Why I Voted for Obama
67Unaffiliated and Cynical
I have registered as "unaffiliated" for many years. Not since my zealous first year as a voter, when I registered as a Republican and worked at the polls as a volunteer, and Nixon was elected President, have I not had a cynical attitude about politics.
I Voted Obama
I am a Christian and my faith factors strongly into my voting decisions. Christ taught us that we were to love one another and be tolerant of one another's mistakes. He did not teach of intolerance and war. That comes from someplace else.
Back to Obama. I was watching the Democratic Convention out of boredom and my need for "white noise" more than anything four years ago. But this young black man was giving a speech and suddenly I was interested. He was talking about things I believed in - hope, faith, and love. I don't remember his words, but I do remember how he made me feel.
Time went by, Bush was still in the White House, which I found somewhat annoying and embarrassing. Then one day I happened to be home and turned on Oprah. Sometimes I switch back and forth between her and a soap opera. But there was that man who'd given the inspiring speech years before. He'd written a book - The Audacity of Hope. And he sat right there on Opera and gave his "testimony" for his faith in Christ. Not the generic "god" so many politicians and celebrities mention on talk shows. I wrote down his name and the title of his book. There was mention on the show that he might run for President.
I read the book. I was educated and moved by his words.
When he entered the primary race the negative emails were sent to me by my Republican friends. I ignored them. Then some of the forums I frequent began to buzz with the accusations that he was a terrorist, a Muslin, and the antichrist all rolled into one. I stayed out of those conversations, deeming them foolish and silly. A couple of times I emailed my friends and asked had they read his books? I suggested on a few forums that they READ THE BOOK. Both friends and forumites ignored my comment, and I have the feeling none of them ran out to buy and read the book. They just kept on circulating the stupid messages. I deleted the emails without reading them and stayed out of the political forums for the most part. Okay, my curiosity sometimes took over and I'd peek in to see if anyone had changed his or her minds. It didn't appear they had.
To be honest I began to have some shadowy doubts. What if I was wrong, just believing what I want to believe - like those friends of mine who were Republicans? "No, I have to listen to my gut feelings," I answered myself. But the doubt hovered all the same.
Then one day not long ago I came home to a voice mail from a volunteer in the county asking me to join the Obama campaign as a volunteer. She wanted me to come down to headquarters that Saturday. But, she added if I didn't want to volunteer to let her know and she would not call again. Well, that was nice, all I had to do to keep her from bugging me was let her know.
But before I could call her back I felt I had to decide once and for all - was Obama for real? Or was he also using the Christian tag to win votes? I knew right then I had to ask my good Spiritual friend - a lady who has served God her whole life as a missionary, woman of the church, and as a human being. I knew, also, she was one of the most politically aware persons I knew.
I received her email reply to my questions the same day. "Concerning Obama, I think he is a sincere Christian, a remarkable young man and I am planning to vote for him. We desperately need a change from this awful administration. He is consulting with the best folks, which will help get us on the right track. He needs our prayers in all his decisions."
I called the volunteer and said, "Yes." I also changed my "unaffiliated" to "Democrat," realizing I'd voted democrat for the most part for fifteen years. If I was going to be working as a volunteer I might as well be a card carrier. So, I am excited to be voting for Barack Obama. In fact I voted early. I believe he is going to win, too.
Obama in the News
- Obama discusses Afghanistan troop surge with general, ambassadorCNN1 second ago
President Obama met with his top officials in Afghanistan on Monday to reiterate what is needed for the success of the troop surge he ordered, while the Pentagon announced the first U.S. forces in the surge will deploy later this month.
- Obama keeps focus on jobs, warns no silver bulletWashington Post1 second ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, battling a public outcry over double-digit U.S. unemployment, on Tuesday will lay out several new steps to boost jobs and confront a challenge that has hurt his popularity.
- Obama preparing new push to add jobs, tackle deficitWashington Post1 second ago
President Obama plans to outline Tuesday a major push to tackle one of the biggest threats to the economy and to his administration: the soaring unemployment rate.
Obama Support Poll
Where do you stand on supporting Obama for President?
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Comments
Sally, thank you for your honest comment. I am approaching 62, so he seems mighty young to me, too. But, I think that is okay, and I think he is wanting to do good things. I realize he will need support to accomplish those things. I think we need to hope for the best, but we have to work for it, too. One man can't do it alone.
I have to admit that I come in and out of cynicism as far as politics is concerned. I am afraid we require our candidates to say what we want to hear and then expect them to govern with character and integrity that may or may not fit what we wanted to hear. I have the greatest admiration for both of these men in that they will be changed in some profound ways by this experience of being willing to serve as President of The Greatest Experiment of civilization.
To me it is instructive to look at the pictures of these men before and after they are elected. Their contribution is enormous.
I appreciate you sharing this with us and I will make up my mind the moment the curtains close behind me in the voting booth.
What I think is constructive and engaging is the process that causes all of us to think about our futures every four years. That ain't all bad.
No matter how anyone votes, America is Beautiful. Thanks for your thoughts. NEIL
Voting for Obama is voting a $4,200 dollar tax increase for yourself. The repeal of the BUSH TAX CUTS that Hillary and Obama both say will pay for health care and 101 other things is first on his list of things to do. The repeal of the tax cuts will increase taxes across the board for everyone and the repeal of tax cuts will be indexed to inflation. I can't afford that kind of increase while struggling with the high gas prices. Can you?
