I'll analyze the election stuff later, although I will say I will be content with whoever wins. Both bring different styles to the table, and perhaps both can be effective. The pro with Kerry is "perhaps the world won't hate the US so much", but I think that will be all in talk, with little help. From what I know, France & Germany are already on record saying they aren't sending troops to Iraq, so his whole "we will get them to help" platform is flawed from the start. Kerry running on the "we will go through the UN" is interesting, since basically nobody gives a shit about the UN in the US. Everyone has their own interests, so it's fairly pointless. But who knows... Kerry's voting record and him being the #1 liberal in the Senate is a little scary, and he will raise taxes, which is not fun, but maybe something good will come out if he wins. If Bush wins, I guess it's more of the same -- although I'm sure he's learned a lot from his mistakes. No President is perfect, and Bush has faced more than any President ever has. On a personal level, I feel Bush is more a "real guy" than Kerry is, but maybe the Democrats have just done a bad job in trying to show Kerry the "guy". Republicans are always more effective at getting their message out and the marketing of their people. Bottom line, I voted for Bush, but my vote is pointless since Kerry will carry Cali. But I did read a lot of anti-Bush articles and an anti-Bush book, and nothing persuaded me that Kerry is better. A lot of people are voting for Kerry because "he isn’t Bush". Well, I voted for Bush partially because he isn't Kerry, who I really don't have a clue on any of his positions.