Why This Fifty-Five Year Old White Lifelong Republican Wants Obama To Win
This is a great day for those of us who have been fighting for Senator Obama! I'm a good example of why he'll win in November. I'm the least typical Obama supporter. And there are many more like me.
I cut my political teeth in the seventies through the early eighties as an organizer in the antiabortion religious right. I'm a fifty-five year old white man who has been a conservative most of my life. I've been a Republican activist who campaigned for McCain in 2000. I'm a big fan of the military. My son served in the Marines. If Obama can reach me he can reach anyone.
My support for Obama has cost me friends. For instance the Bush family gave one of my recent military-related books (Keeping Faith-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps) a ringing endorsement. After Laura Bush read an excerpt out on Meet The Press sales skyrocketed. I probably won't get too many more of those sorts of endorsements. But the chips are down and the presidential choice this year is too important not to not fight for.
We can't afford McCain. He'd be a president with a desire to be vindicated and "win" at all costs in Iraq. Iraq never attacked us. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. The terrorists were not in Iraq while Hussein was in charge. We opened the door for them. We aren't bringing democracy to Iraq. This was a war of dumb choice launched in a part of the world that can't ever be fixed by our military.
The next president will inherit the mess George W. Bush created with a big assist from Senator McCain. Above all we need a completely fresh start. And of only Senator Obama can provide that.
McCain has taken his lack of judgment about Iraq to the next level. McCain won't do do what is good for America, or even good for our military men and women. For instance, he is against the new GI Bill that would give fair educational benefits to our men and women. McCain doesn't want to give them anything that might entice them to do anything but go to war, again and again and again. McCain serves the warrior god of his warrior ancestors, not America's best interests.
As I see it our choice is between a heroic old man whose time has long past and who will perpetuate failed policy, and a brilliant, openhearted new founding father of the new post-racial, post-divided America the likes of which we have not seen.
How do my old pro-life views square with Obama's pro-choice beliefs? Very well. Today when I listen to Obama speak (and to his remarkable wife, Michelle) what I hear is a world view that nurtures life. Obama is trying to lead this country to a place where the intrinsic worth of each individual is celebrated. He is a leader who believes in hope, the future, trying to save our planet and providing a just and good life for everyone. This makes him someone who is actually pro-life as opposed to Bush who paid lip service to right wing religion but did the opposite of nurturing life at every turn, including senselessly killing our soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis.
The society that Obama is calling us to join him in striving for is a place wherein life would be valued not just talked about. As he said in his speech delivered on February 6 in New Orleans, "Too often, we lose our sense of common destiny; that understanding that we are all tied together; that when a woman has less than nothing in this country, that makes us all poorer." Obama was talking about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but his words also apply to our overall view of ourselves.
How do my pro-military views square with Obama? Very well.
Republicans may talk about patriotism but through their stubborn support for Bush's Iraq war they have become our military's worst enemies. And many of us in the military family have had it with the Republican's bellicose nonsense -- Bush's "Bring it on!" and now McCain's version; "I'll chase bin Laden to the gates of hell!" and "We'll win!" Enough is enough.
Obama comes to us from outside the system that has produced our present multiple crises of wars of choice and a failing economy. He does what all truly great leaders do: he speaks to the soul in plain self-revealing words of hope.
I think we all vote on an emotional level, whatever we say about our "reasons." And I know that I'm not the only tired culture warrior from the right who feels relieved and uplifted and -- most importantly -- believes Obama when I hear him talk about bringing us together to shape a better future. I also believe that he is an authentic man of faith. His sincere inclusion of Christian faith in his conversation with us rings true to this preacher's kid.
Obama touches me. He has a prophetic authenticity that reminds me of W.E.B. Du Bois' prayers that Du Bois sometimes wrote for his students. Obama also brings a touch of Billy Graham with him to the podium. His is a deeply spiritual call. And his critics that have dismissed Obama's ability to inspire as "mere words" are dead wrong.
We have never needed inspiration more. And we have never needed a president to inspire the rest of the world more. Every international opinion poll shows that Obama is not only the most popular American leader, perhaps ever, but more popular than any other world leader today.
Obama offers civility. Obama speaks in complete sentences, well-turned paragraphs, offers thoughts with intellectual depth, nuance, humility and compassion. Obama does not play on our fears. Electing Obama will also tell the world--and most importantly ourselves--that we can grow, learn and move on when it comes to race. We can heal our wounds. We can set an example again.
