The Primary Election: Obama or His Opponent?
Which Name to Mark on the Ballot
Today, May 8, is North Carolina's primary election. I went to the poll this morning. I like to do that, to vote in person. It lets me get a feel for the turnout and to see who is doing it.
Anyway, the lead choice in the primary section of the ballot was the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. I was surprised to find I actually did have a choice. I thought Obama was running unopposed, but there were two names there.
The first, of course, was Barack Obama. Just below it was a candidate I'd never heard of, one N. Opre Ference. That's not how they punctuated the name, but I'm pretty sure they just got it wrong. After all, it's government workers who make up the ballots, so you can't expect too much.
I had no idea there was a primary competitor to the incumbent. It provided me with an alternative. Since I can't in good conscience cast a vote for Barack Obama, and I'm a registered Democrat, I was in need of one. Ference is the one I was left with. I think I said there were only two names.
So that's what I did. I voted for Ference to be the Democratic Party's nominee for president. Whoever it is can't be any worse. It didn't hurt, and it was the right thing to do. I encourage you all to do the same.