I've Decided....
I've decided.
My conclusion comes after reading the candidates' memoirs and campaign platforms, attending both party conventions, interviewing both men multiple times, and watching all primary and general-election debates.
John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president. I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amid the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia.
Five considerations have moved me:
Terrorism. The candidates disagree as to where to prosecute the war against Islamic fundamentalists. Barack Obama is correct in saying the front line in that battle is not Iraq, it's the Afghan-Pakistan border. Osama bin Laden crossed that border from Tora Bora in December 2001, and we stopped pursuit. The Bush administration outsourced the hunt for bin Laden and instead invaded Iraq.
No one in Iraq caused the death of 3,000 Americans on 9/11. Our invasion was based on a false predicate, so we have no business being there, regardless of whether the surge is working. Our focus must be the tribal-ruled FATA region in Pakistan. Only recently has our military engaged al-Qaeda there in operations that mirror those Obama was ridiculed for recommending in August 2007.
Last spring, Obama told me: "It's not that I was opposed to war [in Iraq]. It's that I felt we had a war that we had not finished." Even Sen. Joe Lieberman conceded to me last Friday that "the headquarters of our opposition, our enemies today" is the FATA.
Economy. We face economic problems that are incomprehensible to most Americans, certainly they are to me. This is a time to covet intellect, and that begins at the top. Jack Bogle, the legendary founder of the Vanguard Group, told me recently that McCain's assertion that the fundamentals of the economy were "strong" was the "stupidest statement of 2008." In light of the unprecedented volatility in the market, who can dispute Bogle's characterization and the lack of understanding that McCain's assessment portends?
VP. I opined here that Sarah Palin demonstrated the capacity to be president in her speech to the Republican convention. Sadly, there has been no further exhibition of her abilities, and she remains an unknown quantity. We are left questioning the judgment of a candidate who bypassed his reported preferred choices, Lieberman and former Gov. Tom Ridge, and instead yielded to the whims of the periphery of his party. With two wars and a crumbling economy, Palin is too big of a risk to be a heartbeat away from a presidency held by a 72-year-old man who has battled melanoma. Advantage Joe Biden.
Opportunity. In a speech delivered on Father's Day, Obama lamented that too many fathers are missing from the lives of too many children and mothers. Look no further than Philadelphia for proof that the nation has a fatherhood problem at the root of its firearms crisis. And no demographic is affected by this confluence of factors like the black community. Among the many elements needed to address this crisis are role models, individuals whom urban youth can aspire to emulate. Little more than a year ago, Charles Barkley told me: "I want young black kids to see Barack on television every day. . . . We need to see more blacks who are intelligent, articulate, and who carry themselves with great dignity." Obama can be that man.
Hope. Wednesday morning will come and an Obama presidency holds the greatest chance for unifying us here at home and restoring our prestige around the globe. The campaigns have foretold the kind of presidency we can expect from each candidate. Last Friday in Lakeville, Minn., McCain himself had to explain to a supporter who was "scared" of an Obama presidency that those fears were unfounded. Another told McCain that Obama was untrustworthy because he is an "Arab." Those exchanges were a predictable byproduct of ads against Obama featuring tag lines such as "Too Risky for America" and "Dangerous," and a failure to rein in individuals at McCain events who highlighted Obama's middle name, all against a background of Internet lore.
Last Saturday at Progress Plaza, I heard Obama say: "The American people aren't looking for somebody to divide this country; the American people are looking for someone to lead this country."
This originally appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer
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Does this mean you'll stop calling it the "Democrat Party"?
Mike, I had the pleasure to see you again on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and it was wonderful to listen to your even-handed, intelligent and calm responses.
I am saddened to hear you say, however, that you are getting nasty e-mails from some of your listeners for giving your opinion. I really hope that they'll soon quiet down and listen to your insightful, common-sense thoughts, rather than try to muzzle you.
Thank you for being so brave and strong in the face of such negativity.
Barack Obama has said time and again, we need change but change won't come easy and there will be battles as the powerful will fight hard to stop change.
God bless, Mike.
GObama/Biden '08/'12 - for Hope NOT Hate!
Michael, Thank you!
You made my Day!
Stroudsburg, Pa (new fan)
Michael thank you! You made my day!
