John McCain or Barrack Obama? Those are the choices. Who are you voting for in the next presidential election and why?

Is one candidate better for the HVACR industry than the other? Or, is your decision based solely on a different issue or issues?

Just as it will be interesting to see how this economy shakes down over the summer months and beyond, it will be interesting to see and hear how these two candidates plan to tackle the current economic conditions, which may get worse before it gets better. My boss may call that being negative, but I see it as being a realist.

Look at the facts. The jobless rate continues to soar. In fact, the unemployment rate shot skyward to 5.5 percent, the biggest leap in 22 years. Meanwhile, over the weekend, we experienced an unprecedented jump in oil prices. Crude oil prices leaped up $10.75 a barrel, sending the stock markets tumbling. The Dow Jones plunged 394.64 points, or 3.13 percent, its sharpest decline since Feb. 27 last year. And, the U.S. dollar continues to be sliding in the world market.

Looking at the very latest statistics from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps dropped 6 percent in April 2008 from the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, combined shipments totaled 1.8 million, a 7 percent drop compared with the same period in 2007. Meanwhile, heat pump shipments for April totaled 149,287, down 6 percent from the same month a year ago. For year-to-date, heat pump shipments are down 5 percent compared with the same period last year.

Obama says it is time for a change, but can a U.S. president swiftly change the economic train rolling down the track? Because a Republican is in office, does this mean one votes for the other side in 2008? What are McCain’s valid points?

Let’s not be shy. A lot is on the line here. Post your comments and thoughts accordingly.