Why Barack Obama Does Not Get My Vote
by ByJane

No I’m not jumping on the bandwagon, for a number of reasons:

1. I’m not a bandwagon jumper. I have, in fact, something of an antipathy to bandwagons. But I’m aware of that and thus when a bandwagon approaches, I try to be very clear on where my reasoning is sound and where it is not.

2. I have a visceral feeling, call it an urge actually, that his campaign intentions will come to naught, and he will leave our country worse off than it is. The last time I felt this way was in 2000. I felt sure that George W Bush would spell disaster for the United States. It was just such a visceral feeling, a knowing in my bones, as I have now, and I feel helpless again to be able to do anything to prevent my fellow countrymen from slipping down that slope again. Oh, and the time before that that I had it: when Richard Nixon got the presidency.

3. What is that slope? It’s the Feel Good Hill. We so want to feel good about ourselves that we throw our arms around the candidate that is most able to make us feel good. That’s what it was all about in ’00 when masses voted for George W. because he was just one of us, a regular guy that you’d want to knock back a couple of brews with. Never mind that he was not a regular guy, but a scion of the oligarchy whose candidacy, as was his bio, had been fashioned from the whole cloth. And in ’04, Dean was the Pied Piper, until he screamed. The ability to make us feel good is not a criteria that the concept of an informed electorate includes. Our democracy was created with the assumption that we, the people, would use our native intelligence and common education to make choices based on reason, not emotion.

4. Obama’s candidacy is almost as engineered as Bush’s was. The Presidential whispers started back at the last nominating convention when he gave that stirring speech. The whispers had little to do with his experience, because at that point (and still), he’d had little. No, the whispers had to do with the fact that he is an excellent orator. He could bring people together, urge them on, make them feel good. And God knows, the Democratic party needed that, so the powers that be, or the powers that wanna be, revved up their engines and here we are today with a candidate about whom the strongest thing people can say is that “he’ll bring us together.”

5. To do what, I want to know? True, he may increase the number of registered Democrats, but after election day, then what? How exactly will that translate to national and international policy? How will his “bringing us together” impact on his ability to make the hard decisions that are the fact of governing?

6. I’m appalled by the nostalgia that is fomenting Obama’s campaign. I want to say to all the people that think Camelot-Redux is just around the corner: How many of you were actually there then? How many of you are doing more than yearning after newsreel highlights and reconstituted memories? I was there then. The Bay of Pigs was no Hallmark moment, no matter how gloriously it’s portrayed today. It was a scary time and the fact that John F. Kennedy was a seasoned legislator who had actually been to war is probably what made all the difference. I would argue that for all Barack Obama is a good man of integrity and intelligence, he hasn’t the experience and therefore the ability to lead our country in the international arena where we are so very, very vulnerable.

Please, please, please, people: put your hearts aside and use your heads. Obama may make you feel good; Clinton will make you safe.

Submitted by ByJane (view blog) on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 17:30

Comments

 

Still sitting next to you

Just wanted you to know that I'm with you on every point (except that whole I was there for JFK thing, I was an infant but tend to think we idolize JFK a wee bit too much and for some not so great reasons...)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 17:58
 

Thanks, Denise. It does

Thanks, Denise. It does amuse me to think how JFK wouldn't have gotten elected today because he made Clinton look like a choir boy. But we like to forget all that stuff when we're thinking so longingly about the good old days.

By Jane
ByJane.blogspot.com

Submitted by ByJane on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 00:44
 

Popping my head in

There's very little facts here as you've spoken mostly of emotion. Obviously, you're free to feel the way you do, but I do have to correct one talking point from The Clinton's campaign. Sen. Obama has a lot of experience. In fact he has more political experience than John Edwards and Sen. Clinton combined. That is, unless being a First Lady is experience, but that's a path as an independent woman, I choose not to follow. But, yes, despite the smear campaign (which clearly is working), Sen. Obama has years of experience not only in political life, but also in working with a diverse group of people and getting results, not just efficiently, but effectively.

Popping back down!

