Thursday, September 04, 2008

Raising a Republican

Before you get all huffy and puffy about republicans or democrats, let me tell you this: I am neither. There are things on both party platforms that I disagree with. Not just slightly, but vehemently. So much so that I do not wish to associate with either side. I'm not going to delve into which ones, because this is not a political blog, and I have no desire to debate the merits of any of those things. I am an independent. I have voted democrat, I have voted republican, and I have voted libertarian.

I do my best to find unbiased information for each candidate and vote based on their overall views. I am not a one issue voter, and I am not an uninformed voter. Clinton can tell you how annoying it is around the house during election times when I can't find information on some candidates (mostly the local ones for school board and such) and feel like I'm just picking which name I like best.

Last night Clinton and I wanted to watch Governor Palin's speech at the Republican convention. Pretty much our knowledge of her has been that her daughter is pregnant - which is what the media is focusing on, even though neither the daughter, nor the baby is the one who will be making the decisions that the VP makes. Anyway, we were both interested in what she had to say. It was a good speech, I can see why she has been called a formidable campaigner, and I look forward to the VP debate whenever that happens.

Landon watched the speech too, and he clapped every time the audience clapped. I can't say he wouldn't have done the same if we'd watched the democratic speeches - because we didn't watch any of that coverage - much like we haven't and won't watch any of the rest of the republican convention coverage.

So, either he's already feeling very republican, or he's just an enthusiastic clapper.

6 comments:

Someone Being Me said...

Sounds like he is a smart kid. But you knew that already. It was a great speech.

Eternal Sunshine said...

How cute! Kids do love to participate in a good clapping session...

Anonymous said...

I know the speech was good, but just curious -- how did Palin come across to you, as an independent? In other words, would she make you more likely to vote for McCain than you otherwise would have?

Kristine said...

I do like her. I like that she is conscious of and willing to do something about big government spending (highlighted in her speech about not having a chef or driver, or luxury jet, the stuff about the bridge to nowhere, [she didn't mention the pay cut she gave herself to lower expenses as well]). It makes my heart sing.

Conversely her ideals in other areas do not match up with mine.

The fact that in her short time in office she was able to accomplish such things means that she's a doer, and it also means that the things on which I disagree with her may actually get done. Is it worth those things as long as the things I like also get done? I don't know.

Is it enough pro to sway my vote one way or enough con to sway it the other? I'm not sure. I still have a lot to learn about what her actual plans are.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the response. I'm an Obama supporter and have always been put off by the GOP's techniques (using mockery; attacks; framing the issue as us (the good, patriotic ones) v. them (who are not so good or patriotic)) and was disappointed that she used them as well. But I wanted to know what someone who isn't sold on Obama yet felt.

Marinka said...

So funny! Good thing that you don't have The Clapper, because then he'd be turning the TV off all the time, right?