I can't believe it.. I voted today, but not for whom I thought I would.

[tedoll78]

I'm in Austin. We have early voting until Friday.

So I go into the grocery store and get to the voting booth, and the very first item on the ballot is the presidential nominee. I'd forgotten all about it, thinking that this would be determined by caucus. What a pleasant surprise! But whom to choose?

To understand my shock at whom I voted for, you need my history for this primary. I'll give the short version.

I was a Dean man since Gore announced that he wouldn't run. I remember when he came to Austin in April 2003, before he really caught fire with the media. When the crowd cheered for him, I could feel the earth literally shaking beneath my feet.

I dropped Dean and aligned with Clark for about three weeks in November (I was freaking-out about "electability" all of a sudden). But for those entire three weeks, I felt so guilty whenever I saw the Doc on TV.

Then it was back to Dean. The guilt, combined with Clark putting me to sleep with his campaign, drew me back. That, and Dean was really laying-into Bush in a powerful way.

Then came Iowa. And Dean lost. This was my key moment. My entire basis for supporting Dean was for electability. The NRA grade. The balanced budget issue. But biggest was the claim that he'd bring sooo many new voters into the process. Well, he failed miserably in Iowa that night. I was then without a horse in this race.

A week later (after NH confirmed that Dean was indeed not bringing tons of new people in), I turned to Edwards. Good-looking, articulate, Southern.. he seemed rather electable. And I stuck with him.

Fast forward to Tuesday.. Edwards drops-out. Who would I vote for now?

So I found myself standing at the voting console, turning the dial among the candidates. "Who? Who? Be strategic, Tommy. What would do the best for the party and the country?"

And then I did it.

I voted for Dennis Kucinich.

I voted for his bravery.

I voted for his passion.

I voted to show that those who share his ideas are indeed welcome and a huge part of the life-blood of this party.

And hugely, I voted for his ideals. To those of you who've educated me on him for the past year, THANK YOU.

And I still can't believe it! Kucinich!

Had someone offered me a wager with everything I own in the balance, betting that I'd vote for Kucinich.. I've taken the bet and I'd now be without my belongings.

Wow.. it just goes to show.. you never know!

[burrowowl]

1. Good for you!

DK abd As have to stay in there to as AS says: Keep them honest!

[corporatewhore]

2. Good Job from a fellow austinite for Kucinich dont forget to go to

your precinict convention march 9
:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[Atman]

3. I did the same thing

I've said to anyone who would listen that I liked DK's message, his honesty, etc, etc, but he just couldn't win. But when the Media and the DNC coronated Kerry before I even got a chance to cast my vote, it actually made my choice much easier...screw ABB, I voted conscience. I'll vote for Kerry in November, but now I could just do the right thing.

And I do feel much better for doing it.