[Grovenet] If you support Obama . . . .

[Katie Allnutt]

Don't lose your skepticism. As I said, nobody should hold any  
illusions that Obama or anybody else will solve our problems for us.

As far as people being taken in by Obama's 'mystique' , that is  
pretty much balanced by people being taken in by McCain's 'mystique'  
about his war hero status.  McCain was brought up in a military  
atmosphere and his actions were merely a part of his background too.  
All the arguments about one candidate or the other cut both ways.
That is why I have been trying to read as much as possible about both  
of them.  McCain has a longer record by which to judge whether he has  
been able to prove his philosophical resolve. Taxes? Immigration?  
Torture? Offshore drilling? Lobbyist influence?  On a scale of one to  
10 how stellar is McCain's long record on standing firm? Staunch, or  
bendable once he decided to run for office?  The answer is in the eye  
of the voters and whether he crosses the line on issues is up to  
interpretation.
I kind of look at it as this question...will the idealism of Obama  
fall once he gets into office and under pressure? There is no  
guarantee, but in the cosmic sense there is the chance that he will  
be able to hold to it.  Has McCain's ideology already fallen before  
he gets into office?  No clear answers there either but which  
philosophy will he have if he gets in?

Every presidential election is a crap shoot. Bush was the uniter to  
be who would not meddle in nation building. We took the chance with  
him.  Ultimately we are taking chances with either Obama or McCain.

My friends and relatives who are McCain supporters recognize that JM  
has done a few flip flops here or there but they justify them because  
they figure he will return to his 'good' qualities once in office and  
these things are just necessary to get into office in the first  
place.  They like the guy and trust him.  And  they are still my  
friends and relatives.

I'm a pretty hard sell too when it comes to 'trust me' politicians as  
well as 'feel good' politicians, I lost that trust after the first  
time I voted. No Pollyanna dreams here that the economy or the world  
will make it easier for my kids to come out okay in the next 10-15  
years and my leaning toward Obama is not based on 'feeling good'.    
But I'm sure the discussions will be lively.

Katie


On Jun 26, 2008, at 1:16 PM, Steve Jerrett wrote:

> Katie,
>
>
> I am quite aware of the implications of my statement.
>
> Many people will be taken in by the Obama mystique, which  in great  
> part is
> fueled by his background.  He seems to have retained his idealism,  
> and that
> is no doubt driven by his background. But I believe that sometimes  
> the most
> idealistic take the hardest fall when placed in the harsh reality  
> of  our
> political system. I need to see more evidence of his resolve to  
> hold on to
> his ideals. I would feel better if he had more experience to prove  
> that
> resolve.
>
> Call me a skeptic, but I am a pretty hard sell when it comes to  
> "feel good"
> politicians.
>
> I'll be following him pretty closely and hopefully we can have  
> lively and
> meaningful discussions in the months before the election.
>
>
> Steve
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Katie Allnutt" <allnutt at verizon.net>
> To: "Forest Grove local interests list" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 11:43 AM
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] If you support Obama . . . .
>
>
>>
>> On Jun 26, 2008, at 10:26 AM, Steve Jerrett wrote:
>>
>>> Absolutely.
>>>
>>> Just pointing out that it may be "politics as usual" with Obama and
>>> the
>>> rest.
>>>
>>>
>>> Steve
>>
>> You may not realize this Steve but you have just made a pretty
>> profound statement.  Have we come to the point in this country where
>> a black guy, raised by a single mother/grandparents, who put himself
>> through college, turned down a ton of money lawyer job to work with
>> regular people, and who does not come from a line of privilege can be
>> considered part of 'politics as usual'?
>>
>> If so, that is an amazing thing that could only happen in the USA and
>> it strikes me as a sign that we are the most adept country at
>> adjusting to reality over the centuries. Pretty cool if it is true,
>> and yet one more sign that it is we the people, regardless of where
>> we come, from that run this place if we have the guts to do it and
>> not turn it over to the select few and powerful.
>>
>> Katie
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