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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I'm not saying anyone is lying, but it would be impossible for a conservative to vote for Obama. The likely scenario is that people think they are conservative, but are not.
A conservative, by definition, conserves (traditions, values, customs, etc.). Obama, in my opinion, isn't interested in conserving American traditions (neither is McCain either, in my opinion).
I can see a conservative voting for the candidate who MIGHT be the least threat to his way of life: McCain, but anyone claiming to be a conservative and not voting for McCain would be voting for the conservative Chuck Baldwin (Constitution Party) or a write-in candidate.
I think people tend to delude themselves about a good many things.
What traditions would you have us conserve? Our tradition of borrowing and spending vast amounts leading to huge national debt?
Conservatives do not support deficit spending and borrowing to support excessive spending.
I don't know where you get this idea, unless you actually believe that all republicans are conservative, they are not.
Few remaining republicans are conservative. Most real conservatives have left the republican party, what remains in the GOP are mostly liberal Rockefeller and liberal neo-conservatives (all big spenders--mostly for the war-fare state).
If you want spending to decrease, you have to address the democrats and their entitlement programs which take up more of the debt than war-fare.
Actually, the only "true" conservatives are the libertarians who are constantly swept under the carpet by the republicans. The party only pretends to be conservative, while spending like maniacs, making our military and troops less prepared and more likely to get killed because they're played like pawns and politicized and fooling millions into believeing there are only 2 choices for president. Wake up America and realize that with 300 million people in this country, we deserve more choices when it comes to representing us. For only the second time in my life, I will probably be voting democrat, but I do it with disdain. I do feel that Obama is a MUCH better choice to lead our country. Hopefully we can restore a little of our standing in the world.
Not only do we desperately need more than 2 viable parties (which we have) AND the election system that would give them a chance (a runoff system and no electoral college), but we need to choose our good leaders from multiple parties. There are rats in both and there is graft and corruption in both. It's just that lately there is more of that in the GOP party because they have all been whipped into line by the neocon leaders.
The GOP is losing now because people have been fleeced so much they are finally waking up.
I doubt that "true" conservatives (your term) are happy about being considered libertarians. As I conservative, I consider libertarians a tad bit too much on the side of anarchy. This is why you will hear libertarians throw around the phrase "anarcho-c
The "spending like maniacs, making our military..
The "father" of Neoconservativism, Irving Kristol, said this in 1967, and it reflects the neoconservative ethos we saw rampant during Bush 43 and 41 (it was brought over from the democrat party):
"The United States is not going to cease being an imperial power, no matter what happens in Vietnam or else where." (page 91).
Now he goes on to say that Imperialism was and is thrusted on the USA, but that seems to me to be the devil-made-me-do-it defense.
Neocons promote an imperial America, conservatives eschew that. Neocons are also big spenders (as we now witness).
Conservatives are appalled.
Your post proves that denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Indeed.
Of course, I am among the category of those known as "people".
At a recent rally by Obama in Kansas City we overheard several times, in the crush of the crowd, people saying they were voting Democratic for the first time.
I think some conservatives have realized that the Bush administration is not conservative.
Most conservatives realized that Bush 43 and 41 were not conservative. They just couldn't see letting John Kerry or Al Gore win.
It doesn't matter how YOU define conservative
What matters is that these are people who consider themselves conservative and have voted the Republican ticket all their lives.
It's fine if you don't think you can vote for either major candidate.
The point is that when people cross the line to vote the opposite of their historical choice, then people are coming together.
Obama is a leader.
He does not please everyone on the left
He will not pleae everyone on the right
He does look for the common ground approach that brings people together who never thought they could eat at the same table, and get them to agree on basic principle, and then works from that foundation.
He is what America is about.
An America in which you can vote for Chuck Baldwin and Chuck Baldwin can run.
If it doesn't matter how conservatives define conservatism, then no definition matters and we can pack it up and all go home.
If conservatism means whatever we want, so can civil rights, or love, or hate. We can make love be hate and hate be love. Who is to judge, right?
Inherent in conservatism is the idea of conserving a good thing and WHO is conserving. We wouldn't want a Hitler to "conserve" bad things.
Perhaps you are not aware of the conservati
But for them to then prefer the liberal democrat Obama instead, is more like a LIBERAL Rockefeller republican act. Preferring a democrat is what liberal Rockefeller republicans do, not conservative Goldwater republicans.
Phyllis Schlafly wrote about this conservati
Let me say that Senator Goldwater was the leader of a new movement in the GOP, he had not perfected it. That was left and is left to those who follow him and this explains the differences about abortion, etc.
After sunday dinner, my conservative democrat father and my faux noise brother have made it a weekly reinactment of the O'Reilly Factor for so long. Yelling, insulting, (sorry but it was the republican who could not discuss without a tirade) What a long sad time.....R
Lets hope this trend continues and reverses the last 30 years or so of divisive poltiics. We are going to need each other.
My parents are the "real Americans" that Sarah Palin admires - high school graduates, live in a small MI town, surrounded by republicans. My parents, raised in the 1950s, have had their own issues with grappling with racism in the modern world. My dad used to be a cop in a predominantly black area. I remember him telling racist jokes when I was growing up, which he found funny. I did not. When I was around 10, I told him he was "pre-juice
It is possible for people to change racist attitudes when there can be non-judgmental conversation and exposure to difference.
I think many people's ideas evolve about race as their children grow and then have friends and sometimes spouses of another race. When grandchildren appear, attitudes really change. My white parents are raising my sister's two biracial sons. They did not recognize the racism that exists in the country until they had to maneuver through the school system with two black boys instead of white boys. It was an eye opener for them.
"It is possible for people to change racist attitudes when there can be non-judgmental conversation and exposure to difference
I agree.
I just forwarded this to some lifelong Republicans STILL on the fence - I suggest you do the same, especially in PA.
I, too am one of those Republicans that is voting for Obama. The video above captured my feelings to a tee. I want to see America pulling together again so bad I can taste it!!
Thank you , Jim.....I share your desire when it comes to wanting to see us United again.....
Anyone else going to party in the streets with my on Nov. 5th?
Thank you so much for that piece!! It touched my heart and to those who are coming aboard the Obama campaign, WELCOME!!!!
This should be sent to the Obama campaign for an ad. This piece says it ALL!!!!!!!
As frustrated as I was, I was often impatient with the fact that Obama would not lash out at his opponents, even when he was right, but I humbly submit that over the months of this grueling campaign, I have learned that reason and equipoise are superior to anger. I am impressed by the fact that during the debates, Obama had arrows in his quiver, that he refused to use, because he could have crushed his opponent in a messy and disgraceful way. If I knew of those arrows, he had to have known too, because he and his team are very smart and they do their research very well.
This unflappable grace and kindness that he has shown will serve him (and us) well as leader of all Americans, who will lead this great country out of this hole. Right now, if the citizenship rules did not apply, Obama could run and win in most countries in the world. That is how popular he is around the world, and that presents the US with a new opportunity for real world leadership, not based on military power.
My 72 yr old Father-in-law is a "died in the wool" Repug (you know - uses the N word all the time,
loves being at war agin the "terrists" etc.).
BUT - guess what - HE'S VOTING OBAMA!!!!!
jUST MAYBE THINGS ARE CHANGING?
Congratulations - from many Canadians.
Yup Yup..ditto from the Brits...By the way what's going on there up in Canada Bush buddy
is re-elected?? I thought it was just a blip due to mild Bushitist you guys were having,
my sympathies I've always respected your progressive mind-set till recently.
I'm having the opposite experience. My mother, father and aunt are all lifelong democrats and are voting for McCain this year because they cannot vote for a black man. They don't even try to hide their racism.
I'm most disappointed in my 77-year-old Aunt. She is a diehard feminist, so I thought she would eventually come around to Obama. When she told me she already sent in her ballot for McCain, my heart sunk.
I'm the lone Obama supporter in my entire family. Husband and brother hate him too, but they are dittoheads, so they are a lost cause anyway.
I hope more people are having your experience than mine. It makes me sad.
sorry to hear about your struggles, TX. Hope we can make you proud on the fourth.
DON"T BE SAD! BE GLAD. You are right and they are wrong. Be strong in your convictions. If Obama wins, get yourself a party hat and celebrate! I know it's sad when people you love disappoint you, but don't let them drag you down.
Things are getting better in Texas. Odds are it'll remain red this round, but change is afoot (e.g., the Houston Chronicle endorsed Obama). My mom and I voted for Obama, and at least one of my usually-Republican brothers is, too. (I'm still working on the other one).
Conservatism is flawed and the term needs to be attacked and exposed for the fraud it is.
Barack Obama is going to have a seriously huge Democratic leaning majority that will include a surprising number of conservatives. And they will be going along with him because he respects their views with seeming disagreeable.
Is the Obama Democratic party the new "Big Tent" of politics in America? It certainly appears so.
Thank you! After listening to the nasty messages on the Acorn tapes yesterday, I was depressed. You guys make me feel better about the American condition!
Bless you!
Thank you for this! What a great piece. Persuasive and profound.
[BTW My young daughter came in while I was watching this clip. She wasn't paying much attention to it, but at the end asked, "Are McCain people allowed to change their mind?" I answered, yes, of course, and that the people in the video had. She then asked, "Why? Because he's grumpy?" Needless to say, I had a good laugh...]
Very logical arguments.
I applaud your choice, although I am no democrat either. I keep asking myself, who would make America look better, be better for that matter, in the eyes of the world? The notion that we don't need other countries to respect and admire us is foolish, as I am sure your experiences in the military have proven time and time again.
The image of Barack Obama sitting across the table from other world leaders juxtaposed with the image of John McCain doing the same speaks volumes to my psyche. Thank you for your service to our nation and kind intellect.
Bless your hearts
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