I love what the GOP stands for; a smaller government, states rights, and strong individual rights. At this point in the election cycle who do you stand behind and why? Or do you stand behind the incumbent, President Barak Obama? Why do you think you would vote for them and why?

Mitt Romney is clearly one of the most fiscally consevative candidates that i am confident would balance the budget, but some of his other stances lead me to question what he actually beleives in.

Ron Paul is my gut in this election and is probably the candidate I would back in a national election because I belevie he clearly stands behind peoples rights and would also balance the budget.

Rick Santorum I beleive stands up for what he beleives in, but has not fully developed his political adjenda and could flip flop once in office.

Newt Gingrich is clearly smart but is a long time politician and is clearly willing to be bought.

Rick Perry has had some trouble in debates, but has come on stong in SC and might be a great leader but doesn't quite know how to articulate his positions in a debate.

Originally posted by SlyingFaucers
I love what the GOP stands for; a smaller government, states rights, and strong individual rights. At this point in the election cycle who do you stand behind and why? Or do you stand behind the incumbent, President Barak Obama? Why do you think you would vote for them and why?

The GOP by there actions prove themselves time and time again to be for the wealthy and elite in the country. I see absolutely no evidence that they are for smaller government, as the last GOP administration grew both the government and national dept to record levels. The argument over states rights has raged since the civil war and today the states have no rights but to conform to the federal government or risk losing highway funds. The GOP doesn't support individual rights at all, just look at the legislation they have recently passed and the legislation they wish to pass.

All legislation that points us in the direction of a police state has its roots and support in the GOP. The GOP supported giving the military the right to patrol our streets and to indefinitely detain citizens without trial.

You will not have freedom or liberty under GOP rule, they have sold us out to big business and corporations and big banks.

All you need to do is a little research and you will find what you have wrote laughable, and while your researching look at the condition of red states compared to blue states and tell me your happy with GOP government based on there record.

The GOP has one candidate running that I would call good, and the rest are just tools bought by the highest bidder and special interests.

I don't think the GOP has a chance at winning anything in 2012, just look at the approval rating of congress.

Thanks for the feedback, I feel the same way most of you do. I remember last election telling my family the budget deficit was the greatest challenge this country faced and to vote for Mitt Romney. This time around I have some great vibes on Ron Paul.

One of the most devistating conversations i had recently was with my overly educated brother who is finishing up his second masters from an ivy league college. He told me he still (as of last week) not overly concerned with the financial shape of the economy because other countries were still buying our debt and that he still planned to vote for Obama in a general election. What i think he fails to realize is that just because people are buying our debt doesnt mean we are doing ourselves any type of service and we are getting ourselves into some scary territory with our budgeting at the national level.

He is for the everyman, and wants to see a strong middle class. I agree, and everyone needs some type of financial security but we cant be relying on our government to pay our debts. What i see happening in the very near future is a devaluation of the buck i have worked hard to earn and our long term stability is in severe question. I like the fact that he had some hard figures to back up his statements but he is ignoring the macro economic impacts of his decisions. Overall a vote for Obama in the general election will lead to a much weaker US economy than what we are accostomed to. I hope others realize this.