There's certainly a lot to dislike about McCain. For me, he was the fourth best Republican. (Rudy, Fred Thompson, then Bill Richardson - yes, I know he's a Democrat by affiliation, but he's more of a Republican than McCain - were my "conservative" choices.)
I can understand those who don't like Palin for her socially conservative personal beliefs. I'd argue that she hasn't let any of those beliefs interfere with a basically Libertarian approach to governing (no books were, in fact, banned, no abortions thwarted, no gays or minority rights infringed upon, etc.) but an honest concern about how she would act as President should the need arise is fair game. (Purely class-based attacks on her I find reprehensible, not least because I identify with the Palins from my own background.)
In short, I can respect people who are opposed to the running Republicans, and are mostly voting against them. Hell, I'd vote against the top of the ticket too; if Palin wasn't on the ticket I might not bother to vote at all this year.
I can also respect people who are strongly for Obama; if I believed he stood for the things my friends believe he does, I'd be for him too. I'd live with the anti-Libertarian principles in order to get a smart, tough, principled President whom most Americans could admire even if they disagreed with him.
What makes me sad and a little angry though is that I fear that my being very much against Obama isn't (or wouldn't be) treated with the same respect.
I'll say it again; if I believed Obama represented a positive change in the way politics are played in Washington, I'd be posting nothing but pro-Obama stuff. But I don't. He's been on every side of the serious questions during this election cycle; he's been at best unforthcoming, at worst blatantly dishonest when questioned about his history; and while claiming to be opposed to negative politics and racial divisiveness, his campaign and surrogates have done things that would make Karl Rove blush.
I think a person running on his or her character is a valid strategy. Obama has run on his, and on examination I've decided I just can't vote for him.
I really hope I'm wrong. If Obama is elected, and if he turns out to be ethical and effective, it will be one of the best things to happen to this country since the Civil Rights movement united so many Americans in the pursuit of justice. The trouble is, I just can't convince myself I'm wrong.
So, you may not agree with me, but please do me and those like me a favor and assume our positions are arrived at honorably. It is the post-racial, post-partisan thing to do.