***MY DECISION: A VOTE FOR HILLARY (4 VOTES IN OUR FAMILY)***

[rodeodance]

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject ***MY DECISION: A VOTE FOR HILLARY (4 VOTES IN OUR FAMILY)***
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4231971#4231971
4231971, ***MY DECISION: A VOTE FOR HILLARY (4 VOTES IN OUR FAMILY)***
Posted by robbedvoter on Sun Jan-27-08 12:55 PM

I have decided.
My vote goes to Hillary.
This comes from someone who protested the war (at her office a few times) and voted Jonathan Tasini in the primaries of 2006.
I did plan to vote Gravel - the one who mostly reflects my positions. But he is not on the ballot in NY.
From the existing candidates: I know all I need to know of Edwards from 2004 - let's leave it at that
That leaves a choice between Hillary and Obama.
Their records and platforms are similar enough leave me look just at the candidates.
I considered Obama's initial opposition to war - and his subsequent votes to fund it. I also remember a speech he made in 2006 about not needing to look in how the war got started, just what to do from now on.
Still, I celebrated his Iowa victory.
Then the media zoomed on Hillary looking for a "scream" and got me screaming. So I cheered women winning in NH.
Then I find out about Obama's admiration for Reagan
From his book:
"
"The conservative revolution Reagan helped usher in gained traction because Reagan's central insight--that the liberal welfare state had grown complacent and overly bureaucratic, with Democratic policy makers more obsessed with slicing the economic pie than with growing he pie--contained a good deal of truth."

I want to slice the pie - and Reagan grew nothing but the debt.
And I had enough with the St Ronnie worship!
So, I cheered Reagan losing in Nevada.

Then Hillary came for the Florida and Michigan voters - and that was a major factor in my decision. Voting rights matter to me. Party squabbles shouldn't slight constitutional rights.
Obama's "sorry voters but ....me, me, me" - was a painful reminder of the outcome of 2004. I want a candidate who would fight for me in November if needed this time.

Last night when Tim Russert started lecturing Bill Clinton I was almost angry enough to say: just for this and she should get my vote. But I slept on it. My voting decision is important to me, and it will not made to spite this one or that one. I told myself I'll wait to see what the candidates do on FISA.
Upon finding out Hillary is ready to vote stand for our rights, I am now ready to decide.

Other factors that helped me eliminate other candidates - the quality of their supporters. I'll never forget being hounded by 2 Deanies in 2004 when trying to collect signatures to put Clark on the ballot. For a whole hour they made sarcastic comments and laughed every time I would fail to get a signature.
I had deja vu when an Obama supporter gloated about tripping a Hillary volunteer on the phone. But what really will stay with me - and will become a story to my grandchildren one day is the response to my sincere attempt to congratulate the winners:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4216621&mesg_id=4216621
Not really a factor in my decision making, but something that cemented my resolution
Oh, and one more thing: my fellow anti-war protesters called m/wrote me to say that they to will vote for Hillary (thanks Timmeh!!)