It's not that I don't care. I do.
I have voted in every single election I was eligible to vote in since I turned 18 and gained my majority.
I am registered as a Democrat, but I don't vote the party line. I confess to voting for Ronald Reagan the first time around. I try to vote for whoever I feel will do the best job - regardless of their political affiliation. Much of the time, I feel satisfied with my vote.
Back in 2004, I voted for John Kerry. Not because I wanted to. It was actually a vote against George Bush rather than FOR Kerry. If I'd felt comfortable with it, I wouldn't have voted at all that year.
I must also confess that this year? Not feelin' the magic.
I was nominally for Hillary, but honestly, she's just a bit too militant for me - a toned-down, softer version of Bella Abzug. Obama-fever is sweeping the nation but I haven't caught that one. He seems like an okay kind of guy, but somewhat young, somewhat inexperienced and a whole lot idealistic. He wants to help the entire world but you know, we just can't afford it right now. I don't know much about Joseph Biden, though several people I know were quite pleased with his selection as Obama's running mate.
I did not watch any of the Democratic Convention last week.
If McCain had won the nomination back in 2000, I would have voted for him and felt pretty good about it.
But I can't really say the same here four years later. My mother swears he's got early Alzheimers' and won't last through the first four years. I don't know about that, but the guy is in his 70s and has had cancer a couple of times. He's in the clear, healthwise for now - but how long will that last?
Which makes his choice of running mate all the more critical. Enter Sarah Palin:
On the surface, I like what I see very much. She's a mom. She's been a mayor and a governor. She's been married to the same guy forever. She made the decision to carry and deliver a Downs Syndrome baby and raise him with all the love a mother can give. She's a frontier woman all the way.
As a mother, she's dealing with almost all the same issues that normal mothers deal with. She has a son heading off to Iraq. She has a daughter who's pregant out of wedlock. Her most recent child has Downs.
So last night, I decided to watch her speech on the Republican Convention coverage. And now, I am so very PC.
Politically Confused.
Ms. Palin is a very engaging speaker. She said all the right things in all the right places. She piqued my interest enough to talk about her to other people and see what they thought. Enough to look her up on the internet and read a few things about her.
It's not all sunshine and roses. I'm not talking about her own unwed pregnancy (which she remedied a month in). Stuff like that happens. It should NOT be the stuff of news. But hiring lobbyists, and trying to get a former brother-in-law fired, and encouraging the opening up of drilling in the Alaskan wilderness have all given me pause in my new-hero worship. All of these things need to be investigated a bit more closely before I can decide about her.
Mostly, what Sarah Palin's appearance on the scene has done is make me interested again. I didn't particularly care about this race. Now, I want to know more about McCain and how a combination of McCain and Palin might work. And I want to know more about Obama and Biden and how they might work together.
You can be sure that when I walk into that voting booth in November, I will know more about all of the candidates - and more importantly, I will care.
People who walk into a voting booth to cast their vote for whoever is popular or whoever is in their party (no matter who it is) and with no knowledge of their history are playing Russian roulette with our future. It's a dangerous game.
15 comments:
What? You mean I'm *not* supposed to take your brothers word on all things political? I actually have to do the research myself? but..but...but... aww crap... sigh...
Actually, I'm EXTREMELY interested in this race. And, like you, I've been pretty apathetic about our past choices. So having some interest is a good thing!
Kitty - No. Do not take his (or their) word on anything political. Or mine. Or Mom or Dad's. Or your best friend's. Do your own homework and make up your own mind. That's how it's supposed to work!
LOL, my first presidential vote went to Reagan, too!
McCain's age doesn't bother me. I don't hold someone's race, age or sex against them. I'm not thrilled with McCain in general, but I know I do not want to see Obama become our president...so...looks like my vote will go to McCain. I think Palin was a wise choice. She definitely has people thinking and talking! As far as her political history, I can't think of one politician who has been a straight arrow, above board, completely legit the whole time. Yes, she's had some questionable things come up in her past, but don't they all? She's also had plenty of good things in her past, and has a high approval rating as far as her governorship goes.
