Vote Obama!
December 25, 2007 at 1:59 am (Obama, activism)
Tags: campaign, Democrats, election, Obama, politics, president, primary
Dear Iowa Relatives;
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Little did you know it, but I have been thinking about you especially this time of year! So as not to prolong the suspense, and to admit the shamelessness of this letter as soon as possible, I will get down to business: I think you (and many people like you) should vote for Barack Obama.
Do I dare to tell my family what to do? Well, not exactly. I do venture to add my views to the many clamoring for your attention. My boyfriend and I have been active in the Obama campaign in our area, tabling at the local farmer’s market, throwing Obama parties, and canvassing door-to-door. I got to thinking that before talking to more Californians, I should spend an hour or two contacting my own relatives with those coveted primary votes back in Iowa.
To risk crossing beyond the typical intellectual-orientation of our family’s discussions, I want to say that for me, supporting Obama is not just about the “issues.” I figure you can see his policy statements for yourself online at www.barackobama.com. On the major political issues of our day, Obama pretty much matches up for me as well as anyone. I also don’t like Obama just because he’s from Illinois, either.
I am supporting Obama because I really think he will be the best president out of all the candidates running. He’s not just the best collection of political slogans; he is the best all-around person to lead our country. When I imagine our country under his presidency, I feel proud (perhaps even patriotic?) in a way that I have never had the chance to feel. Obama will bring a careful, eloquent dignity to the office, which is what our country sorely needs both domestically and internationally.
After watching one of the debates a few months ago, I finally realized what made Obama stand out for me. All the other candidates sounded as if they were trying to convince the viewers that they were the most qualified for the job of being president of the United States of America (with varying degrees of success). But Obama sounded as if he was articulating a new vision for what the president of the United States of America should be.
Honestly, I would not despair if Clinton won the nomination, but I would be greatly disappointed at the opportunities for progress that would be lost. Right now, the only person who I can see preventing a Clinton win, on either the right or the left, is Obama. If you love Hillary, I say vote for her. But if you are opposed to her election, or just think we Democrats could find someone more progressive, the best candidate is Obama.
One of the major reasons I’m supporting Obama is that he is the most ‘electable’ Democratic candidate. My greatest concern with the possibility of a Clinton nomination is that her chances of beating the Republican nominee are much slimmer than Obama’s. My boyfriend and I have been tracking the polls at www.realclearpolitics.com, and in match-ups between Democratic and Republican front-runners, it’s alarmingly evident that there are only two ways a Republican could reach the White House: 1) election fraud, which we should come to expect by now; 2) Clinton being the Democratic nominee.
There is a lot of (admittedly extreme) fear of a Clinton administration, baggage which Obama does not carry. Just last night I talked with a Republican Iowa woman about living through the thick of primary season. She didn’t like much about any of the Republican candidates. But then she started shaking her head, saying, “Oh, we don’t want Hillary… no, we don’t want Hillary,” over and over. I broke her from this strange mantra by suggesting that Obama offered the best alternative and she agreed, pledging to support whoever would make sure it wasn’t Clinton in office. For some reason, Obama’s articulate, hopeful message is attractive to Republicans as well as Democrats, even while his policies place him further ‘left’ of Clinton. And the fact that Obama offers appeal that can cross religious and political bounds will serve him well not only in the 2008 election, but while he runs the country as president.
Your votes are crucial because the Iowa caucuses will be the decisive election for the nation. If Obama wins in Iowa, I think he can carry the national nomination. If Clinton or Edwards win in Iowa, I foresee Clinton winning nationally.
So, there you have it. That’s my political evangelization pitch. Being a bit of a politics nerd, I would be happy to hear from you about your experience of this exciting primary election season in Iowa, even if you end up supporting another candidate. In addition to my ulterior motives, I do sincerely wish you a happy and healthy holiday season, with all of my heart.
P.S. Obama On Some Issues of Import for Me:
• From his experience working as a community organizer in Chicago, I believe Obama has the best grasp on the demands facing those living in poverty.
• From his consistent record of opposition to the war in Iraq, I believe Obama would consider the moral implications of waging war, as well as the political ones.
• From his speeches, he seems to understand the nuances that go into choosing how to face an unwanted pregnancy and that the choice goes deeper than bumper sticker simplicity.
• From his willingness to engage with people of faith across the political spectrum, I believe he actually understands and practices the same Christian religion I am committing my life to.
• From his creativity in leading a campaign that does not rely primarily on large corporate donations, I see him breaking a new mold in campaign financing.
I do believe that any of the Democrats would be much, much better than any of the Republicans on these important issues, as well as others such as health care and protecting the Earth’s environment. But I am still holding out to work for the very best in all these issues, within a presidential package that is grounded in the grassroots and reaching for the sky….
