by Marlin Bressi

Created on: November 06, 2008   Last Updated: November 18, 2008

I have been a Republican all of my life, yet I did not vote for McCain. Here's why:

1. He failed to connect with his conservative base. McCain has always boasted about his ability to "reach across the aisle". Like many conservatives, I wasn't looking for bi-partisanship in my candidate, I was looking for someone who would uphold the ideals of the conservative movement.

2. His choice of Sarah Palin as running mate. Many Republicans did not see this as an attempt to energize the conservative base. Instead, we saw an attempt to win over disenfranchised Hilary Clinton supporters by choosing a woman with little experience. It appeared to be pandering at it's finest. Many Pennsylvanians, like myself, believed that former governor Tom Ridge was a superior choice, and one that would help put Pennsylvania in McCain's pocket. When we saw Pennsylvania go to Obama, we knew it was over.

3. His lackluster performance in the debates. His speeches did little to motivate and inspire, and even less to present a clear picture of his economic policies. Sadly, the most inspiring speech McCain delivered during his campaign was his concession speech on election night.

4. He's a one-trick pony. You couldn't listen to McCain speak for more than five minutes before he mentioned the five years he spent in a cage in Vietnam. Senator McCain, while we admire your military service and the sacrifices you've made to this nation, we are tired of hearing about your military service and the sacrifices you've made to this nation. You may have spent five years in a Vietnamese P.O.W. camp, but you've spent the past twenty years milking that experience for political gain.

5. He owns more houses than I do. Forget Joe the Plumber. If you want to appeal to Joe Six Pack, sell a few dozen of your homes. It is impossible to appear as though you identify with the common man while you own a handful of mansions and parade around with a trophy wife. If you want to look like an average American, rent a one-bedroom apartment in Sandusky and marry a cashier from Wal-Mart. We know you're rich. You don't have to patronize the rest of us by showing up at rallies in baseball caps.

6. Negative campaign ads. These television ads made McCain look like a crotchety old geezer. In many of the commercials he appeared agitated and cranky. He did everything but call Obama a "young whipper-snapper".

7. Phone calls. In the final weeks before the election, I was afraid to answer the phone. I might have considered voting for McCain

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