Conservatives Voting for Obama: In Their Own Words

There are a number of people in my life -- some family, some friends, some colleagues -- with whom I have never agreed upon anything political. Ever. These are my political opposites. My bizarre-o twins. And they have been my adversaries in countless debates; the kind nobody ever wins, but nobody ever seems to tire of, either.

Sadly, politics have become sort of a new sports league in modern culture. We don't really listen to each other's points of view so much as we pick a side and root for it. And just as with our favorite sports teams, our faith in our parties can become blind. I have had about as much success convincing my Republican father-in-law of my liberal points of view as I have had convincing my father, an Ohio State alumnus, to root for Michigan.

But over the last few months, something unprecedented has happened. Almost all these folks have told me that, for the first time ever, they are voting for the same candidate I am: Barack Obama.

Now, these are not casual conservatives. These are people who, each in their own way, are deeply committed to their conservative beliefs. For most, this will be the first time they have voted for a Democrat in their entire lives. And when taken as a whole, they represent a fair cross section of the Republican Party. Some younger, some older. Some fiscally driven, some culturally driven. But almost all, up until now, have been intractable. Yet here we all are, staring down the barrel of a remarkably nasty presidential election, all in a rare moment of agreement. I figured this simply could not be an anomaly. Perhaps this was a groundswell.

I started asking around and found a number of my liberal friends were having a similar experience. So we asked these folks if they would appear on camera and share with the world why they changed. It seemed to me that the most convincing argument a conservative on the fence could hear might not come from a liberal, or even from Obama himself, but instead, from one of their own; a conservative who had crossed over. So we turned on the camera, and they did the rest.

I fully expected the results to be compelling and convincing. And they are. What I didn't expect was the emotional wallop these unscripted interviews deliver. A combination of deep disillusionment with the last eight years, disappointment in John McCain's candidacy, and an undeniable draw to Obama brought these people to a political decision that was deeply personal and courageous. It became clear to me that these were more than interviews. These were confessions.

This is what democracy is supposed to be. These people actually listened, considered and were open to the possibility of change. They didn't support a candidate. They actually chose one. And while I'm happy this year they are voting for "my team," they also inspired me to be more open in my own political life.

I thought we were making an ad campaign about Obama. But I think we ended up making an ad campaign about the essential ingredient that makes democracy work: an open mind. We don't belong to our political parties. Our political parties belong to us.

Go to www.ConservativesForChange.com to see all of the videos.

Comments

[Lionsden]

Honestly folks, don't believe it. It is impossible for a conservative to vote for Obama. They will NOT vote, write in, or vote for a third party candidate.

I can assure you that anyone claiming to be conservative who votes for Obama, is not a conservative.

Conservative: TO CONSERVE.

Obama wants to CHANGE (nearly the opposite of conserve).

[rednblue87]

Most voters have more sense than to strictly adhere to party lines or ideological grounds. There are conservatives out there voting for Obama because they feel he can better guide this country out of the mess it's in, despite ideological disagreements.

And I think at this point most Americans, liberal, moderate and conservative, want change...

[TheFamilyDoctor]

I found this quite powerful. I honestly think this piece could change some minds; it's THAT well done.

The anonymity of the participants might be an obstacle for some, though, as there is so much scripting of interviews, use of actors in for ads, and general phoniness in campaigns these days. As thought-provoking as this video is, it might go even farther if captioned with identities, occupations, hometowns or something to emphasize that these are REAL PEOPLE actually expressing THEIR OWN ideas and opinions. If one were concerned that such information might be used against them in some form of 'retaliation', perhaps initials or just first names could be used.

Just a thought. Anyway, great video!! It is SO nice, amid all the campaign divisiveness, to hear and see some people working more toward common ground!! Thanks!!

[InformedAmerican]

Wow...great video! These people are putting their country first! Just awesome!

[shockjock]

Use the Last 1 minute for a TV commercial onslaught this final week.

[LesserFool2]

The real persuasion will come after November 4th. Will enough of the clear-thinkers in the GOP prevail? Or will the reactionaries continue to hold sway and further drive the GOP into oblivion? Only time will tell.

[ProgressiveInAZ]

Wow, great video, very persuasive and thoughtful.

[WestCoastBuckeye]

Hey Eric, mark the date: you have a Buckeye grad in your corner!

Fantastic videos and blog post. It gives me faith that you don't have to be liberal to have an open mind.

I come from a GOP family. They're not quite there yet, still unwilling to break from party lines, and vote for the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Long-held views, regardless of how insane they may be, are hard to shake free from, especially for conservatives, I've found.

But these testimonials offer hope: while I don't expect committed Republicans to fully agree with Obama's platform, at least they've taken a rational view of who he is, and how he would lead. It's an affirmation in my belief that the lunatic, racist, close-minded, bible-beating nut jobs are just a fringe of the GOP base, and not a true representation of our conservative friends and family members.

Oh, and BTW, 11/22/08:

OSU 45
UM 3

[Kate4Change]

YEAH!!! Fantastic video. This should be in an ad that is run in the republican states ... would be great to show republican, democrat and independent why they are voting for Barack and it should say "Unite for Change" at the end.

[OneNation33]

Thank you for thinking ! Yes WE Can! We are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!! One Nation!

[CindyKay]

All I can say is Thank You Very Much For Helping Us Restore America !

[DearHeavens]

This story reminds me I wish some open Republicans wrote for this paper.

[Yes I said it]

These are the REAL patriots!

[salzy1]

This video brought tears to my eyes as I heard intelligent, thoughtful, people express their reasons for switching their votes to Obama, after a lifetime of voting Republican. My desire for change is so strong right now that it is almost an unbearable wait until Election Day. As more prominent Republicans come out of the closet and proclaim their support for Obama, it will certainly confirm for me that Barack is a transformational candidate who inspires people of all philosophies. Let's hope he carries the day on the 4th.

[jmddc]

This could have been my 85 year old mother or 58 year old husband - both lifelong Republicans who will be voting for Obama. My husband says that when the Republican party stops being the party of neocons and Evangelicals and the hatemongers on Fox news, he might return. In the meantime, my whole family will be voting for the very smart and thoughtful Sen. Obama.

[Ozfriend]

Congratulations to the courageous people in this video. Voting is such a privilege. Much of the world is watching this election, but of course only US citizens can cast a vote. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the issues, instead of following a party line.

[BluePointOfView]

Eric, thank you for this post. These people are speaking from their own point of truth, and it is refreshing and inspiring. An open mind, a higher point of view.

Isn't it amazing what happens when we commit to being explorers instead of know it alls! Obama epitomizes this and I chose him for President, not as a Democrat or a Republican, of which I am neither, but based upon my own investigation and findings, much of what is reflected in what these people are expressing.

I have put this on my YouTube page, which connects to a website I created in support of Obama for President. http://thebluepointofview.com