The idea that Hillary supporters would vote for Sen. McCain just blows my mind! I am a Hillary supporter. I voted for her in the primary because I thought she'd be a great president. I still think she'd be a great president. At the beginning of the primaries I supported her because I felt I knew what she was about, and I had great confidence in her intellect, judgement,values and leadership. I still do.
I needed to be sold on Barack Obama, as I was far less familiar with him and his record. Of course, I recalled the tremendous speech he gave at the '04 convention, and remember thinking that this man could be president some day. However, I didn't know him.
Since it became clear that Sen. Obama would have the nomination, I started giving him more attention. I am sold. Sign me up as enthusiastically behind this man as our next president. Shamelessly enthusiastic.
I admit I cried real tears watching Hillary move to suspend the vote and nominate Sen. Obama by acclaimation. But, it was a mixture of disappointment and pride. As I mentioned, I am a Hillary supporter,and really wanted to see her as the first female president. I was proud of her grace, honor and dignity at that moment.
Now that I've got that off my chest, however, we have the general election for the leadership of this country - my country - coming up fast. The choice couldnt' be more stark or more clear. How people can be undecided in this contest when the candidates are so wildly divergent in their views, plans and yes, abilities is utterly beyond me.
Not only does Barack Obama share most, if not all, of the policies and world views that I agreed with as a Hillary supporter, he brings so much more to the table than Sen. McCain.
to be continued....
Recent email exchange:
Me to dear friend:
........Soooooooooooo, who do you like in the election? Is a woman on the ticket going to push you over to the Republicans? Just curious - you don't have to answer if politics are off limits.
Have a good weekend, if we don't talk
WELL I WAS GOING TO VOTE REPUBLICAN FROM THE GET GO, BUT NOW WITH SARA I CAN’T WAIT TO VOTE. I LOVE HER! SHE IS A SPIT FIRE AND HAS A “NORMAL” LIFE STYLE, THAT IS WHAT SO MANY WOMAN HAVE GONE THRU. SHE AND BRINGS IT UP FRONT AND CENTER FOR EVERYONE TO SEE---I LOVE IT!!
Oh girlfriend - you are such a hoot. You and Sara are just two of a kind. Down to earth, tell it to your face, digging the challenges of life. I'm betting that if the 3 of us got together, you and Sara would be enjoying a bunch of cocktails, sneaking a few ciggies, and getting all shared values together.
I would love the company, but would definitely be left out of the conversation.
As much as I see amazing personal qualities that make her an admirable woman, I just don't relate. I am STRONGLY: PRO choice, ANTI gun, ANTI war, ANTI environmental pillage and destruction and ANTI taxing the middle class! For 8 years, our government has UTTERLY FAILED to invest in infrastructure, invest in schools and education, and provide reasonable health care systems for the nation. Trillions of dollars the USA and ITS PEOPLE have entrusted (in the form of taxes paid) to our government to spend wisely for the benefit of the USA and ITS PEOPLE have been wasted on a useless and unwanted war in, and continuing occupation of, a sovereign nation that was started on the basis of a LIE. There MUST be a re-focus on the priorities this country's government will undertake, and those priorities MUST benefit the essential welfare and security of the USA and ITS PEOPLE. There must be a fundamental alteration of the mindset of the government because things have to change. Barack sees that this change, though difficult, is COMPLETELY within the ABILITY of the American people. Leadership with a vision of a BETTER society, where government serves its people rather than itself, Leadership that INSPIRES the American people to reach up to achieve something more, Leadership that UNITES the hopes of the USA and ITS PEOPLE is what is needed at this time.
McCain can't do it; actually, I don't think he's sincerely committed to even trying. He is SOOOOO a part of the pro-life pro-gun pro-war pro-oil mindset that has resulted in the current state of affairs. Sara is admirable, but just NOT qualified if she is needed as a replacement Leader Of The Free World, which is more likely the case than not. Worse than the thought of her leadership of this country is the thought that she will have an opportunity to advance her ultra-conservative agenda. The possibility that A SINGLE woman might attain a position of power that would allow her to reverse the advances WOMEN have made in the last 30 years cannot be supported.
The only choice is Obama, for our country and the future of our daughters.
I’ll let you know how it turns out………..
So there's a lot of speculation about whether or not Palin will be able to bring in the women's vote - simply because she's a woman.
Personally - I think Democrats are smarter than that and that few - very few - would consider voting for a woman of another party for the sole reason that she is a woman. We tend to vote on issues, the platform.
Can't speak for all women, of course, but a few of my friends were texting me during the Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday night. These are all Democrats who supported Hillary in the primary.
Someone, a former Hillary supporter had written a blog post regarding her lack of enthusiasm for supporting Sen. Obama as she came over from the Hillary camp. She wanted other bloggers on MYBO to give her reasons to support Sen. Obama enthusiastically.
One of the points that attracted me to Sen. Obama's bid for the presidency was his efficiency. Yes, that is a point that has not merited great discussion. The article linked below will detail the differences between the McCain campaign and Sen. Obama's campaign which speaks to the cause of efficiency.
If the efficiency and the focus of the Obama campaign can be translated to the workings of the US govt. once Sen. Obama takes office, can you imagine all the millions of dollars that could be saved in our wasteful government's intertwinings and bureaucracies ?
To this blogger, I appreciate your loss - I can imagine how I would have felt if Sen. Obama had lost. Both of these campaigns were not only campaigns, but movements as well. Movements that both of these candidates carried and carried well. While I am sorry that you do not resonate with Sen. Obama's campaign, the other alternative is frightful.
So I am giving you my initial primary reason for supporting Sen. Obama and supporting him enthusiastically. And I hope that if all the MYBO bloggers can add to your list, maybe you can find a point that will resonate with you to support Sen. Obama with all the enthusiasm you had for Sen. Clinton.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-burrell/can-america-afford-a-mcca_b_113591.html
Thanks ~
