When did you start supporting Obama and why?

[babylonsister]

I'm a 52-year old white woman, raised in NY, who has supported Obama since I figured out Kucinich wouldn't win.

I'm being informed by the m$m that 'older' white women and men might present problems for Obama and not vote for him. And here I thought older is wiser.

I'm wondering why that might be. How someone is raised matters, but does where they grew up influence this? Any thoughts?

[AtomicKitten]

1. When Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize.

I'd been pining away for Gore since 2000, finally realizing he had moved on. I've favored a Gore/Obama ticket for a long time, so it was a natural transition to Obama. The bonus is that he opposed the Iraq war from the get-go.

My personal stats are that of the age/gender Clinton base. I was a Clinton acolyte for decades, and now I'm a big time Obama supporter.

Go figure.

[jobycom]

2. When he kicked my first three choices asses.

I once said he would be the last person I would vote for in this election. Well, apparently he will be. :)

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. When I saw everyone else.

[liberalmuse]

4. I originally supported Kucinich.

I didn't think he would win, but since he mirrors my politics, and he's done pretty much everything right since day 1 as far as the war, etc, he was the obvious choice. I didn't support Obama fully until he was our presumptive candidate. It was a back-and-forth between Obama and Clinton for me.

I've really liked Barack Obama since he came on the scene, but he wasn't nearly liberal enough for my liking, and I didn't agree with a lot of his votes in the Senate. It was pretty much the same deal with Hillary and her Senate votes, especially her vote for the war and The Patriot Act, but hell, Kerry and Edwards voted the same and I ended up supporting them in 2004.

A lot of people I speak with are worried about his lack of experience. I've no doubt Obama will be an exceptional President.

I'm very cynical, and deeds impress me much more than words, so his eloquence wasn't what reeled me in, though I'm glad we have a candidate who knows how to use words as a way to inspire. I've been very impressed by the way Obama has run his campaign. He's the real deal. That being said, I now support him wholeheartedly.

[NorthCarolina]

83. Ditto for me

eom

[NYC_SKP]

5. Last fall, as it became clear that he had a shot at it...

...I jumped in and did all my homework on his and other's positions.

Like you, I'd love to have had someone as brilliant and outspoken as Kucinich become the president but didn't think anyone but Obama would have a chance of beating Clinton.

His is the first presidential campaign that I've phone-banked for and given more than a few hundred in contributions to, with more support to come.

My past favorites include Jerry Brown, and I have never cared for Bill or Hillary, I'm a bit odd that way.

I'm sooo happy that Barack Obama is our candidate.

:hi:

[SwampG8r]

33. back from vegas

and i started watching him about 6 months after his speech at the convention
i watched him til last fall and looked at the slate of possibles
i decided he was the only one not beholden to DC status quo
and that made my choice for me

[NYC_SKP]

42. Did you see the grand canyon?

Or just gamble away, or gambol away?

That point you make about the DC establishment is major. All her early superdelegate support came from non-elected insiders. Over time Obama picked up more and more senators and representatives, then governors, etc.

With respect especially to his early lead among senators, my mom was most impressed saying, "jeeze, they must not like her very much, maybe she doesn't work well with others".

[akbacchus_BC]

6. Hi Babylonsister, I am fairly new on here, but started supporting

Senator Obama when he was in the Primaries. I wish us Canadians can vote for him. He sure will be the next President of the US. Having said this, he will be the next President and the world cannot wait for him to be at the helm.

[yellowdogintexas]

7. August 2004, Democratic National Convention,when I heard that speech.

I emailed my husband that night and told him I had just seen the first African American President of the United States and the only thing standing between him and the White House would be his own decision to ultimatly not seek the office.

Now I was not thinking he would run this cycle, but I was ready to support him down the road. I began as an Edwards supporter since Gore stayed out ...but after Edwards dropped down, I was pretty much committed to Obama for our primary .
edited to add: at election time I will be a 60 year old Southern White Woman

[babylonsister]

14. "I will be a 60 year old Southern White Woman" -

I love that, yellowdogintexas! Why is anyone trying to pigeonhole us older white women? You're from the south, I'm from the north, and we are in agreement. :toast:

I know, polls. But from which states are all these older men and women pushing away?

[yellowdogintexas]

28. because us old white ladies are supposed to be terrified of the darkies

donchaknow?

I am series as hell about that, heard that all my life.

Currently I am only a 59 year old Southern White Woman.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[SwampG8r]

35. as a 52 year old southern man

let me say that i have learned that women do not in fact age as much as they mature and mellow
the best thing about getting old is the appreciation of older women that it brings
old babes rock the house

[yellowdogintexas]

38. why thank you so much, that is a nice thing to say.

I actually feel better now than I did 10 years ago.

[SwampG8r]

43. from what i have seen first hand

you are probably better than you were 10 years ago
i have found age to be the most freeing thing yet in my life
as primates our instinct is to respect our elders and try to glean knowledge from them
until we start to drool
now as an old dude i find most young people ready to listen on most subjects as long as you tell the absolute truth

[Kool Kitty]

44. "Old babes rock the house."

As an aging (56 in September) babe, all I have to say to that is :hug: :loveya: :hug:

I started supporting Obama after Edwards lost.

[SwampG8r]

120. my wife says in her head

she is always 20
i always see her as 17

[NatBurner]

92. ditto

[mrreowwr_kittty]

8. Fairly soon after he announced.

I liked most of the candidates but I noticed that Obama had an operation up and running in my state immediately. A website, meetups, canvasses. They were on the case! That meant a lot to me, since I'm in AZ, McCain's backyard. None of the other candidates, save Richardson to some extent, had anything going on here. When I first showed up to an Obama meeting way back in March 2007, I saw a bunch of people I'd never seen before. Some of the usual activists for sure, but new faces predominated. I knew that there was something special about this guy. I'd certainly sensed it the first time I saw him at the Boston keynote speech, and in subsequent appearances. I figured he'd be President one day, and when he announced, I was worried it might be too early. My concerns were alleviated when I saw what a tight, organized operation his campaign was.

