Disgusted Democrats Not Sold On Obama

I am a U.S. citizen, Democrat, Jew, lesbian-feminist, liberal, pro-choicer and am proud of all of these characteristics. I am, however, disgusted with both Presidential tickets. I prefer John McCain on foreign affairs, the Middle East and national security issues but prefer Barack Obama on social and most domestic issues.

Without declaring the general euphoria around Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign to be unrealistic, I will share a few vignettes and my opinions.

Both candidates and their campaigns have lied and are lying. They are, after all, politicians. We all know that whomever wins will have to raise taxes. Both campaigns have spent an unconscionable amount of money on advertising. Any new voters they are getting are probably too ignorant to be voting.

John McCain, who is one of the best Republican nominees in decades, should not have picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. That move alone has driven away many Democrats and independent voters.

Barack Obama is, in my opinion, the worst Democratic nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1980. I have read all of his first book and part of the his second book. Very interesting.

Why I’m not crazy about Obama (a list I wrote recently for an Obama supporter):

“1) Obama does not have the experience and has no business whatsoever running for President at this time.
2) Obama does not have a sufficiently long voting record for proper evaluation.
3) Obama has clearly exhibited pro-Palestinian behavior.
4) Obama has a lot of nasty friends.
5) Obama does not inspire hope.
6) The more I watch him, listen to him and read his speeches the less I like him.
7) I do not agree with or trust him on the Iraq War let alone the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Added on to the above, I don’t believe anything he has said in the last 5 years about the State of Israel, Palestinians, the Arab countries and Middle East peace.

Breaking the fast after Yom Kippur with a communal meal at a local deli, X tells me that Y is planning to call me to make sure that I don’t vote for “the evil John McCain” but they don’t want me to vote for Barack Obama either. They want me to write-in Hillary Clinton instead. Other friends tell me that they will not cast a vote in the presidential race, only the down-ticket races…

I’m of the theory that, if I don’t vote for one of the major party candidates, I have no right to complain about the results. It all comes down to which choice will hurt my conscience the least.

Most of my Democratic friends are not enthusiastic about Sen. Obama but will reluctantly vote for him anyway. One of two reasons is usually provided:

1) He’s the Democratic candidate for President and I’m a Democrat.
2) I’m worried about the future composition of the Supreme Court [SCOTUS].

This JTA article is an example of the first reason.

This article by Alan Dershowitz is an example of the second reason.

I find both of the above arguments to be bogus, the first because I vote for the best candidate in each race regardless of party and the second because SCOTUS appointees historically tend to moderate their views and do the very best job that they can to serve the American people and our judicial system.

A couple of days ago I got an emailed video from a friend, “Obama’s Loss Traced To Holly Robinson.” HA!

A friend is married to a U.S. citizen who emigrated from the FSU (former Soviet Union). Reportedly the Russian immigrants are scared silly of Sen. Obama. So, apparently, are some local Roman Catholics. While distributing literature today for my local Democratic congressional candidate, I picked up a brochure featuring a blue Obama with a blood-red hand-print over his face titled, “Is it Immoral to Vote for Obama for President?” This appears to be the Randall Terry handout, it was accompanied by a list of local “pro-life” candidates for whom to vote. Of course, this is just ridiculous.

Obama is, however, winning the Busken Bakery Cookie Poll: