Another Sucker for Obama
By Alan Stewart Carl | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, McCain
This afternoon, I voted. I cast a ballot that was about 80% Republican, including votes for my Republican Senator and Republican Representative.
But for president, I voted for Barack Obama.
I’m not going to fill this post with convoluted justifications. Anyone who has read my numerous criticisms of Obama knows that I did not vote for the man without reservation. I have serious reservations. If John McCain and Obama were running to represent me in the House or Senate, I would have voted McCain with little hesitation.
But they’re not running for Congress. They’re running for president. And that requires me to take more than their policy papers into consideration. Being president isn’t just about political ideology and legislative agendas. It’s about intangibles. Temperament. Leadership. Wisdom. Judgment. Sincerity. Potential for greatness.
Obama by no means excels in all the intangibles. But he’s proven to me that he is superior to McCain in enough ways to make him better suited for our highest office.
I could be horribly wrong. I could be a fool. A year from now, my taxes might be higher, Iraq might be in crisis, Iran might be closer to the bomb and our daily lives might be more and more strangled by government bureaucrats who are “just trying to help.†In a year, I will certainly be an Obama critic. I may even be a Republican.
But today, I am an Obama supporter. Our nation needs to move forward. We need a President who can see the world for what it has become and not what it once was. We need a President not tied to the mistakes and corruption of the Republican party. We need a chance to overcome our most recent mistakes. Obama gives us the better chance.
As for McCain, I still respect him greatly and I reject the arguments of those who claim he’s lost his integrity or his honor. Liberals who used to hold McCain up as the paragon of virtue in the Republican party wasted no time turning their daggers on him the second he stopped being the lovable loser to George Bush and started being the face of his party. McCain hasn’t deserved the demonization.
Yes, he has run a disorganized campaign. At times, it’s been an unserious campaign. But McCain’s blunders in this election in no way diminish his record or his service to this nation. Unfortunately, the right time for McCain was in 2000. His party screwed him over back then and I so wish he’d screwed them right back and had chosen a running mate that didn’t appeal to the party’s worst characteristics – anti-intellectualism and conservative Christian supremacy. But by choosing Sarah Palin, McCain revealed that he was willing to put the demands of his party over his own instincts and philosophies. If he’d bring Palin into the campaign, we have to assume he’d bring the worst elements of his party into the White House.
I do want to be clear about Governor Palin. While I don’t think she has the breadth of knowledge or the depth of substance to qualify her for the position of Vice President, I still do not know her well enough to dislike her. I only dislike what she represents – what the party has tried to turn her into and what the party would demand McCain show allegiance to. I can’t abide by that. McCain will always be my hero. But he can’t be my candidate.
I went into this election excited for the opportunity to vote for someone, rather than against. As it turns out, my vote isn’t so pure. I voted for Obama’s best characteristics and against McCain’s worst. I could have gone the other way, but when I put everything on the scale, it tipped just enough to Obama. So toss a formerly undecided into Obama’s column. Shouldn’t I feel more excited?
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, McCain. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Wow. Great post, and I’m sure your sentiments are reflective of a great many others. Thanks for a candid look inside.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I am still undecided, but I agree with your reasoning almost entirely. I agree that a president is more than just policy positions, and that is the main reason I have not yet committed to McCain.
If I end up voting for Obama, I could pretty much copy your post, including and especially the title, and call it my own (if that weren’t against the law and horribly unethical, I mean).
October 29th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
If its any consolation Alan, i’m certasin in 1932, a lot of people probably felt the same about voting for FDR, History vindicated them of course, but who could prove in 1932 that they were making the best choice
October 29th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
It’s nice to see you have the objectivity to put your partisanship aside and vote for the man you feel is best suited for the job.
I did the same but with a twist. I voted for Democrats across the board concerning our local elections (Portland, Oregon) but voted for Ralph Nader as my pick for president.
While I have come to the conclusion that both parties are equally and hopelessly corrupt, I hold out the remote hope that the Democrats are just a little less so. I could not very well vote for either Obama or McCain as I believe they represent money and not people. And when I say people I mean ALL people, not just Americans, not just rich people, not just people that live in countries that kiss America’s ass.
I want justice. Obama is no more just than McCain as far as I can tell. I know for a fact that Nader will do what is right. Even though I know he has no chance of winning. But that’s not the point. Voting for who is “best” for the job is. America has veered far off course. We are doing things that are, well, un-American. I don’t believe Obama’s “Change” or McCain’s “Peace with honor” are going to restore the American pledge. Liberty and Justice for all.
October 29th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I dont see any logical differences between the Taliban and the team of Dole, Bachmann and Palin. Un-American, Bible thumping, and red-baiting. What does that have to do with reality? Bachmann, Dole and Palin are the dregs of political life.
No solutions, just lies about decent opponents. Bachmann is spectacular.