"I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal. I cannot be comprehended except by my permission. I mean...I...can fly like a bird in the sky." Ego Trippin' by Nikki Giovanni
Visit me at faboo mama

Submitted by fabooj on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 20:05
 

I'm using my head for Obama

Thanks for sharing your perspective, ByJane, but I would love to hear why you are for Clinton beyond an assertion she will make me safe. I'm sure you have an equally well reasoned set of support principles.

And while I'm sorry you feel it in your bones that Obama is a bad choice, it certainly is not a persuasive argument for voting against him or for voting for Clinton.

I hope you can respect that I came to the decision to support Obama by using my head. And, as it so happens, it is nice to have my heart engaged as well since it generally is not. And it certainly is not out of a longing for a return to Camelot since Kennedy was assassinated when I was a year old. Nor is it out of a misguided belief that any candidate would somehow be a perfect president. I do believe, however, that Obama is the best choice.

PopConsumer
Beyond Help

Submitted by Maria Niles on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 21:16
 

Where's the Bandwagon?

I'm not sure I get the bandwagon comment. I'm not necessarily sure who I am voting for even now but I don't really see one bandwagon. I see many. And thankfully, like the commenter (Maria) above me, many are using their heads to pick and choose amongst the candidates. If that's bandwagoning, count me in.

-
Jenna
Stop, Drop and Blog
Birth/First Parent Blog
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

Submitted by JennaHatfield on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 21:20
 

Why I'm Voting For Clinton...

You're right; I'm lacking in specifics about why I'm voting for Hillary, but the topic of my post was why I'm not voting for Obama. This was written in response to a lot I've been hearing and reading and seeing. The bandwagon, Jenna, is there in every headline that does the horserace bit between Clinton and Obama. He's on top, she's on top--ya better get in there if you want to be on top too. And, Maria, you're welcome to your perspective, as I am to mine--whether I respect your decision is a moot point, I'm sure you'll agree. There was nothing in my post that indicated otherwise, was there?

Maybe tomorrow I'll do the Clinton post.

By Jane
ByJane.blogspot.com

Submitted by ByJane on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 00:42
 

Absolutely indicated

When you exhort people who support Obama to put aside their hearts and use their heads to me that is a pretty clear indication that you think we are emotional wimps who somehow aren't using their brains or are too stupid to do so. I absolutely respect your right to your perspective and your reasons for why you will not vote for Obama. What I don't appreciate is being told why I am hysterical wreck for doing so.

Generally, I'm tired of hearing all the reasons why we shouldn't vote for one candidate or another or in any way act out of fear (e.g. Clinton will keep us safe). I would love to hear the positive, proactive ways in which we can act.

I hope you will do the pro-Clinton post and I look forward to reading it.

Submitted by Maria Niles on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 13:42
 

Robin Morgan: Goodbye to all that

Or, why she's voting Hillary

Me? I support Hillary Rodham because she’s the best qualified of all candidates running in both parties. I support her because she’s refreshingly thoughtful, and I’m bloodied from eight years of a jolly “uniter” with ejaculatory politics. I needn’t agree with her on every point. I agree with the 97 percent of her positions that are identical with Obama’s—and the few where hers are both more practical and to the left of his (like health care). I support her because she’s already smashed the first-lady stereotype and made history as a fine senator, because I believe she will continue to make history not only as the first U.S. woman president, but as a great U.S. president.

As for the “woman thing”?

Me, I’m voting for Hillary not because she’s a woman—but because I am.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 09:14
 

I'm still embarrassed by that screed

I saw Morgan's piece yesterday and I was kind of ashamed to be female after reading that. There was no logic, no facts in that piece. Pure emotions rooted in being the victim. I understand that some people wallow in that space, but it was a really sad endorsement. I do find it sad that someone is voting for someone because of gender.