[yellowdogintexas]

29. listen he has hit the ground running everywhere. He has three (3) offices in

Fort Worth Texas! THREE Unbelievable! And those offices and our county party headquarters are working hand in glove too. It 's great.

[Bicoastal]

9. When he won Iowa...and I just had to sit back, gaping, saying to myself...

"How the FUCK did he DO that?"

Before that, I was undecided. I thought he talked the talk, and as far as I could see, walked the walk. I assumed, naturally, he had no chance in hell of winning. But when this relatively unknown black democrat with a middle eastern-y name can kick the asses of Clinton, Edwards, and Biden--in IOWA!--I knew the guy was worth supporting.

[babylonsister]

18. How indeed? Great post. I think Iowa really convinced me, too.

This guy has 'it'. And then I started researching him, and almost everything I read, I liked. How rare is that?

[TheDoorbellRang]

116. That was the moment for me, too -- Iowa

Before that, I was still getting over Gore's failure to enter the fray and not too thrilled with any of the top three -- Clinton I've never liked, Edwards struck me as Mr. Smarm, and Obama as too inexperienced. After I got my jaw off the floor after his win in Iowa, I did some research on Obama and liked what I found. Then I watched this so-called inexperienced candidate run one of the most efficient, organized campaigns I've ever seen.

He will be one of our great presidents; I'm sure of it.

[Graybeard]

10. Feb. 2007. I answered Obama's first mailing with a check.

I was glad that he entered the race so early because I wanted a clean break from the past, a fresh candidate for change.

[Demi_Babe]

11. 46 year old white female from NC

who had no idea who I was going to vote for until I walked into the polling booth during the primaries. I liked Obama and Hillary equally but something pulled me toward Obama in the end.

[Alexander]

12. October 2007, when I met him personally and saw him speak.

He was quite impressive. It was an honor to meet him.

[Radical Activist]

13. In the US Senate primary when Obama was the only one who opposed the Iraq War.

He was the non-machine candidate, the progressive choice and the anti-war choice for US Senate. I have supported him since.

[babylonsister]

15. Wow. There's a testament right there. But he wasn't

the only one, I'm thinking. Oh, the only one running for prez? I get that.
What if he picks a vp who voted for it? Would that dissuade you?

[Alexander]

17. I don't think Obama will pick a VP who voted for it.

He said during the debates that we'll have an easier time winning if the Republicans can't point out that our candidates supported the invasion.

It would be Kerry all over again if he picked a VP who voted for the IWR.

Besides, the convention schedule strongly suggests his VP will be Wesley Clark.

[babylonsister]

19. So if he picks Biden, you'll rebel? It could happen; he's a man

who wants to compromise. I don't know who would actually be better.
I'm not a major Clark fan though I will go with anyone Obama picks. Biden has the Foreign Policy chops, and a big mouth. Clark spoke the truth on FTN and got spanked. :shrug:

[Radical Activist]

32. The only candidate for US Senate in Illinois in '03/'04

He had a four way Democratic primary and Obama was the only one who clearly spoke out against the war in Iraq. He has been there all along.

I'll vote for Obama either way, but I think it would hurt his argument to pick someone who voted for the war.

[babylonsister]

50. OK.

Maybe it will be someone who didn't have to vote for anything, like Clark! :)

Hey, McCrabby is talking about how Tom Ridge isn't so bad, even if he has been pro-choice.

I have no clue for either of them, and don't much care. I trust Obama, hope McSame picks Lieberman.

[ieoeja]

126. I supported him in the Senate primary in Illinois as well.

His Iraq War stance was a part of that decision, though other issues factor in as well.

Having said that, I was not 100% behind Obama at the onset of this election. I waited to see who else might run. But the more I saw of Obama, the more I liked him. When he went on a Christian broadcasting network and argued in favor of Abortion, Gay Rights, and Atheist Rights, I was sold.

[RazBerryBeret]

16. this caucasian Ohioan

(who happens to be over 40) has supported Obama since last November. I remember over the Thanksgiving Dinner (entire family is dems)...the question came up who we thought we liked....I said I KNEW who I thought was the BEST choice, but I was afraid most americans wouldn't vote for him....

then after Iowa, I was ready to be serious about it.

I totally think where you grow up would influence your choice. My whole family is now behind Obama, even though most of them were Clinton supporters previously.

[NancyG]

20. I was loving Hillary's strength in the debates, and then

there was that question about illegal immigrants getting drivers licenses in NY. I agreed with her answer, but then she backtracked on it, and I saw that she lost her power, her strong lead in the debates.

I looked for an alternative and briefly flirted with the idea of Edwards as he was winning the most likely to win the general.

My stepson was excited about Obama and got my Nader-voting husband excited about him. Went into the Calfornia primary not sure if I'd vote Hill or O. Voted O and haven't looked back since.

I believe he will heal the world.

Edited to say I'm a 58 year old white woman, and just found out the Michele O was a student in the high school I taught in back then and while I was there. Wonder if I had her. 30 years is a long time to remember if I had. I did teach Santita Jackson, Jesse's daughter.

[roguevalley]

21. when it was clear to me that Clark wasn't running and Edwards would

lose. I liked him all along, he's so good at this, but I didn't support him until then. I'm that demographic: older, white, female.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

22. same here

old white woman who supported Dennis initially.

