Voting for "cool"

[illusionofjoy]

In of himself, Barack Obama makes me queasy. However, when you mix in his supporters, then I get to the point where I may actually vomit. Today, the Associated Press, now in the business of propaganda for unqualified democratic candidates published not one, but two articles about how Obama is just so much cooler than that crusty old John McCain. The first article:

According to these members of Generation Y, Obama, 47, has the "cool" thing down. He's an avid basketball player, listens to Jay-Z on his iPod and was on the cover of this month's issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

McCain, on the other hand, has admitted he's a big fan of the '70s-era Swedish disco band ABBA and an "illiterate" when it comes to using a computer. He turns 72 next month, and if elected, he'd be the oldest president in American history to begin his first term.

Yeah, let's all pick a president based on the music he listens to, what sports he plays and whether or not he can get his smarmy mug on some shitty corporate hippy rag. The sad thing I've noticed, however, is that most of these kids seem to be jumping the Obama train simply because he is "cool." On one forum I frequent, another poster there called me a douchebag for supporting Hillary Clinton while the only reason offered for supporting Obama was "because he's hot." It's nice to know that people in the lower reaches of my age bracket have sharpened their critical thinking skills and are fully engaged in the subtleties and mechanations of United States politics.

Meanwhile, the second article asks the ever-important question: which candidate would women rather carpool or go on vacation with?

Women would rather carpool or go on vacation with Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama than with his Republican rival John McCain, a new poll of U.S. women voters showed on Tuesday.

The poll showed Obama holds a strong lead among all women voters but McCain polls better with white women, seniors and stay-at-home moms.

Yes, the "fourth estate" really is this pathetic. I wonder if they went so far as to ask if they thought McCain would drive 20 miles under the speed limit with his left turn signal on the whole way. Also, better not ride with Obama if he's driving a bus - you just might find yourself under it!

The Democratic convention is this month and it looks like the party "leadership" is going to try and force unity by, once again, screwing over the qualified candidate for quite possibly the worst contender since Michael Dukakis. It is a travesty that Hillary Clinton, out of party loyalty, has to campaign for this arrogant, empty suit. In a fair world, Hillary's win in the popular vote mean that she would have the nomination sewn up. However, this is not a fair world and the current democratic "leadership" seems intent on keeping it that way.

Weighing everything that has happened thus far, I have made a decision: I am voting for John McCain in November.

I have been mentally back and forth on this point for a long time, but I find myself having to make this very difficult decision based on many factors. First and foremost: I do not want Barack Obama in the White House. He is not qualified, he has no principles to stand on save his own ego and self-glorification and I do not trust him to actually address my interests and concerns. By extension, the behaviour of the democratic party in this election cycle has been reprehensible: to screw over a candidate and, by extension, all those who supported her via backroom deals and underhanded thuggery is contrary to everything the party claims to stand for - any party which allows such things to happen does not deserve the "big prize."

Four years of John McCain is not ideal. I honestly would rather not be voting for a republican, however, at least with McCain I know exactly what I'll be getting. I know that he doesn't represent my interests or beliefs. I also know that, since I intend on voting for downticket Democrats (with the exception of those who endorsed Obama during the primary), if the Democrats maintain or expand their majority in the House, then - assuming they do their jobs - they can keep McCain in check. Obama, on the other hand, has effectively proven that he will sell out and betray anyone or anything that proves inconvenient when it is politically expedient to do so. He is the most disappointing candidate I have ever encountered and his whole campaign effectively amounts to one great big betrayal.

You may all be asking why I won't be voting for a third party, seeing as I how I find both Obama and McCain disgusting. It's simple: I want my vote to count. There have been no electoral reforms and there is still no instant run-off voting in this country. The simple majority system maintains that any vote outside of the two major parties is a wasted vote. I am not about to waste my vote; I wish to send a clear message to the democratic party: you are being punished and I will not bend over and take it if this is how you treat your constituents.

There is still a small chance that Hillary Clinton could be nominated at the convention. If she does prevail in the end, I will gladly come back and not break my record of never voting republican in a presidential race. However, that outcome is highly unlikely. So, I will be doing my part to give the democratic party four years to think about what they've done in this primary season and hope they can break with precedent and actually learn from their mistakes.

Comments

[shimmer-star.livejournal.com]

a-fucking-men! (wait - isn't that my usual response to your posts?)

hillary was screwed over, and just last night i was becoming ill while reading about hillary campaigning for obama. i know her heart's not in it. i also know this is par for the course. regardless, she rocks harder than obama. and i think she's hot!

about candidates and their musical tastes - don't tell anyone, but i like abba. and while obama may be physically attractive, i'd worry while going on vacation with him. mccain would be laidback and relaxed - so i'd rather vacation with mccain. and besides, he's been in east asia before...let's visit thailand!

[slinkybetty.livejournal.com]

Wow. All I can say is Ron Paul is way cooler than Obama, regardless of what music he listens to.

[nukleardekay.livejournal.com]

If it comes down to voting for Jay-Z vs. ABBA.....i'm voting for ABBA