OK, I did not think I would get into politics in this blog, but I spoke to several members of my family last night about the presidential election and the primary process, and there is something that I just have to say.
I am a 50-year-old Democrat who has basically lived her whole life in what is probably the most Republican state in the nation, at least when it comes to presidential politics--Indiana (except for that brief, politically idyllic period in Massachusetts during the first Reagan administration--"Don't Blame Me"). Indiana has NEVER, in my lifetime or for years before, gone for the Democratic candidate. Last October I was in St. Louis on "fall break" with my husband, daughter, and two of her friends, when we literally stumbled onto a Barack Obama rally.
It made me furious--because in that moment I realized that I was seeing something I had never had the chance to witness--a presidential candidate stumping in person for the White House. I've never had that opportunity because Indiana's primary is so late in the process that by the time we vote, it's all wrapped up. Presidential candidates--hey, Presidents for that matter--only come to Indiana for invitation-only, $1,000 a plate fundraisers.
And, thanks to the electoral college, every vote I have ever cast for President has been discounted. Even when I voted for the guy who won (Clinton--2X), all of Indiana's electoral votes went for the Republican candidate. So when it comes to presidential politics, I have long known that my vote really does not count. This is a fact. (I do try for my candidate anyway--believe me, I campaign. I spent October of 2004 calling voters in Florida and Ohio. Should have worked harder on Ohio).
For the rest of my family, things are a little different. They are all Republicans and they all live in Republican-leaning states. So I asked them who they voted for or were planning to vote for. Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney seem to have the lead in this family straw poll. (Shudder...no comment). Interesting thing though--no one asked me whom I might vote for; I guess they know it doesn't matter.
1 comment:
You have to go pretty far back to have Indiana count at all for the Democrats! LBJ (that sob) got Indiana's delegates I believe...but oh yes, you were under some kind of Republican familial trance back then. I believe I did tell you on the phone not too long ago that I saw Bobby Kennedy campaigning in Indiana (that old Dem stronghold of Clark-Floyd County...Lee Hamilton country) in 1968 in New Albany and my dad shook his hand in the motorcade parade....I got very close, but didn't quite get the magic touch. Just try to believe that some day again we may make a difference!!
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