It is less than twelve hours to go until I pull a lever for the Democratic presidential candidate and I remain firmly, staunchly, hopelessly, on the fence.
This is a first for me. I tend to have wildly strong opinions (shocking!) on most everything from politics to kids clothing to the correct lyrics to nursery rhymes. Nate insists that the last line of Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear is Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t very fuzzy, was he? and it drives me crazy apeshit bonkers because the proper cadence and appropriate play on words can only be achieved with Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy, was he? Seriously we could fight for six hours about it. And we have.
(Even so, he did get me on how it’s out came the sun that dried out all the rain for that stupid spider. I always liked the parallels between down came the rain and up came the sun but yeah, I suppose the sun is coming out from behind the clouds and not up first thing in the morning to make things all dry.)
But I digress.
Because I’m stalling.
Because I have no idea what to do.
My political post here last week could be called the Rorshack post, in that Hillary fans saw it as an endorsement of their candidate, while Obama fans shouted yeah! That’s why we love him! Yet I meant it when I said I was undecided. In truth, I am swinging between two teams like Anne Heche in her heyday. Every time someone gives me a good pro-Hill argument I’m like yeah! She’s my woman! Go Hill! And then every time I hear a strong Obama endorsement I’m like whoo yeah! Obama! Rock on!
(So forgive me in advance for this ramble. I’m using it in part to sort through my feelings.)
I see in Hillary a strong, confident leader. A woman who can shake off any mud flung her way, who could take on any opposing candidate on issues both foreign and domestic, who will probably be reforming legislation and reaching out to repair severed diplomatic relationships within 13 seconds of taking that left hand off that bible in January. I don’t think she “plays both sides” as her critics declare, as much as she is authentically moderate on many issues – perhaps the first essential step towards re-uniting the old reds and blues.
And then I see in Barack an amazing inspiration. A man who gives me goosebumps, not only when I hear him speak, but when I think of the young people he’s mobilized, the numbers he’s drawing in states like Iowa. He’s not just a man you want to follow, he’s a cult you want to join, a guy with a whole quart of Kool Aid with your name on it, only this time it really will take you to a better place. I think he has good fresh ideas and will surround himself with good, smart people.
If you haven’t yet seen this video – thanks, Laura! – it’s profoundly moving. Who these days writes folk songs about candidates…um, ever?
It makes me believe that whether he is as “ready” (so to speak) as his opponent is right now, that in 8 years, the positive legacy of an Obama presidency could last for generations. Also, that an Obama White House will be so far removed from the wretched one of the past 7 years, that he could be one the true knight in shining armor coming to right the wrongs, undo the curse, kiss the frog, melt the wicked witch, banish the evil king, destroy Voldemort, toss the ring into Mt Doom, and do it all against a Black-Eyed Peas soundtrack.
And then I think, ack, I’m buying into the media narrative. Let’s go back to the issues. Let’s go to who could win. Let’s go to who’s the right person for the job.
Then I visualize how pitting old farty flip-floppin’ McPlain up there against Obama could start a real revolution, if not a damn near civil war in this country over the next nine months. And I kind of like that.
Can’t there just be a Clibama candidate, as Rebecca suggested?
Okay, I am definitely Wallace Shawn in the Princess Bride, saying “So then clearly I cannot choose the vial in front of you!” before going on to justify why he can clearly not choose the vial in front of himself, either.
And we all know what happens to Wallace Shawn in the end.
I look for guidance.
“What do you feel in your gut?” my mother asks. “Doesn’t your body tell you before your head knows it? Doesn’t your stomach get just a little bit queasy when you hear that one candidate in particular is behind in a poll?”
Yeah, there is.
There is.
I will proudly, happily, avidly support either nominee with unwavering conviction. But there is one candidate for whom my heart will ache just a bit more, who will inspire a greater number of longing what if‘s, if left behind after tomorrow.
I think it’s Obama.
—
Edited to add: Funny enough, I had a paragraph in here about how each candidate’s supporters truly believe with all certainty that their pick is the only one who can win. I took it out because this damn thing was rambly enough already. But commenters are proving it to be so.
I don’t believe that only one person can win. I know it’s a long race. I know a lot can happen in nine months. I know that VPs matter. Perhaps that’s why I’m having trouble choosing.
Whatever happens, this is all totally fascinating to me, and I think we should all be wise to know that very soon, all (well most) of us Dems will be on the same team, pulling hard, and putting our collective voices to work for the much needed betterment of people kind.
