I've finally decided, I think, who to vote for. It's Kerry, but not for different reasons than most folks.
I don't care about their war records and/or dodging efforts. This time around I think my assault weapons are safe from Kerry and that abortions are safe from Bush. I also don't really care about the Patriot act. Yes, it makes me a little nervous, but, that's what the Supreme Court is for. Besides, if I end up caring about it I'll take my voting out on congress.
As an athiest the Bush God stuff makes me uneasy, but I'm also fiscally conservative enough that the Kerry economic plan makes me nervous also.
The US invasion of Iraq earns Bush a few points. SH is evil and needed to be removed. Doing it without some European/world backing gets him a plus also: I want someone who will tell the world to piss off and do what he thinks is right, up to and including invading another country. In addition, the world needed to know that our attitude towards hostility has changed. I'm sure there's not a world leader who now doesn't know we're serious about active defiance of the US in area of security.
Iraq also looses Bush a few points. I may like it when you tell the world to piss off, but you also need to work vigerously to convince the misguided nations of the Earth to join you. Invading Iraq because you/theCIA _think_ they have WMD is ok. Invading Iraq because it's time to make a statement about the US commitment to security is also ok. Invading Iraq because God told you to free the peoples of the Earth (60 Minutes) is not Ok. Improper oversight of the CIA, where your WMD information comes from, is also not ok (even though I suspect Kerry would have had the same problem with the CIA - every president seems to have this problem with the CIA.)
I want to know that John Kerry will invade a country that is in open defiance of the US and/or harboring terrorists. If he would come right out and say that then I'd be a lot more comfortable. He's said some things lately that make me think that might actually be his position, even though he seems to be obfuscating it (for the benefit of the majority of his party?)
I know Bush will act unilaterally. I now think Kerry will also, so the most important issue to me is now a push. Added in to the mix are the VP and the Speaker of the House telling me I should vote for them because if I don't the terrorists will attack us. Naughty naughty. Intelligent voters don't like it when you pander to the masses with scare tactics. That pushes me over to the Kerry camp.
If Kerry comes out and says he won't invade a country unilaterally, then I'll have to reevaluate. I'll also have to reevaluate if I believe Bush knew there was no WMD/the CIA was wrong. (Invading to make a point is ok. Lying about the reasons are not.)
This is the statement that pushed me in to the Kerry camp:
============(from CNN)================
"Let me say this in the simplest possible terms: When John Kerry is President of the United States, we will find al-Qaida where they are and crush them before they can do damage to the American people," Edwards said.