Stroudsburg, Pa fan!
An honorable Republican who puts country ahead of party!
Very refreshing.
I'm going to start reading your articles again.
Michael what a smart & brave thing to do. I fear for your professional career. As a fellow 20-year veteran of the radio industry I am aware of the almost lock-step collusion practiced by station owners and managers when it comes to talk radio. The general policy seems to be "If It Ain't Far Right, It will never see Light". Owners, general Managers & Program directors say a moderate or liberal host cannot garner sufficient Arbitron ratings to be successful. This is true considering the undesirable time slots and weak promotional support given to hosts who are not to the far right. I hope this is not the case with your stations, but be prepared for the worse.
When Obama is elected there will be celebrations all across the US and the market will respond to this. Just as important is the celebrations all across the world because of Obama's victory and the world markets will respond as well. It will instantly raise our status in the world's eyes. Everyone in the world will rejoice and say "America's back!"
Thank you sir. Frankly, actions like yours will also help to bring the two sides together. I, for one, appreciate a thoughtful choice, regardless of party affiliation. I will say, however, that you help restore some iota of hope in me that some republicans really do put the good of the country first.
Wow! How refreshing it is to read non-hateful speech by a Republican. Thanks!
If you mean me, I am not a republican. If you mean the author, I agree.
Unfortunately, your public declaration will almost surely cost you both personally and professionally. Hopefully, you and the handful of other principled Conservatives recently coming to light can stand as reminders of the necessity and value of a principled opposition. I look forward to the day when "honorable people can disagree" will no longer be a cheap throwaway line for dishonorable politicians on both sides of the isle.
Well Michael, speaking a fellow Philadelphian, it was a pleasure to read your column in the Sunday Inquirer yesterday. It took you long enough.
This would be a terrific time to see you actively advocating for Obama to the other Pennsylvania Republicans that may be on the fence. I would suggest that you are obliged to contribute that much at least.
Join the club of people who vote for the candidate and his/her positions irrespective of party affiliations.
As a Democrat, I've cast my vote for Bill Weld of MA, Jim Jeffords of VT and Connie Morella of MD, and in 1982 as a teen, helped with Millicent Fenwick's campaign. Yes, all these Republicans would be considered RINOs by the current goose-steppin' brown shirts of the GOP, but Republicans they were. Its a pity that such Republicans are a dying breed. Perhaps, the Bloomberg fringe of the GOP will bring the GOP back to the center, but I'm not holding my breath. In fact, look at John McCain. Eight years ago he was a palatable candidate to many liberals and moderates, and one would have thought that he'd embrace people across the spectrum. Wrong. Either McCain has fewer principles than we thought at first, or powerless against the current brown shirt dominant wing of the GOP, he was remoulded in its image.
Michael, Thank you for such a thoughtful and inspiring post.
I am a registered Republican from Kansas, and I am voting for Barack Obama this year.
I am a bit surprised by that fact, but I know now that I have made up my mind. Of all the potential hot button issues, my issue this year is competence. I perceive that Senator Obama has it, and that he has more of it than anyone else running.
I also value honor and respect. Mr. Obama approached his campaign for the Presidency as a well-prepared job applicant. He focused more on his qualifications and on my requirements for the position than Mr. McCain. The Republican Party, my party, has treated this job interview as an undisciplined popularity contest--again. For political parties, as in all things, there will be no change for the better without accountability and consequence. I regret that I must take action. My party is hereby dismissed for a violation of my code of conduct and for their gross incompetence. I am giving the position to someone else.
I will likely vote Republican in the future, but my desire for competence and judgment this year outstrips my party membership by one vote to none. Senator Obama he has earned the respect of this Republican from Kansas this year. He has my one vote and my one voice. I am telling my Missouri friends.
God has blessed America. Let us help ourselves.
Glad to hear this, but I am curious. Do you no longer care about having a lightly regulated free market, federalism, anti-choice, weakening unions, supporting small businesses over working-class americans, lower taxes, smaller goverment, etc? You do realize that electing BO will crush all your ideals?
BO/Biden 08
I think that the W. administration, the neocons, and this horribly mismanaged financial crises has been a game-changer for many thinking Republicans.
It's all a matter of priorities.
