[smoyer]

I don't think we got the person we elected in 2008 and 2012 ... what makes you think that Palin would be worse? Have you noticed that after all the "Tea Partyism" during the last election, the Republican party seems to have congealed back into its original form?

I really don't see how we elect change without a third party - yet I think the way elections are run (especially financially) virtually guarantees we'll never get that third party. The only possible solution is to pray for grid-lock.

Yes ... I really am THAT cynical. But I'm older than most of this crowd and my idealism is spent.

[notdonspaulding]

It's interesting to me that this is exactly the person that the Republicans didn't want to see elected in 2008 (In 2012 I think they wanted him to win, because Romney never had a chance).

That so many young people who idealistically embraced him can't stand him now doesn't mean he changed, just that they woke up to who he really was all along.

Seriously, no surprises here. If you believed the impossible promises he made on the 2008 campaign trail, I'm sorry, but you were warned.

(Incidentally I intend to pay a lot of attention to the negative reporting done on candidates I support in the future, because it represents a worst-case scenario if the pundits actually turn out to be right)

[smoyer]

I agree completely ... and I never said I voted for him but rather that the "corporate we" elected him. On the other hand, I AM a bit surprised that so few of his 2008 promises were even attempted, and that more people didn't revolt over his lack of commitment in 2012. People may not have recognized the impossible promises, but they would have expected an attempt at enacting those policies.

[r0s]

I vote for those trying to change the system to give third parties access to it.

[smoyer]

Yeah ... we're up to about 8% or so right?

[r0s]

Hopefully enough to get more access and funding, but the real goal is more public visibility.