[babylonsister]

23. Pack sand you! I'm not "OLD" yet.

:rofl:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

31. heh heh

LOL:pals:

[tekisui]

47. "Pack sand"?

What does that mean? :P

[babylonsister]

51. For me, 'get lost'. Nothing too nefarious. nt

[cliffordu]

24. The first time I heard him speak, basically. I'm a fair orator and relatively

intelligent, but he just killed me with his ideas and his style. It was like listening to a breath of fresh air compared to the guttural missives of Bushy and the pervaricating evil dullness that was Rummy.

[BlooInBloo]

25. Because Edwards dropped out, and Clinton was race-baiting....

So really my choice was kind of easy.

[Staph]

26. I'm a 50-something white woman

who voted for Hillary in the West Virginia primary in May. But I was also interviewed by several national newspapers the same day, and told them that I expected Obama to win the nomination, and that I would gladly support him in the general election.

Of course, only one of those newspapers actually quoted me (the reporter frankly told me that it was nice to interview a "normal" person. Hey, idjits! West Virginia is full of normal people -- quit searching out the toothless hillbillies!). I told all of the reporters that it was easy to support Senator Obama, as he and Senator Clinton had similar stands on the issues that were important to me.

[mvd]

27. When he got the nomination

Though I never disliked him; I just wondered if the Repukes would easily hurt him because of his positive, reaching out policy. But his defense so far has been very good.

I supported Kucinich first, and then after he dropped out, went to other candidates before fully supporting Obama when he got the nomination.

[peace13]

30. When did I turn his way? When he needed my vote to defeat Hill.

I know it's not politically correct to say that but hey, it's late. Kucinich was my first choice and when they whitewashed him from the scene I watched the Dems duke it out. I think Obama will do a good job. I enjoy his ability to speak full sentences and inspire people. I am working my butt off to get him in the WH.

Edited to add that I am a 51 year old white female.

[Heather MC]

34. I started supporting Obama after I got that email saying he was muslim

It was about 6 months b4 the primaries started
So I wasn't even paying attention to the race at that point. To be honest I didn't even know who Obama was
But I decided if the worst thing they could come up with, to say about Obama was the his Father was a Muslim, then he had my vote.
I mean Bush is an Alkaholic
Clinton cheated on his Wife
and so on
If the worst thing they could say was that his father was a Muslim then I figured Obama must be a pretty Honorable person.

I mean I had no control of the Religion I was raised in.
Until I got Old enough to say this is not for me, and see you later I am off to college *hugs*

And sure enough They still have found anything Negative to say about Obama that is a vote killer fo me. Infact their attacks have gotten well just plain stupid, sad even

I almost wish they would make an ad saying "look we really don't have a good honest reason for you not to vote for Obama, We just want you to vote for us, or no vote at all can you do the for McCain
a former POW" Thanks
LOL
I know it will never happen

[Arugula Latte]

36. For a long time I thought he'd be great. But then I liked Edwards' anti-corporate stance.

I thought Edwards might fight the good fight. When Edwards dropped out, I switched back to Obama. I wanted him to crush that sleazoid Hillary and her band of sleazoid hangers-on. Their tactics in the primary sickened me. I was/am completely disgusted by the Clintons... Anyway, in retrospect, thank goodness Edwards dropped out. *wipes sweat from brow*

[babylonsister]

39. I hear you. Edwards never did it for me. It's always been Obama

once I realized who'd be in contention. And here we are. :D

[mvd]

40. I could not say this during the primary fights, but I did support Hillary

But I'm thinking now that Obama is a very good candidate after all. Congrats on spotting him early. :hi:

[babylonsister]

48. You are one smart person!

:rofl: Me, I have an opinion, dammit, and a big mouth. You were smarter by not inviting confrontation. Me, not so much.

[Arugula Latte]

57. Yes indeedy.

I sort of went for Edwards following my head, but my heart was still kinda beating for Obama.

Sheesh. Thanks a lot for betraying me, head. :)

[doc03]

37. To be honest when everyone else was eliminated. n/t

[MrSlayer]

41. Once Edwards dropped out.

Why? Because there was no other choice I could live with.

[tekisui]

45. Fully after Nevada Primary.

But, I saw him in Columbia. I called everyone I knew, the next day and told them "I just saw the next President". There really wasn't much doubt in my mind. Even though I went in looking at him as my third or fourth choice.

I drove home from Columbia resigned and comfortable with voting for him.

When I saw that Edwards didn't have a chance, I fully supported Obama. I voted for him here in NC, early.

[Milo_Bloom]

46. When Al Gore was no longer an option...

And no other non-war voter had a chance.

[babylonsister]

49. When was he an option, or wanted to be one?

:shrug:

[Milo_Bloom]

54. When he played coy throughout 2007

[babylonsister]

60. Coy? Obama has never voted for that war. What does 'coy' have to

do with that? Played coy? Yea, sure.

[Milo_Bloom]

64. We are talking about Gore, not Obama.

I was for Gore and didn't support anyone else until it was clear that Gore was not going to be an option.

Once it was clear in November that Gore was not going to get in, Obama was the only viable candidate left who didn't vote for the war.

And although I think his health care plan does more harm than good, I am willing to give him a shot.. provided he doesn't put a war voter on the ticket.

[babylonsister]

65. No, 'you' were talking about Gore in 2007.

And tell me, because I'me very interested, how McCain's health care plan is better? Can't wait to hear you enlighten me.

[Milo_Bloom]

100. Because it doesn't pretend to fix anything

[babylonsister]

102. So no healthcare plan is better than having a plan? OK. I can

see where that might be appealing because politicians lie, but I'd rather hope Obama's plan might actually work. I know, I can be cynical and too optimistic, all at once.

