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

[.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.

[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!

[M&M's Mommy]

I voted for McCain/Palin.

I didn't vote for Obama because the fact that the media was so obviously biased in favor of him, that he seemed to be too overtly condifent at times (to the point that he was on the verge of ignorant!), and his stance on the abortion issue, specially his role killing legislation to protect born-alive survivors of abortions goes against everything that I believe in. All in all, he's too liberal for my liking!

Now that he's our elected president, he'll have my respect as such & lots and lots of prayers. I pray that God will guide him throughout his service to America, and open his eyes and heart to the sacredness of all lives, specially whose that have no voices, and can't protect themselves.

His victory means to me that race is no longer an issue in America (or at least it appeared that way). As for what he can really to this great nation, I guess only time will tell. I'll just have to wait and see

[catland]

I voted for Obama and it was a wonderful feeling to actually want someone to win vs. just picking the lesser of 2 evils.

He is inspirational.

He has to be an amazing strategist - to come from nowhere and first beat Clinton and then McCain.

I believe he will choose good people to be his advisors and won't pick a bunch of yes-men( and women) or fall back on favoritism or cronyism when he selects his cabinet.


McCain's choice of Palin finally did it for me. I always thought her selection was a gimick - she was picked because of her chromosones and nothing else. The thought of someone who doesn't even know that Africa is a continent and not a country being our president makes me shudder.

Finally, I feel like as a country, we've grown up. We selected a 21st century president. YAY!!!

[smokey the elder]

The fact that he picked Biden, one of his biggest gadflies, to be his VP says that he's not afraid to learn. I voted for him because I think he has a better shot at bipartisanship, and I thought he had enormous presence, standing up to all the negative campaigning and not getting into too much mud wrestling.

[carole]

Thank you all for your most welcome replies, i have found it to be very interesting reading, i did start this thread for purely selfish reasons,to become more familiar with the American political system,and what the American people want? I have found it very informative.

As an outsider looking in, I have to say I personally found Mr Obama had a lot of charisma,he really appealed to me,he certainly would have been my choice as well, I like very much that he is young, and liberal, and from reading your posts I like what he is standing for.

I have to say i found Palin very scatty, and not at all somebody i would want for my vice president, or president should Mccain have to step down, maybe that was his downfall, having Palin.

Now tell me, if you usually voted either republican or Democrat, did you change your vote this year because you liked Obama better, or would you stick with either party because you are staunch republican or Democrat.?

We have our elections tomorrow, it is picked we will have a new government, I for one will not be happy about that, I will be very reluctant to welcome Mr John Keys as our new Prime Minister, I do think the elections in the USA will have an influence on voting here, they will see it as Time for a Change here too I think.,worse luck,still one just has to accept it don't we?

Thanks again, looking forward to more of your posts.

[Alysser]

The fact that he picked Biden, one of his biggest gadflies, to be his VP says that he's not afraid to learn. I voted for him because I think he has a better shot at bipartisanship, and I thought he had enormous presence, standing up to all the negative campaigning and not getting into too much mud wrestling.

Agreed, what impressed me was when it came out Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter was pregnant and He simply said "our children should not be brought into this election" or something like that. He could have used that so much against them but was very mature about it.

[buckner]

McCain's choice of Palin finally did it for me. I always thought her selection was a gimick - she was picked because of her chromosones and nothing else. The thought of someone who doesn't even know that Africa is a continent and not a country being our president makes me shudder.

Obama also stated there is 57 states in America. Frankly, if we're going on geographical knowledge, I'd rather my president know how many states we have rather than naming the continents.

I voted for McCain/Palin. I don't like Obama, I don't like the things he says or the things he stands for, and the fact that he is in office scares the life out of me. I don't know what America was thinking. It really disappoints me that Obama is our president. My dad said it best when he described Obama as an empty suit. I don't think he'll do anything good for the country, or the people. In fact, I think he'll make a lot of things worse. Taxes? I highly believe that taxes will increase. Education? We'll see how much good he's doing for the children in special education.
My vote did NOT go for Obama/Biden.

[carole]

Hmm this is indeed very interesting reading for me, thanks for your posts.

[sumbirdy]

Obama also stated there is 57 states in America. Frankly, if we're going on geographical knowledge, I'd rather my president know how many states we have rather than naming the continents.

