SPAM: I Support Obama
ymatt here: This might be blatant abuse of my posting power here, but I’d like to take this opportunity to make a personal statement.
Right now it’s only nomination season, but I tend to believe that the general election is enough of a football game that the selection of the candidates may be the more important step for us to guide our future as a nation. In the last presidential election, I felt strongly enough that I cast my first vote (no, I couldn’t generate a preference between Bush and Gore at the time, nor between Clinton and his rivals). But now I have just made my first contribution to a political campaign because for the first time I care deeply about one particular candidate.
I do not support Obama because of his stance on issues, because of his electability, or because he “represents change in Washington”. I gave Obama my money because after reading and listening to the words of all of these candidates, I believe he has good judgment — something I haven’t seen in a candidate in my lifetime. I believe his primary concern is making decisions that are both the Right Thing to Do and have acheivable results, while having the political skill to see those decisions through and — to be frank — to get himself elected while not compromising well thought-out principles. He is willing to use words that are accurate rather than expedient, and he is willing to hold beliefs that can be shifted when the supporting facts change. He is an idealist about how our nation should behave, but not an idealogue about what our nation should be.
So consider this my stake in the ground. If Obama is elected, I won’t be able to deny my support if he screws up royally, but I’m putting my money where my mouth is to say I don’t think he will. Do any of the other lies.com contributors feel strongly about any of the candidates, or are we just going to wave the pom-poms for our teams next November?
September 27th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Here is an article that explains what you are saying very well. In our system voting for the man is only practical in the primary, after that you should always vote party. This is less true as you get closer to local politicians bit it is certainly true down to state congressmen. Governors depend on how your state is set up. In Colorado I vote for the man and not the party, unless both candidates are more or less equal then party trumps man.
http://ww2.scripps.com/cgi-bin/archives/denver.pl?DBLIST=rm04&DOCNUM=19007
September 27th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I’m for Kusinich actually. I used to hate that guy but after the AFL/CIO debate I was ready to go vote for him. Of course he stands no chance. I’m a registered independent, so I always end up voting for the man. A typical ballot for me will be a mix of both parties. Of course I prefer to vote for candidates who aren’t strict ‘tow the line’ party followers themselves. For instance, I’ve voted 3 times now for my district’s Representative who is a pro-gun Democrat.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:11 am
I haven’t given any money this season (though last time I gave money to both Dean and Kerry). However, I would support Chris Dodd. To me, the most important issue is restoring the constitutional government of the US.
From what I’ve heard, I do like Obama’s judgment, but I think restoring habeas, eliminating torture, requiring warrants for searches, restoring executive accountability, etc… are giant trump cards on any other consideration.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I agree with you, Steve, that that’s probably my number one issue this time around. I’m hoping that that will be part of Obama’s agenda as well, given his voting record. There are other candidates, like Ron Paul, who have refreshingly libertarian views on constitutional government, but then I wouldn’t trust Paul to not go off the deep end on some things. Dodd seems like a solid guy though.
September 27th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Good for you, Matt. I think you have made a wise decision. As I said in another post, I could only wish to have a federal candidate like Obama to vote for in my country.
October 1st, 2007 at 11:59 am
I like Obama. As ‘green’ as Edwards, but he would be a great choice to clean up the pretzelnitwit’s f-ups. I also like Dodd and Dennis, but if it is Hillary in Nov 08, I’ll vote for her (not happily, but a better choice than Ghouliani, The Mittster or ‘Nuke’m!’ Tancredo).
In fact, I like Obama so much I am thinking of changing my NA to a D so i can vote in the primary. I got my wife to register and she insisted on Democrat (she’s a foriegn born dual citizen and was nervous about keeping both)
October 1st, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Depending on your state you might be able to go vote in the primary anyway. I live in Ohio and am a registered independent. Last time we had a primary they asked me at the polls if I wanted to vote in either of them.
December 11th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
The only logical candidate IMHO would be McCain, but alas, he won’t make it to the primaries so I am going to have to say Obama as well. As far as integrity goes, you can’t beat McCain, but Obama seems like he has his head on straight… I just hope he doesn’t let his inexperience stump him when he finally walks through those White House doors. “I didn’t know I would have to lie occassionally to be President.” Because I believe that is what it really takes to do this job. But then again, I am a realist, with a little idealism mixed in.