This former Freeper and Bush voter will proudly be casting his vote for Barack Obama

[Seen the light]

The one really successful thread I've had on DU in the years I've browsed this site was when I told my story of coming out of the darkness that was being a Republican and, yes, even a Freeper. It's a long and sometimes scary tale that culminated in a very happy ending with me changing my party affiliation from the GOP to the Democratic Party back in 2005 shortly after Bush's failings with Hurricane Katrina really opened my eyes to the depth of the corruption of the Bush administration and his many apologists across the country (my parents being two of them.) This is how I came up with my username of "Seen the light" because I couldn't think of anything more appropriate.

I wasn't old enough to cast a vote in the 2000 election, but I enthusiastically voted for Bush back in 2004. It's a decision that I've literally wept over since then because I have felt personally responsible for so many of the things that have happened since that terrible day in 2004 when Bush was re-elected. I have blood on my hands that I'll never be able to completely wash away no matter what I do.

But I will tell you this. Just because I can't completely wash away the bloody marks on my hands doesn't mean that I can't wash away some of them. So, I want DU and, more importantly, every Freeper that reads this site know that I intend to cast my vote on May 6th in the NC presidential primary for Barack Obama.

That's right, I am voting for Barack Obama.

One more time, just so I can make this clear: I am voting for Barack Obama.

*whew* I feel much better now. This thread has been kind of therapeutic. I can't tell you how badly I want May 6th to be here. It'll be a glorious day.

[davidinalameda]

1. I was reading about Paul and his conversion

sounds like the scales dropped from your eyes as well

good for you!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Seen the Light!

Welcome home!

Glad you're here...

[Frustratedlady]

3. Good for you.

I still shake my head that anyone can remain in the Republican party after what George has done to this country and the world.

Vote and feel good about it.

[Heywood J]

58. At this point, judging by registration and turnout stats,

the Republican party is populated by crazy uncle Moneybags, the "kill all fags" crowd, and the "stomp some A-rabs!" factions. None of those groups are lucid beyond their individual goals, nor are they likely to have an idea of what goes on beyond their fiefdoms.

[peacetalksforall]

68. Ah but. But, he's such a Good man. He's so likable.

That's what they say.

I don't believe that some of us have so few values that we can't assess and compare.

I guess good means bigotry, theft, lies, betrayal, torture, executive orders, hungry children - we all know the list.

[DebraK]

4. What people don't get is that Obama has so much character and integrity that even republicans

will gladly vote for him. Character and integrity matters.

[Seen the light]

6. If McCain gets the nomination....

expect the term "Obama Republican" to be coined. So many Republicans HATE McCain and would rather vote for ANYONE but him.

[Crunchy Frog]

19. Just out of curiosity

do you have any idea why it is that he's so hated? I realize that he's had some positions that they find objectionable, but that doesn't seem to be an adequate explanation for the level of hate there.

I was speaking with a dear Republican friend the other night, and got the same thing from her, but she's elderly and brainwashed by RW radio, so I don't think I could really get a coherent explanation from her.

[Seen the light]

21. They see him as even more liberal as they think Bush is

It's quite fascinating. They have this warped thinking that's been present over the past two or so years that Bush is actually too LIBERAL. That's right. Seeing as how whatever Bush is, McCain is certainly to the left of him on a number of things, it's making their heads spin that someone like that could win the nomination.

Just my 2 cents.

[fenriswolf]

34. limbaugh hates him and has coined him a dirty libby

[nxylas]

62. The Freepers have wittily named him McAmnesty

That might give you a clue, though as I said in another thread, I suspect his real "crime" was running against Bush in 2000.

[immoderate]

65. McCain is not racist, or a religious fanatic...

That's enough to draw the hatred of what passes for conservative these days. And once, when asked what they would do if his unmarried daughter became pregnant, he answered something like, "The family would discuss what to do about it." That was it! That implied that there might be a choice. That's unforgivable.

McCain comes across as pragmatic, rather than doctrinaire. He plays fanatic for his base.

--IMM

[noahmijo]

74. I told my Republican dad (who voted for Kerry last year) to make sure to vote for Mcain today

I would actually be happy if it came down to Obama (who is my pick) vs Mcain in the sense that at least unlike the last election the "other" guy isn't some psycho religious nut

[DeSwiss]

76. Being a bit older, I recall when it sorted of started....

....two words: Beirut Bombing.

After McCain's release from North Vietnam he was feted by Nixon. But with Nixon's abrupt departure under a cloud, he then provided something the Repukes sorely needed: a real war hero. So by 1981 with the help of Charles Keating he became a freshman Congressman.

