Clare's Dad

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a political blogger.  I’m not a guy who usually discusses controversial subjects.  I have my beliefes and opinions; you have yours.  So be it.  I was also taught that if I have nothing good to say, I should say nothing at all.  I stay quiet a lot.

All that said, this is a blog about Clare, about me, about Clare’s Mom, and about the world Clare’s growing up in.  I’m sure that a pretty important presidential election falls in there somewhere.

In one week, we’ll finally reach the election day that seems to have been building for nearly a decade.  I’m not sure I’m convinced that this is the most important election of our lives, because I think that every election is important.  Whether Obama or McCain is elected, I believe that certain things will change and others won’t.  The economy will eventually recover.  One war may end, others will continue.  Some closed-minded people in both parties will still to be divided.  This election, I think that very many people on both sides don’t realize how absolutely obnoxius they’ve been.  I’ve sometimes wanted to vote against their candidate just out of spite.

Until very recently, I seriously considered exercising my right not to vote in this presidential election.  Even today, neither leading candidate excites me or has my full support.  I respect them both.  I think they both could be excellent leaders and are good men.  McCain, however, is not behaving like the man he appeared to be before this election and he’s made some very bad decisions—including his choice of running mate who is not now, and may never be, ready for national office.  (I am encouraged, however, that the candidacy in this election and primary process of Sarah Palin and of Hillary Clinton—despite my opinions of them both—do mean that we may see more women run for president in coming elections.)  As for Obama, I have far too many reservations and fears about his experience, his politics, and his policies to be able to whole-heartedly endorse him.

I consider Connecticut to be a middle-of-the-road state.  We’re a “blue” state, but we’ve got a Republican governor.  The county I live in even voted for George Bush in 2004.  Our Supreme Court, however, recently ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, proudly making Connecticut only the third state in the country to legalize gay marriage.  That law actually goes into effect today.  I think that many of us in Connecticut are what may have once been called Rockefeller Republicans—fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.

Two days ago, the Hartford Courant—the state’s largest newspaper—endorsed a Democrat for president for only the second time in its 244-year history.  In many ways, I agree with the spirit of that endorsement.  Our economy is critcal, war and social issues divide us, but there is clearly another concern that stands out above all others.  Earlier this year, Michelle Obama said in a speech that “For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.”  Yes, she should have chosen better words, but I think most of us know what she was trying to say.  For nearly twenty years, the United States has been losing the world’s respect.  Even in 2001, we had the world’s sympathy, but I don’t think we had their respect.  As a nation, we’re stubborn, self-involved bullies who don’t seem to know or even care what’s happening in the world that affects us or that we’re affecting.

I don’t believe that Barack Obama will be the person to restore the United States to greatness.  It’s going to take a lot of time and far more than one man to do that.  I do believe, however, that the majority of the world sees Barack Obama as the better candidate and that electing him will show the world that we’re concerned about our image, that we’re prepared to make difficult changes, and that we’re ready to move forward.  I also believe that electing a black man president will be a proud moment for all of us despite our color, political party, or background.

I still have many concerns about Barack Obama.  I’m even more concerned about the Democrats contolling both Congress and the White House.  But, as my blogmigo Mitch McDad put it so well, “They better get shit done because it’s ON YOU if they don’t.”

So, that’s my half-hearted political endorsement and, more importantly, my record for Clare of how I intend to vote in this election and why.  My prayers and best wishes go to all of the candidates, to all of the winners, and to all of us.