Why this Democrat would not vote for Obama
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Don't worry. I'm not going to. There are certainly many reasons that would prevent me from doing such a thing.
However, there is an unnerving number of reasons why I would not vote for Obama. Sure, he's a Democrat, but... I don't like him much. I get a strange feeling about him.
McCain... I don't really suspect anything from him. It doesn't seem like there's much going on there, and that if you tried to dig too deep into him, well, you wouldn't find much that you didn't already know. He reminds me of Bush in a way in that he himself wouldn't be too much of a threat, but in the wrong hands (Cheney?), a lot of damage could be done.
Barack Obama is intelligent. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbia. He speaks so well... especially compared to poor McCain, who is constantly stumbling over his words. He's quick-thinking and has ascended politically so fast; I can still remember his appearance on the Oprah show, when many people weren't sure quite who he was.
He's a good politician. And by good, I mean talented. That combined with intelligence can also be dangerous.
I feel like when he says something, it doesn't mean it's the truth. I feel like he'll say anything for votes, and I don't like that. I don't feel threatened by McCain; while his ideas aren't the greatest, he seems like a straight-up guy.
I watched CNN one day, and they talked about Obama's religious beliefs and faith. The newscaster discussed how many Americans still believe he's Muslim, although Obama himself refutes the idea. CNN visited Copper Hill, Tennessee, a small town where out of 24 residents, only one thought he was Christian. And it wasn't necessarily ignorance. One person said he knew Obama claims to be Christian, but he knows that Obama was raised by a Muslim parent... he just thinks Obama is saying what the people want to hear. Ugh.
It just seems like you don't know what's actually going to happen at his hands until it happens. I hate that feeling.
I also appreciate McCain's military experience... but that's just me. I do feel he's a little old, maybe a little senile, and I think a fresh take on the country would be nice.
But I don't want another president taking advantage of the country and its people, either.
I wish we would all just vote for Hillary. Yeah, I said it.
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Hm. I wish I was better at identifying sarcasm online :(
LOL...I mean it! I am one of the few who wanted Hillary to get the nomination =(.
:) I figured you weren't the type to be so cynical!
"He's a good politician. And by good, I mean talented. That combined with intelligence can also be dangerous."
I sure agree with that statemant.
Noel
byee and Rush Limbaugh!
glassvissage, you might better look for reasons to vote FOR one of the candidates. For example, in the case of Obama, ending the needless, costly war in Iraq, taking steps to pull the economy out of its current nosedive, restoring our countries relationships with other countries, improving our costly and inferior health care system, etc. I'm not sure what McCain's program is other than more of the same. He has bragged about voting with Bush 95 percent of the time. Now he's trying to unstick himself from the tarbaby.
For sure I'm not going to vote for McCain, and I'm not saying don't vote for Obama. I know I'm going to vote for him... I have no other choice. I'm trying to say to be careful, and don't put all of your faith into one person... especially for the reasons I've outlined.
Please, please, read my blog at http://www.TruthinPoliticsNOW.com. I am from Chicago and we know Obama very well here. That is precisely why we like him so much. We know that he is real, genuine and trustworthy. He is NOT a Muslim. Everybody here in Illinois knows that, because we know him.
If you look at the state where Obama is known best, the fact that his popularity is extremely high should be considered as an important endorsement.
Again, and especially if you are a woman, please read my articles at http://truthinPoliticsNOW.com . I don't even have any advertisements on that site yet. (I'm working on it, though)
Oh, and one more thing. Since when is being intelligent dangerous for a president. Bush was not intelligent and look at the damage his stupidity caused!! I feel much safer with an intelligent man in the White House. Who wouldn't????
All are chips off the same block.
Obama is da man! Actually, it's completely logical for Clinton supporters to vote for Obama. Their positions on the issues are nearly identical, and there are great differences between Obama's and McCain's positions--on the war, on the economy, on health care, on Social Security reform and a variety of other issues. McCain is a respected Senator and war hero, but that doesn't mean he would be a good president. He would be an improvement over Bush. But that's about all that can be said for him.
Thanks for your comments, all.
Glacava: You're right, I can't say I know Obama too well. If you're from Illinois, chances are you know him better than I. And I know he's not a Muslim, for chrissakes.
And to Ralph: Notice how I don't mention anything about his policies and disliking them? He sounds like a fine candidate. Of course I'm voting for him (like I said already). But this Hub is just about my apprehension about him as a politician.
Glassvisage: You always have a choice. If you vote for a candidate you don't trust, you're sanctioning his presidency.
