Why This Former Right Winger Likes Obama

The registered as an independent voter in me -- who still happens to lean Republican some of the time -- wants the two-for-one Clintons to win the Democratic nomination because I know John McCain will beat them in November. The patriot in me hopes Obama wins because in my gut I trust him. I am more inspired by his candidacy than I have ever been by any political event, and if you knew me back "when" you'd know that statement is more or less a miracle.

I used to lead pro-life marches. My son was in the Marines and I am a big supporter of the military. I have handwritten notes of appreciation from Bush Sr., Bush Jr., Laura and Barbara Bush. Some of my op-eds in the Washington Post were anti the anti-Iraq War crowd.

These days I sit around watching Obama on CNN online for hours a day. He speaks of change and helping victims who have been left behind, but somehow does it without the usual Democratic Party whining and the droning identity politics of victimology. I disagree with him on some issues -- for instance I'm still anti-abortion, if not as doctrinaire as I once was -- but when I look at Obama and hear him speak he feels like a friend, not an enemy.

Is this logical or rational? No, but nor is politics, faith, love or life. Why do I like Obama? Because I do. Why does this matter? It doesn't, except for the fact that I bet I'm not the only unlikely conservative to former-conservative Obama fan.

I cut my political teeth in the seventies through the mid-eighties as an organizer in the religious right. Lots of the people the American left hates most gained power and/or notoriety because of the work my dad and I did to bring Evangelicals into the grass roots of the activist wing of the Republican Party. While I have left many of the views that I held then, it's a lot harder to change knee-jerk reactions that were bred into me in a fundamentalist childhood and years of bitter confrontational political action.

With my head I reject much of what I believed back in the days when, for instance, my late father Francis Schaeffer and I, along with Dr. C. Everett Koop (who was Ronald Reagan's Surgeon General) organized the beginnings of the Evangelical involvement in the pro-life movement. But in my heart (and gut) a lot of me is still a reactionary. I'm like some backslider who was raised as a believer and who lost his faith but that still tears up at the sound of the old hymns.

The right-winger in me knows that Obama can reach across party lines and win a national election. I know it because he touches me in the way no other Democratic candidate does. I know it because the Clintons make my flesh crawl but I can't get enough of Obama, even though on paper the Clintons share many of his policies. It isn't a matter of what I think; it's a matter of what I feel.

It's interesting to see that the culture warriors on both sides of the American political divide are backing the candidates who would be the most divisive. It's as if they miss the good old days when you demonized your opponents and "winning" was 50 percent plus 1 and "vast right wing conspiracies" versus the "baby killers." It's as if the America Obama talks about makes the professional dividers nervous. Maybe they sense that they would become less relevant in a world in which Obama was our president.

So I don't think it's an accident that the New York Times editorial board endorsed Hillary Clinton. The Times' relevance -- a family dynasty controlled paper going to bat for the dynastic candidate -- depends on a divided country in which they play a role of the standard bearers for liberal thought. On the other hand Rush Limbaugh his ilk, including religious radio hosts like Dr. James Dobson, are backing the Republican Party's most divisive candidate: Romney. They hate McCain because his hatred of people who disagree with him isn't intense enough. McCain is a "maverick" because he actually has friends not like him and embraces paradox from time to time. But the editorial board of the New York Times, Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Dobson are increasingly irrelevant to a new America that is emerging post culture wars. To me Obama (and to some extent McCain) represents a future where refining one's hatreds just isn't enough.

I think we all vote on an emotional level, whatever we say about our "reasons." Falling in love politically is like any other kind of falling in love -- somewhat beyond our control. And I'll bet 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.

If McCain and Obama are running against each other I'll be tempted to vote for Obama even though based on my issues, my head tells me to support McCain. If McCain is running against the Clintons, I'll vote with my head for McCain if not with my heart.

Obama touches me. I feel a human connection to him that transcends politics. The Democrats are as lucky to have him running as they are unlucky to have the Clintons still in the picture. If a former right wing zealot like me will even consider voting for Obama, something big is happening.

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."

Comments

[StillAmused]

"If a former right wing zealot like me will even consider voting for Obama, something big is happening."

Yup. Someone stole your purported 'principles' while you were out reinventing yourself.

When's your NEXT apostasy scheduled?

