Why did you vote for Obama or not...?

[carole]

Now i have only started this thread because I want to understand a little about American politics,and of course the reasons you voted for Mr Obama, or why you did not, I thought it would be a very interesting topic, although i know it can be a touchy one too,so please if you do not wish to disclose your reasons, then don't respond.

I imagine the American public want the same things we do in our country,a better place to live, free of crime, war,poverty,uemployment, etc etc.

What were the main issues you were concerned with? and what Policy's did either party offer you? thanks for listening.

[cassiesmom]

I voted for McCain. Obama became one of our Senators 3 1/2, almost 4 years ago. He's spent the past year and a half not being a Senator but running for President. I voted for McCain because I didn't get the sense that Obama has the experience a President needs. I'm sure he'll have a lot of advisers, though. He's definitely got a lot of personality.

I'd like to see the war in Iraq end quickly and with as little loss of life as possible. I'd like access to health care to be available nationwide. And if there can be an end to gangs and drugs.

[sirrahbed]

I voted for McCain/Palin because I think that collectively they had much more experience and made a a well rounded team. I like the fact that they are pro-life and pro-traditional marriage which is important to me. I also feel that staying the course with our war on terrorism is #1 priority. So, I am disappointed and sad at the results but the election I believe was fair and I am glad it is over. I am always proud of America - through good times and bad and through times of change and times of staying the course. Economics are not my biggest priority because I believe we will survive the depression/recession no matter who was elected. Then again - my rent is paid and we are not in immediate danger of losing our home or paycheck and we can pay our bills. I pray that God will continue to bless us as a nation with prosperity and freedom.

[carole]

Thank you both for answering so honestly, i have found it interesting reading, cheers.

[Alysser]

I'm only 16, can't legally vote yet. But I wouldn't have voted for McCain or Sarah Palin because frankly I didn't see eye to eye with them on much issues surrounding the US right now. I don't agree with their veiws on Abortion for example. Oh, and please people, because I don't agree with making Abortion illegal don't flame me. I have my reasons and it's my opinion.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

There are a lot of reasons I voted for him. Overall I just like the way he thinks and I agree with him on more issues than I agree with McCain on. I also like the way he speaks and presents himself, I think he'll represent our country well, something we've certainly been lacking these past 8 years. I don't like the way McCain speaks to the public (with the exception of last night's speech, he spoke differently last night).

Technology played a big part of why I voted for Obama too. Technology and the internet are a huge part of how the world works today and I don't feel that McCain "gets it".

Education is another HUGE reason I voted for Obama. He has really shown his passion and dedication to education. Global warming and environmental issues also were part of my reason why I voted for Obama.

I don't want this to start anything, but I do want to share my feelings on the subject of abortion since that is also a reason I voted for Obama and I want to explain why. I think we can probably all agree that in a perfect world abortion wouldn't be an issue. This however isn't a perfect world and sadly abortion is an issue. I don't feel that overturning Roe vs. Wade will do much to stop abortions. It may keep some women from getting an abortion, but I believe a lot of women will still have the abortions just in an illigal, unsafe manor. I feel that the way to truly reduce the abortion rate is through education. Teaching and preaching "abstinence only" the way Palin wants to teach obviously doesn't work, if it did she wouldn't have a pregnant teenager. I believe that kids need to be better educated about sex and birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Both Obama and McCain want to promote adoption and I think that's very important also. Better support for single mothers is also very important.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Well, to be honest, before the nominees were decided I supported Hilary more than Obama. But I have been impressed with his campaign since then, and I always vote a straight democratic ticket, so I would have voted for the democratic nominee no matter who won the primaries.

However, I do think that Obama has a lot of good leadership qualities and I agree on many issues that he has discussed during his campaign (however, presidents do not actually pass bills- that is congress- they simply sign them into law, or veto them, if it goes through congress). However, with a largely democratic senate and a good president, I am hopeful that we can get some real change that I think our country needs. I am particularly hoping to see some changes to health care and education.

I honestly felt that John McCain gave his most gracious and impressive speech throughout his whole campaign last night when he acknowledged Obama's victory. During the debates he really did not have much to say, and simply went on the offensive, which wasn't impressive to me (not to mention he was really unprofessional with his eye-rolling and scoffing). Also, I would honestly be terrified to have Palin as a VP when McCain is so old and not in good health. She apparently intended to run congress...any 5th grader could tell you that we have 3 branches of government for a reason!

Well, sorry that's so long-winded. I'm actually very excited to see Obama elected as our next president and I can't wait to see him in office.

