How you voted and why

[VicMan]

McCain/Palin: To show the Democratic machine in Cook County that not everyone goes along with systemic corruption and one-party politics.

Did you vote against all of the local politicians in power? It is difficult to properly express specific interest articulation with the Presidential Election, BUT it is easier to disapprove of the local government by voting out all of the locals.

Were there any reasons particular to the U.S. Presidential debate which persuaded you to vote McCain? IMO this would be a better justification for voting for McCain, while being against the local politicians would be a good rationale for voting against all of the incumbents.

[TJones]

Why is everyone so scared of the word "Socialism" ? America is in the closet about socialism, we already practice many government programs that are "socialist". Germany and many other countries that are "Democratic Socialist" countries have been doing quite well, even better to some extent than America. Maybe we can learn something from our older brethren countries in Europe...

I voted Nader for President. My biggest problem with our government is that it is controlled by corporations who are running this country to deepen their pockets, not to govern the American people.

Hmmmm.....you are "scared" of corporations controlling the wealth they earn to deepen their pockets, but you have no qualms about letting the Govt. do it to deepen their's with our money? You will be a welcome soldier in the Obamanation, Comrade Dan.

[sevfiv]

Like editor requested, let's keep it simple!

[RedScare]

Obama for many reasons, chief among them that he has the intelligence to appoint intelligent people to the important cabinet and judicial positions. He is much more cool tempered than his opponent, much more prone to listening to advice than his opponent, and much more likely to make intelligent decisions regarding the biggest issue facing the nation, the faltering economy. Obama, and his advisors, are not believers in the false economics of 'trickle down theory', which along with reckless deregulation has done much harm to the US financial system. I do not agree with everything he proposes, but I have much greater faith that he will study the issues before acting than his opponent, who appears to be more knee jerk and tempermental than his predecessor.

[crunchtastic]

I voted for Obama to end the war in Iraq, to rebuild our diplomatic reputation, to stop the erosion of civil liberties, to make more informed decisions about economic policy, for never abandoning his belief that those who benefit the most from our system of government have a moral obligation to pay for it, and for advocating public/private partnership to reform healthcare.

[Jeebus]

Here's a reason why some didn't vote for Obama:

For those scared to click on the link, its of Black Panther voter intimidation at a polling place in Philadelphia this morning. Obama winning the election is going to bring this type of behavior out of the woodwork. And anytime its pointed out, those pointing it out will be called racist and be chastised for pointing out the obvious double standard.

I beg someone to show me the video of KKK members guarding a polling station. I just want to see that its happening on both sides. Red? Meme? Crunch? Trae? Anyone?

[RedScare]

Here's a reason why some didn't vote for Obama:

For those scared to click on the link, its of Black Panther voter intimidation at a polling place in Philadelphia this morning. Obama winning the election is going to bring this type of behavior out of the woodwork. And anytime its pointed out, those pointing it out will be called racist and be chastised for pointing out the obvious double standard.

I beg someone to show me the video of KKK members guarding a polling station. I just want to see that its happening on both sides. Red? Meme? Crunch? Trae? Anyone?

I'm still waiting for the video showing Black Panthers intimidating voters. All I saw was a video of someone trying to insinuate intimidation where none occured. I also saw numerous voters entering and leaving the building, apparently without intimidation. The white guy in a suit even said "everything is fine". Try again.

Note: I am sure the irony of a white Penn student suggesting that a baton held by security is intimidating is not lost on African-Americans. THIS is intimidation...

[west20th]

Here's a reason why some didn't vote for Obama:

For those scared to click on the link, its of Black Panther voter intimidation at a polling place in Philadelphia this morning. Obama winning the election is going to bring this type of behavior out of the woodwork. And anytime its pointed out, those pointing it out will be called racist and be chastised for pointing out the obvious double standard.

I beg someone to show me the video of KKK members guarding a polling station. I just want to see that its happening on both sides. Red? Meme? Crunch? Trae? Anyone?

Two ill advised (and yes, stupid) black panthers at one polling place hardly is a trend of intimidation. So what are they doing, carving backwards "B"'s on the faces of white voters? Google "black voter intimidation". You will see this "type of behavior" goes both ways.

