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.
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very very powerful testimonies. great job!
Yes! This is very meaningful and influential. This is a video I will use to send to the few friends I have who are UNdecided - most have already mailed Oregon ballots in for Obama. The reasoning that all these people verbalized are excellent reasons to change from Repubs to Democratic Obama.
As a Conservative Republican I will vote Obama because I want to shake my Party up.
I said it before (you can check my previous posts here) and I am sayin' again - nothing short of losing the election by a landslide (as I sincerely hope it will happen) can force changes in RNC. We allowed neocons, blood-thirsty war-loving ideological monsters and a "Daddy's sonny", C-student rich brat to define who we are and now we are paying the price. I want all these hacks out of the Party of Lincoln.
So, as a Party that talks about personal responsibility and facing the consequences its is only fair that we are about to get a measure of our own medicine.
Its healthy, if you ask me. So I vote for Obama not only out of respect for this young exceptionally honorable man, but also for selfish reasons of not being a member of the Party that is to my mind became borderline insane.
I sooo agree!
My Great Uncle died fighting in The Army of Lincoln so that all men should BE FREE!
This Neo-Con Fanatical Fringe have destroyed the Republican Party from within.
FEAR and HATE is all they have!
Fear and LIES!
Lies that got us into a needles war, fear of an entire FAITH of God loving people, fear of each other, fear of people whom simply may look different, fear of other countries, fear of competition, fear of educating our children, fear of new ideas.
FEAR OF CHANGE!
Bull CRAP!
America is not a nation of Cowards!
JMO
All the best
Knute Neo-LIB
"fear of educating our children,"
I just could never understand why the Republicans fight so hard against education for our children. I mean, this is really hurting us on the world stage.
I used to think that the less money that is spent on our children's education, the more, money that there will be for them to steal, but now I think that there is more to it than just that. I just don't know what it is. Can someone help me out here?
Great post, Alex. And, as a member of the Loyal Opposition, I wish you "God speed" in winning your party back.
Churchill once said: "Any man who is under 30, and is not a liberal, has not heart; and any man who is over 30, and is not a conservative, has no brains." Sometimes, I think I'm genetically liberal (am reading a great book "The Political Brain" that touches upon that phenomenon) but as I grow older I find myself becoming more "conservative" (which, in the broader world, is actually "moderate"
I realize how artless it sounds to say "Some of my best friends are a Republicans" but it's true -- old friends, though fewer now, by their own design, as they leave the GOP. These days, when I see a W sticker or a McCain-Palin sign, my first reaction is "nut job" (I can't remember having such a visceral reaction before George W; even Nixon didn't make me think his entire party was tainted), so I was particularly taken when you described the GOP as "the Party that is to my mind became borderline insane."
At any rate, thanks for your thoughts and, once again, good luck.
Wonderful post, Alex C! Also one of the most thoughtful and intellectually honest opinions I've seen throughout this entire election. To call for a national soul-searching of the party that (make no mistake) left YOU is truly, in my opinion, a fine example of putting 'Country First'. I say this, not because you happen to support my party's candidate this year, but because on BOTH sides of the aisle vicious and petty squabbling has impeded America's ability to maintain those traits that had allowed most of the world to look to us for moral, innovative, and intelligent leadership. You are right: the powers that be need to look within (and not merely point fingers at outside boogeymen) and fix the tarnished GOP brand.
this video was perfect...
I wonder how many republicans that are upset with McCain will even go to the polls and vote? I say this because I have heard recently from 2 different people that they are not voting at all! They are republicans and are not happy with McCain, so they won't vote at all. Also I heard from another friend who is an Obama supporter who does not want to go out and vote because she is afraid the election is going to be stolen as in previous elections and it will just sicken her if she votes and it happens again. My argument with these people were, in reality one of these guys is going to be president. Do your research and vote for the issues that you believe and let everything else be as it will. I think it is a sad day when people won't step outside of their box and vote for the other guy and it is even sadder when people feel that their vote won't really matter anyway!
Exactly! I feel that even if you vote for the losing side, you at least have the feeling that you participated and have an intrest in the outcome. Too many Americans are so disenfranchised they don't even bother learning the issues and taking part in the process. More need to see that if they would become involved, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in.
Also, we need more options than 2 for president!
Welcome to the brotherhood of man.
Cheers,
Jack
Yeeeeeee!
I am NOT alone anymore.
If Obama is Socialists,,, then what is giving Tax Breaks to only the Rich?
Corporate Socialism?
If healthcare is Socialist? Then is people dieing,,, Capitalism at its best? Healthcare costs are breaking the backs of American Business. Are American Businesses men and women Socialists when they seek a change in the American healthcare system? They are screaming for reform.
If sitting on a school reform board with Bill Ayers makes you a terrorist, then what does it make you when your followers bomb Abortion Clinics and shoot people in the face with shotguns?
REAL Americans?
Obama seeks to protect Second Amendment rights and Gun Ownership, how is that Anti-Gun? Excuse me,,, BUT it was Duck Hunters and Hunting Sportsman that first raise the call for stricter management wetlands and wildlife preservation. SEE: Teddy Roosevelt.
The first Environmentalists!
And excuse me further, it is HONEST Gun Control Advocates in the NRA that pressed for Strict Laws keeping GUNS out of the hands of Terrorists and Criminals. It is the NRA that works tirelessly to administer Gun Safety courses all across the country to reduce the impact tragic impact of improper use, storage and home security for guns.
34 years a Republican, BUT ,,, NO MORE.
I will NOT support racism, death, endless war, division and bigotry, or a Party that seeks power by destroying the diverse fabric of America and pandering to Neo-Con Extremists and the Rich.
