Thursday, February 21, 2008

A Foray into Politics

I can't believe I've been blogging a year now and have never talked politics. Well, let's face it, up until a month or two ago, there were way more candidates than you could ever get to know (or want to know). Now it's getting down to the wire. Of course in elections, the wire happens to be nine months away. But we've narrowed the playing field considerably.

My husband thinks my opinions on politics are WAY to vocal and strong. Are they too vocal if they're written in words? Tee hee. Since he never reads this blog, I'll move right along with my political agenda.

I am one of five registered Democrats in Utah County. But if I didn't live in Utah where my political party is even less than the minority, AND where I am desperately trying NOT to be like everyone else, I would still like Barack Obama way more than Hillary, McCain and Huckabee. Face it, the guy is infinitely likeable.

Darren always laughs at me because I am so superficial when it comes to picking a president. Somehow I know immediately if I like them. Instinctively I can look at them and know if I can stand to look and listen to them for four years or, heaven forbid, eight years. In 1992, I couldn't stand the thought of listening to the George Bush senior's nasal tone for four more years. I immediately took to Clinton. There was something about him. Yes, admittedly he has/had many faults, but you've got to admit he was bright, empathetic, and enjoyable to watch. And I liked his hands, of all juvenille reasons to like someone.

In the 2000 presidential election, I faced a big problem. I didn't like Gore the know it all or Bush the know nothing, but I voted for Gore--one of the five votes he got in this county. Neither one of these candidates did anything for me. I couldn't throw my heart into either one. The same thing happened in 2004. There was our incumbant president who was still so painful to listen to, and John Kerry, who always made me feel like crying when I looked at his face. He looked like he was perpetually in a grumpy mood. Nevertheless, I and four other people in this county voted for him. He lost. I was not too upset. George W. hadn't done TOO much damage . . . yet.

Now comes Hillary. She's like a rerun in a bad nightmare despite her obvious intelligence and expertise on many topics. McCain is so unpleasant to watch and listen to, I just can't vote for him, no matter his experience in foreign policy and other things. Huckabee should not even be in the race as far as a lot of people are concerened. I hope he becomes a non-issue soon.

Then there's Obama. Woudln't he be be so pleasant to look at and listen to for the next four years? I don't want to get to the point with our new president that I was with George W. after about a year. I would cringe every time he said something. I was embarassed for him, embarassed for our country that he seemed to have such a lack of understanding of the most basic issues. I began to turn him off when he was on the radio or TV. I didn't want to do this. He was the president and I wanted to listen to him. Now I'm worried that it's going to be the same thing with McCain and not for his lack of intelligence. For his lack of appeal.

I like Obama. I like that he's black. I like that his voice is deep and rich and melodic, not choppy nasal-sounding like our current president. I like that his smile really lights up his face. I get the impression that he smiles a lot, and not just for the cameras. I know he's young and inexperienced. That worries me a bit. The whole not putting his hand over his heart thing was a bit troubling. But he is optimistic, energetic and exciting to listen to.

Having a smiling black man be president of this country would be send a powerful message of reconcilation to those countries that we have alienated and offended over the past eight years.

I will vote for him.

3 comments:

Marshall and Alison said...

I am a Obama fan too, even though I am a Republican. I think he is great. I also can't stand McCain. I have never liked him. I heard one of the political pundits say that experience doesn't mean everything. Some of our most celebrated, effective, loved presidents have had relatively little experience. Think JFK. Some of our worst presidents had experience out the wazoo. Think Nixon. I would even give money to the Obama campaign. (do you think $10 would make a difference:) something I have never done with any candidate ever. That is how much I like him. And, even better, his wife would make just as good a president as he would. She is articulate, educated and passionate. They are a great team.

Cathy said...

Your writings are so fun to read! I'm with you on this one.

Unknown said...

I used to live in Utah and a must applaud you for going against the grain and registering as a democrat. It takes a lot of courage to go against the majority of that state and it's good to see that people in areas where politics seem to be one sided are still standing out against the majority. Way to go! By the way I completely agree that Obama seems like the most genuinely nice candidate and that he will be a great president!