It was Super Tuesday and I still hadn’t made up my mind. In spite of all the arguments I’d heard or proffered, I couldn’t find a compelling reason to press one lever over the other. Fortunately, there was a long wait outside the voting booth. I still had time. Hillary or Obama?
Standing in line, I thought about my college-bound son, Nick, who will be voting in his first election this November. My younger son, James, will be old enough to serve his country during the next administration. This next President will be their President. Obama or Hillary?
In recent months, the conversation at our dinner table has shifted from what happened that day in school to what happened that day in the country. Nick is hungry for news about the election. James is asking questions about the definition of a recession. In class, Nick’s teacher asked students why their generation wasn’t protesting the war. No one had an answer. Granted, they don’t have to dodge a lottery that could get them killed. But there seem to be other underlying reasons why activism isn’t part of their culture.
Where is the country headed if our youth doesn’t engage? When we were their age, we stood up, we demonstrated, we made noise, we marched on Washington and we put a young man in the White House. JFK was elected by a margin, not a mandate, but his administration was later embraced by the majority. He inspired us. He moved us. He brought us together as great leaders do. We didn’t question JFK’s ‘experience’, we just believed in the man and the promise of Camelot.
In less than 10 years, many of us will be resting in our rockers and checking the mail to see if our Social Security checks arrived. When that day comes, this new generation will be making the rules. They will set the costs of our healthcare. And they will sit on the Supreme Court. Struck by the alarming reality that control of our lives will soon be in our children’s hands, the best choice for President became suddenly obvious.
Article comments
1 - Roger Choate
Excellent piece, sensitively written
2 - dee
Nice writing... and of course you ended up making the right choice... you characterize this election, this choice, beautifully in this piece, this election is about the past (clinton) or the future (obama)... you chose the future, you have chosen wisely
3 - Leo
Thank you. A well written article. A primary campaign is also like a long interview process. People examine all aspects, such as the people you hire and why, how well the funds are managed, the message you convey, and the list goes on and on. So far, Mr. Obama is the clear winner. We will see what the future holds.
4 - Krutic
"We didn’t question JFK’s ‘experience’, we just believed in the man"
John F. Kennedy was a US representative from Boston for 6 years and a US Senator for 7 years as well as a war hero. That is a lot more than what can be said of Obama.
But all in all, it was a good read. I like how you didn't take any potshots at Bush or anyone for that matter and just patiently explained why you voted for who you voted.
5 - Chris Bancells
Now, that's a fine piece of writing. Cheers!
6 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
I agree with everyone who said that this was a fine piece of writing. It most assuredly is, Debra. You chose the path of hope, the prayer that your children would be strong enough to save the world. I sincerely hope you will not be disappointed in your choice; I fear you will be.
But maybe, your prayer will be answered.
7 - Barbara Barnett
Debra--
Nice article. Your experience so echoes my own, as I have a High School junior, whose interest in politics is just now being spurred by dinner conversation and studying US history.
Obama wasn't my original choice (Edwards was)--but I am not sorry that my husband and I both cast our votes for Obama. OUr college senior, upset at how the media were portraying Clinton, voted for her.
My only real fear about Obama is his political (not policy) experience. He's never had to fight the hard (and nasty) political fight as he will the autumn.
Barbara
8 - The Obnoxious American
A funny thing happened when I was reading this article, I found that you made your choice based purely on emotion and not the policy of your candidate.
Sorry to be a buzz kill, but it seems to me that most Obama voters are not even aware of his positions. They are swooned by his excellent oratory skills, his similarities to JFK but what makes you think Obama would help the country avert a recession, or navigate out of one? From my reading of his economic policies, he sounds like any protectionist, tax and spend Democrat.
I just posted a new column in the politics section here that should appear soon. It delves deeply into Obama's policies. I would advise anyone who is thinking of their family when voting to read the article when it is published, or at least read up on the candidate they are voting on.
9 - Dr Dreadful
Obnox, not that I would expect any less of you, but kudos for recognizing that Obama actually does have policies, instead of parroting the usual right-wing line that he's all style and no substance.
I look forward to reading your article, even though I probably won't agree with a lot of it!
10 - Propagandist
Obama will 'hope' away problems or 'change' em so they aren't problems anymore!
11 - dee
Obnoxious as*... I voted for Obama and I am aware of his positions... You can s*ck it for thinking that I'm stupid enough to support someone just because they give inspiring speeches... He's written two books, the 2nd, The Audacity of Hope, delves into his beliefs and his positions on some issues, I've read both of his books because I wanted to know about this man before (as you would assume) I would blindly follow him... He does inspire me when I hear him speak, but that just adds to the auora.. He's a well educated man, I have faith he will make good decisions once elected... You know people like you are the exact reason why people are voting for him, we are tired of the angry, attack, just plain assh*ole politics that have consumed and diseased Washington for a while now... He doesn't play that game.. Be careful before you decide to attack the people who vote for him, you don't want to end up supporting a loser now would you?
12 - Dave Nalle
Hannah Montana has caught the imagination of our 'future leaders'. Does that mean we should vote for her?
Dave
13 - bewildered
"Obama reflects a burgeoning wish to move toward the ideals that got JFK elected"
What did JFK do exactly besides having a mistress in the White House, carrying out the Bay of Pigs and basically start the Vietnam war? I guess that is what people are looking for in Obama..help me out obamaniacs?
Why stop at Hannah Montana - I think panda bears also catch the imagination of 'future leaders'
14 - Jonathan Scanlan
Personally, the reason I'd like to see Obama get elected is because he's better looking. I mean, think of how many photo's the victor is going to be in between the start and end of their term in office. :)
Anyway, that aside, I think you guys stand to lose a lot with Clinton's health care plan. Forcing people to buy health insurance is bad economics. The fine for not having it will be equalled as the minimum cost of all plans - save maybe a few scams that promise more than they deliver.
The best way to deal with public health is to guarantee certain standards for all citizens and leave the private sector to compete on well-being and extras.
And to those who think emotion and character are poor criteria to judge people on: Just because a person has thorough policy worked out does not mean they will be able to act on it, let alone be useful in future situations.
Those with lobbyists in their pockets are more likely to water down reforms that voters wanted, and those leaders that are able to garner public support behind them are also better equipped to mobilize the population around major reforms.
15 - The Obnoxious American
Wow, I post a comment about how this article talks only about how Obama makes the author feel rather than whether she agrees with his policies, and I am called a slur. Talk about changing the direction of politics!
If you are aware of his policies, then great. If after knowing his policies you choose to vote for him, far be it for me to complain. But this article has no meat in it. The Author says she was thinking of her children, I ask, what is it about Obama, that she feels will help her children. I want concrete answers here, not more of the same feel good fluff.
No question Obama has gotten a pass on talking about his policies. At least until now. Doc, love to hear your comments:
The Official Obama Hit Piece
Enjoy!
16 - troll
save us from the *bright shining leader* - we need a bout of dreamy nationalism now like we need a hole in our collective head
17 - bliffle
Scanlan says:
"I think you guys stand to lose a lot with Clinton's health care plan. Forcing people to buy health insurance is bad economics."
Also bad Constitutional law. It's been about 140 years since we allowed people to be born into slavery, like owing the Insurance Monopoly cash premiums from birth.
That's what "mandates" means, and I think some of these characters are offering mandates rather cynically, since they are lawyers themselves, and if they weren't napping during their Constitutional Law class (maybe they judged a mere Constitution as not pertinent to their future pursuits of chasing lucrative lobbying jobs).