The Voting Confession Booth

Last night I heard from an old friend in New York, who was on the ropes:

"It's only hours away from the polls opening, and I still don't know who I'm gonna vote for!"

Her agony is not unique. A lot of people who want to see George Bush frog-marched out of office with a bucket of tar on his head, are, today, puzzled as to who they'd like to see take his place.

For Democrat-voters, the Obama vs. Clinton contest has been a Giant Dipper of Indecisiveness.

For independents, it's tempting, for once, to get involved in the game.

For GOP voters... sorry, what a freak show. I know a couple sensible Goldwater pornographers you might want to write in as an alternative.

I told my girlfriend last night, and I'll say the same to all of you here, "I'll be your kind confidante to confess your vote to— and I'll love you no matter what."

Yes, I love everyone's who's voting today, because I can't remember the last time I saw so much excitement about enfranchisement!

My New York pal has been afraid to speak up at her Obama-crazed office, to reveal that she's been a Hillary-supporter all these months. However, she just watched Will.i.Am's music video set to Barak's New Hampshire primary speech, and was so in awe of his entertainment and speech-writing staff she just might cross over.

But it's hard. She contemplated the sexism she's seen in this race, and rallied to Gloria Steinem's argument why women are denied the front-runner throne.

Then, she thinks of Bill, and wants to puke.

Still, she wonders what Obama can get done after all the Hollywood pretty people have left the building.

And then she dreams about the awestruck impression a "President Obama" would make to the rest of the world, especially the parts of the world the U.S. has gutted over and over again. That's inspiring.

I said, "Gee, you've been through the wringer. Here I was, just fondling my old Shirley Chisholm button, thinking of all I've seen since I got my 18-year-old vote in 1976!"

Like many left-wing voters, I wish there was a feminist, antiwar, sexually-liberated,  free-speech-loving, class-conscious,  civil rights-marching, slow food activist who would invite me to take my shoes off in the Lincoln Bedroom. Damn!

I started out with Kucinich— Elizabeth, I mean. I wish we could run away together on a unicorn.

Next, I stood wide-eyed and puzzled by the Edwards phenom, wishing again, that his wife was running, because she sounds so real, and she doesn't have a problem with gay marriage, either. It was amazing that this candidate was the one— the white guy with the fancy hair— who brought poverty and working class issues, and corporate-abuse outrage, to the table. THAT'S what's tearing this country apart, and that's what any White House will be facing, the true David vs. Goliath.

Today, though, I had to choose between Obama and Clinton.

I wish Obama was a Trojan horse of liberal goodies as the Republicans would like to portray him— but there's no evidence that he is.

Talk about embarrassing moments— Obama, in 2004, demanded that he not have his picture taken with S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom during a fundraiser, because Barak didn't want to be pictured next to the guy who made gay marriage legal on Valentines Day. Ugh! Politics as usual.

But the Clintons... and yes, I think it's fair to refer to the plural...  have ridden their centrist, sellout, fundie-crooked-accomodationist  pony right into the ground. They've controlled the Democratic agenda and enabled the most egregious GOP crap. They are emblematic of a Congress that's done little to repudiate George Bush.

Witness the latest Feinstein-led rally to appoint Michael Mukasey as Attorney General, a guy who champions moral relativism on waterboarding, and is just another in a long line of stomach-turning, REPULSIVE events. That reminds me of the former Clinton administration.

The Clintons are admitted hawks, they're prudes, and they're absolutely quaint on issues like continuing the embargo on Cuba. Someone needs to surgically remove the Cold War out of their ass. They take advantage of liberals hoping that they are more "cool" in their private lives than they are in their public ones. Who cares? I don't want to "have a beer" with them; I'd rather they show their social justice colors in their public policy.

I voted for Obama today as an anti-DLC vote, as a repudiation to the party machine. It's sort of like voting against the old Daley machine in Chicago.

I can see that Obama is a beautiful and charismatic speaker, and that he has the emblematic, generous, Aloha spirit. His wife Michelle is awesome, and I'd vote for her in a hot second.

But I would love to appear before him like a Dickensian Bart Simpson at the foot of his bed, whispering, "Don't fuck this up, man."

"Don't sell out the people who are voting for you today, because the reason they are attracted to you is revolutionary.

