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Here's My Olive Branch
I remember back in February having a discussion with my mother about the upcoming Democratic Party primaries. I was giddy with excitement, because Clinton and Obama were obviously the front runners. No matter who secured the nomination, it would be a groundbreaking election because finally, for once, the top of the ticket would not be a white male (no, they're not all bad, I'm married to one). I was witnessing history, something I could tell my future children about (or at least my niece).
And then things got...complicated. Mud started flinging, gaffes were blown up on the MSM every day, and the real issues were being ignored. John McCain was getting a free ride. I became...bitter. Angry. Frustrated. I've said things of which I am not proud.
Recently I was thinking of my little niece. She's only a toddler, but she's a smart little cookie and I absolutely adore her. I hope to have one just like her some day. I thought of the world I wanted to have for her. I thought of what it would be like if the Supreme Court was over-taken by conservative judges, and what that would do to her rights and choices. I thought of what her world would be like if we were in Iraq or even Iran for another 20, 50, 100 years. Would she or her friends or her first kiss need to serve? Is this the world I want for her?
No, it's not.
I have made the decision that I will vote for whichever Dem gets the nomination. I have to. I owe it to her, and to my future children, and to the rest of the children in the US. THEY deserve better than McCain.
This isn't just about me and my own personal opinions of the Democratic primary. This is about them. This is about their future, not just mine. I cannot in good conscience, either actively or passively, allow McCain to get into office.
So, no matter what, my vote in November will be for you, my dear niece. Whether it's for the first minority president, or the first woman president, I will be voting for you. You're worth it.
Comments (8)
I agree and ad my pledge to yours.
May 22, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I reluctantly agree also. But if Hillary steals this thing, so help me God, I may run in 2012 myself.
May 22, 2008 11:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gulp...I hope I don't have to make good on this, but I agree
May 23, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have voted in many elections in which the Democratic was not my #1 pick.
I have supported Democrats who are currently in Congress who aren't my favorite progressives.
I doubt that I'm the only person who could say those previous things.
This November, I will vote for the Democratic nominee even if my #1 is not on the ballot.
May 23, 2008 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
oops
"in which the Democratic nominee" rather than "in which the Democratic".
May 23, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do agree. But I'd rather vote for the candidate I'm excited about, the one who inspires me. I don't want to vote begrudgingly because there's "no other choice".
May 23, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll vote Democrat no matter what...no matter how ugly this thing gets...there is too much at stake. I'll do it for your niece and for all the women I care about in my life. I'll do it for even some fleeting peace, if not an end to our wars. I'll do it for the environment and the creatures on the way to extinction. I'll do it for the growing group of people being forced into of poverty. I'll do it to bring accountability back into the government. I'll do it, because I will not be able to live with myself if I help cause this nightmare to go any further.
May 23, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I applaud you!
May 23, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
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