[moderationsmuse]

I voted for Bush, and given all the identical circumstances I'd vote for Bush again (against Gore, against Kerry). I don't endorse all Bush's views, but he was a far superior choice to either of his opponents.
However, I could vote for Obama and indeed might. He'd be the first Democrat I voted for in I cannot remember how long. He comes across as thoroughly honest and dignified. In contrast, Hilliary is grasping and ideological, disingenuous and untrust-worthy (my opinion). I certainly will not vote for her "because" she's a woman. Having Hilliary as the first woman president might result in Hilliary as the last (if that's what the female president is supposed to be).
I don't think Democrats fully understand how polarizing she is, or how polarizing their party is. I wouldn't be changing parties by voting for Obama. I am philosophically closer to the Republican party than to the Democrats. But one can vote on character, one can vote for individuals. The Dems seem to be the ones who don't get this. They are all about ideology. I'm more interested in the individual.
I'd prefer an Obama with more experience. But an inexperienced Obama is greatly to be preferred to a Hilliary, the former wife, the glamour senator, the otherwise complete newbie candidate.

[tbone99]

Strange that a man who supports the military,a war based on deceit that is bleeding our economy dry, killing and maiming out soldiers as well as hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and values thank you notes from G.W.Bush a president who's administration who brought us Abhu Gharab, Guantanamo,torture , wiretapping and an end to habeus corpus is enthralled and "in love with a constitutional lawyer who opposed the war.

Is this another conservative Larry Craig moment?

[mawrm]

In a meet-n-greet for Obama in Huntsville, Alabama (yes, Red State, Bible Belt, Deep South _ALABAMA_) about a month ago, in a space of about 25 people, 5 of them identified themselves as Republican. They not only showed up for that event, but have been active in the Obama campaign and have encouraged other Republicans to vote for Obama. To be sure, they still hold to their conservative values. However, what compels them to go out and campaign for Barack Obama is they recognize and enjoy the fact that we now have someone running for president not driven by blind ideology, not driven by partisanship, who reaches out to all Americans and says "together _WE_ can make this nation better". That we are Americans first, and Democrat, Republican, and Independents third. And that's the kind of healing America needs FIRST before it can tackle the enormous challenges that currently lie before us.

[jeanniem]

Mr. Schaeffer:

Thank you so much for this piece. I became acquainted with your father's work through Bible studies in the 70s. Of course, we were also exploring C.S. Lewis, whose work was absolutely foundational in both my intellectual and spiritual development. But I've always been a left-of-center Democrat.

My enthusiasm for Senator Obama is something I have not experienced since George McGovern in 1972. But now my hope comes peppered with years of disappointment at the direction we have taken. Last week something I saw on PBS really opened my eyes to something I think is playing out in this campaign. It's our American faith, the genuine non-sectarian, love of country that brings tears to our eyes on the Fourth of July when we sing America the Beautiful. It's as much a part of our being as our religious faith, yet separate from it. And our American faith has been abused by the government of GW Bush. Wearing that flag lapel pin has been a partisan effort to claim that faith, and Republicans are finding it equally as offensive as Dems.

I pray for Obama, for his political success, for his personal safety, and that God (and those close to him) will protect his heart. Perhaps you do too.

[WorkingClass]

I dont believe you Frank. I think you are going to vote for McCain. If the culture wars are really over its because the Republicans have destroyed themselves. Anyone who reaches out to Republicans will pull back a bloody stump.

[jhNY]

Funny isn't it, after the last eight years, when the stranglehold of power by one party has led to the systematic evisceration of our constitutional rights, the bankruptcy of our treasury and the destruction of our moral standing in the world, that now we should be happy to get together, Republicans and Democrats, and work for a greater good because. I guess, that way we'd get to feel real good about ourselves and our country without having to wait for a reason...

Well, I'm happy to do just that, but only after hearings and investigations and trials and sentences. There has been a bona fide criminal enterprise at work against us. It's called the Republican Party. They need prosecution and punishment, not a hearty handshake. Howzabout application of RICO law for them? After all, vote suppression is a nationwide effort advanced by party hacks in the Justice Department, as is peroleum price-fixing, war profiteering and the steering of no-bid contracts to party favorites. When I see Bush peering back at us through bars, with Cheney next to him in an orange jumpsuit, it'll be time to get all bipartisan and have a nationwide love-in.

