An honest (curiosity based) question for Obama supporters

I'll answer your question.

I don't LOVE Obama. I'm not a groupie, nor do I think he is the second coming. However, he and I are like minded-on many issues, and McCain and I are polar opposites on many issues.

I whole-heartedly disagree with the war in Iraq. Truth is, we are there now. Nothing will change that fact. However, I fully believe that it is in the best interests of our nation and our soldiers, in particular, to begin to pull-out (slowly, not overnight) and to focus more attention on Afghanistan. A military that is stretched too thin is not effective, nor is it safe for the soldiers. I support the soldiers, I do not support the war.

I am pro-choice. 100% pro-choice. I could not vote for McCain/Palin, knowing their position on abortion, with a few Supreme Court positions possibly up for filling in the next few years.

I don't believe that either man has a fabulous plan to get us out of this economic crisis. I think what is needed is a happy medium between their ideals. Not all the way to socialist, but not forgetting the little people either. I work in an area where I see people struggling...HARD...to get out of poverty, but the system is set up against them. I don't think McCain is interested in looking at the system. I think Obama is, and even though I think his ideas are little too far left (can't believe I just said that) I think that he will wind up being forced to move closer to center than McCain would.

I'm a public school educator. I'm a public school parent. I am the product of excellent public schools. I am a public school fan. I look at both of the women that McCain and Obama have "tapped" to serve as their Secretary of Education and I feel that Obama's candidate has a much better plan in mind to tweak the system of NCLB. It's NOT working. It is a great idea in theory, but in practice, it's NOT working, nor is the system of accountability rational in any way, shape, or form.

Also, to be honest, McCain really rubs me the wrong way. They criticized Obama for saying he was about Change and then adopted the slogan as their own. I think McCain's choice of Palin says a great deal about him. "Hmmm...how can I combat a black guy? I know! I'll get a chick!" Most popular governor in the US...yes, but come on...it's Alaska. (No offense to my Alaskan FV'ers) However, I think that the mayor of NYC would have more qualifications to be VP than the governor from Alaska. Also, look at the population of Alaska compared to the populations of other states. Not hard to be popular when there aren't too many people to impress. And, there are many, MANY Alaskan women who have been protesting her nomination. The rape rate in Alaska is through the roof. If I were a woman and were governor, you bet your a$$ I'd have spent a great deal of time taking care of that problem. I'm not sure she even noticed. I know that many think it says good things about him. I disagree. They keep touting how they are "mavericks." Well, mavericks are unreliable. You don't know how they'll respond to a situation. They often are not well-liked. I don't want someone like that representing and making decisions for my country. I want someone who is diplomatic and can ease tensions and work toward solutions, not whip out the gun and start shooting.

So, Jessica, these are some of the reasons I will be voting for Obama on November 4th. As you didn't ask to slam, I didn't respond to get into a debate about it. Just stating my opinions.

I may as well out myself. I've always considered myself a conservative and even a Republican (a real republican, ie, a libertarian.) But I've always ended up voting Democrat. I'm 26, btw, so keep in mind how many elections I've actually been old enough to vote in. :laugh:

Quite frankly, I'm sick of the Republican party. Absolutely freakin' sick of them.

I don't like taxes. I don't like infringements upon my personal liberties. I don't like playin' cop to every other damn country in the world. These are the things that the Republican party have traditionally stood for and god bless 'em for it.

The party today is a f***in' joke.

If you're going to spend gazillions of dollars of taxpayer money for a no good reason, then by god give me HEALTHCARE instead of a bunch of dead soldiers of fat cat bankers. Don't talk to me about personal liberties and then go pushing unsafe vaccines that are manufactured by the company you're profiting from. Don't act like you support small government and then push things like the damned patriot act. Don't pretend like you want to cut government spending when you're blowing money on corporate welfare. Forgive me if I'm a little suspicious about the standards and accountability in education when so many of the people pushing it are profiting from both the perpetuation of a test-happy system and a the hysteria it creates.

I know what a free market looks like. This is not it! Don't use the perfectly valid concepts of brilliant free market economists to push your dirty practices whenever it suits you.

This is a lesser of two evils here. I've always believed in free markets and free enterprise, but apparently the Republican party does not. I've always supported the traditional ideals of the Republican party and I've always defended a lot of their practices. Quite honestly, I feel like a damned tool for it.