"We want a COMPLETE change: an end to this war, to torture, to racist imperial politics. We want an embrace of the public good, democracy, a commitment to education and the future. A repudiation of corruption! And don't forget a defiant kick in the corporate ass, which is going to be the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life. Might wanna get Edwards as your new AG..."

Plus, baby wants new shoes, too. It's a tall order.

Now get out there, and vote!  And... if you'd like to reveal your thoughts, or voting choices in the comments below, feel free to post anonymously. I won't publish anything that's a loose cannon, either. 

P.S. To my local girls: Yes on Prop 93! Let's make sure the best US State Representative ever, John Laird, stays in office. If only he was our president!— Wouldn't life be fine?

Photo: Viva Che!  

Comments

[Debbie Nathan]

New York Confession:

Obama: more worldly (that mom in Kenya in a hut, etc.). Obama: apparently is not a member of secret, Legislative fundamentalist "prayer group" like Hilary is. Obama: apparently did good community organizing in Chicago a la Saul Alinksy, whereas Hilary simply wrote a thesis about Alinksy in college (and didn't like him much, either). Obama: worked in Illinois to remedy the problem of false confessions in criminal cases (he favors videotaping police interrogations). Hilary: Experience and a record whereas Obama: who knows what he'll do? Hilary: much easier to publicly dislike her (and express that animus in creepily coded ways) just because she's a woman than it is to diss Obama because he's black (even old leftie and liberal men are allowed to act sexist much more than they are racist). Hilary: the "thing" that called asking me to vote for her was her canned voice. Obama: the "thing" was a live person, obviously into what he was doing, all fresh-voiced and excited.
So -- what to do?
I added up the columns, plus and minus, then walked to the junior high and into the booth. Still extremely confused. Blah. But then, in New York, even losers get some delegates. So it could have been worse.

[Debbie Nathan]

Oh, and PS: She's been AWFUL on immigration!!! Him? Well, who knows?

[Christi]

Well, Susie, Nan and I are about to leave to go vote here in New Mexico. I'm worried about Barak's "family values" stance--your mention of his reluctance to pose with Mayor Newsom is telling. His comments last Thursday during the lovefest in L.A.--I mean, "debate"--about violence in films was creepy for us pornographers. At least during the Clinton administration we didn't have to worry about raids.

[Caitlin]

Susie, I'm with you on Elizabeth Edwards. I've been saying, since the last election, when the Kerry/Edward families were doing the stumpfest, "Hey, the wrong person is running here!" Actually, I like the male half of the Edwards duo too, but she is a solid, smart cookie. I would vote for her in a nanosecond. As for today, I'm using my work as a procrastination tool to keep me from quickly dashing over to my conveniently-located voting booth. And why am I dragging my feet so? Just as your friend is waffling between Obama and Clinton, so am I---for all the reasons cited in your blog post. Between the fear that dire indecision will render me catatonic and keep me sweating and fretting in that booth for the rest of the afternoon, and the fear that I'll have immediate, lingering voter's regret for the rest of my life....ah, well, let's just say that my workload and computer station have never felt so cozy and comforting as today. Think I'll just dig into this pile of papers and hunker down into my seat a little while longer. Maybe some tea, then lunch, then a walk around the block, more work...maybe I'll vote just before the polls close, thus forcing my hand. God, I hope I vote at all.

[jill]

just voted for obama, made my mind up 1/2 hour before i turned in my vote. it is hard because i so want to see a woman as pres.even though Hillary drives me batty most of the time , but deep down i can't trust her some how, old establishment i guess, i too wanted edwards. right now i am just relieved to have the choice behind me along with that slick confusing indian game thing here in california.

[Michael]

Oh Pah-leeese! Show me someone who's having difficulty choosing who to vote for and I will show you someone who does not know their own values and priorities.

And the tearing the country apart thing? This country is not being torn apart, with the possible exception of the rise of personal hate attacks against our leaders because we don't like their politics. The "frog-stepping with bucket of tar" is a good example. I don't like Hillary or Obama, but if either is elected, he/she will be my President and I won't be calling for any tar!

OK. OK. All you lefties forgive me. Isn't OK for a conservative to like Susie's blog? It's just that once you learn to recongnize manure, you find it on both the left AND the right.

