Another Conservative...Not For McCain

It's Election Day, so I can finally put my thoughts down. Once again, I want to be brief but mainly just because I want to be brief. I actually early voted a week ago and I voted for Senator Barack Obama for President.

I'm not a huge Obama supporter but I really dislike the McCain/Palin ticket. I only decided about 2 weeks ago and Sen. McCain had a lot to do with my decision. I was unhappy when McCain got the Republican nomination several months ago. He represents an out-of-touch Republican party and just personally seems like the ultimate representation of a shifty establishment politician. I respect that he's a war hero and that he and his family have served and protected America. For that, I am grateful.

His political/campaign record is another matter altogether. He helped sponsor the McCain-Feingold Act, which while putting limits on campaign contributions also puts limits on the First Amendment when it comes to political speech. Strike One. McCain is so open-borders he was a keynote speaker at an event for La Raza. Strike Two. After Senator McCain chose Governor Sarah Palin (in a risky maneuver to try to steal some of the Hillary Clinton supporters), McCain chose to attack his opponent with fearmongering tactics. In the process, he and Governor Palin have managed to attract some of the worst elements of humanity at their rallies (racists, anti-Muslims and other hate-filled bigots). Strike Three.

Throughout the campaign, despite my disagreeing with Senator Obama on many issues such as abortion, his "announce the date" withdrawal approach for the war in Iraq and other "liberal-oriented" matters, he has run a clean campaign, maintained a Presidential appearance and navigated the Presidential debates expertly. He has run the race and now we approach the finish line. Even if for some odd reason, he didn't win, Senator Obama has earned my respect for the way he has conducted himself and his campaign.

I do hope he wins, though.

Best Wishes,
Allen