"I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal. I cannot be comprehended except by my permission. I mean...I...can fly like a bird in the sky." Ego Trippin' by Nikki Giovanni
Visit me at faboo mama

Submitted by fabooj on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 09:51
 

Jesus, Maria, I just now

Jesus, Maria, I just now read your comment, and wow! I keep reading my posts and nowhere do I get why you think I'm said any of this:

"When you exhort people who support Obama to put aside their hearts and use their heads to me that is a pretty clear indication that you think we are emotional wimps who somehow aren't using their brains or are too stupid to do so. I absolutely respect your right to your perspective and your reasons for why you will not vote for Obama. What I don't appreciate is being told why I am hysterical wreck for doing so."

In fact, the reason I haven't been back to BlogHer in six weeks and two days is because I felt absolutely jumped on for stating my opinion. And that was BEFORE I read your response today! I've pretty much begged off all forays into this political year because there is such a tone of nastiness about people's responses.

By Jane
ByJane.blogspot.com

Submitted by ByJane on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 19:52
 

I'm very sorry, Jane

I apologize if I was nasty or that I hurt or offended you. That was absolutely not my intention and I regret if anything I said kept you away from BlogHer because I value your voice and opinion.

I did feel that the tone of your post did not consider that women could have valid reasons for supporting Obama. That is how it felt to me as an Obama supporter as if it were an attack and I reacted as such.

As I've said to you before I truly hope you will participate at BlogHer (and I'll refrain from commenting in the future). And I sincerely would like to read a post about your support for Clinton. Even though I am supporting her opponent I believe that there are lots of positive reasons why others support her and I'd just like to read more about why anyone is pro-candidate rather than anti-opponent.

Submitted by Maria Niles on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 21:37
 

Thanks, Maria. I know I

Thanks, Maria. I know I can phrase things in forceful ways; I'm just not always aware that I'm doing it. I used to try to corral myself, but that seems so dishonest to me. So I'm saying stuff, and I'm owning it. Basically I just want everyone to like me--Virginia Woolf's angel is indeed on my shoulder!

I don't at all consider that there are no valid reasons for supporting Obama. Too many of the people I respect and love are firmly in his camp for me to even think that way. And I've had six weeks and two days to revisit my stance. I still don't support him, but I see now that my reasons for not doing so are purely emotional. Isn't that what a gut response is? I decided back then that it was too hot in the kitchen for me, obviously, so I should stay out.

I came across your comment today when--I signed up for BlogHer '08. I wasn't going to go. I felt hurt and mad and sad and rejected. But I can't not go. This has been a watershed year for me, and I'm trying my hardest to be authentic to me and no one else in my blog. Somehow that's related to going to BlogHer '08 with no goals other than...just to go. I'm looking forward to see you there!

By Jane
ByJane.blogspot.com

Submitted by ByJane on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 22:18
 

Wonderful news!

I'm glad to hear you're coming to the conference and I look forward to seeing you again, as well. And I look forward to hearing more of your voice here - I am a fan of authentic and passionate!

Submitted by Maria Niles on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 00:31
 

Between a Rock and A Hard Place

My empathic side and my logical side are hugging each other for dear life. They are scared out of their mind. There is no question this country is seeking new united leadership. We are in a deep, troubling situation.

There is almost a psychic need for some kind of national healing or reconciliation. That is a beautiful thing but that has nothing to do with electing a president.

I have said this before and I will say it again. Who is the best person for the job of President? Not the most inspirational, not the most politically savvy and not because the person will be the "first."

But looking for the best person for the job is getting tangled by threads of race, of gender of the need to be a part of the future of the country. I don't want to disrespect anyones heartfelt or intellectual working out opinion about why they do or do not want to support a candidate. Not my job, no thank you.

I'm standing between a rock and a hard place waiting for folks to understand that when Dubya gets on the plane to return to private life the next president is going to be handed a sack of shit of trouble that will have us shasking.

I'm almost asking for a kind of political detachment. How you want to do it is fine, Tao, Zen, I don't care how you do it. But be clear and tell me and the others to the best of your ability why this person is going to effective in handling a changing American economy, international disdain and shortages in food, energy and natural resources.

Let me share the other reason for the quivers. We are starting to sound like TV pundits.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Submitted by Gena Haskett on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 22:25