Saturday, February 2, 2008

My Journey to Choose a Candidate



This is not a political commentary although it is about politics. Rather it is about my journey to choose a candidate. Never has my decision touched me so deeply nor has it ever been so difficult.

Tuesday, January 8th was a historic day. Listed on the New Hampshire primary ballot were the names of the two leading candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for president - a woman named Hillary Clinton and a black man named Barack Obama. Another name, Bill Richardson, of Hispanic heritage was also listed and in fourth place in the polls. The list of all the candidates was long and impressive. Of special interest to me were Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd. I can't remember a time when the the choices were so good and so varied. I can't remember a time when I felt the country would be in good hands regardless of which candidate ultimately made it to the White House.

In my heart, I wanted desperately to see America break one of the barriers that keeps us divided. I grew up in a culture and a family that told me I wasn't as good, smart or capable because I was a girl. The working world confirmed that stereotype. Like many women in my generation, I rebelled against it. US Senator Hillary Clinton's status as a serious contender for the presidency was a dream come true.

My culture, family, and work experience constantly reminded me that being black in America, also meant not as good, as smart or as capable. More horrendous stereotypes were perpetuated in American society. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was and is one of my heroes. US Senator Barack Obama's status as a serious contender for the presidency was a dream come true.

Hispanics have not escaped the labels of not as good, smart or capable, either. Alas, more bigotry and ignorance reared it's ugly head here in the land of the free. Gov. Bill Richardson's status as a serious contender for the presidency was a dream come true.

You may be thinking that the choice should have been easy. I'm a white woman who has dreamed since childhood that a woman would rise to the presidency. But it wasn't that easy. Careful thought and consideration are a must when choosing a leader. The United States is at critcal point in its history. Seldom has the need for the right leader been more urgent.

Therefore, the process of choosing was an arduous one. I set my heart aside while I examined each of the candidates. They shared many views. The process of winnowing the field often came down to one view that I felt strongly about. Within a few weeks, my field had been narrowed to Clinton, Obama and Biden. Senator Biden just didn't have the support necessary to keep him competitive. In a way, I felt this great senator is still needed in the Senate.

Finally, I was left with Clinton and Obama. They are both good, smart and capable! Either as president would be a dream come true.

However, I was extremely disappointed in a vote on a resolution that Clinton had made a few months earlier. It weighed heavily on my mind. But the most basic question seemed to me to be what does this country need more than anything? We need a leader who can unite us and inspire us. When I say us, I mean all of us. We need a new direction, a new vision. We need someone who can restore our standing in the world community. We need a leader who will give it to us straight, who will tell us that we need to pitch in to rebuild this nation. A leader we can believe in. My questions reminded me of the speaker who gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2004. I had not felt so motivated and inspired since I was a kid listening to President Kennedy's inaugural address. That evening I told my husband that I had just listened to an incredible speech by the man who would be the first black president of the United States. That sentiment was echoed by many others the following day.

Finally, my heart and my mind were in agreement; I had my answer. I cast my vote in the New Hampshire primary for Senator Barack Obama.

A great historic moment awaits us during the August 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado as the party nominates either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton to be its candidate for president of the United States. I hope with all my heart and mind that it will be Senator Obama but I will enthusiastically support Senator Clinton if she is the nominee. It is with great joy and hope that I await that final historic moment when one of them is sworn in to be President of the United States.


Keynote Address by Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, 07/27/04

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Clipart or Photos: www.ace-clipart.com

10 comments:

Mary said...

Tina,

I wish we had a primary here, but we have no say in who becomes leader of a party. All we do is vote for whoever is to be Prime Minister.

I can see the difficult time you had deciding between Clinton, Biden and Obama. I like them all as well. Biden is not popular enough to be elected and I can see where that would cut your choices to Clinton and Obama. Either will be a good choice in my opinion. I think the US needs change and if either of these people are elected President, it will be a historical vote.

Good luck to both candidates. I am looking forward to a new President in the White House.

Thanks so much for commenting on my Black History post. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I've been a bit concerned about you, as you hadn't posted in a while. I hope you have been in good health.

Blessings and hugs,
Mary

Tina Coruth said...

Mary,

I too am so looking forward to a new President in the White House. My only fear is if the Republicans win. Both John McCain and Mitt Romney are fine people, but the bulk of their political beliefs would leave us stuck on the George Bush highway to ruination, IMHO.

I always enjoy visiting your blog!

I'm OK, just a little bump in the road with the mcs. Nothing major.

Thank you for stopping by. It's always good to see you. :-)

Love & Hugs,
Tina

Michele said...

Wow, Tina, as I kept reading I thought to myself, What a long post for Tina! :-)

I enjoyed reading your views and opinions and some of your own history and how things were different and folks had assumptions that women or Blacks weren't as good or couldn't accomplish awesome things.

Great post!

Smiles,
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Tina,

Wow, what a great post! You have really thought things through and done your research. I like both Obama and Clinton as well, and I like Senator McCain, too. I am going to vote on Super Tuesday, next week, and am still undeceided. I enjoyed reading your great commentary! Have a wonderful Sunday.

Hugs,

Renie

Mike Golch said...

you know the the decision of who to pick is definately a tough one.I the idea of a woman president but I'm not sure if Hilery is the right one,A black president is a good one too if the person that was running had a tad more experience.On the repub side I donot trust someone that clains that as a minister he is fit to run this country WHAT EVER HAPPEND TO SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE?????????then there is the one that is a hawk(Gungo how on wars for those that donot remember that term from the '70s)so what is a person to do???

Tina Coruth said...

Michele,

I guess I did go on, didn't I?!? LOL

I'm glad that you enjoyed reading about my "journey". This is such an unusual election that I found I needed to write about it. It just wouldn't leave me alone!

Thank you for your kinds words. :-)

Smiling right back at you,
Tina

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

I will be very interested to see how the vote turns out in your state. I heard just this morning on one of the news programs that Missouri is considered a bellweather state. Of the last 26 primaries, you voted for the candidate that ended up being the nominee 25 times!! That is quite a record.

Thank you! I hope you have a great Sunday, too. :-)

Hugs,
Tina

Tina Coruth said...

Mike,

No two people had more years of experience than Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld and that didn't do us one bit of good. So,as to your question of what is a person to do - I think voting for Barack Obama is a great idea.

Thank you for reading my post and commenting!

Tina

Tara said...

Your journey to select a candidate is insightful. The splinter groups of the Democratic Party have to unite behind one candidate, not one agenda.

I am guilty of such short sightedness. Getting our nation out of the boardrooms and altars is too important to allow this opportunity to slip by.

Thank you for a thought inspiring article.

Tina Coruth said...

Tara,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we have a lot to do as a country and we must unite to get it done!

Tina