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

[johnie2xs]

Funny what an open mind can accept. Bravo!

[llisa]

I love these people. They say way more for Obama than life-long democrats ever could.

[WarrenPeace]

Yes. This emotional-cognitive testimony is powerful -- because it's sincere, and it's the result of heartfelt conflict. These people have placed country before party.

[Elliott32]

The 2008 election will coin a new term, the "Obama Effect". I think this documentary is awesome. It'll help many conservative "closeted" Obama fans come to terms with putting country first, before party and voting for Obama.

Sorry McCain, America needs change.

Obama/Biden '08

[omac112211]

Everyone uses the term Reagan Democrats.

think the new term will be Obama Republicans or Obama Conservatives.
Basically you agree to disagree, but you see the 'bigger picture'.

[Tim303]

Incredible. Thoughtful, heart-full people, excellent language, brilliant ideas, and they're gonna vote for Obama. Made my day to watch this.

[sonnysj76]

Let's hear from rest of the Republicans... come on out please!

[qxav949]

Together we can make a difference. With open hearts and open minds, we stand united. Great article and inspiring video.

[PLT23]

Thank You to all those people who participated in that video and are brave enough to stand up
for the good of the country.
Now that's America First!

[psychmaj323]

THANK YOU and WELCOME TO THE OBAMA CAMP!

[chronic]

More like welcome to reality!

[piggybackmom]

Wow! THANK YOU for placing country first. This country needs a healthy change, and Mr. Obama comes across as willing to work in that direction. Sometimes changing direction is required to save what we wish to preserve and protect. I do hope that more republicans and conservatives see that this time around this is what must be done to protect America.

[jdj81]

Great content. Horrible cut. Whoever made the video really needs to ditch that awful music--go for more of a documentary vibe.

[Knowitall]

Funny, I didn't even notice the music. I was listening to what they were saying!!!!

[dashcat]

I applaud these people. I wonder if I could be so open minded. I vote Democrat always, even when I'm not happy with my candidate but then again the alternative has never been very good either. I hope that I could be as wise as these people if the circumstances are ever reversed.

[Midge1]

I think all Elections should be a vote for a vote and not determined my the Electoral Voting System. I think this needs to be changed as this could make a big difference it the outcome of all of our future presidential races.

[southphillyitaliana]

Unfortunately, I think all the racist Republicans (not the folks on camera) will be out in droves on election day so BO could feasibly lose this whole thing. And if he does, I don't want to hear one single Republican complain about ANYTHING for the next four years. I will simply remind them that whatever's going wrong because McCain finally developed Alzheimer's and Palin has turned the US into a totalitarian religious sect it will have been ALL THEIR FAULT.

[Nim]

You know McCain could have won this thing.

If he ran a centrist campaign, and selected someone like Olympia Snowe and if he didn't run such a horrible campaign. These people probably may not have voted for Obama. McCain threw away his integrity and good will from Democrats and independents for what? For naught.

The McCain story is a Shakepearean tragedy in the sense that he did it to himself. It's not Palin's fault. His actions determined the outcome. Like many Faustian bargains, he not only won't get what he seeks, but lost much of what he had.

McCain will have to live the rest of his life thinking "woulda, coulda, shoulda" and it's sad. I know in 2000, McCain attracted a lot of Democrats and independents who thought that McCain cared for them. I was one of the folks, who thouight that McCain was different. I was wrong about him. Hell hath no fury like a moderate scorned and used. McCain circa 2000 was an illusion. It was gimmick to obtain the Presidency..

I hope that the GOP wil retool, and throw the neocons and religious nuts out. I hope that they would be more sensitive to the plight of minorites (including gay men and women) as well as people of modest means. We need at least two viable choices, in order to prevent corruption and self-absorbtion which can affict either party. The Tories are doing it in the UK, the GOP can do it here.

[JonRaymond]

The extreme right neocons are their own worst enemy. The problem is that they believe their ideology works and when they put it to work it blows up in their faces. That's because it's ultimately a con and all about "number one." it's never about a better society or "all the people."

All we have to do is sit back and watch them dig their own grave, as long as there's a positive alternative, like Obama.

[Chickiej1]

This is awesome.

And for those who think that these people are voting against their beliefs, you may be surprised to realize how similar most people's values are, and only an election like this can help us do it.

Obama '08!