79 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
I love that we’re in this situation, because I’m happier with either of them than I can ever remember being before. Ever. I was stupidly happy today after voting, and I honestly don’t care which one wins. That’s a great thing, I think. I’m happy either way.
We must be political twins, because you have echoed everything I thought when caucusing in mid-January. I eventually landed in the Hillary camp, and my heartstrings are still tugging me into Obama-land. Wouldn’t they be a great ticket together?! Hope all you who voted today got home safely through the incredible weather.
Me too. And as I’m in California my stomach is feeling a little queasy right now. As of right now there is about 14% of the vote in (and Clinton is leading). Though you never know… the non-partisan vote is coming out in record numbers and asking for Dem ballots. I was one of them. Let’s see how this turns out.
Take it from a Blue Woman in a Red State (Texas, of all places!) Democrats will get behind whomever wins the primary. Regardless. That’s one HeLLUVA lot of votes, my friend. The Republicans are too worried about who represents the truest, most pure-hearted rep of the part. And there ain’t no such animal! They’re split and we’re like people who can’t choose which wonderful flavor we want to taste first. It matters not. We’ll get behind whomever wins. My vote is with Obama. He has less baggage and, make no mistake about it, this is about voting for who can win. Senator Clinton has my vote if she beats Senator Obama. But…I’m throwing my weight behind him for the change he promises. Remember…our party spent decades preparing for the chance to elect a man/woman of color. Let’s hope he selects a good running mate.
aggg! I just had the exact same Fuzzy Wuzzy discussion/argument with my 7 year old son! Whoever introduced the “very” into his version of the rhyme better not meet me in a dark alley.As a Michigander whose vote got screwed by the state party, I’m envious of everyone who actually got to vote and have it count. Sigh.
Black eyed peas soundtrack???I would love it! Fergie rocks!oh, and much respect to the insightful intelligent commenters…I just had to put the Fergie love out there too
I learned Fuzzy with the very. . .but I like your way better! *ducks* For real!As a fellow fence sitter, I admit to chickening out. I was pretty sure I was going to vote for Obama, but then the whole family woke up sick yesterday and I didn’t go anywhere. What did you do?
I know exactly what you mean about the queasy feeling when one candidate is behind… that is how I discovered that Obama was the candidate for me. I voted proudly for him in NJ yesterday! Like you, though, I will support whichever one comes out on top in the end.
Hillary keeps saying that she’ll be ready to go on day one because of her experience. But I don’t want to be ready to go with the same old same old. Obama offers something dynamic and transformative that may propel us past all the polarization. I really don’t want to hate Republicans anymore. I want to build a better country. I’m so proud to be Minnesotan today where Obama was king to the tune of 67% and the caucuses completely shattered all previous attendance records. Obama ’08!!!
I’d already voted for John Edwards as an absentee voter before he dropped out. Oh, well. I think he had the most progressive platform of the bunch. As for Clinton and Obama, I slightly prefer Clinton, but neither really move me. But either would be better than McPlain, Huckleberry, RomBot, or the current white house resident.
It’s killing me to be on the sidelines and not be able to participate in this part of history in the making.I’m living vicariously through all you Yanks.
I still have a few days to stew about this … I need your guidance!
if mom101 + punditmom are undecided, then either one of them will be ok
supertiff: I cried when Edwards dropped out also. I live in New Orleans and went to hear the concession speech.On electability, I think there are way too many variables to know will be more “electable”. Even the most expert political analysts are still undecided about who moderates, latinos (conservative and liberal), the south, the Catholic church, etc. will support. But I honestly think that if McCain is the GOP candidate, either Barack or Hillary will run circles around him in a debate. I mean, let’s take a moment to remember that this is the man who said this at a 1998 GOP fundraiser:“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno”(Source – from 1998http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html)
Cynthia that blows my mind. I had never heard that one before. But I’m not surprised. Just last week he made some stupid lawyer joke (punchline had to do with “scumsucking bottom-feeders”) that fell flat. Lawyer joke? What is this, 1987?
Not exactly related but I thought you might be interested to know…It isn’t surprising (sadly) but the Bush administration’s FY2009 budget (his LAST, WOOT!) proposes overall level funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (you can < HREF="http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/appendix/oia.pdf)
” REL=”nofollow”>see it here<>. They futzed with the numbers a bit to increase by $1m the programs to reduce product hazard to children and to identify product hazards…but they cut from laboratory modernization.I’d hoped that after all the hoopla around lead and GHB in children’s toys, the administration might give the CPSC a slight bump.Just another reason to vote Democrat.