Obama is worth fighting for. He is worth losing old friends for. History has given us an unlikely lifeline. Do we have the decency and sense to open our hearts? What a great moment this is!
Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of Crazy for God: How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back
Follow Frank Schaeffer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frank_schaeffer
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I am a bi-racial, 42 year old American Democratic Man. My father is a staunch Republican, whom happens to be black. My mother is a Democrat, whom happens to be German and Native American. So, I know of which I speak when I say I can see both sides of black and white issues. I also understand EXACTLY where Barack Obama is coming from.
I didn't meet my father until I was 20 years old. We then fell out of touch after a couple of months, and then reunited many years later, when I was about 30 years old.
Now, we no longer speak. For what ever reason, according to his wife, he has decided to attack me for turning out okay, without having him around as a father. He is somewhat resentful of me, nearest I can figure. Anyhow, my point is this. The time I did spend getting to know him, it was abundantly clear to me how much time he spent, with his republican views, on how much the government is or is not doing for him. Rather than spending energy on how we can make it better for all. I know there are many Republicans who view things the same, but I don't think they are to blame. I think the Republican politicians figured a way to isolate their constituents' view of the world, country and God, so as to better control their thoughts and actions. Great to see Republicans removing their blinders..
Ms. Blast, you hit the nail squarely on the head. The republican *theology* of "small government" isn't a general preference, It's really a case of "Help me, screw everyone else." Why? Because if everyone else was also helped by the government, that first person would have to yield up the product of that government assistance to contribute to helping everyone else who need help.
Thank you for articulating what I feel. As an Obama supporter (woman 62), it is good news there are Republicans who are willing to step outside their comfort zone to listen to what Obama is saying and realize he is an authentic rare individual who is truly a blessing. I hope we don't throw away this opportunity.
Many Clinton supporters have believed all the accusations, guilt by association, etc. They have vowed to campaign and work to get McCain elected. This, along with the Republicans using Clinton's own words against Obama will be difficult to overcome (i.e. Commander-in-chief, just words, etc.) It's a real shame.
However, I believe in Obama and have been pleasantly surprised that he can be a tough politician when he has to be. Beating the Clinton machine took real strategic thinking, and he has excellent people running his campaign. I'll be praying every day between now and November that most Americans will wise up and see the stakes are too high to put John McSame in the whitehouse.
I am a 64 year old white guy from south Orange County, CA. I am a decorated Marine Corps veteran, as was almost every other male family member going back generations. I just pray that Obama somehow overcomes the avalanche of dirty tricks you know the Republicans will pull, from swift-boating to outright election fraud, and becomes the President this country so desperately needs.
with your support I am sure he will endure; one thing that O says that I sort of do not like is his "I'm skinny but I'm tough" He is correct! and my reasons for not liking the phrase is personal my kid is called skinny but in fact he is correct weight . Nuf on that;
Obama will make it possible for average non military Americans like me to really mean it when we say, "We support our troups" We will be able to pay for their education, and honor them they way that they and you jimg1144 have honored us.
I know this is really small thing but we traveled not to long after 9-11 to San Diego , there was lots of soldiers around and most persons were afraid of the weapons; for the soldier that were not working; I had my son go shake their hands and thank them for service.
After reading my post, when I wrote that he embodies the characteristics of a white republican president, Lincoln, I in no way meant that we like Obama because he reminds us of a white president. We like him because he reminds us of what Lincoln was about. Geez, my writing doesn't flow well sometimes, I suppose.
I got it! Even O says that Lincoln is someone he admires. :)
I'm glad some want him to. There will not be unity in november there will be terrible division of the party. Thank You DNC. Next time perhaps someone less radical and more competent.
AND WILL HE WALK THE WALK?
He never mentioned gas prices, he never brought up affirmative action. No one dared ask him - is affirmative action a thing of the past or the way of the future?
POTUS has cannot control gas prices, that said Obama has said he will work to explore new energies and solutions.
We are am raising our kid that he needs to work hard because the competion for college is not just against fellow Americans but with best in class from all over the world.
This is the most wonderful piece on Obama that I've read yet. Thank you so much. This needs to get out to the general public. Thank you, Sir, for the most inspiring critique on Obama that has been written to date.
O'Bama 08!!!!
From this white, 40+, woman, may this country come together and vote in Sen O'Bama to the white house this November. I have followed him from the start and believe in him and the Demographic party. McGoo - It's over!
O'Bama in 08 !
