Out of respect for the democratic process (i.e. ALL voters in ALL states being allowed the privilege and right to have their votes counted) I'd prefer considering these match-ups after a)only one candidate's left in each party; and b)each party's official nominee is announced.

I totally respect the process. That's why I think it's perfectly acceptable for anyone to talk about any topics they want at any time. That's the democratic way, isn't it? I think Hillary doesn't stand a chance anymore. She lost the race when Bill started running for her.

Also, I'm not saying the other states don't get to place their votes either. I just think they're going to choose Obama and McCain. That's all.

Anyway, *clink* to Democracy!

Oh, absolutely. I was only speaking for myself, my own views. I'm not saying everyone should listen to me (ha, as if!); I'm just stating my personal preferences. Yikes -- I'm really sorry if I said that in a way that stifled/stepped on your right to your own opinion.

I wasn't sure at first. My first interpretation of it was: "Don't be endorsing Obama so fast because I want Hillary to win and I'm tired of people counting her out before it's over." :)

It's all good. We totally get our own opinions. That's the beauty of our country.

Well, it *is* true that I prefer Hillary, and it's also true that I think it's unfair that the media's calling the contest before everyone's vote is counted and/or one or the other candidate drops out of the race.

Still, and most important, it's also true that we're all entitled to our own opinions and preferences, and I love that we're able to express them openly, without rebuke. :)

I agree that Barack should not run with Hillary.

I like Barack and Edwards. Edwards is so unthreatenenly (is that a word?) white-male-Southern for the general public.

I don't know who McCain should run with...perhaps his lobbyist? hee hee

funny, about McCain.

About Edwards, I don't think Edwards would do it. I don't think he wants to be runner up again, VP candidate again. And if he lost a 2nd time as a VP candidate, his Presidential possibilities would be pretty well shot. So I don't think he'll reenter the scene this election cycle.

I can't predict anything this time. Except this: if Obama wins, there are going to be many democrats seething here in the east coast, and they will all vote for McCain. I can't tell you how many New Yorkers I know who are Hillary supporters who have all told me this. The e-mails I get about all this are astounding. Even my own family, and I don't think any of them have ever voted Republican. Let's face it, Hillary supporters think Obama is nothing more than false hope with no priven track record, and Obama supporters think Hillary is going to repeat Bill's presidency.

So, if this is how the Hillary supporters feel, I'm assuming that's how the Obama supporters will feel if Hillary wins...tit for tat. Those democrats may then vote for McCain instead of Hillary, simply because they can't stand her.

Therefore, my ultimate prediction is that John McCain will eventually win, in spite of his running mate, and mostly by default because of the damage both Obama and Hillary have caused within the democratic party. It used to be the red states and the blue states, and now it's the light blue states and the dark blue states.

Wow-- you just posted exactly what I was going to say! Except I'm in Illinois and while in the city there are tons of Obama supporters I've been hearing A LOT of the Hillary supporters out in the burbs say if Obama wins they will vote McCain. And it made me think the same way as what you just said-- if Hillary supporters feel like this will Obama supporters also not vote for Hillary and then everyone ends up voting for McCain? I don't know. I almost thought they would have to run together (either Hillary/Obama or Obama/Hillary) just to please everyone. But I guess that isn't really likely.

With this election...who knows? :)

Interesting take on things. That's an aspect of being locked in California that one just can't pick up on. Thanks for the clue-in. That'd be a weird effect if McCain ended up winning even with so many people wanting the Reps out of the White House. Crazy infighting.

The Democrats I know, all from either NY, PA or NJ, are so passionate about either Obama or Hillary, they are ruining friendships over it, seriously. They send me blind copies of vicious e-mails.

The good thing though, McCain might actually be a very good President. I am undecided right now, and probably will be until they choose a democratic candidate...officially...not just a CNN prediction :-o

I am curious though...what is the buzz in CA? I always thought CA voters were basically on the same wave length as NY, NJ and New England. I don't live in CA, and I can only go by what I read and hear, but I hear very good things about your governor, and I think he endorsed McCain.

The buzz here in California depends on where you live and whom you listen to.

I live in Orange County, so the buzz tends to lean Conservative. I imagine San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Humboldt Counties are much more liberal with their buzz.

That said, in many classes that I've taught lately, the pre-dominant concensus is that they would vote for Obama 1st, McCain 2nd, Hillary 3rd, Paul 4th (nobody said Huckabee). But those are high school and middle schoolers.

With my Republican friends, they are extrememly unhappy with this election's options. They don't want to vote for McCain but they'll hold their noses and vote for him anyway so Obama or Hillary won't win. They seem to want a combination of the candidates: Huckabee's faith and personality, Romney's intelligence and looks, and McCain's military and foreign policies. But they only get a third of it all, so they're unhappy.

All my closest friends voted Ron Paul, so I'm for sure an outlier. :)

Thanks...this was insightful. And, it's not all that different here in the east. Real conservatives want Huckabee; real liberals want Obama. The trouble is that everyone is so passionate; which is also a good thing, too, because it makes things interesting. :)

The real conservatives I know don't like a lot of what Huckabee stands for. They don't feel they have one candidate they can wholeheartedly throw their support behind.

This actually surprises me. I thought Huckabee was a good rep for real conservatives...at least from what I've heard HIM say...that's how he's selling himself anyway.

The only thing he has going for him is his religious beliefs. And he's a personable guy. Besides that, there isn't much my conservative friends laud him for.

But you don't see the "press" ever mention anything like this. So much for objectivity, on either side of the spectrum.

Are you the same Jonathan Stephens that posts on the Mccain blog? Is this the famous JB?

Same name...different man.