Opposed by a Methodist minister, she thought she had some free time, so she made the rounds of the pundits, spewing her venom, specifically saying that we had cause to pause, that we ought to question Obama. I know that was a talking point and she was doing her job since she had a safe district. Now, after she attacked Congress and suggested that we should look into whether they are Un-American too, she is lying, saying she was bamboozled into saying mean things about Congress. She is two-faced.
Vote DEM and end the Taliban in American politics. VOTE No to using the BIble against decent people, like Dole who lies and says Hagan is a ‘radical’.
End the rule of the Taliban in America. Let them know it wont work off the Amish farms.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Honestly I’ll just be glad when it’s over. These commercials are driving me crazy. One minute one candidate is ripping on one, the next second there is another commercial with the other doing the same. Not just presidential it’s the state races too.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:33 am
While people may disagree on his policies, I think he exhibits essential characteristics for a president.
1. Ability to inspire people to help themselves
2. Thoughtfulness
3. Judgment
to me, #1 is an incredible asset. If a good coach that can get 10% more from your team, it can be transformational. Imagine what it can do for a nation, not just a team.
I’ve heard so many people say “Watching obama speak makes me want to do something more with myself”. Thats the mark of a good leader.
I’m worried about some of his economic beliefs, but he has chosen a good group of economic advisers and I think he has enough judgment to listen to what they have to say and make thoughtful decisions.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Alan,
I voted for Obama as well in my non swing state of TN, but voted for some Republicans downticket as well (Not Lamar…idiot).
Voting for Obama accomplishes two things in my mind:
1) Wash the Augean stables clean after the corruption/ineptitude of Bush
2) Let Obama do what he does best, act as a symbol.
Obama is such a blank slate that many people unconsciously project whatever they want onto him…just listen to the multitude of presidential comparisons before he’s even taken office (he’s Lincoln! No, FDR! Wait, JFK! But JFK got assassinated…Lincoln! Oh shoot! I mean, FDR!)
I hope that Obama keeps that quality as he takes office. That symbolism gives the U.S. a huge advantage in renewing the faith it has lost and abused in the past 8 years. Underneath, he’s probably a typical Chicago pol, but hey, FDR tried to stack the Supreme Court. But to prejudge Obama before he’s even given the chance is a mistake. He deserves 4 years. After that, we’ll see what his record is.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I must disagree with you here. By chosing her, he did screw the people who screwed him in 2000 right back, and in the most poetic way: by giving them what they wanted.
October 30th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Well written, Alan. Welcome to the “OMG, what have we done?” crowd.
:-)
October 30th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Wow as a Canadian hooked on the US election it is certainly breath-taking to see this post… you have explained your points with such clarity, if I could vote in the US election Obama would get my vote… and millions of other Canadians
:)
October 30th, 2008 at 7:53 am
The Palin pick turned me against McCain as well, Alan, for precisely the same reasons.
I also admire Obama for his inspirational qualities and poise, and I also worry about what economic policies he will implement. I stand with you in supporting him today.
And I also stand with you right by the door:
I’ll give him a chance to show balance and bipartisanship and disappoint those who are most liberal and want to add expensive new entitlements under the presumption that we can get all the money needed for these programs from rich people and evil corporations. If he expects to keep my support by rubber stamping the approaches coming from the fevered minds of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, then I’ll do my best to help those eager to make him a one-termer.
I still have some hope that Obama has the prescience to see how much support a President can get from the sensible middle by acting as a brake on the worst impulses on congress. He’ll do better both for himself and for the people if he embraces that role in a serious (as opposed to token) way. If and when he does this, the right will certainly dismiss it as tokenism regardless of the nature of it.
So moderates and independents need to be ready to take our own measure in such instances.
October 30th, 2008 at 8:13 am
This is why Barack Obama will win the election this year. People have decided to vote with their heart and not their brain.
If the man had the right political ideas and legislative agenda, it means he is wise, sincere, has good judgement and would be great. At least it should mean that. This year, it doesn’t. Greatness, wisdom and judgement are now defined as how good one makes you feel about yourself when he speaks, or how well he manages his campaign.
Is it better to have a charming president than a politically astute one? Perhaps Barack Obama will be better at charming world leaders and our senate into adopting political ideas, better than McCain would have. But what if it is a political agenda you disagree with? You still vote for him?
October 30th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Jimmy,
There is no way you would vote for him. But I doubt it’s as much about his political agenda, as much as it is for the man and his party. Look, Palin is worse than OBama could ever be, and it is because of her that I would never vote McCain. If he had picked a rational pick, instead of a pick that shored the party, and was intended to steal hillary voters based on vagina identity, I would have considered him. Actually, I decided I’d vote McCain over Clinton when the primaries were running, based on Clinton’s method of campaigning, then it turns out he stole her play book, and he put a bad taste in my mouth as well.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
John,
I won’t vote for Obama because of his socialist tax policy, his ardently pro-abortion agenda (including federalizing abortion laws), his promise to put judges on the bench that “stand up” for social causes, his desire to dramatically cut the military in a time of war, his poor judgment in opposing the Iraq surge, his willingness to entertain hostile dictators without preconditions, his complete misunderstanding of the nature of Islamic terrorism, and his general class-warfare populist boilerplate I just can’t stand.
