McCain plans on cutting social programs and spending.  If he holds to his word, the budget will decline.  The problem with Democrats is that they have no intention of lowering the budget.  Now that it is at an all time high, they can cut security programs and the military and allocate the money to more social programs.  There's no such thing as a free lunch and the sooner people realize this the better.  I make 50k a year.  I can't afford to pay more taxes so people without a skill and choose to have families can get health care or whatever "right" someone feels entitled to. 

When it comes down to it, do people want to live in "debt" or have even more money taken from them?  I don't know about you, but I like to keep every cent I earn.

I'm going off of national polls.  The Republicans are not putting the effort and money into rallying supporters and getting people out to the polls.  Look at the primary numbers for 2000 and tell me who had more votes.  Why you would think Ron Paul supporters would go Democrat is beyond me.  Ron Paul's major issues are fiscal policies which are embraced by Republicans.  While he is an anti-war candidate, neither Hillary or Obama agree with his stance.  Ron Paul's greatest supporters are by far independents and he's pulled people from both sides of the politcal spectrum  I don't see his eventual withdrawl aiding any side more than the other, though he'll obviously endorse a Republican before he endoreses a Democrat. 

Michigan historically has gone Blue, but as a Ohio resident, I can tell you that I wouldn't bank on Ohio going for Hillary, ecpsecially with a candidate like McCain running.  People have a tendency to inject personal desires into their perception of politcal reality. 

A 73 year old man isn't nearly as taboo as a female or black president.  I'm not saying I agree with using any arbitray identifier as a qualification, but it's true.  No black or female candidate has been elected.  Virtually every candidate is "old."

I love this band but they are literally a living punchline.  All the excuses in the world can't justify the length it has taken him to get this album out, ecspecially with some material dating back to at least 1999.  The only thing that lets me think that maybe the album exists is that guys like Ron don't appear to be the types to mis-lead people. 

DTJ hit it on the nail with saying 2006 was the year.  We had the leaks and the Rolling Stone interview.  People were genuinely interested and they had a great tour.  Axl came out and said the album would be released soon into the new year.  People can try to find loop holes in what he said about it not being a promise, but the intent was obviously there to lead us into believing we were on the brink.  He even said he'd let us know if there were any changes.  It's been over a year and we haven't heard dick.  Sebastian Bach using the album as a promotion aide to his record doesn't count. 

I still hope this CD comes out, but there's a certain point when any prudent person would realize they're really just chasing the dragon.  I'll go see GN'R if and when they tour again because I love the music, but I'm tired of going to rehash of AFD because that's what will attract the kiddies.  They play more AFD material now than they did during the Illusion tours.  Doesn't that seem odd to be working backwards.  Anyway, that's the end of my rant.  Axl may be a musical genius, but certainly not a marketing one.

You're using your personal bias as proof he won't be elected.  McCain polls better against both Obama and Hillary.  While there is certainly time to change, alot of independents will vote against Clinton rather than vote for McCain if you follow my drift.  I have yet to hear McCain's age play a factor in any debate or commentary.

Hillary will get the Democratic nomination.  She's on a roll and wil take every state leading up until Super Tuesday where she is still polling better than Obama.  More people would show a bias towards a woman president than an "old" man. 

I disagree with you James.  Everything so far has shown McCain the stronger when matched against both DNC front runners.  McCain has really shown his value to me with the success of the surge in Iraq.  Some people may want to deny its success, but McCain backed that pony when everyone else jumped ship and he was right.  That is the kind of leader I want, someone who does the right thing even if it isn't popular.  Both Hillary and Obama's records have followed whatever was popular at the time.