[grlpatriot]

I think what is important to remember is that Obama does not stand a chance in the general election against Romney or McCain. Don't think for a minute that the Republicans aren't trying to spin this. Republicans raving about Obama and saying that they like him doesn't mean they will vote for him because they won't. Honestly, McCain will have a much easier time against Obama. Obama is wrong to think that Hillary supporters will back him. Some might. However, Hillary's supporter that support her on the experience issue, will vote for the moderate McCain. Our best chance is a Clinton-Obama ticket. Hillary has to put Obama on the ticket and if Obama is truly a man of the people he will except VP; however, if he is power hungry and out for himself he won't.

[Nutcase]

Delusions on the right. Delusions on the left. What's the difference?

cognito ergo populistae

[JesustheLiberal]

I always get a kick out of hearing how much "hatred" these God fearin christians have, not only for the Clintons but for all people who disagree with them. Now I am no biblical scholar by any stretch of the imagination but hatred for other humans doesn't ring true to my beliefs. But hey..if you feel good about hating other people for their differences then more power to ya....might not help get you through the Pearly Gates but if it helps you get through the day, then live your life like today only matters because your heavenly future is in serious doubt!

[TLV]

First of all, I hope you have come to your senses enough to realize that liberals may also be religious - in fact, most consider themselves people of some faith. Most of the attendees of my church, one of the most so-called "liberal" ones in America, are there because they believe in the power of God's love to bring people together for peaceful purposes...not because we are planning to band together to fight the haters of the far right. Although, with enough love maybe we can!

That said, I am glad to hear that you have relied on your feelings rather than a Republican "gut reaction." Barack Obama touches a place in me as well that brings a sense of hope. We ALL want this country to be able to recover from the disastrous Bush years and once again become the great nation it can be, don't we? I think - I hope - we do.

[jackpinesavage]

Thank you for the post, Mr. Schaeffer.

There are those of us out here would be classified as "liberal" who do believe that conservatives are people too. We are capable of understanding what's important to you; we are capable of understanding that your point of view has merit because it is what you believe...and you are as much America as we.

It would be a wonderful thing indeed, if all of us got the chance to spend four years in a position other than a defensive crouch. But there's no doubt that many Americans have been in that crouch so long that they feel like its natural. And their legs have fallen asleep, it hurts to stand.

Some people are fueled only by their anger, which is an outgrowth of depression. They fervently believe that if they can just "win" they won't be depressed anymore, but that's not how it works. Many of our fellow Americans have spent a lifetime drawing lines in the sand that they cannot, or will not, step across. Now they are boxed in, but they feel safe within their own constraints. It happens on both sides of the proverbial aisle.

Ignorance leads to fear; fear leads to anger; and anger is the path to the dark side.

[FirstShirt]

I enjoyed your post. As a Reagan republican I don't take a back seat to any democrat when it comes to being progressive in civil rights, gay rights, right of a woman to choose, national defense, etc. Fundamental to the conservative thinking is to believe what you want [no state mandated political correctness]but keep big government out of the bedroom and the pocketbook. Reagan accepted anyone regardless of political affiliation and I see you doing the same. Nothing wrong with that and if Obama embraces the big tent philosophy then good for him. We'll see.

[jazzman]

I have two hard core Republican friends who are rabid Obama fans. They like him as much as I do, which is alot. I gave one an Obama pin which he proudly displays.

Incidentially, these two friend's faces turn red when I mention the name Hillary Clinton. They hate her and Bill with great intensity. I also see this same hatred daily in emails I receive from my conservative Republican relatives (which is most my family). In my experience the Clintons are red meat for Republican conservatives. Their hatred for them is extreme and off the charts.

If these conservatives reflect a national attitude then Obama stands the best chance of beating a Republican in November, not Hillary.

[doug108]

Maybe it IS all finally coming to an end. The divisive politics of the last thirty years, culminating in the Bush catastrophe, has people finally looking for healing and unity. Who better to bring that than an inspiring man with vision, who just so happens to also be black? How great is that?

Obama's policies are virtually identical to Clinton's, and he comes with none of her divisive baggage. As for experience, I'm willing to let Obama ride the learning curve. He's a smart man. He'll surround himself with smart people and figure it out fast enough. Even if he's slow out of the gate, in the end he'll never be as horrible as Bush. Let's take the chance. Let's follow the vision and see where it leads.