[KinkaidAlum]

I voted for Obama/Biden because I have a brain AND a heart.

[Jeebus]

I'm still waiting for the video showing Black Panthers intimidating voters. All I saw was a video of someone trying to insinuate intimidation where none occured. I also saw numerous voters entering and leaving the building, apparently without intimidation. The white guy in a suit even said "everything is fine". Try again.

Note: I am sure the irony of a white Penn student suggesting that a baton held by security is intimidating is not lost on African-Americans. THIS is intimidation...

This also happened over 30 years ago - and not today.

The white guy in the suit had called police because they would not let him enter. Let me rephrase that - he did not feel that he would be allowed to enter by their defensive posturing and yielding of weapons.

[houstonmacbro]

Obama. I believe he will be more of a president of ALL the people and not just for the rich. I also believe he will try to make change, but I have a feeling will be fought tooth-and-nail on a lot of things.

[editor]

Obama. I believe he will be more of a president of ALL the people and not just for the rich. I also believe he will try to make change, but I have a feeling will be fought tooth-and-nail on a lot of things.

With the way the Senate races are going tonight he might not have that tough a fight after all.

[crunchtastic]

Here's a reason why some didn't vote for Obama:

For those scared to click on the link, its of Black Panther voter intimidation at a polling place in Philadelphia this morning.

Wow, you're right. That white dude in the blue jacket was clearly intimidated. Judging by the waver in his voice when he was asked why he was taking pictures, I think the 'media guy' who made the video would be 'intimidated' by 2 black men whether they had sticks or not.

W-e-a-k.

[crunchtastic]

The white guy in the suit had called police because they would not let him enter. Let me rephrase that - he did not feel that he would be allowed to enter by their defensive posturing and yielding of weapons.

Where does this information come from? It is not in the video.

A link to a police report or interview? I find it hard to believe that someone afraid of two dudes with weapons would continue to hang out mere feet from them, after calling the police on them.

[RedScare]

The white guy in the suit had called police because they would not let him enter. Let me rephrase that - he did not feel that he would be allowed to enter by their defensive posturing and yielding of weapons.

Well, the white dude needs to grow a pair, if that is true, since the white chick on the cell phone isn't the least bit worried. Does the white guy in the suit represent the male component of the GOP?

[Jeebus]

Where does this information come from? It is not in the video.

A link to a police report or interview? I find it hard to believe that someone afraid of two dudes with weapons would continue to hang out mere feet from them, after calling the police on them.

It was all over the cable news today, around the 11am hour. And no, once the police showed, one claimed to live there, the other claimed to work there. Both left shortly after police arrived.

[sweetjones]

Congrats to Obama

[VicMan]

I ultimately voted for Obama because I considered the candidates' messages and their actual records. McCain's votes were closely aligned with Bush, while Obama had a boost from several bills in the Illinois senate having his name attached to them (There is a Houston Press article about this) - While I knew TX would go McCain, I really wanted to oppose Culberson. Unfortunately he won anyway.

[dbigtex56]

How did I vote, and why?

First, I voted early, because I spent all of Election Day serving as an election clerk at a precinct other than my own.

Second, I voted by secret ballot, because I'm an American.

[WesternGulf]

Voted for Obama. There were also 12 crucial California propositions on the ballot.

1A- High speed train from LA to San Francisco. I voted yes and so did the rest of California.

2- Standards for confining farm animals. I voted yes and so did the rest of California.

3- Children's Hospital Bond - I voted yes and so did the rest of the state.

4- Parental Notification for minors requesting abortions - I voted no and so did the rest of the state.

5- Rehabilitation for Nonviolent Drug Offenders - I voted yes and was a minority in the state.

6- Police Enforcement Funding - I voted no and so did the rest of the state.

7- Renewable Energy Genration - I voted no and although it sounds good, it is flawed. California voted no also.

8- Ban on Same-Sex Marriage - I voted no and was a minority in the state although every county in the Bay Area voted no except Solano. San Francisco County was 78% No. and surrounding counties were in the 60's and nothing below 55% I believe in the Bay area except Solano County.

9- Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. - I voted no and was a minority in the state.

10- Altern. Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy Bonds - I voted no for the same reason as #7. The rest of the state voted no.

11 - Redistricting - I voted no and I was a sligt minority. Almost 50/50.

12- Veterans' Bond - I voted yes and so did the rest of the state.

[KinkaidAlum]

It was all over the cable news today, around the 11am hour. And no, once the police showed, one claimed to live there, the other claimed to work there. Both left shortly after police arrived.

If only he had been able to vote! He might have single handedly changed the 600,688 vote deficit McCain/Palin ended up facing in Pennsylvania. PA went 55% to 44% for Obama/Biden and the DEMS won areas of the state they haven't carried in years.

Obama/Biden carried the counties that hold Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown, State College, Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Bethlehem, Allentown, Reading, and EVERY single suburban county surrounding Philly. The latter is impressive considering there are more registered Republicans than Democrats in Chester County and Delaware County. Yet, Obama/Biden carried those two easily.

I am not sure what McCain/Palin saw in Pennsylvania. The polls pretty much matched the results. Maybe what they saw was that they had as much of a chance here as they did in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan which were the other Blue States they hoped to turn.

What I can't help but wonder was how much of a dreg Palin was on the ticket outside of the traditional Bible Belt. Obama outperformed Kerry in lily-white counties in Pennsylvania like Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware. These are places that used to house country club Republicans. Obama also outperformed Kerry in State College (home of Penn State). I've gotta assume Palin had something to do with these results.

[RedScare]

What I can't help but wonder was how much of a dreg Palin was on the ticket outside of the traditional Bible Belt. Obama outperformed Kerry in lily-white counties in Pennsylvania like Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware. These are places that used to house country club Republicans. Obama also outperformed Kerry in State College (home of Penn State). I've gotta assume Palin had something to do with these results.

I don't think it was Palin per se, but what she represented about McCain. In a cratering economy, during an election where his party is in power and he has precious little economic credibility, by his own admission, he picks someone with even less economic credentials. Every time she spoke, those worried about the economy were reminded that this ticket did not have the answers. While Biden was no factor in Obama's success, he did not project a foreign policy weakness. He shored it up. Conversely, Sarah Palin represented John McCain's economic weakness. In that sense she hurt the ticket. The things Palin represents personally were not even factors in the election.

[editor]

Did you vote against all of the local politicians in power?

Many of them, but I don't think all. A couple of them that I know personally or have had interactions with whom I believe do a good job I kept. I was one of those voting nerds who goes into the booth with a sample ballot all marked up.

Were there any reasons particular to the U.S. Presidential debate which persuaded you to vote McCain? IMO this would be a better justification for voting for McCain, while being against the local politicians would be a good rationale for voting against all of the incumbents.

If I had to vote again in a vacuum, I'd still be undecided. Both candidates had qualities I liked and disliked. I knew my state was going to go Obama anyway (and it did -- 62% to 37% in the state, 85% Obama vs 14% McCain in my city), so what good would yet another Obama vote do? I felt like "wasting" my vote on a candidate I knew was going to lose sent more of a message that I'm not happy with either of them, and all politicians in general.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties take my vote for granted. They assume I'll vote straight-line Democrat just based on my ZIP code. The Republican party didn't even bother to run candidates for more than half of the offices I was voting for. How is that supposed to encourage people to join the GOP?

[20thStDad]

Koolaid comes in 2 flavors (at least), and I never enjoy both sides acting like rival high school teams. I prefer to stick to beer and water, so it was a painful decision I didn't feel really happy about, but I ended up voting for McCain because of his experience, because he's a bit more toward the middle, and because it was starting to get really sickening how everyone else was making Obama into such an icon. Celebrity and leadership are not the same. In the end I'm not too upset by it, I agrees with a lot of what Obama is claiming that he plans to do. Doing it, on the other hand, will be a completely different ball game. But I hope he does well for all of us. He's my president now, too (well, after inauguration).