[Milo_Bloom]

104. It can't work because it doesn't address the actual problem.

The uninsured are used as a distraction to hide the real problem which is "for profit" health care.

Obama's plan helps get rid of the "uninsured", but doesn't properly address the level of care people receive or stop people from being completely screwed. It still assumes that "insurance" is the way to go, when it isn't.

Here is the problem with OBama's plan... say it "works" and the number of uninsured drops signficantly. Now you have the same problem, but everyone THNKS its solved, so when you try to bring it up, you are hit back with "but the number of uninsured has dropped to X" and the real problem continues on and on and on and on.

We have an opportunity to address the root problem, which is a for profit system, but Obama lacks the courage to tackle the issue.

[Betsy Ross]

52. Just before the California primary

I knew John Edwards didn't stand a chance. I liked Obama from his speech at the '04 convention and didn't like Hillary Clinton. I'm a 59-year old white women. Go figure.

[nc4bo]

53. I was a Clinton person, never paid Barack any mind, didn't really know who he was til Iowa..

my husband (59 yo.) was paying attention though and he suggested I (46 yo.) listen to this black guy (we're black btw) LOL. I blew him off for about a month but when I did finally caught a small video clip of him on the news, I started getting more interested in what he was saying and then I began checking out how other people were reacting towards him then really got to researching his bio.

He sounded a little different then Hillary did, his policies didn't sound much different than hers, he seemed like a breath of fresh air, HOPE AND CHANGE, yea - I can dig that! I was intrigued then before I knew it, a true blue supporter.

It took my mom a little longer to come over to the O side (I have her Hillary button to prove it LOL). I think she started getting nosy when my husband and I started talking O-speak. She's in her 70's so I totally understand the older generation's hesitation to support that young guy talking HOPE AND CHANGE ;)

She's in the O tank now, got over Hillary losing (if she can do it, I know others can if they WANT to), hates the M$M with a passion (mom like daughter) she even got herself a subscription to The Nation (love her to pieces;)).

I have 2 kids; son will be 19 in Sept and my daughter is 23. We are all GOBAMA!!

The end.

[babylonsister]

59. Thank you for sharing.

I don't blame anyone for being skeptical if they never heard about him. As a white woman, I can't tell you how much I've liked him, for so long. Longer than you-have faith! I do.

[Colorado Liberal]

55. The night of the Colorado caucus

I had been an Edwards supporter, and he withdrew (suspended operations) shortly before our caucus. I went to the caucus with a fairly open mind, and as we were herded into a school auditorium (SRO and then some - it was the biggest turn out for a Caucus our precinct had ever seen), they had one person identified to speak for each candidate - one for Obama, one for Clinton. The guy who spoke for Clinton couldn't stop talking about how the Republicans would attack Obama - he never did make a coherent case for Hillary. When we broke down into classrooms to meet to select the delegate for our area, it was the same thing - every Hillary supporter spent most of their time talking about how Obama couldn't win, how the righties would go after him, and how Hillary was immune to that, because she'd already been through it. A night spent with listening to Hillary's supporters doing nothing but talking about how bad Obama was, and never playing up the strengths of their candidate. It turned me off to her completely. As an aside, I swear Hillary's campaign will go down as a case study of how NOT to run a Presidential campaign...

[babylonsister]

58. Wow. Thanks for that insight. So why are you here? I'm serious.

And welcome! :hi:

[Pirate Smile]

56. 39 year old white woman in Iowa. Once it looked like Gore wouldn't run, I was always essentially

for Obama (I wanted Gore-Obama if Gore ran) although I wanted to see what Richardson and Biden would do. I could never really go for Edwards - I just didn't buy it for some reason. I could say why it wasn't Clinton but I don't see any point in listing my reasoning plus I've always been for Obama, not simply against any one else.

[Justitia]

61. Proud to say: Since he made the very first "Dean Dozen"! - my first Obama donation

Of course it was for his '04 race, but I guess both Gov Dean & I saw something special in him :)

I kept my eye on him, and like so many others, the '04 Convention Speech blew me away.

His vocal opposition to the Iraq war put me in his corner from the beginning.

He was always my enthusiastic first choice, still is.

[babylonsister]

66. You I love! He's my enthusiastic choice, too! nt

[chyjo]

62. I started supporting Obama after Edwards dropped out

I was a supporter of Edwards in 2004 and he had a fairly strong showing in Western New York where I live. I would say that I started turning towards Obama when I saw his concession speech in the New Hampshire primary. It was simply put, the most moving political speech I had ever seen. Previously I had serious doubts about supporting Obama what with the questionable history of America voting for African American candidates, however in Obama's case I quickly decided that it was worth the risk.

[babylonsister]

69. Cool. He does know how to move people. I'm one of them! nt

[cynatnite]

63. When it became obvious that Hillary wasn't going to get the nomination...

He was getting the nom so it wasn't a hard choice.

I'm 42 y/o white woman, a veteran and grew up in a relatively conservative religious environment. I'm also a liberal and an atheist.

So, I'm not sure how much all that matters.

[babylonsister]

67. If anyone cares to respond, could you kick this? It is interesting. Thanks. nt

[vaberella]

71. K&R'd

:kick:

[RhodesTube]

68. When Hillary started supporting McCain

Honestly, I didn't care which of them got the nomination. I thought they'd both make good presidents and I still do. But what sent me over to the Obama camp was when Hillary started acting like McCain's running mate and began praising him while putting Obama down. That made her seem like another Liebermann. Democrat in name only. To me, she made it seem like if she was going down she would take the whole party with her. She really turned me off with that crap. And I think it cost her the nomination.