I think you may have a preconcieved idea at the back of your mind but you do not want to state it clearly. You said the man is bright intelligent and smart but you are not sure he is telling the truth namely his religion My dear people lie all the time.All the world is a stage the actors perform to suit the audience .Even on hubpages for the money and the glory.
I'm thinking of taking the whole religion thing out of this Hub because I think it's giving people the wrong idea. I included it to show how people aren't all charmed by everything he says, including me. There's something about him I do not like, and I don't get that something from McCain or Clinton. It's almost like... he knows how smart he is, and he has risen in politics so quickly, that I'm afraid he might let presidency get to his head, get power-hungry and forget what he got into this for. McCain and Hillary have been in politics for such a long time that I don't think they'd get carried away like that.
dear glassvisage did you know that mccain does not believe that women should receive equal pay as men.did you know that mccaine was not born on american soil and that his campaign is according to the constitution not possible,did you know that the republican party is stripping away the rights of all american people,rights such as freedom of speech,did you know that they can lock you up for nothing an hold you forever, did you know that this is the republican mess we are dealing with as a country did you know the reblicans was friends with binladen and the taliban aint that crazy?its the truth.
For the love of God, people, I'm not saying to vote for McCain!!!! How many times to do I have to say that! I'll I'm saying is that there's something about Obama I don't like! For chrissakes.
All I am saying is OBAMA is excepted by the world.OBAMA can unify and bring back americas old friends and bring new friends to the table.RIGHT now we need complete unity in the democratic party.WE CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER 4 YEARS OF REPUBLICANS at the helm.Look around we are in a recession/depression people are looseing their homes jobs and major banks are on the verge of collapse.THE WORLD IS CHANGEING AND WE HAVE TO CHANGE WITH IT OR WE WILL BE REDUCED TO A THIRD WORLD TYPE OF COUNTRY,LOOK AROUND AT WHATS HAPPENING IN THE USA.thats all i am trying to say.
Thanks, and agreed. That's why I said many times that I am voting for Obama. He's not my favorite, but I'm voting for him.
I know that the system is designed to make us think this, but your choice doesn't have to be Obama or McCain. If your conscience does not allow you to support either one, the electoral system can't force you to do so.
Vote your conscience. What's the worse thing that could happen? Obama or McCain gets elected. Which is what would happen also if you voted for one of them.
Take a risk. Organize a write-in campaign for someone you really care about as a candidate.
I don't think my favored candidate would have a chance against Obama anymore... but the option is tempting. It's tricky; I would rather have Obama than McCain, and he's most likely the best chance against him for the election... but can that change?
I agree with you. I am obviously not a democrat, but I would vote for one if I thought he/she represented me best. It is good to know that not all Democrats vote blindly down party lines... :-)
It's interesting you don't trust Obama; I actually get the exact opposite feeling. Have your read "Dreams from my Father" or "The Audacity of Hope"? I think his first book really helped me get to know him as a person, before he was a politician. If you haven't read it, it might make you feel better about your vote. ;)
Any thoughts on how the John Edwards scandal will hurt the Dems? So sad.
I guess if a democrat wanted to vote GOP...McCain is the best middle of the road guy. I for one am a third party supporter and on't be budging from that this go around...I heard it said before that Obama is a socialist and McCain is a fascist...it may not be too far from the truth. I know the last 8 years have been pathetic under the republicans and now America has 'wisened up' and will allow the pendulum to swing the other way, creating yet another wallowing pit of mud we get ourselves into. I think we ought to force the media to present the top 3 third parties along with the majorettes. This way we won't be cheated and those who would normally never think of libertarianism as an alternative would now have their eyes opened.
You guys are right. I should just vote for my favorite Clinton. I know voting is important, but at this point, it seems maybe it's more worth it to put my one vote for who I really want rather than who is more likely to win.
I expect much wrath incurred for this reply :)
well here comes the wrath,how can you waste a vote for a cannidate that is not in the presidential race?hillary and obama are to sides of the same coin.democrats.bush/cheney have totally screwed up the country.and screwed up americas reputation with the entire world.john mccain voted with bush 95%of the time.mccain can't even log on to the internet,mccain already has plans for more wars,a couple of months ago he did not have a plan for the economy he said it on national t.v.mccaine did not have a plan for energy.now he has a plan for energy.T.boone pickens plan.he had a senior moment on t.v right in the middle of an interview in iraq.mccain is all over youtube talking about bomb bomb bomb iran.mccain is a puppet.he has a good name,and people respect him cause he is a hero,i respect him,but i don't want a president that might have a senior moment while talking to another world leader,imagine prime minister putin talking to mccain and mccain has a senior moment in the middle of whatever they are discussing.don't say it can't happen cause it already has.don't waste your vote if you don't want to vote for obama then vote for mccain.too many people have died for us to vote.so vote for whoever but don't waste it on someone thats not in the race.if its mccain you like vote mccain.
