None of the Above?

I'm having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that I have to cast a vote for Barack Obama or John McCain for President. Out of the 300 million residents in this country (some of which are actually legal citizens), are these two really the best to lead this country? Out of all the people who would like to be president, these are the two we are going to have to choose between?

First, you have Barack Obama. This guy is the blank slate. He won't really take a stand on any issue but he's credited with the greatest ideas ever. He supposedly gives us "change we can believe in" while playing typical politics. Obama attacked the Clintons while claiming to be above the political fray. And it's become very obvious that the media isn't going to hold him to task for his political maneuvering. Obama allegedly stands for change. The only change I can see him making is to the tax code, and increasing taxes on everyone and growing the government. That's not change I want to see. But when he never gives details, what are you going to do?

On the other side you have John McCain, who has a spotty record at best. McCain is also a politics-as-usual kinda guy, despite his "straight talk." McCain has often followed the lead of the media when it comes to his position, which is what made him popular when he ran against Bush. The "finger in the air" approach isn't necessarily what I want from the next president. He's vowed to make tax cuts permanent but if the public turns, he may turn with them. On a positive note for McCain, he has at least unveiled from policy initiatives. But, going against a blank canvas like Obama, that may be a mistake.

Neither of these candidates inspire a lot of confidence in me which is why I have been pretty much avoiding politics over the past month. But the conventions are approaching rapidly and I'm slowly acquiescing to the fact that these are the choices. I'm not necessarily happy about it but there's not much more I can do about it at this point. Let the fun begin.