Here's a vague outline of why I'm voting the way I am.
I don't like either candidate on domestic policy. I'm a small government conservative, and neither of the candidates are. I give a tiny edge to Bush because he at least talks about an ownership society and real reform of social security.
But the reason, I'm voting for Bush is largely about international vision. Listening to the debates and some of his speeches, Kerry largely talked about international alliances as the key to security. Mind you, they have their place, but I think the promotion of democracy and freedom on the world is much more likely to bring us peace - and prevent nuclear terrorism. All the alliances in the world won't clean up the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, the oil for food scandal demonstrates the limits of alliances. There will always be countries motivated by greed/opposition to the US that will limit was alliances can do. Democracy and Freedom might do the trick in the long run. And Bush is a firm believer in their promotion. I guess that I'm partly a neo-con :)
I also don't think Kerry is as committed as I would like to the idea of cleaning up rouge states and international terrorism. Granted, it's a judgment call, but in the end, I'm voting against Kerry because I don't trust him on these issues. If Lieberman had gotten the nomination, I might well be voting for my first democrat since Dukakis.
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timeasmymeasure
International vision
Date: 2004-10-15 01:31 pm (UTC)I don't like either candidate on domestic policy. I'm a small government conservative, and neither of the candidates are. I give a tiny edge to Bush because he at least talks about an ownership society and real reform of social security.
But the reason, I'm voting for Bush is largely about international vision. Listening to the debates and some of his speeches, Kerry largely talked about international alliances as the key to security. Mind you, they have their place, but I think the promotion of democracy and freedom on the world is much more likely to bring us peace - and prevent nuclear terrorism. All the alliances in the world won't clean up the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, the oil for food scandal demonstrates the limits of alliances. There will always be countries motivated by greed/opposition to the US that will limit was alliances can do. Democracy and Freedom might do the trick in the long run. And Bush is a firm believer in their promotion. I guess that I'm partly a neo-con :)
I also don't think Kerry is as committed as I would like to the idea of cleaning up rouge states and international terrorism. Granted, it's a judgment call, but in the end, I'm voting against Kerry because I don't trust him on these issues. If Lieberman had gotten the nomination, I might well be voting for my first democrat since Dukakis.