Politics . . . & Women Voters

About 10AM (PST) this morning the Colonel's Mom called to let us know McCain had picked a running mate. Since that phone call I have pretty much been surfing television news channels listening to all of the hoopla concerning Senator McCain's pick to run as Vice President on the Republican ticket. It's now about 2:30PM and CNN's "The Cafferty File" has already received more than 11,000 e-mails concerning this announcement.

The news channels are covered with pundits and proliferators posturing their opinions. Since this is my space . . . I might as well jump in with my own opinion. Although there are many, many topics I enjoy writing about, politics, political parties and elections are not very high on my list.

I really only want to make two points.

My first and most important point is one I think all of the major news stations seem to be overlooking. An incredible historical event will happen with our Presidential Election in November of this year. Whether the Democrat or the Republican candidates win, this election will be more than just historical. Either the first African-American will be elected President or the first woman will be elected as Vice-President. Either way, this election will move our great country forward just as our forefathers intended all Americans to be "created equal." We truly live in the greatest country in the world.

My second point has to do with McCain nominating a woman to be his VP running mate. If I hear one more talking head speak about the women voters who supported Hillary now supporting and intending to vote for McCain because he has a woman running mate, I think I'll vomit. Do those asking this question think women voters are naive enough to vote for a female just because she is female? Or, do they think women are just stupid? I think this entire discussion is offensive and defeats the entire purpose intended by women's suffrage.

I am an Independent and never claimed Republican, Democrat, Green, Blue or Whig as my party. I vote for the candidate who best represents my values. Currently, like many Americans, our economy, health care, Iraq and education are high on my priority list. I will vote for the candidates who intend to make these issues their highest priorities with plans that reflect my opinions and beliefs. I will not vote for a woman simply because she is a woman. The divide between the priorities and plans of the Republicans and the Democrats is so great, how could anyone, male or female, who voted for Hillary Clinton as President jump over and vote for the Republicans without giving thought to their difference in policies?

With all of the really important issues and problems our next President will face, our news stations could find something more substantial to talk about in this very important election year. If nothing else, this election will be monumental in our nation's history.

And, that's my two cents worth on politics . . .