Then, just about a month prior to the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, he voted against Reagan in a resolution which would have allowed him to keep the Marines there, indefinitely. He reasoned that he saw no purpose for them being there and thought they'd just become targets. He was right. Most other Repukes with no real war experience chastised him for his vote. And that was the initial crack in his facade.

When the barracks were bombed about a month later and 240 Marines killed, he was vindicated -- in a manner of speaking. But it just pissed-off the die hard Repukes even more. And later that same session, he voted with the Democrats to override Reagan's veto of the Anti-Apartheid Act imposing sanctions against South Africa. And I think at this point, the die was cast.

When he ran for the Senate, he was promoted as a Barry Goldwater Republican, which further pushed him outside the ranks of establishment Repukes. After he was elected, then came the Keating-Five scandal. He got real chummy with the press when this scandal hit the fan, claiming his innocence. And being a war hero he was much sought-after and endeared by the press which the Repukes were still cringing from after Nixon. But it was that same relationship with the press that probably saved his political career and kept him from being flushed down the crapper with Keating.

Then came his involvement on the Senate committee investigating POWs and MIAs with Sen. John Kerry. During this process, he came to respect Kerry after he and others had openly vilified him previously for his role in the VVAW. That pretty much sealed his moniker as a "maverick" and pushed him permanently outside the Repukes inner circles.

But it all started with his vote against Reagan on Beirut. And as we all know, to most Repukes Ronnie Reagan was a god. So that made McCain an idolater and blasphemer. Never to be trusted again.... IMHO

[The Delegates]

27. You mean he is the Hillary of the Repub party?

[GoldieAZ49]

51. already started Obamakins is what O called them

[buff2]

10. Since when did that matter to republicans?

They don't have any idea of what the meaning of character and integrity is.Republicans want Obama because they know he doesn't have a snowballs chance in hell of beating them in the general election.

[IndieLeft]

20. Why dont' you knock it off

nobody was slamming hillary on this thread.

[Joyce78]

24. I agree with reply #10 Buff2

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

29. Is it really necessary to dehumanize your opponents to that extent?

Yes, there are a lot of evil rat bastards in the upper echelons of the Republican party. Gee, there are some in ours, too. Not as many, to be sure, but we've got 'em. Big surprise. But your average, run-of-the-mill Republican voter isn't any less concerned about character or integrity than your average Democrat.

[cali]

30. It's always amusing to see someone say this. There's no evidence

to support it at all. There's quite a bit of evidence to support that both Clinton and Obama can win in November, though there's actually MORE evidence that Obama can- lower negatives, greater cross-over appeal, etc. Furthermore, conservative rags and websites make it clear that repukes feel Hilly is much more vulnerable than Obama.

Blind partisanship sure does make people stupid.

[jahyarain]

67. sorry

try again.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

5. I'm glad you're on our side

and don't fret too much about your 2004 vote - Bush spun a good story and the media parroted it without questioning anything. Back then you had to look long and hard to find a source of honest political information.

Oh, and good choice on your primary candidate, too! ;)

[caligirl]

7. sometimes our parents political beliefs get a hold on us in young adulthood.

don't be too hard on yourself as you did take responsibility and changed to a place of concern for your fellow citizens in NOLA. Good for you. I voted for Raygun in his first run, similar reasons. As we mature into our own identity we look farther afield and worry less about what our parents might think.

[Egnever]

8. I remember your freeper thread

It was a good one. So is this. Glad to see you are still awake!

[DiamondJay]

9. what if the nominee is Clinton?

I mean i would get the sense you woudn't have voted for him or her in the past, but lets look. Sure, some may call them "dishonest", but what substantial, SUBSTANTIAL did they lie about? Bill lied about sex, and all those other "scandals" were investigated by the people who wanted them, Republicans, and they never got Clintons on any of them. Republicans in general have lied about much worse. Watergate with Nixon, a GOP, Reagan with Iran Contra, which was trading weapons to Iran for hostages and using the money to fund latin american war, and he lied about it. A sensible person would feel that is worse than Bill Clinton, under oath or not. GHWB pardoned people who were involved in this sordid operation. Clinton pardoned his share of people, but no one who traded or assisted in trading weapons for hostages. Also, how many congressional scandals have involved Democrats recently, other than Traficant? But hundreds of Republican scandals dating from their congress coup in 95 to the present, with Gingrich and his monkey business to mark foley, tom delay, and countless others. I don't mean to plug the Clintons, but if she is the nominee, i hope you will vote for her before McCain or Slick Willard Mitt Romney

[Seen the light]

11. I will vote for her if she ends up as the nominee

As much as I rag on Clinton supporters on GD: P, I still like her and would vote for her enthusiastically over McCain or Romney.

