Prejudice.
It's January 19, 2009, Inauguration Eve, and I've had 2 months to think about why the Republicans lost the Presidency to the Democrats and so I'll publish a letter I wrote 24 hours after Mitt Romney suspended his campaign for President back in February of 2008: Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever been, nor am I thinking of becoming a Mormon. Note: The gray highlights are notes I added today.
Dear Me, Friday, Feb 8, 2008
(Actually I sent this to my radio boss who read it over the air for me that day.)
Yesterday, one of the most decent candidates ever to run for President dropped out of the race. Needless to say, I felt devastated and somewhat depressed. As I listened to his speech at CPAC on Thursday I wished more than ever that he would not drop out, but he did.
I am extremely disappointed with the Christian Conservatives (even though I was one), along with James Dobson and Pat Robertson. They will get what they deserve now. Their prejudice against Mormons prevented them from voting for the candidate that best represents their views. Shame on them! As Christians, the church has taught us our entire lives that Mormons are bad and they've even taught us how to argue with them when they come to the door. What has a Mormon ever done to any of them - Mormons are just the nicest most decent people - living the Christian faith more fully than most Christians. Shame.
Back to Romney - Dealing with the possibility that Romney might not make it - as early as last week - Hillary started to look good compared to what I knew about McCain. I started to think I could be optimistic about the first female President and how she'd be held to a much higher standard because of her gender, and that maybe she'd have to be the best President ever because every woman in America would be counting on her.
So now what do I do? Shortly after Romney, McCain gave his speech at CPAC, which I also listened to - fully expecting to confirm my suspicions that he was the wrong candidate and that I could never vote for him, now I'd vote for Hillary (somehow Obama never crosses my mind).
Well, doggone it, McCain actually sounded pretty good, he came across quite strong actually. He stands by his convictions and I admire him for that.
I'm wondering whether my dislike of McCain is due to my like of Romney and whether it's all just politics - just business.
I was at Barnes & Noble book store yesterday and sat down and read a bit from one of McCain's biographies - I must say, I was never fully aware of his strong character - and his lifelong service to this country. I was aware to a degree, but I'd never given him a chance because of his personality problem.
Later in the day I happened to catch Hillary on the tube and thought - I still don't want her to be President.
So, I went from "I'd rather vote for Hillary than McCain" to
"I'm going to give McCain another look, and a chance to earn my vote" - all in the span of 24 hours.
He'll be sure to get my vote if he chooses Romney as his VP. That would make sense since Romney came in second, is good with conservative and economic issues.
So, I guess I owe you lunch Jerry - I lost the bet - it doesn't look like Romney's gonna make it this time, but I look forward to seeing more of him in government.
--end Dear Me---
TODAY: Well, McCain upset me again by not choosing Romney for his VP, but then he shook the world by choosing Sarah Palin! I liked that, and Tina Fey was hilarious, but it still wasn't enough to win. Had it been Romney/Palin, they might have pulled it off. Of course this is partly Huckabee's fault as well for staying in the race so long to begin with. Now I like Huckabee just fine, but it was not very Christian of him to stay in the race when he was only playing prevent defense. Honesty is always the best policy, wouldn't you agree Rev Huckabee?
So, here we are on Inauguration Eve 2009, about to inaugurate the 44th President of the United States and it ain't Mitt Romney. I like Obama just fine, don't get me wrong, he's got a nice smile and a motown swagger, but he may not have the confidence to lead the greatest nation on earth into the next four years. What's he gonna do with all those Gitmo detainees, let 'em loose in D.C.? Obama is my President too, like he said in his victory speech, but he'll have to show me. I'm glad he picked Rick Warren to give the invocation and I hope Rev Warren doesn't deliver a kiss-face message. I hope all of Obama's good, independent policies are a resounding success, because then we all win.
So, it was prejudice that caused the Republicans to lose the Presidency to the Democrats in November. Religious prejudice. Kinda fitting, isn't it?
I don't believe in hell any longer, and although I'm sure I'll be my typical happy self throughout the next four years; I can't help but wonder about all the Huckabee Republicans. Smile, you're on Candid Camera!
The moral of the story: Never give up!