the Democrats are too far left. This is the first election season I've seen where Republicans aren't sticking to Republican principles, just 'conservative' ones.

So my voting order based on limited government priorities:
Cruz/Rubio
Kasich
Trump
Clinton (almost tied with Trump)
Sanders

[J Boogie]

I would think Mcafee would have greater celebrity pull and get more votes.

The only guy McAfee could draw more voters than would be Peter Norton.

+1 that should be his running mate.  The world could rest assured ebola and zika would become ancient history thanks to these antivirus juggernauts.

[2buttons]

Lincoln Chafee, because if you are going to run for President there is no more pressing issue than instituting the metric system in the U.S. its literally an issue of national security.

[Bucksandreds]

As much as the Republicans are too far right, the Democrats are too far left. This is the first election season I've seen where Republicans aren't sticking to Republican principles, just 'conservative' ones.

So my voting order based on limited government priorities:
Cruz/Rubio
Kasich
Trump
Clinton (almost tied with Trump)
Sanders

Yet your co favorite is Cruz, the most far right of all?

[Digital Dogma]

I don't personally support anyone this cycle, however there are some giant shit heads running this year and I plan on taking a vacation day just to make sure I can vote against them.

[Bucksandreds]

I live in Ohio and I've liked Kasich from the start. I don't know if he can get elected, but he can do the job. All the other candidates are scary. I'm going over to vote for him as soon as I can get the puppy to poop so I can go out.

How does his time being a part of destroying the world economy at Lehman brothers make him part of the solution? He tried to drive down wages by destroying the unions in Ohio. He's defunded planned parenthood hurting women's access to health and cancer screenings. He fights green energy. He's a far right wolf in sheep's clothing.

[2buttons]

Kasich was an ibanker at the Columbus unit, and was no where near the mortgage backed securities unit.

The Ohio legislature passed the bill to restructure collective bargaining agreements.  Contributing 10% to a pension, and 15% to healthcare costs, and focusing on merit pay does not seem to be an outlandish request to balance the state and local budgets, so not really sure how you can say he tried to "drive down wages"

You are right about defunding planned parenthood, but in the wake of the videos that surfaced regarding selling body parts and the like, I think a lot of people were thinking maybe we should reprogram funding earmarked for planned parenthood into other women's services groups, which is exactly what he did. 

He put a two year freeze in place on renewable energy standards to curb potential cost increases to the citizens of Ohio, and said that he is not going to continue the freeze. Ratcheting up regulations on the energy industry that will ultimately pass the costs onto the consumers is a terrible idea during a recession.  I think it was a smart play to push pause.   

[Midwest]

I live in Ohio and I've liked Kasich from the start. I don't know if he can get elected, but he can do the job. All the other candidates are scary. I'm going over to vote for him as soon as I can get the puppy to poop so I can go out.

How does his time being a part of destroying the world economy at Lehman brothers make him part of the solution? He tried to drive down wages by destroying the unions in Ohio. He's defunded planned parenthood hurting women's access to health and cancer screenings. He fights green energy. He's a far right wolf in sheep's clothing.

Ohio's economy has improved significantly under Kasich's leadership.  He also seem to know how to reach out the opposition, a skill which seems lost in Washington.

[onlykelsey]

Yeah, kasich is scary on social issues, but seems like a pragmatist otherwise.  He's my third favorite, I suppose, but he doesn't have a pragmatic Republican Congress to lead, so I'm not sure what good being President would do him.  His strengths aren't in traditional executive strongholds like foreign policy and appointing judges.

[Midwest]

Yeah, kasich is scary on social issues, but seems like a pragmatist otherwise.  He's my third favorite, I suppose, but he doesn't have a pragmatic Republican Congress to lead, so I'm not sure what good being President would do him.  His strengths aren't in traditional executive strongholds like foreign policy and appointing judges.

Other than planned parenthood what social issue do you take issue with on Kasich?

[onlykelsey]

Immigration reform, same sex marriage, chiefly, although he's come around on both of those.  Generally his lack of support for women's health and contraceptive access is the big one. 

I don't know if this is a social or foreign policy issue, but I do not trust someone who wants to create an agency to broadcast Judeo-Christian values http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/john-kasich-judeo-christian-agency-216001 . Politicans say weird things, though, and he doesn't seem to have doubled down on this, so it's really the more standard social issues that get me.

I also think he is dogmatic about balanced budgets in a way that hasn't borne out for midwestern states, but he seems to have backed off/been rebuked by Ohio.