I voted for McCain/Palin. I don't like Obama, I don't like the things he says or the things he stands for, and the fact that he is in office scares the life out of me. I don't know what America was thinking. It really disappoints me that Obama is our president. My dad said it best when he described Obama as an empty suit. I don't think he'll do anything good for the country, or the people. In fact, I think he'll make a lot of things worse. Taxes? I highly believe that taxes will increase. Education? We'll see how much good he's doing for the children in special education.
My vote did NOT go for Obama/Biden.

Agree 100%

One of the things that I really don't like about Obama is his view of abortions. Not exactly the abortion itself (although I don't agree with abortion, who are we to say who lives or dies?) but the fact that if there ends up being a botched abortion, and the child is born alive, they should recieve no medical care. He's basically saying they don't matter. These are little babies, little Americans, and our PRESIDENT doesn't even care about them. Babies shouldn't be disposable. "Oh you got pregnant and don't want it? Go get rid of it!" It's sickening to me. I realize that a lot of people think abortions are up to the mother, it's their choice, but to me the idea of abortion is like someone saying they acquired a dog but found out they didn't want it, so they dropped it off on the side of the road, decided to get rid of it. I'm sure a lot of people here would protest to that, but hey, it's their choice right?

Needless to say, I voted for McCain/Palin

[Pam]

and his stance on the abortion issue, specially his role killing legislation to protect born-alive survivors of abortions goes against everything that I believe in

I agree with you there. Partial birth abortion is appalling to me and failing to provide medical care to the survivor of a botched abortion is criminal to me. I was leery of his liberal agenda as a whole although I do think that some of his ideas are good and his youth is on his side. He made a wise choice with Joe Biden and I liked that about him.

I didn't like McCain either but I do approve of his pro-life position. I don't agree with many of his policies and I think he shot himself in the foot by his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. To be quite honest, if he had been elected I would have worried on a daily basis about his health for fear that she would become president.

As I sat and watched the returns I have to say that I really was emotionless. Neither candidate inspired me or gave me a feeling of confidence so I didn't care how the election turned out. Now that Obama is our President Elect he deserves our support. I hope that God will continue to Bless America.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Since I began voting at 18, this is the first time I felt GOOD about my choice. I have voted for Republicans, Democrats and once -- an Independent. But never a positive vote. Just...the lesser of two evils...or anyone who wasn't the other guy. There have been times I decided once I was in the voting booth.

This time I was thrilled to vote. I voted for Obama because I believe he can put the nightmare of the last eight years behind us. He can restore the reputation of the US as a country that leads by example not by force.

I believe he understands the health care crisis -- McCain has been at the federal government trough his entire life. Never drawn a paycheck that I didn't help pay for. He is -- or at least his wife is -- extremely wealthy. I do not believe he can understand the issues that ordinary wage earning people face.

I voted for Obama because he has the qualities of a leader -- able to inspire, able to motivate, able to get people working toward a common goal.

[Cookiebaker]

I agree with you there. Partial birth abortion is appalling to me and failing to provide medical care to the survivor of a botched abortion is criminal to me. I was leery of his liberal agenda as a whole although I do think that some of his ideas are good and his youth is on his side. He made a wise choice with Joe Biden and I liked that about him.

I didn't like McCain either but I do approve of his pro-life position. I don't agree with many of his policies and I think he shot himself in the foot by his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. To be quite honest, if he had been elected I would have worried on a daily basis about his health for fear that she would become president.

As I sat and watched the returns I have to say that I really was emotionless. Neither candidate inspired me or gave me a feeling of confidence so I didn't care how the election turned out. Now that Obama is our President Elect he deserves our support. I hope that God will continue to Bless America.

Pam, I could not have said it any better!

[Twisterdog]

To answer your second question ...

I am a registered independent. That having been said, I have very rarely ever actually voted for an independent candidate. I registered as an independent because I do not believe in the party system. I think it is an overly-simplified attempt to categorize a very complicated system.

I believe in some things that are traditionally "republican", and I believe in some things that are traditionally "democratic". No person, especially one of our leaders, should be so constrained by a particular party's view that he or she is afraid to step outside of the box.

I believe we should decide based on the person running - their views, beliefs, intelligence, etc., not which party they belong to. I think we have had good republican leaders and good democratic leaders, as well as bad leaders of both parties.

I believe in actually thinking, not just filling in the circle next to the party one has always chosen.