[1541] Of go McCain!

Although I’ve never minded the role of the underdog, and have relished as much as anyone come-from-behind wins, tonight I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican party’s front-runners. And I don’t mind one bit.”

— John McCain in a February 6 2008 post-Super Tuesday speech.

While prefer Ron Paul the most, he has no chance to clinch the nomination for the GOP. Given the current dynamics, especially when religious conservatives in the US are going against McCain and supporting Huckabee and Romney instead, I think I will be fine with McCain. I certainly do not want to see the religious conservatives to have too much influence over the Oval Office. Besides, Romney flip-flops too much anyway.

As with his unbearable stances ranging from war to abortion, I think a Congress-controlled Democrats could balance things out.

And if I had to choose between Obama and Clinton, I would have to go with Obama. There are several reasons what that is so. One is insurance. I do not like Clinton’s call for a mandate. Second, the issue on Iraq. Clinton refused to apologize for her vote to go war. Third, that “there’s not a liberal America and a conservative America — there’s the United States of America” speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. I watched Obama on TV for the first time and I, a foreign citizen on American soil, was inspired by Obama.

Still, between Obama or Clinton and McCain, I will go for McCain. Reason? Free trade.

There is talk that the best ticket for the Republicans is the McCain-Huckabee; McCain attracts the independents while Huckabee fires up the religious conservatives. I hope that will not be the case though. I want the religious conservatives to be out of the equation altogether comes November 4 2008. A McCain-Giuliani would be okay (that would make the evangelicals go cuckoo!) Or maybe, McCain-Paul! (LOL!)

There is still a long way to go but for now at least, the religious conservatives are defeated.