I used to be a repub until the great take over...thi
Awesome post. I am also a former staunch republican turned Obama believer. I supported McCain in 2000 and viewed him as an independent thinker who would not bow to his party. When he lost, I voted for Bush.....t
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you! I wish my parents could see it your way, but that'll never happen.
Frank, I can say 99% of the time I agree with you and this is certainly one of those times. I think America no, the world has been blessed with a very special gift.
We can find our common ground if we are willing to literally define what our positions are and what they mean to us. More often than not we find we have fewer differences and we want many of the same things in our short lives.
PEACE
They are next!
What a wonderful, eloquent post. I share your "problem" of trying to describe Barack Obama without getting a little choked up inside. Like Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, he gravitates like a stone through a lake toward his goal. You aptly describe it as a spiritual journey. Some detractors mock him as the Democratic "messiah." Let the jackals howl. May God bless him, and may we all enjoy the benefit of his leadership in the coming years.
I'm one of those old republicans thats useing my daughters blog here today. She got me to open my ears and eyes to obama or I probaly would have just voted for Mccain. The Mccain I use to know was a good man, a war hero, a sharp individual with common sense about him! now he's a ol man with memory lose, and no idea how to fix the economy and says just stay the course of what Bush set out for us. His idea of peace has become get back at our enenmies, no matter what country or innocent people we have to kill to do it. Sense my eyes have been opened, both my daughter and I have been spreading the word about the change comeing if we'd just look toward the future and leave the past ways in the past and truest obama to give us a lifting hand back up onto our feet once again and point us in a new direction. So this article left me choked up, as I felt the first time I heard obama speak of a new future for us all.
Congratulation on raising a brilliant kid; she used the power of thousands to held change you mind.
So... now we're taking the Republicans.
I guess John McCain's base is the Hillary supporters.
This 47yo knows a 55yo who should read this.
""America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts -- a child -- as a competitor, an intrusion, and an inconvenience. It has nominally accorded mothers unfettered dominion over the independent lives of their physically dependent sons and daughters"
And, in granting this unconscionable power, it has exposed many women to unjust and selfish demands from their husbands or other sexual partners. Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign.
Something to understand: abortion can never be legislated out of existence. It will disappear when hearts are changed--and the changed heart is what this post is about, and what Obama inspires.
While there is a good point there it simply doesn't go far enough. There will be abortions in this, and every other country as long as there are unwanted pregnancies. We continue to rant and rave about the start of life, trimesters, morals, health, you name it, and we continue to ignore the fact that if we eliminate unwanted pregnancies we eliminate abortion. Comprehensive and I mean VERY comprehensive sex education is the way to go, the "abstinence" movement is well meaning but is at best unrealistic and in some cases morally dishonest.
And yet the same groups that would make abortion illegal protest against the very sex education that would help our society diminish unwanted pregnancies, and thereby meet their goal of eliminating abortion.
Just another 47 year old Republican putting in my 2 cents...
I can hear your passion against abortion, and the right to life. It is evident in your quoting Mother Theresa. So, please hear me out.
I am a Democrat that does not believe in abortion, I care about life,...AL
It also strikes me as disingenuous, when their beating the "right to life" drum is professed to be done in the name of God. Well, isn't God against ALL killing by man? Earl40, I ask you, how can the Republican Constituents (not all constituents), be against abortion, yet be for starting a war? Careful, before you answer, think now, Saddam Hussein and the country of Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Even Bush has said as much.
But, back to my point. Who are we, but HUMANS first, Americans second, and Democrat or Republicans third? Who are we to pass judgment on someone else. Should not that be left to God? If you really listen and understand the character of Obama, you will see that he values ALL life. The changes he is talking about is bigger than you, me, or any Roe v. Wade court case. Don't be blinded by the partisanship.
"The right to life does not depend, and must not be declared to be contingent, on the pleasure of anyone else, not even a parent or a sovereign.
So, life is biology? All the joy, pleasure, pain, anger, hatred and other emotions and feelings we experience mean nothing? It is not possible to redirect the course our life--indicative in the recurring patterns we experience? Our purpose is biology? Frankly, I think such a view promotes being irresponsible. A woman bearing a child she doesn't want is being irresponsible to the child, herself and her community. Anyone coercing the woman to bear the child, especially when they have no personal stake in the matter, is also being irresponsible to the child, the woman, and her community. The child will know whether it is wanted, and that will effect its life experience. An unwanted child is not loved, and living a life without love is tantamount to living in hell.
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