I remember an interview with former republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson. Thompson was asked on his position on gay marriages and he answered that he was against them because that would give gays special rights and no group should have special rights.

I hope that McCain's use of the term special rights is not the same as equal rights, because I really like McCain too.

Unfortunately, your interpretation is probably correct.

I'm starting to lean in the direction of supporting Obama out of the viable candidates, even though he is economically semi-illiterate.

Romney is too much of a flip-flopper and doesn't have an ounce of principle in him, Huckabee is a religious nut, and now McCain..

McCain may speak of "the Straight talk express", but this shows he is just a panderer and hack like the rest of them, he talks the talk, but hardly walks the walk.
Besides, McCains record on free speech (look at his campaign finance proposals just for an instance) is shoddy to say the least, and he supports a lot of the new police state measures introduced by Bush.

Obama might put the economy in the toilette and raise some taxes, but at least he doesn't seem to be ambivalent about equal rights and social freedoms. And besides, none of the viable Republican candidates exactly impress me on economics (they're large corporation hacks, not free economy supporters).

Wille,
I agree. Social issues have always been more important than economics to me. However, it's a sad fact that many libertarians are more concerned with the money side of politics. I oppose high taxes because they are linked to big government and the assumption that the majority has some god-given right to benefit itself on the expense of individuals and minorities.

I'm quite happy I'm not an American voter. But if I had to pick one of the candidates I think I'd go for Obama.

Social and freedom issues are of course extremely important, and this half hidden slur from McCain against gays is nothing more than pathetic. But first of all, its is not remotely close to the damage done to Republicans and libertarians by Ron Paul, associating himself with all kinds of right extremist, some actually professing murdering of gays. So as Wille is doing, criticizing McCain but still holding on to Ron Paul is hardly logical at all.
But if we go back to the midline of American politics, considering the social issues in American politics there is rather clear pattern. Republican candidates that become presidents, usually talk a lot about social issues, mainly about abortion (and then of course being against it). But when they are in power they hardly do anything to implement what they said. This is even true for Ronald Reagan, the hero of almost everyone who considers themselves libertarians. And it is also true for George Bush, who is considered to be the president with most ties with the Christian Right and social conservatism.
Therefore it seems rather unwise to judge Republican candidates on theses issues, since they will not have any repercussions in real life.
Myself I judge presidential candidates mainly on three questions: 1. Free trade, since it has more than economy to it, 2. Immigration, since I have had some friends that were illegal immigrants when I lived in US, and thereby had a scary glimpse into their daily life. 3. Foreign policy, since I believe that a democratic superpower needs to take actions.
Therefore I hope for McCain…

I have to agree with Niklas.

Free trade makes the world richer and that empowers both women and gays. Empowered people tear down silly laws.

Niklas list is almost the same as I have come up with myself, except that I want to add one to the list, squeeze it in between 3 and 4 - say no to torture!