[ramanth]

I don't want this to start anything, but I do want to share my feelings on the subject of abortion since that is also a reason I voted for Obama and I want to explain why. I think we can probably all agree that in a perfect world abortion wouldn't be an issue. This however isn't a perfect world and sadly abortion is an issue. I don't feel that overturning Roe vs. Wade will do much to stop abortions. It may keep some women from getting an abortion, but I believe a lot of women will still have the abortions just in an illigal, unsafe manor. I feel that the way to truly reduce the abortion rate is through education. Teaching and preaching "abstinence only" the way Palin wants to teach obviously doesn't work, if it did she wouldn't have a pregnant teenager. I believe that kids need to be better educated about sex and birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Kari, you stated it more eleoquently than I ever could.

I'm Pro Choice, Pro Stem Cell Research, Pro Gay Rights, ect.... so it's no surprise I voted for Obama.

[K9karen]

It's Obama for me. He has a lot of work ahead of him. You can't please all the people all of the time, and I'll be the first to complain, but we needed a change. Obama is a class act, dignified, intelligent, compassionate. He's a born leader. I personally think this was his destiny.

McCain's speech was great. I wish him well. Someone had to win.

[Gracefulsarah]

I didn't vote for him simply because I didn't agree with the things he's stood for and voted for or against whilst in the senate. He's waaay too liberal for me personally. McCain wasn't my first choice, (and he's not the one I voted for in the primarys [sp?]) but he was the lesser of the two evils in my opinion. I love Palin though.

[.sarah]

I'm Pro Choice, Pro Stem Cell Research, Pro Gay Rights, ect.... so it's no surprise I voted for Obama.

I am too, but I voted for McCain. Although, when I say I'm Pro Choice - I am only pro-choice in very certain and extreme circumstances (when a girl has been raped for example). I am never pro-abortion, however..

I voted for McCain because I felt he had a better economic plan, and I agreed with his views on the War in Iraq. These two issues are much more important to me at the moment. I am so "middle of the road" though (not strictly republican or democrat) that it was more of me choosing what was more important for me and strategizing what I would prefer to see done at the moment and how. Then, as time went on, things that were coming out about Obama were starting to worry me. I was undecided until a few weeks after the choices for Vice President were announced.

I agree with the poster above that says Obama is very liberal. Not that this is a bad thing, but I am conservative still in some respect and generally if I were to choose a side I probably lean a little bit closer to the right than left. I like Obama, as a person (can't say the same for Biden), but I think McCain would be more fitting as a president (oh well).

There were a lot of little issues as well, like things from Obama's past and things he said along the way in the campaign that quite frankly bothered me and made me very wary of him to be in the position of running this country. I hope and pray that he will prove me wrong. I hope that he is exactly what this country needs. I hope the economy gets back in order. I hope he keeps our troops and our country safe.

[Twisterdog]

I voted for Obama.

To me, every election is about "picking the lesser of two evils." I don't agree with everything Obama says or supports or wants, but I agreed with more of it than I did with McCain's views.

I feel we need to get out of Iraq. I think we have enough problems at home that need our attention. Not that I don't feel for the people in the Middle East, but I feel for our citizens' problems and I think the billions upon billions of dollars we spend over there would be better served healing our own domestic economic, educational, health care, social security, etc. woes. We need to clean our own house before we go marching around telling other countries how dirty theirs are.

I am pro-choice. I did not say I am pro-abortion. I simply do not believe it is up to others' to dictate that choice for someone else. If abortion is a mortal sin, then God will take care of it Himself. He doesn't need help from the US goverment.

I feel Obama is looking more toward the future, not toward the past and the "way we've always done things around here." The future of this country, and the world, lies in technology, economics, and peace. The future lies in young, optimistic people of all races and nationalities working together. The John Wayne, conquer by force and might, come in the saloon doors with six-shooters blazing philosphy is an outdated and dangerous view.

[Grace]

I'm Pro Choice, Pro Stem Cell Research, Pro Gay Rights, ect.... so it's no surprise I voted for Obama.

What she said! And add on the Supreme Court.

[AllAmericanPUP]

I voted for Obama because i'm a liberal and i'm pro choice and I do not agree with conservative views.

[Cataholic]

I voted for Obama.

To me, every election is about "picking the lesser of two evils." I don't agree with everything Obama says or supports or wants, but I agreed with more of it than I did with McCain's views.

I feel we need to get out of Iraq. I think we have enough problems at home that need our attention. Not that I don't feel for the people in the Middle East, but I feel for our citizens' problems and I think the billions upon billions of dollars we spend over there would be better served healing our own domestic economic, educational, health care, social security, etc. woes. We need to clean our own house before we go marching around telling other countries how dirty theirs are.

I am pro-choice. I did not say I am pro-abortion. I simply do not believe it is up to others' to dictate that choice for someone else. If abortion is a mortal sin, then God will take care of it Himself. He doesn't need help from the US goverment.

I feel Obama is looking more toward the future, not toward the past and the "way we've always done things around here." The future of this country, and the world, lies in technology, economics, and peace. The future lies in young, optimistic people of all races and nationalities working together. The John Wayne, conquer by force and might, come in the saloon doors with six-shooters blazing philosphy is an outdated and dangerous view.

Here! Here!