[vaberella]

70. Edwards dropping out, Clinton dirty politics, and her health plan turned me over to Obama.

I'm a 28 year old Black woman living in NYC.

I was on the fence between Obama and Clinton when Edwards left, whom I supported. With Edwards gone I was more leaning towards Clinton becuase I am from NYC and although I was fully aware of Obama (since 2004/2005---since I was thinking of interning for him), I really didn't think he had a chance.

Later in the race around March/April, I had finished up my reading on both candidates and leaned more towards Obama although still on the fence and that's because I found Obama's healthcare plan was more forgiving to those who can't afford while HRC's turned me off.

The final straw came from her supporters like Ferraro and the dirty politics she was using and tactics to smear Obama, prop McCain and in essence make her self look stupid. That switched me over to Obama fast.

[davidpdx]

72. Around March of 2007

At the time I was torn a bit between Edwards and Obama. I gave a small donation to both campaigns and about a month later, decided to support Obama. Even after that I still liked Edwards and would have backed him if he'd won the nomination.

[fujiyama]

73. Alweays liked him

but felt Edwards had a better shot of winning. But after IA, it was clear Edwards wasn't really going to get any media traction even with his second place finish there. It was doubtful he'd do that well in NH anyways and being that I was in MI it didn't matter - Hillary and Kucinich were the only two on the ballot (maybe that other dude was too - forgot his name). I was pretty much in the Obama camp after IA though I still felt Edwards would be the "safer" choice. Hillary never appealed to me and her tactics during the primary disgusted me. That said, I was glad when she conceded and I would not mind her as the VP candidate.

Anyways, I can definitely say I'm glad how things turned out. We dodged a bullet with Edwards not getting the nomination.

[Starry Messenger]

74. Kerry's endorsement.

n/t

[babylonsister]

89. That was the icing on the cake there; between Kerry and some

Kennedys, I knew we made the right choice.

[funflower]

75. When I heard Hillary tell that BS story about being shot at in Tuzla (over and over and over)

I decided it was time to check out Obama. When I gave him a serious look, it became obvious he was a far superior candidate in terms of both ability and character. He will be a truly great President.

[old mark]

76. I emailed the Clinton site, got a reply that was total gibberish,

with Clinton's name at the bottom.
Then, she started to sound very politics as usual compared to Obama.
A choice between Richardson and Obama, and Obama was left standing. so....

I have come to really like him the more I know of him, voted for O in the primary and will happily do so again in the General.

mark

[elizm]

77. I signed up on his website the day he announced in Feb. 2007...

I knew the minute I heard him speak at the 2004 convention that this man had to be President. If you listen to that speech today you can see that he still has the same powerful message. I have never wavered in my support for him.... and he has never let me down. And I am an old white woman over 50. ;)

[JustAnotherGen]

78. After

Edwards dropped out.

[Skidmore]

79. In 2004 after hearing him speak. I was delighted when he announced

that he was going to run and I've been working for him ever since.

[janet118]

80. When Dean dropped out in 2004 . . .

I sent money to Obama who was on the first "Dean's Dozen" list as a candidate for the Senate. It was my way of "creating a bench" of progressive Democrats for future advancement. His speech at the convention was icing on the cake. I'm a 58-year-old feminist white woman who never considered supporting Hillary Clinton for president for a nano-second. Instead, I worked for John Edwards in New Hampshire and, when he dropped out, voted for Obama in my primary. Obama was always my close second choice, but I worried a bit about his ability to fight the DLC. He turned out to be way more tough and savvy than his background seemed to indicate. Now I just worry about the corporate media and the sleazy McCain campaign working hand in hand to take him down. Of course, they would do this to any Democratic nominee, and IMO, it would be much easier to accomplish with either Clinton or Edwards in the top slot.

Go Obama!!! We have your back.

[TexasObserver]

81. as soon as Edwards got out, I started backing Obama

It was a two person race at that point, and in my opinion only one viable choice if we want to win: Obama.

[kennetha]

82. Only reluctantly and after lots of grieving

after Hilary finally dropped out. My heart still belongs to Hilary. I still think she is a vastly superior candidate and would make a vastly superior President. And I'm still underwhelmed by Obama. But he gets my vote because I'm a progressive democrat and would never vote for a reactionary. Plus I'm too much of a political animal to sit out an election in a fit a pique. And I think votes for third parties are silly self-indulgent things.

So, bottom line for me, Obama has my vote but not my heart.

He can win it only over the long term. But I'm certainly willing to give him the chance.

[janet118]

112. You mean Hillary, right?

I'm surprised you didn't notice it on your lawn sign and t-shirt. ;-)

[GalleryGod]

84. September,2007 at the New Jersey State Democratic Convention in Atlantic City

Nancy Hogan, Obama's Coordinator on the ground was "most persuasive".:loveya:

[Maine-ah]

85. I'm 34, and I too supported Kucinich

Obama was my second choice.

Why?

Well, I'm 34, and when I thought about who has been running this country almost my whole life (Bush & Clintons) I decided it was time for a change.

[Sulawesi]

86. When Mark Warner declined to run, Obama was my first choice...

[mucifer]

87. The Illinois senatorial primaries.

I liked him better than the other 2 choices. Been with him ever since. Proud he's from Chicago.

[Rowdyboy]

88. Geraldine Ferraro's crude remarks sent me over the edge-one week before the Mississippi primary

Just in time to vote for the winner and next president!

BTW 54 year old white southern male here.

[DevonRex]

117. Hi Rowdy. I'm originally from MS, too. It's really nice to see a

white MS male for Obama.

Honestly, I can't imagine driving around my ex-home town with an Obama sticker on my car. What's it like where you live?

