January 28th, 2004
You Win Some, You Lose Some
Politically speaking, I’ve always been independent, one of those oddball unclassifieds they call “undeclared” on the primary election ballots. Although I was raised in a staunchly Republican home, I have never been one to wed my allegiance to any single group, either for its own sake or for tradition. I cast my vote where I feel it will be the most effective: Sometimes I vote for Republicans, sometimes for Democrats; I’ve even voted for the odd Libertarian now and then, when the fit takes me.
In the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections, I’m firmly with the Democrats. To those who heard me rail and seethe about the Clinton administration, that’s probably some combination of puzzling and laughable. But I make no secret of the fact that I think George W. Bush, Jr. is a terrible President, under whose banner our liberty has been eroded, our foreign relations jeopardized, and our national finances cast into a deep oubliette for decades to come. Whatever you may say about the United States of America, I love my country — imperfections and all. It pains me deeply to see her leader do wrong by her. And it’s not just me who feels this way! A few weeks back, my next-door neighbours — die-hard lifelong New Hampshire Republicans both of them — saw my “Howard Dean” sign on the lawn, and asked me about it. I was braced for an uncomfortable argument, but they weren’t just getting ready to write me off as a leftist hippie freak — instead, they wanted to know if I thought Howard Dean stood a real chance of beating Bush. Turns out they’re as steamed with Bush as I am.
(By the way, I’m definitely not a leftist hippie freak, at least not comparatively).
Unfortunately, my candidate of choice, former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, suffered a couple of fairly substantial setbacks recently — taking a third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, and second-place to John Kerry in the New Hampshire Democratic Party primary. Disappointing? Definitely. Surprising? Not entirely. Nevertheless, I have not given up hope, and I am still supporting Dean as the best man for the job. Before you write me off as a pig-headed idealist, hear me out.
Howard Dean and I haven’t always agreed. Not, mind you, that we’re close personal friends or anything, although I did meet him in passing a couple of times when he was still Lt. Governor under Dick Snelling, before Dick passed away mid-term. But what I mean is, I haven’t always agreed with his decisions in office — in fact I’ve been outright affronted by a few of them. So why the heck do I support him, you ask? Most of it has to do with the fact that he speaks his mind truthfully and openly, even when it is politically inconvenient. Sure, that’s cost him some points in the primary season horse-race — but in the long run, I find it refreshing to see someone who’s willing to stand up and say what he really thinks. A gladhanding Democratic party tool like John Kerry can’t match that, even if he does have a cast iron hairdo and a Captain America smile. The point of running for President isn’t to make everybody happy, it’s to find a good leader for the country. I think Dean might be a good choice.
So, you win some, you lose some. For now, I will continue to stand by my candidate, Dr. Dean, despite these setbacks. Hopefully, he can recover his focus, and get back to his own basic message. Howard, if you’re out there, don’t let them rattle you. This is about more than just your campaign. I think the American people need someone like you in the President’s office. Stand tall; we shall overcome.
Oh, and by the way — you can write me off as a pig-headed idealist now, if you want. You wouldn’t be wrong.
Filed by Michael at 16:47 under Political
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