I have to say, it was a tough decision. I'm not even sure if I've fully made it yet. But with both candidates' energy issues out of the way (as in, I agree with both policies on energy), I turned to other matters. This won't be a long post. But if my information below is wrong, tell me! If you have a source more reliable than mine with contradicting information, I would love to know. I certainly don't want to cast my vote because of erroneous information. But if all of this is true, I simply can't put Obama on my ticket. Here's why, in no particular order:

1) Obama doesn't support homeschooling. That's right. Though Chapter 6 of his book makes mention of allowing kids to remain at home, he has supported legislation to require all children to attend a school taught by certified teachers. This would rule out homeschooling (unless you want an expensive and time consuming certification process for parents) and most private schools as well. If homeschooling is outlawed, I'm moving to Australia. I'm not kidding. This is opposed to McCain's plan, which says that "parents should be empowered with school choice to send their children to the school that can best educate them just as many members of Congress do with their own children. [McCain] finds it beyond hypocritical that many of those who would refuse to allow public school parents to choose their child's school would never agree to force their own children into a school that did not work or was unsafe."

2) McCain and Palin are pro life. This is a huge, huge, huge deal on my ticket. Probably the next issue to the energy crisis, if not more important. Plus, I like Palin.

3) Obama mud slings. And speaks with flowery, emotional, meaningless words. And it's annoying. He's turning into Hillary. And she annoyed me.

4) McCain was in a war defending this country. I know, it's overstated and getting on everyone's (including my) nerves. But seriously. The guy has been in a war.

5) Obama supports socialist political agendas I simply can't back. Like free health care. See my post here. I like McCain's policy much better.

6) McCain is kind of an independent. 10% of his voting record is against his own party. Some might say, hey, it's only 10% - but how far can he go before he's no longer "republican" and becomes a democrat or independent? 20? 25? Republicans do stupid, stupid things sometimes, and McCain isn't afraid to be like, hey, you're doing a stupid, stupid thing.

7) McCain has supported legislation in favor of autism education and prevention.

8) McCain has a freaking awesome immigration policy. While I don't agree with every word (they should NOT be required to pay back taxes, in my opinion, that will just be impossible for many of them), it's fantastic overall.

9) The man believes in the second ammendment.

10) It seems that Obama genuinely believes that diplomacy can solve everything. That sitting down and talking with terrorists will make them go away. How long has he been here? On earth?!

11) Obama wants to start kids at school as infants. INFANTS. The zero to five plan wants education to start at birth. Paid for by yours truly. SERIOUSLY? And, Obama, if that's not what you meant, you really need to elaborate more. Because that's freaking retarded.

12) Did I mention PALIN?!?! The woman has an 80% approval rate in Alaska. Why isn't SHE running for president?!

I don't hate everything about Obama. In fact, I like a lot of it. His NCLB reform proposal is fantastic. But on a few key issues that are very important to me, the McCain-Palin team takes the cake. We'll see how things shape up in the next few months because anything can happen, but the democratic candidates have simply failed to capture my heartstrings.