I have some of the same reasons as Amy.

I am not a groupie. I will state again that my choice was Edwards and I hope there is still a place for him in an Obama administration.

I don't agree with McCain's tax plan. I don't think trickle down economics works. I don't think giving tax breaks to the wealthy REALLY stimulates the economy the way that they hope it does.

I am for Universal Health Coverage for All. I think this country should move to socialized medicine. Obama's plan is taking us closer to that. McCain's doesn't.

I am uncomfortable with Palin, not because of experience, but because of her stance on social issues and honestly, I have had it with our nation becoming more and more of a theocracy and less and less of a democracy. Her reliance on God, while fine for her personal life, is NOT fine with me when it comes to her making policy issues for a state or a country.

I think I had more respect for McCain before this election. It seems to me that he is currently doing whatever he can to win, pandering to voters. I am not sure anymore WHO is the real McCain. I also really don't like the notion that just because he was in the service and was a POW that he deserves my vote.

I think Obama is very intelligent. Not that I don't think McCain and Pallin are as well, I just think Obama is smarter. I am not electing "joe six pack". I don't want my president to be "just like me". I don't want to have a beer with them or have them over for witty conversation. I don't even care what kind of cookies their wives make. I want them to be the most intelligent person that we can find that also has a good combination of social skills AND problem solving skills. For me, that candidate is Obama.

I am pro-choice. I am for gay marriage. I am for stem cell research and the FUNDING of that research. I am against nuclear energy (I am wondering who's back yard these plants are going to go in). I am against drilling in Alaska and off shore. I am for Renewable Energy. And I am a crunchy tree hugger. Oh....and I am for Gun control. I firmly believe that people do not NEED automatic or semi-automatic weapons to defend themselves or to hunt.

Finally, (after all my rambling), I personally don't think this country can take another 4 years of a Republican administration.

Thank You all for your honesty.

I said I wouldn't slam your opinions, and I won't. The one thing I really wanted to know was if this election was really all that different from others. I keep hearing (in the media and elsewhere) about all of the "Obama Love" and the "groupies" that you guys mentioned and I really wanted to know if this was the case across the nation.

Your answers confirmed for me (as I do believe ~ even though only three of you have responded so far ~ that you guys truly represent the majority of those that will vote Democrat).

In other words, just like every other election since the beginning of time, while the candidate of choice shares a lot of your beliefs, it boils down to voting against one candidate, not so much voting for the other one.

And Republicans aren't immune. I'm doing the same thing. McCain, I dont' think, has all of the answers and we differ on some issues. But I differ more with Obama. McCain wouldn't be my first choice, so I'm, in essence, voting against Obama.

Again, I'm not trying to spark a debate and I'm not looking to argue the issues (we'll use other threads for that!)

I was merely curious if this election truly was all that different than those of the past (race & gender aside).

Here's what I have been thinking lately:

I'm a conservative republican. There's no getting around that. I am for less gov't, less taxes, I'm as pro-life as they come, opposed to gay marriage, opposed to national health care...and on, and on, and on......

AND YET

Obama doesn't really "scare" me like so many right wingers say. He and I may be polar opposites on practically every single area......but in the end, we are both Americans, we are both parents, and we both want what's best for America.
(Albeit, what he thinks is best for America is different than what I think is best for America.....) But he is a parent that wants the best possible America for his children and his grand children, he wants every opportunity available for everyone, not just the wealthy, and I cannot really fault him for that.
Do I want a socialized health care program? NO, but would I be able to benefit from one? possibly (I am sure that there are other examples of how I could benefit from his "programs", I just can't think of them right)
Ok, I am rambling here, but I think you get the gist of what I am trying to say. Do I like Obama? NO! But do I think our country is going to crumble and fall apart under his leadership? No,
Just like with Clinton, I didn;t LIKE him, but the sun still rose every day he was in office. There are plenty of liberals who don;t like BUSH, but again, the sun still rose, and with Obama in office, it will still come up every single day.
I guess I just don;t get the hype, that the world as we know it will be coming to an end if Obama gets in office. (I know, it's a bit "over-the-top" with exaggeration, but I think you get the point.)