[Rowdyboy]

125. Hi Jennifer. My partner and I are both firmly for Obama now as are several of our friends....

Certainly not a big liberal white community here, but there's always a few of us. I don't know much of anyone who's supporting McCain. Most of my friends and neighbors are apparently apolitical. I live in a 75% majority black town and when I talk with cashiers and salespeople or people at our local gym I get good feedback for Obama. Lots of interest in the black community which is really exciting.

The only bumper stickers I've seen so far here are for Obama but there are still lots of SUV's with faded Bush/Cheney stickers.

Amazingly, here in small town Mississippi, my partner and I are able to be open and are welcomed in the community. We're in the neighborhood association and have become friends with several younger straight couples. Our church and priest (Episcopalian) are highly supportive and I truly feel comfortable.

Its always good to hear from another Democratic Mississippian (current or past)!

[DevonRex]

128. Wow. That is absolutely fantastic! I'm the only democrat

in my family - mother and siblings are all republicans of the worst kind. My mom and 2 of my sisters are still in Mississippi so I go back to visit every now and then. I'm from a really small town in the Delta. I don't think I could ever live there again, sad to say.

But I'm so very glad that your situation is good. It gives me hope. :)

[Peacetrain]

90. July 2007

I live in Iowa, and got a chance to see all the canidates. I had the opportunity to see Barack up close and personal in small venues. It was the policies that he was putting forward. Simple as that, he had the best plan. Older than you Babylon, and just as vanilla. So they can put that silliness away. Obama did great in an older whiter than white state, because he had great ideas. :)

[SeaLyons]

91. When he got the nomination....

making the switch from Hillary to Barack was not easy for me, but I wholeheartedly support Obama now. We have to win in November.

[Avalux]

93. Was on board from the beginning but became enthusiastic when I saw him in person.

I'm a 43 year old white woman raised in PA - you and I are in the same 'boat' of 'older' white women who won't vote for Obama. ;-) The MSM must not know about us.

Obama held a town hall meeting in San Antonio right before our primary. Listening to him answer questions from the audience (NOT rehearsed or pre-planned) for an hour and a half sealed the deal for me. He was clear, concise and knew what he was talking about. This is an aspect of Obama that the MSM ignores. He not only gives great speeches, he can kick ass in a town hall meeting too. But from the beginning, his stance on the Iraq war was the biggest reason I chose to support him.

I'm not sure if where one grows up influences their choices; in my case, I grew up in rural PA which is considered 'backward'. However I was challenged by my parents to think for myself and be an individual; even though they are not college educated they are not ignorant. My dad gave me Darwin's Theory of Evolution when I was 16; we went to church every Sunday but he told me I needed to figure things out on my own. Definitely a dichotomy between where I grew up and how I was raised.


:hi:

[babylonsister]

119. As for childhood influences, I'm not sure either.

My folks were liberal; my dad loves Bill Clinton and was sorely disappointed when Hill wasn't nominated. To this day he won't talk politics with me even though we always did before. :( I know there's more than a bit of bigotedness going on there and don't know how he's been feeling lately, other than McGrumpy not being an option. He's the guy who told me in 2000 we'd be seeing soup kitchens with * in office; pretty accurate.

But I never thought twice about deciding on the best person left standing during the primaries; I know Obama has 'it', and he'd have it if he was Chinese, Indian, or any other background that's different. To me, that never mattered. I guess I take after my mom!

:hi:

[Jakes Progress]

94. When Hillary said to.

She told us to ignore the hate and the nastiness for the good of the party. So I did.

Go Obama.

[AnneD]

95. I stood behind him once he got the nomination....

We had a strong group to choose from. I have liked him since the Democratic key note address- 2 minutes into the speech I made my daughter sit down and watch it. I told her she needed to hear the next POTUS. She thought I was crazy-I thought I was too. But over the years, I have learned to trust the hair standing up on the back of my neck-and it was saluting that night.

But when I became a strong supporter-was watching him handle the tough things that happened. He has shown grace, intelligence, and a degree of compassion. He relates to every group I have seen him with-regardless of age, ethnicity, or political persuasion. I even loved the way he handled Lieberman (that quiet come to Jesus exchange on the Senate floor). He is very grounded, seems level headed, surrounds himself with talent, and delegates well. He has all the things I look for in a leader.

I am a soon to 55 year old white woman that remembers John Kennedy and Barack Obama reminds me of Kennedy's leadership. I dare to hope.

[peace13]

96. Kick. n/t

[Donald Ian Rankin]

97. When Edwards dropped out,

Because I thought that he had a better chance of winning than Hillary did, and would probably be marginally further left if he did.

[geiger]

98. When John Kerry gave his endorsement speech.

It was on the John Kerry website at one point.

[Prophet 451]

99. That fabulous race speech

No, not because it was a transcendent speech or a transformative political moment or anything like that. Because it was the first time in a long time that I can remember a politician addressing the voters like they were grown-ups, like they could appreciate and understand subtlety and nuance.

[onenote]

101. when I had to decide who to vote for in the VA primary in Feb.

I weighed the pros and cons of the various candidates and decided that while I could support any number of the Democratic candidates (including HRC), I believed that Obama was the best choice.

[WeDidIt]

103. October 2, 2002 in Federal Plaza, Chicago

Heard this skinny guy with a funny name speak and thought he should be president.