:)

[Joan]

My mom was born the year before women got the right to vote and she wants to see a woman President before she dies, never mind that Hillary voted for the war (which Mom hates) and is generally so centrist she's hardly a Democrat. I'd be voting for Kucinich or Edwards if either of them were in the race because they seem to have noticed that the economy is getting harsher for ordinary people, but as both of them are off the ballot I'm probably voting for Obama.

[Sandrino]

Being in Florida I voted already last Tuesday. I voted for Clinton. I had supported Edwards but by last week, it was clear he wasn't going to be the candidate. I like Hillary and Barack, both would be better presidents than Dubya (heck a puddle of runny dog shit beats Dubya as president). I find Barack a bit green, he is very idealistic and inspiring but the real world out here requires someone with experience and wisdom. I think he would make a great VP, and in eight years a great president. The job of the presidency is too hard for someone with so little experience. Barack needs a few more years before he's ready for the top job. Besides, its about time we had a woman president.

[Camille Bright-Smith]

Oh gads I can't decide! But can I join you on the unicorn ride? Between you, Elizabeth, myself and the good rhythm of a horse's back we could release enough endorphins to change the world!

To be honest I am just hoping I remembered to change my registration to Dem from whatever other wierd category it was before. I HATE having to pick a box for myself.

Thanks for a GREAT post Susie.

[Sue Katz]

I'm not crazy about this American electoral system at all. Bizarre. But I thought I had someone to vote for, Kucinich, till he dropped out. Today I voted Obama and here's why:

Hillary:
War monger who has supported Bush's Iraq war every step of the way up to this moment, loved Bush's threat to bomb Iran based on more bullshit "intelligence" and offered to use nuclear bombs (!) to kill bin Laden. And there's something so canned, so polished up, so Bess Meyerson about Hillary that she reminds me of my mother (this is not a good thing).

Barak:
Has been talking about gays and lesbians quite explicitly, including in a black church on MLK day (where he also spoke about anti-semitism); refused to make a snide comment when Hillary "teared up" unlike Edwards who immediately said, We need someone strong (Obama said, I know what it's like to campaign day and night); and he actually talked about the impact of the Iraq War on the tanking economy (instead of just sub-prime stuff) and its effects on "the working class and middle class." I thought I'd faint to hear those words "working class" in an American presidential campaign.

Susie, I wish we had done this yesterday on your blog!! Thanks for doing it today.

Sue
www.suekatz.com

[The Dreaded Rhubarb]

Speaking as someone from the UK who grew up during Margaret Thatcher's reign of terror, I can assure you that there is no real feminist advantage to having a women at the top. There is no trickle down of power. If anything Thatcher was even more hostile towards women as if there's going to be a token woman in power SHE was going to be that women.

I don't know if Hillary will be like that but you can bet your ass that she won't be liberal. But neither will Obama. You face a tough choice, still anything beats McCain.

[Elf Handcuffed To A Desk]

It is a tough decision. The best argument against Barack is that it's basing the decision on personality instead of policies. And that that's what brought George Bush to America in the first place.

Arguments for Barack:

* Barack is probably more "electable."

* Barack genuinely tried to run a new, hopeful campaign that didn't attack his rivals.

* Barack didn't take lobbyist money for his campaign.

And most importantly...

* Barack has more small donors. (And brought new people into the party, including crucial young voters.)

I've been saying that I'm too old and cynical to fall for that old line about "hope." But if Barack Obama can make others genuinely feel faith and hope -- maybe that's reason enough to vote for him.

[mossum]

Susie,

I vote absentee, so my ballot was cast a couple of weeks ago. I am registered as a Libertarian. I considered re-registering for one of the major parties just so I could cast a (valid) vote in the Primaries, but changed my mind after reviewing the mission statements of each party. Then I wrote this rant and posted it on MySpace (for my kids and all my quasi-kids):

=======================================
Please VOTE! If you are of legal age to cast a ballot in the upcoming election, please do.

I find there is so much discontent with politics, yet so many in my generation and yours are unwilling to cast their vote.

Believe me, I get it when you tell me you don't bother because you don't think it will make a difference. I get what you're feeling. I've felt the same thing. But you're wrong.

Once upon a time it was so inconceivable that a black man or a woman might become U.S. President, that none ever entered the race. Clearly that has changed.

If you agree with me that both of the major political parties have their heads so far up their butts that they can't see past the polyps, then read up on the other parties and pick one. Go ahead and register with that party. By sheer numbers we can show our government that we want more choice!