Obama/Biden '08
Well, as Einstein once said, "Things should be as simple as possible, but not simpler."
I prefer light regulation and small government. I've never understood the priority placed on the Pro Life/Pro Choice trench wars. My fellow Republican seem more strident on this issue, and I don't think their view is consistent with smaller governament. I don't actively support strong unions, but they seem pretty weak to me already. I like lower taxes, but my practical side admits that a progressive tax code and a high-threshold estate tax work. W's near term tax cuts, without spending cuts, were just raising taxes on future generations. I support small businesses and I have been an entrepreneur.
In the long view, I believe that Republican ideals are best served by choking off support for the current direction. In the near term, I believe Obama is more competent at running the country. Is he really the guy I want answering the phone at 3 a.m.? Yes, I believe it is. Finally, if I had to trade Republican ideals for the good of the country, I just did.
ronald regan said "i didnt leave my party ,the party left me"
the republican party has become contaminated while you have maintained as sense of dignity and fair play.it may take 40 years of wandering in the desert to rid the party of the disease.
in the interim i think you can trust obamas integrity. he may not produce the garden of eden . the damage done recently has saddled him with "mission impossible"
but great leaders can accoplish great things
good piece here, glad to see that Obama's measured approach, reasonable tone and plaintive, direct appeal to conservatives is allowing many who are on the right or center-right to feel comfortable with him as a choice in this election.
I was, however, left saying "um, huh?" by the line "...proof that the nation has a fatherhood problem at the root of its firearms crisis." can't quite begin to figure out what that means here...
I am a democrat and support BO for POTUS. However, I find it fascinating that none of the reasons you mentioned have ANYTHING to do with democratic or republican platforms. Nothing Powel mentioned had anything to do with democrat verses republican ideals.
Just curious...
Do you no longer care about having a lightly regulated free market, federalism, anti-choice, weakening unions, supporting small businesses over working-class americans, lower taxes, etc? Have you handed these ideals over for the reasons above. You do realize that electing BO will crush all your ideals, which I am happy about, I am just curious what you think Micheal.
I'm a republican [by the way, interesting handle] and I agree. These republicans jumping ship should be a concern for democrats.
They aren't lightweights but are neocons. They don't like McCAin because of his willingness to work with democrats.
"Do you no longer care about having a lightly regulated free market, federalism, anti-choice, weakening unions, supporting small businesses over working-class americans, lower taxes, etc? "
You are right, these are conservative talking points so why are these people crossing over?
It's just fascinating to me. I am glad they are coming over and don't want to turn them off, I am just trying to understand, more from a historical standpoint, what makes people overlook issues and vote for character and leadership, no matter what they stand for. Are these repubs going to have severe buyers remorse and then turn campaign to turn the house/senate in 2 years. It's just so interesting.
Hmm.
FirstShirt,
The republicans jumping ship may be more diverse than you think. I can only speak for me and some of the folks that I converse with. I actually thought that McCain was the only possible winning strategy for the GOP this year. I loved his ability to work with democrats. I was hoping that McCain would the GOP more like him. I'm concerned that the reverse occured. I think competence and effectiveness need to become more important talking points.
I don't have to follow my party; I can lead it. Leadership is rarely about nodding one's head to talking points; sometimes it is about standing apart. I'm sure I will be supporting republicans for congress in two years. Right now, I think Obama is a rare talent, temperment and intellect. He is best for America. Kudos to democrats on Barack Obama. I'm hopeful that more republicans with his internal qualities will be supported over the coming years.
Abbie,
I don't think that repulican idealogy is all wrong. A lot of the emphasis and approach is currently dead wrong. Too often, republican tactics have involved smears and shouting down democratic ideals. I don't think liberal policies are out to hurt America. I just think that in many cases and over the longer run, the conservative approach is safer. I can't support the "un-american" charges leveled at the left by the right intellectually, morally or patriotically. I think that my GOP seems to have forgotten that for conservative ideas (and free political markets) to work, they must out-compete effective liberal ideas. Liberal views and the people that hold them are as vital to the US as conservative views and the people that hold them. The people that hold either must remember that neither side can remain healthy and vibrant without a healthy and vibrant other. The right just needs a little tough love and pruning right now.
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