All the best
Knute Neo-LIB
If sitting on a school reform board with Bill Ayers makes you a terrorist, then what does it make you when your followers bomb Abortion Clinics and shoot people in the face with shotguns?
This line completely blew me away. Yours was a great post overall, but this one line says it ALL for me.
Thank you.
Obama's campaign needs to get this out. It's very good.
i knew there were smart republicans out there. too bad there aren't more.
Part 2 On healthcare I got him to admit that I might be on to something with my proposal for universal preventative care. His arguement that there would be long waits and sub-standard care, like in Canada, I again had to question where he heard this. I have heard the arguement from Americans, not Canadians. At any rate, the arguement only bolstered my arguement that the country take on preventative care because it would be easier to schedule and would benefit the nation greatly. Then, my employer and I would be responsible for catastrophic and accidental insurance only. He said, Shane you might be on to something. On taxes, my dad says the democrats would tax him higher, although, if you look at the proposals, you would see that you'd basically break even with either candidate and I would make out 3:1 under Obama's plan in comparison to McCain. Now, if you look a few years into the future, one would have to wonder what good a lower tax bracket from McCain (which is not even true!) if we don't even have jobs or a secure nation to pay taxes to. I told him I am upset at the current administration because 8 years ago, the world feared and respected us, now they do neither!
Part 3
Hmm, I am having trouble posting such long posts, maybe I need to start my own blog since I ramble on so much.
I just wanted to mention that I feel I made much progress convincing my dad to at least consider a 3rd party vote since half of his retirement is gone and he is severely up-side down on his 2 homes (he is trying to keep his AZ home for retirement, but it isn't looknig good.)
At the end of the conversation, my father said he'd be voting selfishly and doing what is best for him, I responded that I'd be voting for what is best for my children and we'd just be cancelling each other out. He said that he felt a 3rd party vote would be a wasted vote and I can't help but feel that a vote for McCain is the same. I wish West Virginians would wake up and realize they're being bamboozled by the republicans and they need to get on the bandwagon. I find it terribly embarrassing to live in a place that voted democrat for its entire history, until Bush came along and redefined our nation as a "us vs. them" country. We are in this mess together and it will take all of us working together to change history.
Nov. 5th....par
Part 1
I come from a family of mostly republicans and I can testify that, with perseverance , you can slowly chip away at their agruements. I made much headway with my father this weekend during a 4-hour phone call where we discussed guns, healthcare, taxes and overall preparedness.
He fought me tooth and nail regarding his guns...he says that Obama and Biden want to go in his closet and take his guns. I asked him where he had heard that and his response was that it was how they voted. I said, I live in West Virginia (he lives in Missouri) and I can see why you and my neighbors want to keep your guns, not that my dad even hunts, he's just ex-military and never got the urge of shooting out of his system. I was in the military too, but own no guns and am glad to say that I've never needed one. By the way, even if you wanted one for security, how could you lock them up making them safe for your children, but still get to them during an invasion? Anyway, I said, surely you can see why the senators from the larger cities have to vote to lower the number of guns in their cities because it is what their constituents want. Are you aware that there are more handgun deaths each year in Los Angeles alone than in the Iraq War???
P.S.
I wanted to make a note that I am aware that Senators do not represent cities, but rather states with large cities in them where a majority of their votes come from. It is a balancing act; however, that is very difficult to attain. To keep your constituents happy in the city while maintaining fairness for the rural people is not an easy task. We need to look into ourselves and realize that not one American is the same and we have made too many "blanket statements" about each other in this election. We have to see both sides of the issues because we are all in this mess together. A divided nation is EXACTLY what Bin Laden wanted when he attacked us. The world was sympathetic to us and now have become less-so in recent years. It will take time, but my hope is that the healing process can begin on Nov. 5th. America, we are one, not only with each other, but with the world.
Love this video. Not because these people are supporting "my candidate", but because they've given considerable thought to this election and are choosing what they see as what is best for our country.
There is no sense that they will become Dems for life, and that's fine. We can be labeled differently and still strive toward a common goal.
Thank you, Eric, for a fine example of thoughtful consideration given to something as important voting.
Yes, All Of Us Can!
Nice to see that some people get it.
Very powerful! Thank you !
# 4 in the video lineup (his picture appears in link to video) states (I'm paraphrasing) he is adamantly pro-life, but he is putting that issue aside temporarily and for this election is focusing on other matters of great import to the nation. Sir, thank you very much. Please consider that from this point forward, we will always be confronting issues of great import affecting the nation's welfare and survival.
The O/B campaign should run this one straight up. It hits home.
Okay, I am an admitted emotional basket case over this election, and this video made me shed a tear. I need to believe that there are a lot of good conservatives out there who realize that Barack Obama is the best choice in this time in our history. I grew up in Ohio, and have many friends on both sides of the fence. Some of them on the conservative side have crossed over because they are tired of the rancor and ready to try new and intelligent solutions, not just based on ideology. Change is coming, and Obama seems to want to take us all forward together, rather than divide us. The folks in the video said it all, what a great day it will be.
I believe you missed the point of what each and every one of those who appeared said. The abiding issues facing the country transcend party, they are a matter of survival AND where this country is headed. The most moving part of their testimony is that they elevated themselves above politics.
To your argument about "conservatives," what yoiu seem to suggest is that they CANNOT think, act or vote anything but ideology. More and more, your perspective is proving to be wrong/ The rest of us are not JUST conservatives, progressives, pro-lifers, pro-choice, Democrats or Republicans, the rest of us are Americans, and we;re taking our country back.
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