God, voting felt so good.Finally, a feeling of HOPE, instead of despair about the leadership of this country.It looks like Democrats across the country are also torn between the two candidates.I truly want whoever will kick some arse come November.
Mom 101,I linked this article on my blog, and just noticed you posted a nice comment on it. THanks! We aren’t that good looking, it takes about 100 pictures to get 1 good one, right?I love your writing style and agree with your opinion on the subject. This is the first time I have ever “had to choose” between two democrats. I am thinking the hatred for HRC is too strong and if it was McPlain vs. Obama, we’d have a really good chance of recapturing the White House. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out…. keep up the great blogging, ShayAKA Gus’s mom.
I wrote < HREF="http://girlsgonechild.blogspot.com/2008/02/voted-for-hillary-rooting-for-obama.html
” REL=”nofollow”>this post<> and then I thought of you– it’s a pretty incredible time to be a voting American, me thinks.
Because I don’t know how to email you, I’ll post < HREF="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/02/the-unemotional.html" REL="nofollow">this link here<>He makes an “unemotional” case for Barack, but it’s worth looking at because of the video below it in which a smart young voter brilliantly breaks down why he’s voting for Barack.
I discussed this kind of thing recently in the EPTF (English for People who Talk Funny) class that I teach in the evenings. Most of my students are illegal and can’t vote, but they are definitely politically aware. I sincerely think that during this election more so than any previous election, each of us has the civic duty not only to vote but to vote for what we think is best for the nation. Record voter turnout in the primaries shows that across the board Americans feel like this election is going to mean something. Perhaps it’s shallow of me, but one thing I think of often is what I will be most proud to tell my daughter when, after having read about this election in her history book years from now, she asks me who I voted for.
For me, it comes down to the best way to undo the damage done over the last seven or so years.I love the Clintons. I thought Bill Clinton was a tremendous president, and i think Hillary would would make a great president. I think she’s far and away the most qualified candidate for the job.HOWEVER…the animosity and acrimony we would have during a Clinton presidency would be similar to that of our current Bush presidency. Bush divided this nation like no one before him, and we have a lot of rebuilding and a lot of healing to do – both internally within the U.S., and externally, with other nations that are more frosty to us than ever.And that’s why i think Obama is the ultimately the best decision to lead this country. it may be nothing more than brilliant marketing, but i’ve bought in, and i truly believe that he can heal this nation and bring us together.
I was just about to comment, omg, go read Becca Woolf’s post, but then I saw she’s been here. This is really great, and are we not living in some kind of nirvana where we even get to angst between two candidates like this, one of whom will surely be the next POTUS?I am sort of expecting we will all be raptured on election day. what a country.
Um, take it from me. I did a ballet recital to Fuzzy Wuzzy when I was 5. Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn’t fuzzy, waz he?Geez. Everyone knows that
Oh, and on the other stuff? Good luck. I’m an Edward democrat trying hard to figure it out myself.
Though I’ve publicly voiced support for Clinton, I am pleased as punch that one of them will be our next president. I haven’t been this happy with a Dem field in years.
Important to consider – if you’re dead set against the Republicans winning in November, you need to base your decision on who can beat McCain (and it will be tough). Hilary, unfortunately, will bring out every single disaffected Republican to vote against her (even the ones who hate McCain). She is polarizing, to say the least. Obama has a better chance in November, regardless whether he or Hilary would make a better president. And would you believe, I am still undecided which way I would vote in November? It’s a joy to have so many good candidates, I must say!
I never hear this kind of democrat talk in Texas, so it has been interesting to get this point of view. I have voted every time since I was old enough to vote, and for the first time I am thinking about sitting it out. McCain is mean, and there is no chance that I can jump in Camp Clinton or Camp Obama. I think that our national debt is out of control, and I have no clue how the very expensive plans that those running (and are currently in office) will help us when we are having to get loans from China to pay for things like the up and coming rebate checks. What a waste! I am not a historian, but I think I remember someone else promising “change” and making people’s skin get goosebumpy…. I think his name was Adolph Hitler.Whoever gets in office… I am not sure it will bake much of a difference anyway. I really WISH I could be more optimistic.
Katri? Darlin’? You lost me at Hitler.
As a Canadian, all I can do is sit and watch. I must say I am nervous. I couldn’t believe it when Bush won a second term. I sat in total shock, watching in horror when that happened. So a part of me feels hopeless and worried.If I were voting, I would vote Obama.