[yardwork]

55. Oh good! Thank you for that! It's essential that we have a Democrat in 2008.

Thank you for your support and your vote for Democracy!

[DebraK]

12. No republican will ever vote for Hillary. She has a character deficit in their eyes

[LostinVA]

37. My father is voting for her

[redqueen]

41. That troll is long gone. Thank goodness!

:hi:

[yardwork]

57. The OP states that he is no longer a Republican and will vote for the Democrat.

[Cha]

13. Hope you get to vote

for Barack Obama..I'm voting for him tomorrow here in New York.

I remember that thread you wrote about your evolution, Seen the Light..it was very poignant and I'm glad you seeing the light regarding Obama, too!

[krkaufman]

14. That makes me extremely happy. 'Cause if you're voting for him in NC on May 6th ...

... that means he's still in the race, which bodes well. :)

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. another N. Carolinian here, and I too will be voting for Obama (eom)

:hi: It is therapeutic, isn't it?

[Seen the light]

17. May I ask roughly where at?

Charlotte area here! B-)

[greguganus]

49. Johnston County here (NC) and another vote for Obama! n/t

[ncrainbowgrrl]

59. Haven't made up my mind yet- but I'm a North Carolinian!

Just wanted to say "hi" to my fellow tarheels

[TheDoorbellRang]

16. Hi, Seen the Light

I actually remember that thread where you explained the path that had brought you to DU. It gave me hope then -- another person who had woken up and seen where this administration was leading us. Good to see you. And hey, I'm voting for Obama, too. :hi:

[Crunchy Frog]

18. I think I remember seeing that post.

So glad you've stuck around, and happy voting. :toast:

[Bread and Circus]

22. This former Clinton voter x2 proudly casts my support to Obama!

and thanks for "seeing the light" - and that's not about being a Democrat. Just thanks for opening your mind, it's something we all need to do. Forget all the labels.

[donheld]

23. Welcome to DU

So glad to have you :hi:

[TexasObserver]

25. Glad to have you onboard this election.

We have to attract more voters or accept permanent under party status.

[Kahuna]

26. Bless your heart. I'm so happy for you and proud of you too!

:loveya:

[psychopomp]

28. Welcome!

Here is to more people like you coming around!:toast:

[Apollo11]

31. Did you also post this at Free Republic?

Just thinkin' it might be fun is all.

Not that it would have any impact.

They would just say a lifelong Dem wrote it.

:kick:

[psychopomp]

33. I haven't looked over there for years

I doubt the post would last long, if things are like they were around 2004.

[Adelante]

32. Bless you, Seen the light

:)

[boston bean]

35. wrong place

[Scurrilous]

36. K & R

:thumbsup:

[democrattotheend]

38. Here here!

Glad you have seen the light! Welcome the the Democratic Party and the Obama camp!

[applegrove]

39. Welcome to the light.

[calimary]

40. Aw..... Bless Your Heart!

Just in this post, you've singlehandedly done more than most of the republi-CONS out there including the uppermost fiends: you've recognized the truth and done the correct thing by it.

You're a hero in my eyes - because heroes are courageous and true, brave enough to recognize the need for a course correction and then not just to spot it but to react accordingly and engineer it.

You have more guts than all the fawning fellationists in the White House. You're also substantially more adult than any of them will EVER be. After all, do we hear mea culpas from andrew card? rove? harriet miers? mr. "torture's okay"? scooter? ashcroft? ANY of them (and those are merely some of the past trespassers there. NOT A ONE. And of course, there are all the squatters still in there who won't EVER have the guts, honesty, or maturity to face things.

You have my admiration, and my open arms.

I deeply appreciate the honesty and humility of your post. You obviously have a conscience, plus courage, a heart, and a brain. You ARE the Wizard of Oz protagonists, all rolled into one. And you've finally found your way home, through the whirlwind.

I salute you!!!

And - did I forget to say THANK YOU!!! ? Let's not forget that, above all else!

In gratitude, Seen the light!!!

:patriot:

:hug:

:pals:

:toast:

:party:

:headbang:

:woohoo:

:applause:

:bounce:

:thumbsup:

:hi:

:yourock:

It's people like you, with posts like this, that make the struggle and anguish and sleepless nights worthwhile for the rest of us!