It might take some time to change the world, but it'll take much longer if you don't vote.
=======================================

A couple of days ago I was listening to NPR and heard about this handy page:

http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/programs/2008/02/02/staticTemplate.html

(Don't forget to play with the "Select a Candidate" widget.)

[Anarcissie]

I resolved to never vote for anyone who had voted for or explicitly supported the invasion and occupation of Iraq. This made it easy to decide who to vote for in the primary; but I fear in the general election I may have to look at third, fourth or fifth parties, or write in my own name, or that of Felix the Cat. I find it very interesting that two-thirds of Americans are opposed to the war and think it was a mistake, yet almost all the surviving candidates are slavering warmongers. How did that happen?

[Susan]

Clinton, Obama, Obama, Clinton--I walk into the booth and I still don't know. Pluses and minuses seem about equal, and neither is my dream candidate, but--I wanna vote for a woman for president, just once! So, at the last second, Hilary got my vote. Even though I maybe-kinda a prefer Obama in a lot of ways.

Now for the cabinet: John Edwards for Attorney General! Barak Obama for Secretary of state! Elizabeth Edwards for something, anything . . .

[Peter Throckmorton]

I voted today for Obama, for largely the same reasons and with largely the same reservations that you mention. I'd love to have a female president, but not necessarily this female. Actually, I'd be most happy with Jed Bartlett, but so much for that dream. I'm old enough to remember JFK - old enough, indeed, to remember the shock I felt when he was shot. I'd like to think that Obama could be as inspirational as Kennedy was. That hope alone is enough to shift the balance of the decision for me.

[Becca]

I'm just grateful that this time around, my vote apparently counts, since California moved its primary up. My thoughts and decision process were very similar to yours. I was disappointed when John Edwards dropped out of the race right before Super Tuesday.

[C.S. Lewiston]

My favorite candidate for president has always been Nobody, who you may recall almost won the 2000 election!

My most vivid memory about Hilary Clinton was shaking her hand when she came to my corner of upstate New York during her first run for the senate, to succeed Daniel Patrick Moynihan (a good man, but a bit too much of the ivory-tower syndrome for my liking). My next most vivid memory of her is hearing that Rupert Murdoch, owner of the most blatantly partisan news services since Pravda, had thrown her a fundraising party last year. Obama may be inexperienced, but he's got a lot more on the ball than President Silver-Spoon!

I can certainly understand your being upset at Mr. Obama's reluctance to be associated with the man who legalized same-sex marriage. Nonetheless I believe that Mr. Obama is the man who's most likely to let us hold onto our adulthoods (i.e. who'll allow us to make our own decisions as to what we do with our bodies and those of other consenting adults, who'll let us have access to adult media, and who won't let corporate bullies beat us up and steal our lifes' lunch money). While it would be a novel idea to finally, after 232 years, have a woman in the White House, I'm not sure that the woman who voted for the Iraq war is the one for the job.

Of course the whole thing may be a moot point if as some have suggested another 9-11-style "terrorist incident" occurs this fall peior to the election. Suspended constitution. Indefinite presidency for Mr. Bush. Welcome to the United States of Decidership.

[Frank Richards]

Nice analysis as usual Susie. Whenever i need some sanity, i come here. I too voted for Obama as an anti-DLC statement. Hey, we're talkin' presidential politics here so i have no illusions. I too have that pipe dream about a feminist, anti-war, anti-corporate etc. candidate, but i guess the closest one will ever get to the WH is to ride past it on the tour bus. Still, the Clinton's institutional entanglements creep me out and its exactly Obama's slightly more distant relationship to those nasties- for what its worth- that leave me feeling a bit better about him.

[LustyLioness]

I mentally flipped a coin in the voting booth. I ended up deciding to go with Clinton.

The economy was so much better when Mr. Clinton was president and I can't help but believe she learned a whole lot about the running of the country when she was First Lady. In spite of Romney's insipid assertion that learning to be president by "internship" does not make any sense, I believe whole-heartedly that it must. Anybody with two brain cells to rub together would learn a lot just standing around in the White House and Hillary has a considerable number higher than two. Ironically, when a VP runs for president, his experiences in the White House over the previous four (or eight) years is shouted from the rooftops as the be-all, end-all in pre-presidential education.