Is that a political agenda, or the man and his party? There are many people such as Kranky Kritter and ASC who probably would agree with my positions on the issues I’ve just listed, but they vote for Obama because of his “poise” and “inspirational qualities.” We are voting for the President of the United States, not a High School glee-club president.
McCain certainly isn’t perfect, Palin just sucks (because she doesn’t know anything), but I’m not going to vote because of how charming the candidates are if I disagree with the content of what they stand for.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Agreed, fantastic post. I’m totally with you on this one. I have big reservations about Obama, though they’re probably not as strong as yours. I also plan to vote almost straight Republican, but Obama for president.
October 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
This election will, no matter the outcome, be a referendum on the existing administration, the fears common to us all, and our addiction to entertainment (Hollywood-style performance).
If we were to put aside these for a moment and evaluate the candidates based on where they have been and what they have disclosed as their beliefs and policies, I believe that our discussions would begin to reveal both our own ignorance (need for knowledge/understanding) and what our futures could potentially hold if either of these candidates “take power”. I believe that we need change but am very, very concerned (based on what I’ve researched on both sides) that the change experienced in the hands of a super-majority (Executive, Administrative, Judiciary) would result in a country less free & less democratic.
We are in for very hard times, harder than any of us can imagine, and neither of these candidates can even approach adequately addressing all the issues. Obama simply has the ability to communicate in a way that make us “feel” he can do the job, but not the documented substance which speaks for and to the majority of Americans. McCain, may have much of the substance needed, but (competitively speaking) seems to lack the same ability to communicate in a way which will adequately move us to make the tough choices ahead.
The key question is whether Obama is morphing his public profile to get elected but carries confirmed personal objectives, which when later disclosed, will surprise & betray the majority voters he has gained through his performances.
I wish there were a better candidate than either of these two. Sad situation.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Jimmi, Obama makes me feel like he’s wise. :-)
What about McCain? What if we use our heads there when we decide not to vote for McCain? He has done nothing to make me think he is especially wise OR has especially good policies, except for earmark reform.
Everything about him transmits that he is lost when it comes to economics, a subject he has admitted he has lacked much interest in or acumen for. He shows little passion or conviction while mouthing predictable old GOP platitudes. How is he supposed to convince us when it feels like he’s not really truly convinced himself, just repeating a script?
The only time McCain seems truly engaged and full of genuine conviction is when he’s talking about foreign policy or earmarks. The rest of the time he feels like he’s running auto-rhetoric 1.0.
October 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I agree Kranky, but remember, you really only get 2 choices and you can either pick one or stay home/vote Nader.
Do you want someone to represent your beliefs, values and ideas, or someone who represents transient positive emotions that you happen to be feeling on the day you pull the lever?
October 30th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
But that’s my point Jimmy, you would never even consider a Democratic President. You’re too stuck in the talking points of the right, or at least too far right of center. Look my point for disagreeing with McCain is that all through this campaign he was rhetoric and catch phrases. Maverick, “I know how to fix this country, this economy, this war”, War Hero, SURGE…. Look, he disappointed me, Sits Down with Hostile Dictators. And the further he felt that he was behind, the more he disappointed. As much on approach as on where he stood. Like it or not, there is little difference between his tax policy and Bush’s, his approach to the war and Bush’s. Social issues like Abortion, I think he’s sandbagging you. Supreme court judges, I think he could give a shit less, but would appoint judges to appease the base (also a reason I don’t like him). As far as the Dictator Meme, Bush refused for a long time, and eventually he caved a little and sent over Condi. Maybe, just Maybe… Obama is right on this (again, you’ll never be convinced), but Nixon met with China.
And Socialism? We’ve had a progressive tax system for the longest time. Quit with that meme. He’s not talking about dramatic jumps, he’s talking about returning the balance that was there before Bush’s tax cuts, which did little to help the economy. Of Course you could never be convinced of that either.
October 30th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Well, let me go to your list:
October 30th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Alan great post and I think you sum up what many of us feel. And Jimmy, your name just makes me think “Jimmy the Dummy”, I’m not sure if that’s intentional, but your posts back it up.
October 31st, 2008 at 9:59 am
The Surge. sigh. With few of the long-term gains of the strategy being realized (stalled security agreement, rumors of al-Maliki’s administration getting comfy with Iran, reports from our generals that sectarian violence is in the offing) this is now officially a political football. Mission Accomplished: The Sequel.