Bill....there's no such thing as voting for a guy not in the race. If you firmly believe that then the media has clouded your judgment. There are better candidates in the third party rankings...which is why I vote third party.
If anyone looks at McCain's past they will find that he has had his moments of bad Zen. He divorced his first wife after she was disifugured, he was an angry man and he yelled a lot at people, often it is said without just cause, and his military record is not always respected by fellow veterans.
Indeed, there are many veterans who think he has backed away from issues most vets would like to see front and center. Some even say he has betrayed fellow vets in his senate career.
I don't know the reasons for why he did what he did in the past, and I don't judge him for it. But for those who wish to trash Obama by calling up his past, McCain and other Republicans are no better than the Democrats. I agree with t.kelly that at times it is better not to affiliate one's self with either of the major parties here in the U.S.
That is why I register as an Independent. Most likely I will vote for Obama. Most likely I will NOT vote for McCain. However, I am keeping my options open until election day.
As for T. Boone Picket, I like his ideas for energy independence, but wasn't he also involved intimately with the swift-boating of John Kerry?
mr.keely i am fairly new to the realm of politics,its only because things have gotten so far off course with america that i am focused on this election.chef jeff i like t.boone pickets plan too,i just feel like picket should take his plan to congress and get the ball rolling instead of giveing the plan to mccain giveing mccain more clout with the voters when mccain is part of the problem.anyway i read this article in MOTHER JONES about john mccain i think you guys should check out.its about sen.graham mccains economic adviser and the article basically says that graham is one of the main people that made a lot of messed up decisions that caused the economic meltdown we are dealing with now.graham advises mccain graham is the man who pulled the trigger and killed the economy. this guy is the one that has mccain's ear when it comes to the economy.HIS NICKNAME IS FORECLOSURE PHIL if mccain wins sen.phil graham will become the TREASURY secretary.sen phil graham the guy who helped destroy our economy.we must stand togethor because if mccain wins this election its going to be every man for himself.this election just might make or break america.america is already bent out of shape.we cannot take another republican president for the next 4 to 8 years.
I have no love for Sen. Graham and I wish he would just fade away. He is a destructive voice in our political system, loud and often as wrong as wrong can be.
I am also from Chicago, and I too am well aware of who Obama is, and I am not voting for him.
Glacava, you say he is trustworthy? What is so trustworthy about a man who associates with criminals and terrorists? Corruption rules in the Chicago political machine, and he did nothing to stand against it. One of his biggest supporters early on is now a convicted felon on various corruption charges. Either Obama is blind to corruption (which is dangerous), he chose to ignore it in favor of his own political aspirations (which is equally dangerous) or he was a part of it (which is more dangerous). Either way, that alone is a reason to not vote for him.
As someone stated earlier in the comments. You always have a choice. If you vote for someone you don't trust, you are opening the door for all kinds of trouble. No one says you have to stand firmly in party lines. Stand on your own convictions, stand up for your beliefs and don't be afraid to vote for who you think would do a better job.
what is so trustworthy about a party that lied to get a war started?what is so trustworthy about a party that sold weapons to iran?what is so trustworthy about a party that used the cia to sell drugs on the streets of america to pay for a war that congress was against?what is so trustworthy about a party whose first response after 911 was to get bin laden's family out of america?what is so trustworthy about a party that reveals the i.d of their own spies?
Thank you all for these comments... I think they are very important to read about when making voting decisions. I appreciate your viewpoints... and still am thinking about voting for Clinton :)
The way i see it is that there is too many votes are used simply because you're voting within your own party. I think you said it best glassvisage when you said that your only choices are Obama or McCain. No, that's what the media has instilled in us, but truthfully there are a few other independent choices you have the right to choose from. I know t.keeley(my running mate) will agree with me on this so I say exercise your right to choose the candidate that's right for you. Vote talented_ink/t.keeley in '08!
Aye, vote ,,, what party are we anyway ?
I got one, Latitudinarian party. :)
read this blog JON TAPLIN'S BLOG:STOPPING STUDENTS FROM VOTING.
!["Official..." by Pete Souza, The Obama-Biden Transition Project [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Official_portrait_of_Barack_Obama.jpg){kind=link}
byee 3 years ago
I'm with you sister...I really wanted BILLARY in the White House all over again. Their past experience with the Presidency is invaluable, mistakes and all.