This was really a tough election in California for the propositions as much as assigning the delegates votes. I'm so tired of yes meaning no and no meaning yes, but not on that one, etc. that I could just scream. Worse, we get another dose in June. What a waste of money June elections will be.

[jill]

i had to register again to be able to vote democratic, my spouse did so as well at my prodding,i received my new ballots with the democratic choices on it about 2 weks ago.however my spouses did not have any pres. choices when his came, it came 3 days latter than mine, about 10days ago, and then a card came, day before the election, he could request a democratic card at the polling place. what happened? when he went to vote yesterday they told him at our polling place he could not vote for pres! how ridiculous! disenfranchisement is alive and kicking! he even showed them the card! incompetence lurks at every turn.sad.

[DC (in UK)]

I don't envy Dem-leaning US voters on their choice. So, your birthday's on 25th December - what kind of cake would you like?

But seriously, when I think of whom I'd support, I'm as torn as the rest of you. The thing that worries me about Clinton is the suspicion she'll choose, want or need a 'Willie Horton moment' to prove her credentials as C-in-C. Once she's ticked the feminist to-do list by becoming president, she actually has to govern the US (and be Leader of the Free World, and all that jazz)...and that's a question of politics and ideology. Will she have learnt from Bill's mistakes, as well as being her own woman, or will she be a triangulator just like he was? (She's got one, maybe two years to work with Pelosi in case the GOP retake one or both houses?)

As for Obama, similar issue re. race - but his oratory...on the one hand brilliant, on the other, the sudden thought that he could be the African American Tony Blair (and not in a good way).

It's a toughie, but it could be worse: there's always the Republicans...

[Liz Clarke]

Some learned pundit person up here in Canada suggested this a.m. on the radio that it was still possible for Gore to jump in at this point and make things really confusing / interesting.

Is that actually possible (asks someone with only a vague understanding of how party leaders are elected in the US)?

[Anthony Kennerson]

Uhhh...sorry to burst this Obama orgy, but y'all do know that he is in fact a charter member of the DLC?? And that none other than DLC frontman Al From backs him to the tooth??

And that his main financial advisers are the same folks who thought up the idea of privatizing Social Security??

And that he can be as militant and as warmongering as Hillary ever could?? As in, invading Iran and Pakistan??

Not to mention the fact that Obama is well know for pandering to anti-gay and far-right bigots like Dennis McCracken...and giving tributes to Ronald Reagan???

No, thank you, Susie....if you don't mind, I'll stick to a real progressive who's not a tool of the Democratic/Republican duopoly. Does the name "Cynthia McKinney" raise any bells??

Anthony

[David in Chch]

Those of us outside the USA always find the US electoral process interesting, if a bit arcane. This year is no exception. What's interesting is that we get the replays of US commentary about Hillary's substance vs Barack's oratory. Let's face it ... the US Presidency IS more about style and symbolism than about substance. The US Congress and Senate and your Judiciary have just as much impact on the substance, as do your State Legislatures. So the argument about style is not really apt. JFK is a nice example. He did have some solid ideas, but he was primarily a man who knew how to inspire people.

We have an election looming here later this year, but I doubt anyone outside NZ or Australia will have heard about it. What's interesting here is that the current Labour government, with their coalition partners (we have proportional representation here), have introduced draconian anti-democratic legislation. It's reached the point where a number of us died-in-the-wool lefties are not going to support Labour this year. They have lost us. But then ... who do we support? It is going to be an interesting year, in lots of places in lots of ways.

Good luck to Obama. Young, fresh, inspirational. Let's hope he relaxes a bit and is willing to embrace a wider range of communities.

Oh, and we have legalised same-gender "marriage" (the Civil Union Act) here in NZ. No drama. No sweat. Passed by a BIG margin years ago. Same with legalised prostitution, albeit by a smaller margin.

Cheers

[Amit]

What Susie, no mention of Green Party?? :) :)
Looks like the two-party duopoly has you too. I'll probably vote for the Green Party candidate (Cynthia McKinney maybe?) because their values, agenda and platform align neatly with my outlook.

[Amit]

Oh, and I'm sorry for the tone of my very first comment on your blog. I'm a big fan of yours and two of your books 'Sexual State of the Union' and 'Full Exposure' were an important part of my learning curve. So, thank you. :)