I was eating breakfast with a friend of mine the other day and our discussion turned to presidential politics. We talked about who we were thinking of voting for for president in the upcoming primaries. I mentioned to him that I was leaning towards John Edwards (he had not yet dropped out of the race) because I liked his position on some issues more than the other candidates. I especially liked his tenacity in giving a voice to the poor and disenfranchised. I also really liked his intention to strongly fight corporate lobbying and the influence in general of big business on the political process.
I then mentioned that I had been leaning before that towards Obama. I told my friend of how moved I had been by Obama’s speech after his victory in the Iowa Caucuses. His words had touched me very deeply in my core, actually bringing tears to my eyes and “yes!” to my lips. He had spoken words to me that resonated with me at a much deeper level. At that moment, over my Southwest Veggie Omelette at Egghead’s on Main Street in Fort Bragg, I realized that I would not be voting for Edwards but would instead be voting for Obama. While I liked Edwards in my mind, I liked Obama in my heart, and I’m learning slowly (all too unfortunately) but surely (indeed) to trust that my heart knows the truth better than my head.
This time I vote with my heart. May the rest of my life follow suit.
4 replies on “Voting with my Heart”
Does mentioning your thoughts to others make a difference?Even as late as yesterday morning (Tue 2/5), I was still not sure about who to vote for in the Primary – Hilary vs. Barack.Since that morning over breakfast, one thing remained in my head – Hilary might be a decent choice, but no one seems particularly passionate about voting for her. Why are prominent women (i.e. Maria Shriver, Caroline Kennedy, Oprah, etc…) not all that excited about possibly having a woman as President of the USA? I also thought back to the story that you recollected about Barack giving a speech that enthralled you and brought a tear to your eye. It was this man who made people passionate about their choice in this election. It was that thought that swayed my vote. In the end, I selected Barack as my candidate of choice. I don’t know that in my heart, I am passionate about either candidate – but the fact that one of them touched a friend of mine so deeply made the choice easier for me.– The Other person at the Breakfast Table
I already confessed this to you – we are registered Green and thought we had switched to Democrat, but we hadn’t. So I had to vote for Nader.Of course, I would have voted for Obama, and hope I get the chance to in November.I made a little map and posted it on my Blog. Clinton did great among Democrats in counties that went to Bush in ’04. I don’t really know what that means, or why she won here. I had a conversation with a coworker who voted for Clinton because, he said, he like the prosperity our nation enjoyed during the Bill Clinton years and would like to see us return to that.I countered that the Bill Clinton years only looked good because they are sandwiched between so many disastrous Bush years, and that as a nation, we should expect better than that.So for me it comes down to what Barak said in his speech yesterday that touched me – it is about looking forwards and not backwards. My heart looks forwards and my head looks back – and I, too, am voting with my heart.Also – you know that phrase, “In my heart of hearts…?” I would have to say my heart of hearts would write in Kucinich. But then, my heart of hearts is also registered Green, so it doesn’t count.I have two new personal goals, too:1.) To see you soon.2.) To fly one of my kites on your beach and not just fall down frustrated and get hurt.Hope to see you soon on a windy day.
I think mentioning your thoughts to others sometimes makes a difference. And I am certain than keeping them to yourself NEVER does.
Fresh ground pepper?The Truth Is Out There! Time for another post, busy man.