[BobTheSubgenius]

42. HAPPY to give this another R (for recommend)

And, by the way...I happen to think that being duped into wrong ways of thinking and acting goes a long way towards absolution. :) After that, it was up to you.

[ejbr]

43. I just voted in the New York primary

I am audacious enough to hope that my vote for Obama was the right one.

[David Zephyr]

44. Congratulations!

:toast:

[roguevalley]

45. sweetie, all of us pray for redemption. I am proud of you. You are

most welcome on this side.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

46. lots of others just like you...voting Obama in the Primary....the ? is will you do it in the GE?

[NoBorders]

47. He said he would

Look up thread, even if Hil is the nom.

[mnhtnbb]

48. This North Carolinian will proudly vote Edwards on May 6th.

[chknltl]

50. I'll forgive ya this time....

...for capitalizing the "F" in "Freeper". (Oh and btw: you used a capitol "B" for the "bush" monster three times in your post as well)

Glad to have :patriot: YOU :patriot: fighting the good fight for our country.
Thank you.

[dave123williams]

52. Welcome to the light side of the force, young padawan!

I think the important thing is that you were able to see them for what they actually are. My folks were Bush apologists until quite recently...the sad thing is that it took *years* for them to see everything play out and finally admit that this Bush crowd are a bunch of dangerously incompetent, greedy thugs.

[Vektor]

53. Don't be too hard on yourself...

...regarding the "blood on your hands". Lots of folks were duped into voting for Bush and sold a real bill of goods by the media, and others about his "strong leadership skills."

You, as you say, have "seen the light" and that's all that counts. You made a decision to stop supporting Bush after you witnessed first hand how shoddy his leadership skills actually were, and you changed your mind in an informed manner based on new information received. Nothing wrong with that. You broke free of the lock-step.

Glad to have you on DU and in the party! :hug:

[yardwork]

54. Congratulations on seeing the light and thank you for voting Democratic!

I hope that you will vote for whomever is the Democratic nominee in the general election this fall. It's more important than ever that we have a Democrat in the White House.

[eib1]

56. You're going to be all right,

seen the light.

[tblue37]

60. Have you ever read _Blinded by The Light_?

It's the political autobiography of David Brock, the guy who wrote the hit pieces on Anita Hill and Bill Clinton for the vast right wing conspiracy (which really does exist and is funded by such peopel as Scaife and Murdoch). Brock is also the guy who, after "seeing the light" as you did, founded the wonderful progressive sie Media Matters for AMerica.

With your own history of moving from the dark side to the light, I beleive you would enjoy reading Brock's story.

Oh, and welcome to our side! We are delighted to have you here.

[navarth]

61. Outstanding. Good on ya. k/r

Man it sure would feel good to hear this from some people I know. It's damned refreshing, gives me hope.

Could you post the thread to which you refer? Sounds like good reading...

The Bad News: any 'freeper' reading this will surely say you're an evil liberal troll making up the whole thing...None are So Blind as Those Who Will Not See.

I'm just going to have to forward this post to some people. Thanks.

[IsItJustMe]

63. You have no blood on your hands. You made a mistake, and you learned from it. That's all any of us

can do.

[maximusveritas]

64. I hope Obama's still in the contest then

It seems so far away

[immoderate]

66. I'm happy to be associated with you.

In my school days I thought of myself as conservative and supported Barry Goldwater (like Hillary.) I liked Barry's sense of principle. I thought that market forces could rectify any problem. And I liked wing-tipped shoes. (Yes, a lot of decisions we make are based on aesthetic rather than rational reasons.)

The Vietnam War kind of got me thinking differently, moved me to the left of most Democrats. I was proud to vote for McGovern, maybe the smartest man to ever run for president, after Jefferson.

It's a good thing when people think. Glad you're here.:hi:

--IMM

[demigoddess]

69. I am thinking (hoping) that a lot of republicans will be voting democrat this year

even if they do not admit it out loud or in print.

[Skittles]

70. people like you give me hope

you really do :thumbsup:

[jazzjunkysue]

71. Standing ovation! You're not alone, I'm sure.

The GOP is great at getting you to believe they represent you, until you start paying attention to what they really do with your money.

They represent big business. Their biggest lie is that it's not the moral (GOP)vs the immoral(libruls), it's the regular americans (dems) vs Big business. Period. There is no real divide between libruls and conservatives, except in how they listen to on the radio.

Welcome to sanity. :hi:

[Bonobo]

72. That's What I'm Talking About! We're all brothers and sisters -even Repubs can change!

[Name removed]

73. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[flasoapbox]

75. Whatever Dem you vote for...

...I don't really care. Welcome to the light!!