I am sitting here tapping on my keyboard with a steaming cup of coffee next to me awaitng John Kerry's speech to the Democratic Convention due to be aired on BBC 1 at 3am!

I think I may read a few chapters of my economics textbook, but I fear it may put me to sleep...

For the record I do have a job (in my vacation)... but it starts at 3.30pm tomorrow.

If I were American I COULD vote for Kerry if he made the right noises, because althuogh I am convinced that the war was right, and that internationalisation (at the time) would have lead to costly delays, I believe that Kerry is the only President that can significantly reduce the US presence in Iraq by reaching out to the international community.

As a UK resident, foreign affairs is my primary concern, however in America I would be worried about what his domestic policies are, and his character as a person would also be important to me if I am to trust him to make speedy life or death decisions.

I'm fairly sure I would be a typical (rightward leaning) swing voter if I lived in the US, so if Kerry can convince me, then I think Bush will have big problems come November.

You are far more intelligent and informed than the average American voter, so I don't think what you decide pro or con regarding Kerry would indicate much. You care about and understand your issues. American elections are all about AVOIDING talking specifics about issues.

The reality is that American elections are mostly public relations fests and smear fests, but that doesn't make the outcome any less important.

Gideon, I thought you were a fairly smart fellow. Perhaps I overestimated you? Or are you just trying to be liked?

John L,

It would be foolish to rule out voting for anyone without hearing what they have to say wouldn't it?
Although I am politically Conservative in my country. The UK already has a far more left-wing political arrangement compared with America, and I am concerned about rolling this back.
In America things are different, and since I don't live there it is difficult to judge where exactly I would fall on the politcal spectrum, although I believe it is safe to suggest that I would be a rightward leaning democrat or a Republican.

What I said about Kerry and the War in Iraq is my position. I believe that a real benefit of a Kerry presidency would be to bring the world back on side, and since he supported the war I have very little arguement with him on this issue.

I also think that a little more tact is needed in the Israeli-Palestinian issue, even if the policy does not change dramatically.

I trust George W. Bush to make the right decisions on foreign affairs, but If he were my President I would have big problems with the massive defecit, and the effect of this on the economy.

The problem with bush is that he is not a true conservative.

PART of the neo-conservative ideology is similar to that of a welfare liberal, and that means large spending, large government and a growing defecit..

Gideon, I honestly don't know how we got into this mess. Bush is terrible, and Kerry is actually worse.

It's like picking the knuckle head that you think is going to harm you the least.

What a great decision.

Read your economics, dare I say it is more interesting, and time better spent.

Gideon, KFS is pretty much in line with my thinking. However he is a little bit more in the Libertarian camp than I am. I am a little closer to the middle between the Republicans and Libertarians. I'm just not as comfortable with the Anarco-Libertarians(your Liberal Democrats I believe) as KFS. His politics is probably closer to mine than anyone on this forum.

So, when he advises you to study hard on the economics, I say the same thing.

You guys are making me appreciate our current leader. Even if Kerry gets in, our Tony will stop him from getting things too wrong on foreign affairs.

Afraid Kerry will cozy up to Chirac.

I don't know one way or the other if I would want Tony for a leader, but he certainly has my profound respect.