[Maru]

Why did OP open a thread, only to disregard the straight answers and then proceed to insult members who answer in ways he doesn't agree with? I see that it's an attempt to challenge those posters, but they gave sufficient enough replies to explain their own POV/position(s)... why make petty remarks?

To answer the actual question, Trump will be the worst... my thoughts all over the forum, so no point to bringing it up

Clinton has the possibility to to be an average president and if she can stop her polarizing secret habits, a slight potential to be a great one...

I was encouraged to vote for her when I read about comments she made in leaked audio about considering herself center-left/center-right... still, she's far too secretive with her actual political leanings for me to feel confident enough she fits the definition of center anything... I think she is actually fairly center after reading/watching things on her backstory, but some of her security decisions don't support that and her inability to be honest to voter's on the campaign trail about her most staunchest leanings make it difficult for me to confirm whether or not I could justify voting for her (so I will be writing in)

Anyway, it is my mild hope based on that she may be turn out to be an OK president... but at the same time, I'm not going to hold my breath that it will end the political stagnation so easily. That will be a tough task to tackle for most anyone who would win.

Still, her ability to be professional and treat issues and voters sensitively may win her a good legacy, but she needs to stop that behind the scenes ****. It'll be a non-starter in this day and age of transparency and constant digital leaks.

I do agree a great deal with kirk/bitontheslides posts, though I have to take a little bit of umbrage with the statement about Clinton's 70% approval rating... a vast majority of people here have stated that having mistresses on the side as not politically relevant. Americans in general don't really care all that much if a political has a mistress on the side, as that's largely considered a personal matter not even worth the media sensation that comes from it. The witch-hunt was primarily Republican driven only as a means to balance out/mitigate Clinton's ridiculous popularity... many many many people still nostalgically refer back to his president as a golden age for American political process and a better quality of life. I remember that vividly because I'm a generation that benefited the most from that time period, when our national self-esteem was at it's highest and our path towards progress was the most clear. Then came 911, that all changed and since then everyday I'm reminded that things are different now.

As for familiarity, I don't think that to do as much with it as much as people can only draw their opinions from recent experiences... things have changed so dramatically for the world in the past 10, 20, 50, hell 100 years... that our idea and perceptions would make/break a presidency has had to constantly adjust to accommodate what we've learned as nation. If there's one thing you can say about Americans, we value our opinions and are very proud of our personal perceptions irregardless of our walk of life. If we sense even a hint of some manipulation/deception in a candidate, it makes us question/lower our hopes for their ability to be great in their position, because the last thing an American wants to be made a fool of on is their strong opinion... we are a very proud people in that manner, for better or worse

Originally Posted by kirklancaster

I have probably voted in more elections than any other member of this forum, thank you.

Your phrases; 'ability to forecast' and 'thinking it through' are a little vague, but let us examine what you may mean by them, shall we:

By 'ability to forecast', do you mean, 'Making a calculated guess based upon....

a) Political track records of the Presidential Candidates?

Trump has none, and Clinton's is less than inspirational.

Or perhaps you mean;

b) The political statements and promises issuing forth from both Candidates mouths whilst on the Campaign trail?

Trump is a PROVEN liar and Clinton is a PROVEN liar.

Or perhaps you mean;

c) The 'Believability' and 'Credibility' factors?

Trump is a PROVEN liar and Clinton is a PROVEN liar.

Oh... I see, NOW all we are left with are our own personal prejudices. Who we LIKE as a PERSON and who we DON'T like as a person.

Get voting.

BTW, excellent rebuttal kirk