[Bucky]

105. When Biden dropped out, I went with the least annoying lawyer left standing.

[Ganja Ninja]

106. Right before the FL election ...

because Hillary started talking about changing the rules to her favor. Before that I was pretty much uncommitted.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

107. I moved to him quickly after Kucinich and Edwards dropped out.

I admired and respect the Clintons for their service to country but I loathe the DLC. The DLC, in my view, is responsible for the mess we're in now with their love for corporations, disdain for liberals, and Neocon-like tendencies to support Bush and his wars. Many of these DLC fascists are members of the PNAC (Madeline Albright's name is among them), and therefore disgust me. I could not support Hillary Clinton because she is a prominent member of the DLC. She did vote for the IWR and simply refuses to apologize. She voted against the Levin-Reed Amendment, the Patriot Act, and didn't read the NIE though she claims to be "ready on Day 1," to exercise better judgment and is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. When Bob Graham begged the committee to read the NIE, his pleas went largely ignored. He ended up resigning in disgust. This was the last straw for me. She voted to condemn MoveOn.org's Petraeus ad; she voted FOR the Flag Burning Amendment. Though she's been great on womens' issues and healthcare, her DLC membership and questionable business dealings were major concerns and I could not support her for all these reasons and more. I reluctantly moved over to Obama. I stress the word "reluctant" because I didn't warm up to him for a long time. And now I am an enthusiastic supporter and see that he has been right on many issues.

[bigwillq]

108. When the last primary votes were tabulated

Was when I knew he would get my vote.

[Mass]

109. When Kerry decided not to run. I waited a little bit longer watching Biden, who

is the one with the closest profile to Kerry, but I could not see him win and Obama became more and more attractive.

I think the pundits think that, because many women naturally felt attracted to Hillary, they somehow would not come back to Obama. Weird thinking, but it is largely pundit thinking.

[barack the house]

110. I'd say it's mostly fear over race on their part the stats say folks know it's the wrong path.-->

Not that all seniors are fearful, but they have more time to spend viewing MSM leading them astray. One of the meme is Obama would tax their social security which is a lie.

[dzika]

111. After Iowa

I favored him when he announced but Iowa clinched it for me.

[BklynChick]

113. after hearing him in 2004, I read his first book. Then after he announced I read his second book.

Then.

[Mz Pip]

114. Older white woman here...

I would have supported any of the candidates. I liked Biden but when it was apparent he wasn't going anywhere I just adopted a wait and see attitude.

I think after Obama's win in NC I started to see him as someone who could win in November. I like Hillary but Bush Clinton Bush Clinton just didn't do much for me. Although it wasn't Hillary's fault, I do admit to having some Clinton fatigue.

Also, I sort of felt that maybe it was time to turn the running of this country over to the next generation. They have a pretty big stake on how things go and maybe should have the opportunity to make their mark.

[Mudoria]

115. Just voting for him because he has a D attached to his name

in Congress. And he's better than the alternative.

[Tim4319]

118. When he made his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.

[rinsd]

121. When he was virtually assured of the nomination.

I fought for Hillary.

I respect what Obama is as a candidate and what he has done as a campaign organization.

I have full confidence in him as the nominee.

[Whisp]

122. after kucinich dropped out I was in limbo land for a while

no one really got me going like the kooch did.

but then will.i.am happened to make that vid out of Obama's NH speech (which somehow I missed when originally run).

I know it may sound corny, but that was the moment, when I saw that vid, heard Obama's words and found out that will.i.am did it from his heart and made that thing in such a short time. it blew me away and I was jumping up and down and telling everyone I knew to see it. Obama knows how to genuinely inspire people, that was so wonderful to see and hear.

till that point I really didn't know obama all that well, he was like background music to me. but every since, the more I learn of him, the better I (and now my family as well) like and admire him.

older white woman here too.

[me b zola]

123. When Edwards dropped out

I began with Kucinich, then on to Edwards. I had always liked a lot of things about Obama, but I was a bit leary of him because of a few of his votes. But when Edwards left the race, I began listening to Senator Obama with new ears, I actually heard what he was saying. It was then that I knew that we had the real deal with Obama, that I could back him without reservation.

I have come to admire and respect Senator Obama deeply. Not just for his intellect, principles, and executive abilities, but for the grace that he handles himself in difficult circumstances.



I also loves how he communicates through music: I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more + You better think--think--what you're trying to do to me...

[wvbygod]

124. When Hillary lost

Last standing Democrat.

[PassingFair]

127. When he made is Rev. Wright/Race Relations speech.

I hadn't been so excited by a speech since Dean's
"What I wanna know" speech in California.

He confronted the issue HEAD-ON.

I found myself calling friends and having
them tune into whatever Progressive radio
station they could hear.

His reasoning and his intelligence won
me over completely.

[goodgd_yall]

129. I'm in the middle-age white woman demographic and

I did support Hillary, though late in the game (in January, supporting Kucinich and Edwards---in that order---before Hillary), then in March or April it became apparent Obama was going to be our nominee so I made peace with whatever I didn't like about him, which actually wasn't much. It was mainly some of his supporters I just didn't like. After Hillary got on the Republican bandwagon about Obama being elitist, I switched to Obama. It wasn't hard at all because I came to believe he would make an excellent President, which is where I stand now. I can't wait for an Obama presidency.

[hedgehog]

130. I think I stated paying attention last fall and was tepidly in favor of Obama.

Then, the more I listened, the more I read, the stronger my support became. The stronger my support, the more I was torn between believing he could do it and trying to be rational and telling myself he couldn't. Iowa was unbelievable.

[boomerbust]

131. 54 yr.old male cheesehead

Voted for Obama in Feb. Wi. primary

[TexasLady]

132. During a debate just before the Texas Primary

and tons and tons of ads on the tv and radio. I said, wow I need to check this guy out. I was having a long political hiatus, because I just needed me one. I do it to news sometimes too. Bush and all makes my head hurt.

