The candidate websites of Obama and McCain are very similar, making it easier then ever to compare the political platforms of each. Each site has several drop down menus, and the one that I’m particularly drawn to is the Issues list - McCain lists 12 top issues and Obama lists 25 in his apparent attempt to be all things to all people. But neither of them will get my vote for President because neither of them lists the number one issue this country is facing as a top priority. That number one issue is the runaway government spending that WILL bankrupt this country. (See Zimbabwe article for a hint of what is to come)


So who will I vote for in the 2008 election if I don’t vote for McCain or Obama? The answer lies in the running mates. Take a look at a few dropped out candidate websites such as Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. Romney specifically lists “Curbing out of control spending” as a top issue. Ron Paul’s website has changed since he dropped out of the race, but he is still very serious about a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility within the White House. Obama and McCain both need to take special note of where the red arrow below points. Study it, embrace it, and get it on your issue list NOW! You won’t get my vote without it.

Meanwhile, Obama wants to keep the printing presses going full speed to hand out more $1000 checks to everyone. On the other side of the table is John McCain, the economic illiterate.

But what about all those other top issues that Obama and McCain list on their candidate websites? They are all very important, but none of them are worth anything if you can’t pay for them. This country more then anything else needs fiscal discipline right now. With a fiscally conservative policy, all the other issues will work themselves out because we won’t be constrained with debilitating interest payments - $430 billion in 2007 - on the ever increasing national debt.

So how will I vote for President in 2008? Whoever has the most fiscally conservative running mate gets my vote! There certainly is not an ounce of it from either McCain or Obama! This could be the year that the Vice President determines the race.

For related reading:

Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It
Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It by Peter G. Peterson