I mentioned yesterday that I planned to put out a political post regarding next week’s Ohio primary. Becky has already put one up as has Chantell. So, without further adieu, here we go.
I turned 18 in 1986, my senior year in high school, and was pretty much the model of a young conservative for a period of 20 years. While I missed out on the Reagan revolution (I still believe Ronaldus Magnus is the greatest president of the 20th century), I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, Bob Dole once (although I had to suppress a gag reflex on that one), and George W. Bush twice.
Between 2004-2006 something happened. I watched the Republicans, who were great campaigners, be absolutely awful at governing. In Ohio, the problem was magnified. The Ohio Republican Party turned out to be one of the most corrupt entities in modern history. Here’s a couple of examples: Our esteemed governor, Bob Taft, the great grandson of William Howard Taft, former president and Chief Justice of the United States, pled guilty to a misdemeanor ethics charge and DIDN’T RESIGN FROM OFFICE. My own congressman from the Ohio 18th, Bob Ney, is now a guest of the federal government due to taking bribes in a lobbying scandal. And, a little closer to home (or work in this case), the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation was found to be slightly less corrupt than the Gambino crime family. Add all of these together and this young Republican voted for a slew of Democrats in 2006 including our current governor, Ted Strickland and my current congressman, Zack Space. Both seem to be in touch with the mood of the state- not raging wild-eyed liberals but folks who agree that the past hasn’t worked out too well. I also decided that just because I was an evangelical, the Republican party did not own my vote.
As I watched the 2008 primaries shape up, none of the Republicans and only one of the Democrats impressed me. While I do think John McCain is a certified American hero, I really don’t want four years of more of the same. My issues are two-fold. First, could someone please tell me what needs to be accomplished in order to declare victory in Iraq? If it’s about oil, please just say so. Otherwise, we’re spending $3 Billion a week to referee a civil war that’s going to be going on long after we’re dead. Second, clearly, the economy is in some pain. This is largely due to ineptitude in both the executive and legislative branches. $1800 interest free loans to tax payers are not going to fix this. Real courage to address our spending and tax system is. I don’t see any of that from McCain. Without delving too deep, let’s just say voting for Hillary Clinton was a non-starter.
Which is why (2000 words into this post) I plan to vote for Barack Obama on Tuesday. As a side note, like Chantell, I also meet the stereotypical profile of an Obama supporter- white, college educated, income north of a certain level. I get a sense that, unlike any of the other candidates, he is willing to work in a bi-partisan fashion to solve the problems of this country. There are those who say he’s just talk and big ideas. Hello, we need big ideas to turn this ship around. A president, I believe, should be a visionary and surround himself with folks who can implement. I think Barack is this type of person. I could be wrong. He may be the next Jimmy Carter (God help us). But I get a sense that there’s something different here. He’s the first real contender from my generation. Our generation is done fighting Vietnam, done with the race riots of the ’60’s, done with Woodstock. Come along folks, we have bigger fish to fry.
So there you have it. Confessions of an evangelical liberal. And if you get nothing else from this post, read this Washington Post piece by Amy Sullivan. It’s one of the best I’ve ever read.