[polmaven]

133. I never "didn't" support him

I was speaking with a friend, what seems to be a very looooong time ago, just after Hillary's announcement, and he and I agreed that it would eventually come down to Hillary and Obama. We also agreed that both candidates were equally attractive and able to win. Given that, the next thing we agreed with was that we would each be supporting hillary in the Primaries.

He is now a super delegate, and had announced, before June 7, that he would back Hillary. I spoke with him again about 3 weeks ago, at a local Kerry re-election meeting, and he and I agree once again that we all now support Senator Obama. That is not to say our admiration for Senator Clinton is diminished in any way, but we never did not have admiration for Senator Obama as well.

Does that make sense?

[cyndensco]

134. I became an Obama supporter the day he announced his candidacy.

I watched his announcement on c-Span and thought he gave a good speech but was not yet sold. Immediately following his speech, c-Span aired an interview he had given some years earlier in Illinois. He was discussing his opposition to the Iraq War and predicted an attack would lead to conflicts among the Shiite and Sunnis. At that moment, I knew he was the one I would support.

[SoCalDem]

135. When BC spouted that crappola in SC..

before that I was perfectly willing to support HRC or any dem candidate.

[justgamma]

136. I supported Edwards in Iowa.

I just really liked his message and healthcare plan.

I had the hardest time choosing between Obama and Clinton when he dropped out. They both had strengths that I admired. I loved when Clinton showed some emotion in New Hampshire.

I've always admired Clinton. Then she started "making fun" of Obama supporters and I thought what the heck is she doing? Then she started insulting, Iowa, activists, caucuses, etc. and the more I heard, the more turned off I got.

I swear she lost more votes than she gained by those tactics.

I really do feel bad for her. I wish she hadn't listened to those advisors that told her that was a good idea.

BTW. I'm 58 and white. I love Obama and know I made the right choice.

[Orsino]

137. After Kucinich and then Edwards dropped out.

Because he seemed to be the candidate left standing who offered a faint hope of substantive change, and that an Obama Administration could set the stage for an actual liberal president. I even hold out some small hope of actual progressive initiatives, once Obama gains courage and sees that America will follow him there.

[Forkboy]

138. When it came down to just him and Hillary.

I think he has at least some small potential to surprise us with something bold, whereas I see Hillary as solid but not very daring, and in some ways downright wrong. And there was Mark Penn, who I was aware of before the campaign started. Not a good guy, and anyone hiring him makes me doubt their thinking immediately.

Another reason I support him is one that applied to Hillary as well. Either one would have been a long overdue first for this country.

But mainly, I support him because he's not a Republican, and he's definitely not McCain. I know that's not exactly a ringing endorsement but that's where I am with the party as a whole. It's a complaint I've had for years with us Democrats. There's a difference between for voting for someone and voting against someone. To Obama's credit he's done more in that direction, and done it effectively, than any politician in recent history (since Bill, at least, who did it to some effect as well). But I hate to say it, in the end I see Obama as another middle of the road, safe candidate (policy-wise). In some ways he's exactly what the country probably needs in the short term, but the time is fast approaching when we're going to need to trust someone to make some truly bold decisions for the long term, things that may be political suicide for the person at the time.

And sadly, it's up to as as citizens to decide when we're ready too bite that bullet. We should be leading the politicians, not the other way around. Obama at least seems to be open to this concept, but we'll see. He'll do a lot of good things, and I'll take what I can get.

In the meantime, there's simply no way we'll survive a McCain presidency, so Obama it is! :)

[yowzayowzayowza]

139. Held out for Gore then moved to Edwards.

When he dropped out it took several weeks before we moved to Obama. The three of us had decided to vote as a block so as not to cancel one another out. Hillary was up 2:1 initially as Obama was an unknown and took a while to digest. I ended up being an Obama delegate to the Texas Senatorial District 2 Convention. We're all very satisfied with our choice!!!

[BlooInBloo]

142. :)

[flamingdem]

140. My elderly mother convinced me that Obama is "the one"!

So I checked him out having previously been a Clinton supporter and really, really liked what I found, in fact Obama has renewed my interest in the potential of democracy. I am thrilled that we have a candidate of his caliber running.

[VADem11]

141. October of 2006

I saw him campaign for Webb and was immediately impressed. Then I saw him campaign for others across the country and I became a supporter. The more I learned about him, the more I liked.

[Dark]

143. In Oct. 2007.

So I supported him before it was cool ;)

Seriously, though, his message of unity was exactly what America needed. A historic candidate in a historically important time.

[FrenchieCat]

144. Started supporting him in October of 2007, after Wes Clark endorsed Hillary.....

I did my shopping and came home with Obama. I haven't looked back since. Odd is that initially, until right after Iowa, I had no problems with Hillary had she won....but then I started paying attention to some of the things she was saying and I realized what her approach was going to be.

I am happy with my choice and am glad that I picked a winner....and know that he is; a winner.

[eridani]

145. Kucinich dropped out, and then Edwards dropped out

Obama and Clinton were left, and I decided on Obama because he believes in long-term party organizing and Clinton doesn't.

[Matteon]

146. When he announced his candidacy

I really was inspired by his professed desire for a better way to do things. There were times when I was a bit shaken because I felt that his handling of some situations were more like old school politics and not in line with his message, but overall I feel he has held to his desire to do things differently as well as one can while still being competative, so I continue to support Obama.

[JCMach1]

147. I am only supporting him because he will be the nominee

There is no other reason. Also, there are no alternatives.

I neither like him, nor to a trust him (especially after recent policy shifts).

I am supporting him because there is simply no other choice.


However, I am mostly keeping my unease to myself and sticking to the parts of DU that do not involve the current election cycle.