I’d say the Presidential race is “heating up,” but I’ve been boycotting all forms of news this week so I really have no idea what’s going on.  I’m pretty sure there’s still a Presidential race going on, though.

Since I’m always asking people what their criteria are for voting for President (or, at least, it’s something I ask myself), I decided I would take a personal tally and set the priorities for my vote.  These go from most important to less important.

#1:  Is the candidate pro-life?

-Generally I’m against the government being all up in your business, but that doesn’t apply when you have another human attached to you and living off of your nutrients.  Rudy Giuliani’s stand is that he’s pro-life, but thinks it should be left up to the states, just like crimes like post-birth murder are.  And there’s usually nothing bad about leaving decisions up to the states.  Problem is, leaving it up to the states in this case puts too much power in pro-choice hands.  Yes, I know that I want to take away their power because they disagree with me.  But that’s why the federal government exists:  to step in when states become idiots the way Abe Lincoln dominated the South.  Limit the federal government in most cases, sure, but when hordes of babies continue to die every year and the states can’t handle it correctly, it’s time to bonk some heads.  The President has to have a solid pro-life history and would nominate more Antonin Scalias to the Supreme Court.  Bonus points if they would punch (old guy) if there were no cameras around.

#2:  Low taxes and spending

-Lumped together, these are easily priority number two.  Bush fails in half of this area by proposing low taxes and huge budgets.  I’m not necessarily for “low spending” as an unqualified rule, but I am against spending for spending’s sake.  We have an education system that’s outdated by a hundred years that gets many dollars and no reform, we have a huge social security electric blanket that will run out of batteries by the time I’m able to collect, and the government irresponsibly doesn’t ask for an ROI from those who benefit from its virtually conditionless relief systems.  There’s even evidence that foreign aid does more harm than good.  You wouldn’t run a business this way;  why allow it in your government?

#3:  Space Program

-To quote Dave Chappelle, I want the “United States of Space, [bleep].”  It’s like Star Trek:  The Undercovered Issue.  Human beings have made one of the most profound leaps in ability in escaping the Earth’s gravity and traveling free from its reach, and NASA is subject to budget cuts.  A President wouldn’t only support NASA but give huge tax credits to support the privatization of the exploration and usage of space travel.  We have a global economy now;  imagine how things will be when you can fly to Hong Kong in three hours.  Imagine if we find alien microbes living on Europa.  With the top two conditions met, if a President had a passion for space exploration, he/she would be after my own heart.

#4:  Military emphasis

-Walk softly and carry a big stick.  This is the “big stick” part.  Part of what made T.R. a great President is that he had the vision to understand the ramifications of a modernized U.S. navy.  But don’t just spend for spending’s sake, do something positive with military funding.  Treat our veterans to some nice funds and give greater incentives for people to join.  Mainly, a President has to respect what our military does for our security and standing on the international scene, and has keep us a step beyond modernized.

#5:  Communication skills/electability

-Of course, none of this will do a candidate good if they have no chance at getting elected.  I could vote for myself if I wanted someone to match my opinions:  I have to find the right balance between mainstream and conservatism.  Without communication skills, a President wouldn’t be able to lead us to accomplish what he thinks should be accomplished.

#6:  Infrastructure

-Does the candidate understand how cool nuclear power is?  Does he think the interstate highway system was Ike’s best accomplishment?  Does he get stuck in traffic during rush hour and vow to do something about roads as President?  Does he realize that roads and travelling capability helped spread Christianity and aid the Age of Exploration?

#7:  Foreign policy/stance on terrorism

-This is the flavor of the month, since it’s usually the only problem people have with Bush.  But foreign policy isn’t as important as you think – as long as the President doesn’t kill our standing on the national scene, get us in crazy wars, or get us nuked.  It’s a bit overrated;  do we really think that John McCain would be any softer on terrorism than Rudy Guiliani just because of 9/11?  Just speak softly with your big stick and you’ll be good.