Saturday, August 09, 2008
John McCain
I’ve been asked why I support John McCain. To me the answers are simple. In our company we use a decision making matrix. If you do a matrix on John McCain versus Obama you will be as easily convinced as us.
Simply rate the following between 1 and 5. 5 is best, 1 is worst. This removes any bias one might have over issues not related to a good leader like race, religion sex etc. I would have supported Condoleezza Rice if she were running proving I’m neither a sexist or racist.
We first ran a decision matrix on the issues. They ranked in the following order. 1. Domestic Energy Policy. This comes before the others because it drives so many of the other categories like the economy number 2, national security number 3 and foreign policy number 4.
1. Domestic Energy Policy
McCain 4
Obama 2
McCain initially reserved ANWR as off limits we give him a 4. It was an idiotic position to take. If you’re going to drill off shore why not in ANWR. This lowered him from a 5 to a 4 for being illogical.
Obama did state that inflating tire pressure would save as much oil as we would get by drilling in the US. While his plan is more involved than that he does not look favorably on Coal, which we have more of than any other resource, Nuclear plants which several European countries have generating a large portion of their energy usage and drilling.
Both candidates are for exploring new energy options.
2. The Economy
McCain 3
Obama 1
McCain admits to his shortcomings on the economy so we give him a 3 for being honest about it. We know he’ll surround himself with good advisers since he knows he lacks experience here. On the plus side McCain did command a Navy unit.
Obama has no real experience and does not admit to it. We give him a 1 for not being up front about his lack of experience. Being blind to his own lack of experience may cost America big time economic trouble.
3. National Security
McCain 5
Obama 2
McCain was correct about the surge. Against huge opposition McCain stepped forward and went against the tide. His years of military service are a great benefit to his understanding of national security.
Obama has no experience. We would have given him another point if he would have admitted the surge worked in Iraq. His denial of the truth staring him in the face caused us to be extremely concerned. We are seeing a pattern of denial.
4. Foreign Policy
McCain 4
Obama 2
McCain knows during a run for the President of the United States it is not the time to be traveling abroad. He also is well known around the world and is viewed as a moderate in foreign relations.
Obama set himself on the world stage before receiving the vote from the American people for the American Presidency. This was an armature move. Not to mention the mistakes he made early on in his bid for the Democratic Nomination over meeting with foreign dictators without pre-conditions.
That is about it. Even if you disagree with our rating system rate the candidates yourself. Try to be as unbiased as you can and see if logic doesn’t outweigh your emotional enthusiasm. Charisma and other factors are important but not nearly as important as the 4 policies we’ve measured against above. If Obama wins we do not believe it spells the end of the United States. We survived Jimmy Carter, we can probably survive Obama and the do nothing Congress that is now in charge.
Seems like some prominent Democrats agree
