Some interesting stats i’m looking at on the CNN website.br /br /As of this post.br /br /While Obama has won by a landslide of electoral votes, the popular vote is only seperated by 3% (51-48).br /br /Arizona, California and Florida had ban on gay marriage amendments up for vote and all seem to have passed.nbsp; br /Arkansas has banned adoption by unmarried couples (which coincidentally occurs for gays especially).br /On the very same night where an old discrimination has taken another big step forward, a new discrimination has taken a step back.br /One interesting note about this is that Obama has said he does not believe in gay marriage himself.br /br /Michigan looks to be passing stem cell research.nbsp; Makes sense in that biomed is building in Ann Arbor.nbsp; I am also very happy to see this.nbsp; Maybe we can get Michigan to be a new technology hub built around biomed.br /br /Nebraska ended Affirmative Action while Colorado did not.nbsp; Looks like Affirmative Action continues to be an issue people are split on.br /br /As of now, Democrats are 56-40 in the Senate.nbsp; There are 4 seats left, so there is sitll a possibility Democrats get theri 60 majority.nbsp; Here’s hoping it doesn’t occur.br /br /br /

I don’t know if people actually know my opinion on these two guys (though I am pretty sure you don’t care.) Still, I wanted to jot down my thoughts so here you go:

1.  It is true, Mccain makes emotional plays better.  He really comes off as the “I am your grandpa vibe”.

2. Obama’s speaking abilities are totally overrated.  I just kept hearing him stutter where as McCain stuttered significantly less.

3. Obama keeps bringing up how Iraq is a bad idea.  Seriously, get over it.  I understand its a bad idea, but we are there now, what do we do from here.

4. Why aren’t our overseas wars fought more economically?  Instead of tanks, let’s build schools, and infrastructure.  Suicide bombers which stop your kids from going to school or prevent water going to your house will probably not get much sympathy.  Recently watched Charlie Wilson’s War, and wonder why we aren’t doing more to build infrastructure instead of bringing in tanks. 

5. Given that we are stuck in Iraq, I don’t thinK Mccain’s ideas are so wrong.  Yes, the initial decision was bad, but now that we are there, what are the next steps.

6. Both keep talking about being world leaders and rallying other countries.  All I can think is that Bush already destroyed any good will we had built up, so not sure what they can do what they say they want to.  Of course, Mccain responds to the Isreal question by saying “Obviously I would not wait for UN security council”.  You know what, that probably isn’t the best way to make friends.  It is also a statement I STRONGLY disagree with.  Iraq was the same problem.  If we are going to play in the world politics, we should listen to others too.  I would say, “its okay to go in and help defend, but absolutely no attacking without UN okay.”

7. I don’t like the attacks on Obama’s terrorist friend.  He’s a professor now and had won Citizen of the Year in Chicago.  Seems like he can’t be that bad anymore.

8. The story about Palin’s husband being part of group which wanted Alaska secession scared me a little.  To be fair, Alaska is close to Russia.

9. I was sent this: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/hongop.shtml.  To me, its similar to the Spain and slanty eye thing, only I think he really should’ve apologized.

http://blog.pmarca.com/2008/03/an-hour-and-a-h.html

One of the blogs I read has made some mentions to the presidential campaigning, specifically talking about Obama (to save you from suspense, he likes the guy).

I think the most interesting point is about how the Obama’s campaign was run. I remember when I had first heard his name, I assumed he was just one of those many no names who are around at the beginning of all presidential runs, after all, he doesn’t have the name of Clinton and was trying to break some huge molds (which people try all the time). Yet, here he is, seriously competitive and having ever greater momentum. Following fact checker (see previous post), he seems quite honest almost all the time. He’s the leading candidate in my mind.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/

I don’t know very much about this blog. It is very good though, as I have been reading it for a couple weeks now. Essentially, it takes everything that the different candidates have done and actually runs a fact check of them. I had always wondered exactly how truthful some of the things these candidates say are and now I know.

The worst part about this blog is the fact that every single candidate has said things that don’t really pan out well. Its sad but “Politicians lie” exists because it works. Maybe this blog is the start of making that disappear.