I believe nothing from either camp's media arms (Fox, MSNBC or whatever blogs). It all comes down to issues and my comfort with the person. And really the debates are more for the later of those two.

Perhaps this will help you a bit:

In regards to the 'Shady Issues' link that you posted, which creates a 'terrorist' link between Obama and William Ayers of the Weather Underground...it's a bit of a stretch.

First of all, whether for Obama or for McCain, those little one minute videos that biased websites show are nothing short of ill informed propaganda. Again, this is not me being partisan, it works both ways, whether its for Obama or McCain. In my opinion, any video of this nature must be avoided. It's EXTREMELY easy to lead people emotionally by making far reaching associations, especially in under a minute. Hence, the SNL skit:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/mccain-approves-open/589345079

Secondly, I had to research this association because my mother sent me some link making this association (also with a fun little video) and she made the leap of logic that Obama must be some kind of anti American, terrorist loving yahoo because the website drew these conclusions.

if you research the history of the Weather Underground, the short story is that they were a left wing radical group that protested the Vietnam War in the 60's and 70s. They set explosives in strategically placed locations to make statements about their opposition to the war. They did so by calling authorities DAYS in advance, warning them of their intentions so that the only thing they would harm was property, not people. They would also, of course, get the publicity for their cause. Naturally i don't condone the destruction of property, but I would hardly label them a terrorist organization.

Their plotting backfired when they accidentally exploded a bomb in an apartment and killed three of their own members. Ayers was essentially one of the leaders of the organization and fled the authorities for awhile.

He eventually resurfaced eventually became a distinguished professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. While there, he helped form the Woods Fund, which is an anti poverty, non profit, philanthropic organization. He's also very active in education reform in Chicago. He co authored a grant that won close to $50million was used to help reform public education in Chicago.

Obama served on the board of the Woods Fund with Ayers from 1999-2002. As you know, Obama was very involved with community activism (that he was so lovingly mocked for by Palin), It appears that while they certainly knew each other and were friendly, I find it incredulous that people are making much of this relationship. After researching this history, i have no issues with the association whatsoever. But that's just me.

Please, read for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ayers

isn't the whole point of voting that you should vote your conscience? and if that means writing in hillary's name, then maybe that's exactly what you should do. maybe if everybody did that, things would be better in this country. because i know that i'm not looking forward to my "choices" with this election, either.

just my two cents.

There's a house near our neighborhood that has various political candidate signs in the lawn, but the biggest one is a handmade sign that said, "I'm writing in my vote for President."

I yes, Kerry is right. If, for whatever reason you feel that you don't connect with either candidate, write in your choice if you can. (not sure if those electronic machines will allow such a thing, but maybe).

Elections are about choice afterall. :)

I hear you loud & clear. I am undecided as well, trying to see the "truth" thru the mud that's flying. The debate tonight should be interesting. I hope that Palin will come across clearly and intelligently so that it will be a fair fight. My brother and I get into lengthy discussions about his stance (pro Obama) and I try to listen to what he has to say but it all just sounds like rhetoric and spin to me. I watched the first debate and both candidates said nothing to convince me that I should vote for either one of them. They are not giving us any substance or specifics on how they are going to change things. People forget that the president elect also has to deal w/the house & senate to get things done but what if they don't have the majority? No control, gridlock & no solutions.

Neilv - before you go thinking that Ayer's education work is mainstream, please see this article from the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122212856075765367.html

Thanks for the link Jaynee. I always appreciate another view on a subject. To be clear though, I never said that it was mainstream. I'm aware of Ayers' background.

After reading the opinion (it was posted in the opinion section, so I take that as such), i'd like to take a harder look at these different organizations. I honestly have no issue whatsover with a group that tries to encourage tolerance, truth and fairness. Ayers is right in that America has a history of not only being a great country, but also a great bully. We can't simply 'drink the punch' about our country without hearing both sides. it's an important discourse.

That being said, I'm always apprehensive about ANY group that is too extreme (whether left or right leaning).

If there are any additional pieces of info out there that people find, i'd love to read them.

ok, I've read some incredibly well written and well thought out comments here. As a life-long Republican and currenly undecided voter, at an hour into the debate, I just can't get passed the "hockey-mom" clip in her hair and the fact that so far, I have heard her call the Honorable man from Delaware "Senator O'Biden" - twice!

I mean, REALLY???? a hair clip?? Did you KNOW what you were going to be doing - on national TV no less? That may fly in Alaska, but here in the lower 48, we prefer our politicsl women well coiffed. Not to mean a $1000.00 hair cut, just THINK, woman, think! Your not dropping the kiddos off at soccor practice! And the *wink* what's up with that? I've seen THAT twice, too! I ask you, GC, would Hillary *wink*?

Erin..wait she was winking at everybody?! In the words of the great Vizzinni "INCONCEIVABLE!!"

When she said "Kev six pack" I thought she just messed me and Joe up (granted I was into 3 of the 6 by then). Hearing her voice shake like it did, thinking back I said to myself "its okay Sarah settle down...remember Mavericks are strong...you little Maverick..say it again...oh yeah I caught that wink baby..that's my Maverick...yeah say it again...your a Maverick...I know what you mean when you say drill baby drill....don't let my wife see that wink again...oh stop it or we will be found out...you dirty little Maverick....but the name is Kev".

Now...come to think of it Bush winks at me all the time too? So he doesn't want me either?

Oh I feel so alone and used. "INCONCEIVABLE!!"

I would like to see this election get the largest number of write-in votes in history. Just might send a message. One that would probably be ignored, but still. And I wasn't a Sarah fan to begin with but still found it unbelievable that she said nuke-yew-lar eleven times.

i think palin is already setting back women just on the fact she is in this without enough expeirence. i like you just want to puke at the choices. i can not vote for a republican period. i wanted hilary i miss al gore and john edwards has really dissapointed me. i am just not comfortable with obama. there is something lurking in the shadows with him it feels like. biden is interesting but i may make the worst descion of all which is not to vote. booo right? anyway wanted to tell you great picture of you with norm. you should blow it up and hang it up some where. you always photograph so well . i only read 3 blogs. its all i have time for. you rosie and pop candy and they are all equally entertaining and informative. and bonus is that your local. as always thanks for sharing and letting your readers vent with you.

hey gang,

I'm hearing alot of talk that centers on 'there's something lurking in the shadows' when discussing Obama, or even McCain.

Earlier, Erin pointed to a specific issue that concerned her. Are there other specific issues that are causing concern for those who feel this way?

The reason I'm asking is that all the candidates, (including Hillary during the primaries), have been victims of slanderous innuendo that tends to be generated by groups with specific agendas. I'm very uncomfortable with the messaging that gets circulated on the internet that is not backed up with facts. It causes people to potentially have unfounded fears about their voting and it's really important to wade through the unbelievable amount of misinformation that's flying out there about both parties.

Jaynee pointed to a great WSJ opinion column regarding the question about Obama's association with Ayers, which helped shed some light on an issue that I was able to then do more research on. I love that stuff.

I hate this stuff:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/mccain-approves-open/589345079

Oh yea, and I hate this too. So slimy....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081004/pl_nm/us_usa_politics_6

Can we PLEASE talk about issues?

wow i was just stating some general gut feelings. am i actually being kinda scolded from a stranger on some other strangers blog that i read for a little light laughter for a few minutes a couple of times a week to wind down from a hard day. sorry erin to use your blog to respond to this didnt someone on here speak of their comfort level as well as the issues. obama like palin just havent been around long enough to form a good enough record to form a concrete opinion and hell it would only be my opinion i could be wrong.

Palin drives me crazy. Talk about ignorant.

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