ok, I usually stay out of this type editoral comment, but I thought the presidential debates tonight were a good idea and it helped me a little in wittling out some of the 'no-shows' at least in my mind.


(((((((Let me stress that these thoughts are my own, Matt Sealey and not that of Lucky Dog Racing, the Council, or Racing Traditions Inc.))))))))))


1st up, the Republicans -

John McCain, sorry, but he may have good ideas, but the overall impression that I get of him is an image of a feeble tired man who still is grasping at straws to be president ala Bob Dole of years past.
Fred Thompson, actually impressed me alot, but I feel like he is to much of a dark horse to be a real contender....if he had more backing from his own party, he would be the real force this election year.
Ron Paul, I've seen all the grass roots mentions of him and yet knew nothing of him until tonight.  I liken him to Ross Perot.....common sense man who gets alot of the lower class people to back him and yet the problem is, those same people hardly ever show on election day to steer the electoral college towards him.
Mitt Romney, admittedly I knew very little of him as well, but he talked a good game and I have always thought it would take a businessman to right the nation's ship and not a politician but it seems he has alot of a politicians characteristics and that scares me.
Mike Huckabee, until the results from Iowa, I had never heard his name at all and that is sad because overall, he impressed me the most.  I did not agree with him on all his issues, but he really seemed to make the most sense to me personally.
Rudy Guiliani, he was my second choice before the debate and he still is, only with a different frontrunner.  He is a proven leader before 9-11, and that right there gives him my admiration.

next up, the Democrats -

John Edwards, he is the one that I identify with the most and yet he is the one out of all ten, that reminds me most of Bill Clinton, eventhough I always thought Clinton was wrong.  If I were to vote for a democrat, he would be my choice I think.
Barack Obama, this guy is a sham in my mind.  it has nothing to do with his color, but more with his streak to political stardom over the last couple of years after not doing anything to speak of at all.  But I will give him this, he has mastered filibustering already even though it was a debate and not a congressional floor meeting.  All fluff this one I think.
Bill Richardson, alot like Thompson or Paul, not enough name recognition for him to be a real threat to anyone.  Although he tried his best.
Hilary Clinton, I knew she would be a threat and she will continue to be.  She has done the most good already and I really think she was the real power in the White House all those years no matter what others think.  I will say she has a real chance at winning the nomination and ultimately the Presidency......I just would not rather have that scenario.

----disclaimer, I have historically voted republican and that probably shows in my comments, but it really is wide open in my mind who I will vote for when the time comes.

I am equally torn between 4-5 canidates right now.  Those being, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Guiliani, and John Edwards.  None of these people have my full backing as I saw chinks in everyones armor, but I can see myself voting for any of the five come November.