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February 16, 2008
Why Some Younger Voters Support Obama
Aaron Ximm" is the name of my son a.k.a. Aaron Thieme whose new and
artist name evolved from the date of his wedding anniversary. He works
with a fine tech company that takes most of his time
(http://www.spcontrols.com/) but also maintains a wonderful web site in
found sound, Quiet American, which has marvelous posts like one minute vacations
(http://www.quietamerican.org/)
Because my wife and I are going to have dinner with Hillary and Barack
tonight (and 1700 of our closest friends at the Dems' Founder's Day
Dinner, Feb 16 2008) and we're the two who will vote in our primary
Tuesday, I took a family poll among our seven kids and five spousal
units. This is what my son Aaron wrote:
My own vote is for Obama, in fact I coughed up money for him for the
first time this week, not so much because of policy points -- I think
Edwards' health plan was better, and so on -- but because he clearly
has the same impact on others that he does on me: he inspires
something I had almost forgotten was possible, to have true pride in
and actual hope for our country.
A month or so ago I was debating the "experience" issue with someone
and first articulated clearly (to myself as well) something that
informs my feeling on this, that the role of President is one of
leadership first and foremost. If I understand leadership (as I do) to
mean to speak for, and to speak to, the nation, it seems clear that
Obama is able to do that in a way that my generation has never seen or
heard. If the President is the face and voice of the nation, there is
no politician I can remember with a better face or voice.
My biggest concern is the open question of whether he would be able to
delegate matters beyond his ken appropriately, to assemble a functional
and healthy and honest team behind him.
That, more than the lack of specific personal experience, is what I would worry about.
It's not that I don't think there is a real risk of disappointment;
it's more the distinct but unshakable sense that I would never forgive
myself if I didn't take a chance on him. I kind of think that's the
sentiment in the nation, at least, among those energized by him.
As we discussed I was among those who dreamed that an Obama/Clinton
ticket could actually happen. Clinton would make the perfect
Cheney-analog -- and as I said only half in jest, with her as VP, any
nutcase who might be tempted to take a shot at Obama would be in a
true double bind... as someone said to this idea, he wouldn't even
need any secret service protection...
I would love to think that this was the beginning of the great
turnaround. With Clinton I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be. With Obama I
don't know... but I dare to hope.
Posted by Thieme at February 16, 2008 10:12 PM
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