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

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I voted for Obama because he brought a sense of hope and excitement I haven't seen in this country since President Kennedy. Also, because he seems to take his time and think things through when making decisions. We need someone who thinks before he acts in office.

I also remember the times when President Regan fell asleep during meetings. We don't need another president asleep at the wheel!

[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.

[M&M's Mommy]

Nope. I am a republican by heart. Though I don't agree with president Bush on certain issues, the Republican party and what it stands for hasn't disappointed me.

[carole]

I am much the same, I am loyal to my party to the end, i even voted last year for the candiate in my area, who i have met and dislike, as i wanted my party to be the government and it was, thank goodness she has left parliament and we have a new candidate that i like very much, it is a hard thing to do, to vote for someone you don't like a whole lot,but i am LABOUR party all the way.

One cannot possible agree with everything our party stands for, this government has done a few things i am not happy about, but in general it has done some great things, introducing working for families tax credits, which without our life would be bordering on the poverty line,anti-smacking laws,no smoking laws, just to name a few that i have been all for.,and they also work with the Green party, which is simply self explanatory, it stands for keeping the environment clean and green amongst other things.

[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.

[Marigold2]

Agree 100%.
My beliefs and morals are mine and I would never impose them on another nor wish theirs on mine.

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

[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.

[sirrahbed]

I am conservative in my views but would vote for any party if I felt that is where my conscience was leading me. I do not support any particular party, though I suppose I am currently a republican. Christian first. American a close second. Maybe even a tie.

[carole]

Thank you all for your honesty and views.