But in the end, unless she accidentally shoots her hunting partner, she will most likely fade into the background, as most VPs do. I just hope, if they win, she does a good job at everything she's supposed to do, and maybe we'll see her run for president in 4-8 years.
Just my $.02!
This election scares me.
You know, I still can't remember which are the Democrats and which are the Republicans. Can't keep it straight in my head.
I did vote in our last general election here in the UK, for the Liberal Democrats (essentially a wasted vote here because either the Conservatives or Labour always win). Although I don't actually agree with any of the parties enough to actually vote in the next one.
I'm pretty liberal to be honest, more left than right. I want free education and healthcare and think the state should fund more than it does and make things easier for those who are genuinely disadvantaged rather than giving tax breaks to the rich and nannying us the whole time.
I don't consider myself to be very political.
Can't vote for McCain. Just can't. I don't think we'd see much of a change than what we have now, and we are definitely a country that needs change. We need hope and I just don't see McCain as the one to do that.
I was solidly for McCain, but I am trending toward Obama.
I have been out of work for a month, and I have been bored.
Car bombs going off weekly at America's shopping malls would certainly keep me busy.
A president that doesn't think terrorism is a problem would give me great job security.
Andy
I just posted about Piper Palin.
She might be my favorite person ever. Really.
Yeah Piper!!!
RYC: Dang! We don't have Albertson's down here :( But I am going to shop around as my fans each take 8 D's, then there's all the lanterns and flashlights..oh, and TVs (which by this time next year will be useless!).
I HATE getting political, but I just have to say Obama scares me 1 billion times more than McCain. I see him as arrogant, inexperienced, and using nothing but his "charisma" to win people over. All talk and nothing to back it up with. I think that no matter who wins, we WILL see changes. Ok, that's it! My mouth is no closed!
I like what Obama says - in theory - but will most of what he says actually work? I don't think it will. I wish it would but I don't think it will.
My main problem with him is his wife. I do NOT like that woman at all and I really don't want her as our First Lady. Every time she opens her mouth I get the distinct impression that she doesn't like America. I don't want a First Lady who will only love and respect this country after she makes a bunch of changes. Because of her statements I have to wonder if that's how he feels as well.
She put a bad taste in my mouth that won't go away.
There is no evidence that Sarah Palin tried to get her brother-in-law fired. On July 11, 2008, Palin dismissed Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, citing performance-related issues. She then offered him an alternative position as executive director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which he turned down. Monegan alleged that his dismissal was retaliation for his failure to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, who was involved in a child custody battle with Palin’s sister. What the press hasen't said is that Trooper Wooten was caught drinking alcohol while behind the wheel of his squad car and tazed an eleven year old. For this, he was placed on a short suspension, which was rescinded because of union pressure. Any boss who would allow behavior like that in a department sworn to uphold the law should be fired. The fact that the officer in question is related to the governor by marriage is completely irrelevent. Monegan failed to do his job.
John
I've gotta say that Palin leaves me...well...pale. I have become an Obama supporter but I am definitely researching all aspects of everyone and so far she has not impressed me one bit.
I think that rather than worry about the puppet who gets in, you all vote for the party who will be pulling their strings! Which one do you all prefer? Its not a popularity contest, its your lives!
Being somewhat jaded about the 2 party system, I had been very detached from this upcoming election. But Palin is bringing my interest back. This is not to say that I am falling all over her. Not yet. But what i do like about her is that she appears to be a Washington outsider, which at this point in American history is something I desperately seek. Washington is so corrupt that the more a politician distances themselves from that scene, the better for me.
I like Sarah Palin. She seems real. Haven't said that in a while about a talking head.
Hmn... I have to wonder what McCain was thinking (or even if he was thinking) when he chose Palin. Obama is inexperienced yes and all those other things people say about him, but let's face it, whether we're ageist or not, McCain is old and the presidency is stressful. He may not survive a full term which leaves Palin in the hot seat. Now that's scary! I'm PC right there with you! Danger, indeed!
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