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 genuinely moved by this post. I began as a Republican, too, years ago. But I switched over to the Democrats because I felt they care more about the common man and woman. I too was against the war in Iraq from the start, because I thought it would de-stabilize the region and would not do anything to make us safer. I also felt that it would cost far too much in terms of human life and money. Plus, what about health care? Affordable college? Better schools? The creation of good-paying jobs here in America? The revitalization of our competitiveness through stressing math and sciences, and job training for dislocated workers? What about the environment, and our foolish dependence on foreign oil? Like many Americans, I've had it up to my nose hairs with the way things are and an uncaring, unresponsive government that serves itself and not its people.
Well, I truly appreciate all who enter this genuinely big tent offered by Obama - as Tiny Tim said in a Christmas Carol, "God bless us, everyone!"
Beautiful!
Lovely post...tha
Thanks for this open, honest, and risky testimony. I'm a 55-year old white liberal woman who somehow had hope that this was the candidate who would actually disprove some of the nay-sayers. You're proof that there are folks in this country who embody Obama's message; we CAN be drawn together by what unites us instead of what divides us. I especially appreciate it that you've identified the life-enhancing philosophy that drives Obama's commitments. Your comments will help other "fans of the military" see why we need a different kind of "warrior" leading us. I hope you've signed up as an Obama supporter; you'll find lots of folks just like you. And you'll find some different folks who welcome and respect you and join you in our common dreams and hopes. We can come together as a nation . . . yes we can!
Thank you for your great essay Frank.
As a liberal, a democrat and an Obama supporter I'd like to extend a welcome to you and let you know we're happy to have you join us , even if you're voting in the other column on the rest of your ballot in November.
Thank you so much for speaking your mind and for risking personal relationships to follow what you feel is the right thing for you to do this election year.
Yes We Can
I agree. Thanks, Frank, for an excellent article.
And thanks, everyone, for the posts that support Senator Barack Obama. I was a Republican for 40 years. I am now a Democrat. I am a US Navy vet who opposed the current war in Iraq for all the reasons that have been posted on the Huffington Post.
I have actively campaigned for Barack Obama, in Pennsylvania, as a volunteer and I will continue to do so.
Everyone of us has the power and duty to make our country better for every American.
Join US.
Obama 08
This brings tears to my eyes. We all have been looking in the mirror and we can find common ground for common good. God is in control, make no mistake about it.
Amazingly well "said". Send copies to Obama's campaign headquarte
Frank....w
Our prayer for America, and the world, is the he remains safe.
Keep the faith! I emailed this post to a friend on the East coast, a self described older working class white woman. She called me on the phone, weeping. She says she is supporting Obama this election. She feels he speaks very well to "working class" interests. She & her family are tired of Bush and his protegee, John McSame.
I couldn't agree with you more Frank. I am a 47 yr old white male and registered Republican. I like to think that rational people vote the man, not the party, and I believe we are seeing a great leader come into his own. I could be wrong, I hope I'm not. This country needs some real leadership, not the nearly fascist regime we have experienced for the last 8 years. We are desperately in need of the change that a real leader can bring about. This country doesn't have any problems that we can't solve, and aren't willing to solve, given the leadership needed to motivate the vast energy of this country.
I think there are a lot more Republicans ready to cross over to vote for Obama than the party has any clue about. I would not be surprised to see an absolute landslide in the fall. I for one will be going into the voting booth and casting the first ballot I have cast in my entire lifetime, that is not choosing the lesser of the evils, but choosing a candidate that I truly believe in.
I will cast that vote for Obama with pride and anticipation of a new era in politics.
We need a new age of reason to push back the intellectual dark ages this administration has caused. Obama has reason on his side.
Frank you now have new, and if I may say, better friends. As you can see we don't hold to regimented viewpoints on this side, most of the time to our detriment (herding cats, I know it's clichéd but it is apt). So welcome, I hope we can all get through the next several years together, I fear they will be hard times for our nation.
You wrote 2 sentences that show precisely why (other than race) so many Americans are afraid of Obama. Those sentences:
1. "Obama offers civility."
2. "Obama speaks in complete sentences, well-turned paragraphs, offers thoughts with intellectual depth, nuance, humility and compassion
I fear that Americans can't handle civility, complete sentences, well-turned paragraphs, intellectual thoughts, depth, nuance, humility, and compassion. I hope we can. I pray to my non-god higher power that we can. But from what I see around me, we have become a nation of dumbed-down knuckle-draggers who are unable or unwilling to accept that everything has shades of grey and insist that it's our way or the highway.
And of course, the highway has potholes..
"complete sentences, well-turned paragraphs, intellectual thoughts,"
It would be nice to hear that when he isn't scripted. Somehow he's less fluent without a teleprompter. I still wonder if he had a ghost writer for his two books, after seeing him perform in debates or impromptu.
Agreed. But how much dare any politician say nowadays that isn't scripted? A tiny slip of the tongue or an accidental word of genuine opinion could spell the end of a political career in a time when every word and breath is scrutinized.
Nah, he wrote them books. There's a big difference between a writer and an improv guy though. Seriously there is.
See Jon Stewart v. Stephen Colbert.
Who was rocking it up during the strike?
He writes most of his speeches, so I don't see the issue with being scripted. Besides - many of his speeches are 20 minutes or more and that is A LOT of information to remember. If you are curious what he looks like when he's unscripted, I recommend searching YouTube. I think the town hall videos have a lot of unscripted Q&A sessions.
**"His is a deeply spiritual call. And his critics that have dismissed Obama's ability to inspire as "mere words" are dead wrong."**
His critics just don't get it, and that's why they can't get a handle on what Obama has to offer!
His critics do get it and do know what he can offer, which is why they are trying to discredit him.
I always enjoy reading your posts, Mr. Schaeffer, and today's is no exception. It's nice to know that there are people such as yourself, who allow themselves to open their minds and explore new avenues of thought. You remind me of Senator Byrd of West Virginia, who started his political life as a conservative Solid South Democrat, and has become one of our most vocal defenders of the U.S. Constitution. I truly hope that there are a lot more like you out there who will vote for a real change in November!
Open your hearts America!
Peace, love and tolerance can save us!
Thank you for showing me that some Republicans can see the bigger picture and the deeper meanings present in Obama's message.
I pray for the day we can all see our commonalities and greater concerns.
My husband and I are on a fixed income, we donate to Senator Obama each and every month. We do so because we consider it an investment in the future for our children and grandchildren. Yesterday, history was made and a new day is coming for the United States of America. I'm glad Frank that we are on the same side. Obama' 08!
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