My daughter, who is nine years old, has suddenly gotten interested in the presidential race. Here is what she asked me about Barack Obama: "Does he have a dog?" I had to admit that I don't know. Do you happen to know? In our family, we believe that somebody who has a dog can't be all bad. It's kind of a litmus test.
LOL, I don't know. Now you have my curiousity peeked I'll have to find out.
Aya, my research results tell me the girls have been promised a dog after the Nov election.
I hate to say it, "More promises for change."
hee hee hee
Thanks, Donna. I guess that's a "maybe",
I just wanted to say that I came to my position on the election through much prayer. We are not registered as unaffiliated. We vote for the person, not the party. My husband, son and I are all born-again blood-bought Christians. Prayer is how we come to the decisions we make. That is why we are NOT voting for Obama. I admit he gives a good speech. But Hollywood is full of people who can memorize a speech someone else writes. I cannot vote for him because I love my freedom and I love America too much. He is pro-choice. I am pro-life except in extreme instances. I am against it for birth control, I guess you could say. He is very exciting to watch and listen to. But, I feel that that's not what makes a good president. And yes, I'd love more money in my pocket, but we can't think of pocketbooks in this time. We have to think of the future of our country and the future of our children and grandchildren. That is why my family will NEVER vote for Obama.
I should have said we *are* registered as unaffiliated. Sorry about that.
I like this hub in the fact that most people have become Obama supporters because he is black, because he isn't the same cookie cutter politician we've had the "pleasure" of dealing with especially for the past 8 years, or because he really speaks well. Obama's charisma was the first thing that caught your attention but I respect and admire the fact that you chose to read his book and pay closer attention to what he says rather than how he says it. Good hub!
Donna-
Whether Mr. Obama prays to the one true God or Mohammad is not the only reason to cast or withhold your vote for him. What I cannot understand is how he can support the murder of innocent children and call himself a Christian. This view is so contradictory to the basic precepts of Christianity.
Of course, Mr. Obama is a study in contradiction. Look no further than the Saddleback forum from a few weeks ago. Mr. Obama quoted Matthew 25:40, yet to answer the question about when life begins was “above his pay grade.” There are none more fragile than a new born baby. This was just one of Obama’s many attempts to avoid answering a question directly.
I am not advocating the removal of a woman’s right to choose murder. And please don’t get stuck in the “what if she is raped” debate. I deplore rape- but I do not deplore the beautiful baby that may be the result of that abhorrent act. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, does not want his little girls “punished with a baby” if they decide to “make a mistake” and engage in sexual activity before marriage.
I know there are other considerations, like the threat to the mother’s life if she gives birth, and those are terribly difficult decisions that must be made on a case by case basis by the immediately family. What I don’t want is the government to get involved with providing abortions on demand to teens and irresponsible adults who look at a precious baby as a “choice.” This has to be the most calloused and selfish view a person can have.
This election is not about the abortion issue alone. I merely bring it up to point out just one of the many troubling aspects of electing Obama president.
Great hub and comments. GObama! I can't wait until he starts fixing things and you doubters are forced to face the fact that you can't recognize true greatness when you see it.
Good hub. You've read his book, have taken the whole question seriously and have come to a decision for yourself. I'm not eligible to vote, being a European, but If I were, I'd be right there with Obama.
DJ-
I will be the first to admit that I was wrong if Obama is truly the reformer you hope he is. Will you have the same respect for McCain if he is elected?
Absolutely.
What do we know about Obama
Are you sure you want to vote for this guy? There are a few holes in his resume. If he were applying for a job I don't think he could get hired.
1. Occidental College records -- Not released2. Columbia College records -- Not released3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'4. Harvard College records -- Not released5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released6. Medical records -- Not released7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'8. Law practice client list -- Not released9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate - - Not released10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None 13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available' 14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'
This is a very honest and well argued Hub. I respect your willingness to listen to God and your own heart. I'm in the UK but would gladly risk putting Obama in no. 10 Downing Street. There is something of JFK and Dr M L King about him. If you're a person who 'dream dreams' then you have to give him serious consideration.
On a lighter note, Sarah Palin in the White House would certainly not be boring! Good news for Hockey Moms but bad news for furry animals. Obama may not have a dog but the Palin household have lots of animals (stuffed, dried or deep frozen)!
Thank you, Rik. As for Ms. Palin, I don't know about soccer moms, but I have seen some little league baseball moms in action - and I don't think I'd want one of them running my country, LOL! Plus, I really like furry critters - the ones that can still walk about.
donna i love you, but do you really want the changes obama wants, dont listen to him, read his books, look at his friends, and if this is what you want vote for him,
Love you too, James;o) Give Rocky a hug from me - ouch! Tell him not to bite me!
Sally's Trove says:
16 months ago
I came to my decision to support Obama, too, but in a different way. Although my family, all of them, and I, have voted Democrat for ever, I am not sure that he is the person I want to see in the White House.
I have my doubts about Obama...not because of the idiotic net-waves about his religion, his name, or any of that stupid stuff, but because he does not look tried and true to me. I question his experience, and I wonder if he isn't a "flame" that lights the light of a dream that can't be fulfilled. It's that doubt that keeps me from supporting him fully. I'd like to think he's the second Camelot, but I can't quite get with that feeling.
Nonetheless, I will vote for him. I am sorry to say that I will do it not out of passion or conviction that he is the right person for the job, but out of relegating myself to what I consider to be the lesser of two evils.
Thank you for a most soul-searching Hub.
Sally