It's not party hopping. It's going with your convictions.

I recently had a conversation with a good friend and awesome blogger about politics.  Let me just say it can get heated when we talk politics.  Mainly because she really knows her stuff and has for quite a while, and me?  Well, I am just learning and just jumping into this arena with this election. 

The question arose (as it does many times when people know that I have always voted Republican and then found myself a county delegate for Obama):  How can someone who has always been loyal to one party suddenly jump ship and change their beliefs and their party affiliation?

The question itself is flawed.  It isn't like I suddenly woke up one day and said, "Republicans? Forget it. I want to go Democrat this election and stir things up!"  Here is what happened and why (and how) I become an Obama supporter.

Last year when BlogHer announced their closing keynote for their annual conference in 2007 was going to be a Democratic Presidential candidate's wife--Elizabeth Edwards-- I was mad. A so-called non-partisan group having a very Democratic keynote seemed against what they claimed to stand for.  So, I sat in that keynote.  Arms crossed. Glare set. Ready to hate every word she said.  But something happened.  She spoke of things not political and got my attention.  Yet, she spoke of things political as well, and that made me take note.  "Wait. I agree with that stance.  Is that a Democratic stance?"  It, quite honestly, confused me.  When I later saw her speak to many of the women who came up to her afterwards, I saw a softness and a kindness in her that drew me to her.  I wanted to know more.

Thus, began the research.

With a somewhat open mind, I read about her.  That led to reading about her husband, John Edwards, and what he stood for and his platform.  More confused than ever, I dug in deeper and looked at the other Democratic presidential candidates.  What did they stand for? Could I relate?  Is that something I agree with and want to get behind?

The more I researched and read (and stopped listening to main stream media and using my own brain), I began to see that I actually aligned more with two of the Democratic candidates and their platforms. 

Then John Edwards dropped out of the running.

It was clear.  I either got behind the one remaining Democratic candidate running that I really believed in or I did what I have always done and blindly vote Republican.  How could I do that now that my eyes had been opened and my head and heart really believed in one person? One candidate. One man. Barack Obama. 

The answer was I couldn't.

So, when the Texas primaries rolled around, I walked into the polling place and saw the two sides facing each other.  One side Republicans.  One side Democrats.  And for the first time in my life, I proudly walked over to the Democratic side, signed my name and voted for a Democratic candidate.  Afterwards, I stayed and was chosen as a county delegate.

It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had attending that convention. The enthusiasm.  The excitement.  Though, I will admit it was strange to hear things like "We are all Democrats here!"  I looked around and thought, "We are?  Oh yes!  We are! (I think.)"  I even bought a t-shirt that says, "Democratic Women are the Life of the Party."

Even more shocking, I started to write for a Democratic blog written by all women who are determined to get a Democrat into office in 2008. (Yes, I do mean MOMocrats!)  A lot of changes.  A lot of learning.  A lot of insecurity.  It was as if I moved to a foreign country that I thought I was supposed to be at war with. One that I thought I was supposed to hate and disagree with.  Though at times it still feels foreign, I know that I am welcome and these people I was "supposed to disagree with at every turn."  They are actually people that I find myself agreeing with more and more. 

I still stand by my convictions and some of them are not 100% aligned with those of Barack Obama.  However, when it comes to this election, my heart, my head and my research tell me that this is the one man who can take this broken country and help mend it.  A man who can bring this nation together united. A man who can look towards Republicans as well as Democrats and say, "I will help heal us-- all of us."

So, I ask:  Did I change loyalties or finally learn to just be loyal to myself.

I know the answer.  Do you?

When not "party-hopping" and trying on her "I am a Democrat" hat, Jenn can be found blogging at Mommy Needs Coffee and is the founder and editor of Mommybloggers.

 

Comments

[Lawyer Mama]

Jenn - Thank you so much for writing this post! I think more people than you know can understand your "conversion." The political process shouldn't be about party, it should be about following your convictions and that's what you did. I'm sure it must be hard for you when you hear sweeping criticisms of "Republicans," having been one for so long and it makes me admire you even more for joining MOMocrats.

Here's to intelligent, independent, progressive women who use their brains!

[Queen of Spain]

I may currently be a democrat, but I've also been 'uncommitted' and 'independent' and 'n/a' - it always should come down to what you believe. And EVEN if what you believed did not land you with the candidate I also chose, I have HUGE respect for you and love you like all hell!

That said- I'm even more proud that you researched and got INVOLVED! :)

[Lmayes]

What a lovely post. I think you are far from being alone in your experience here. Thank you for sharing your experiences over the past year. Also, I'm totally giving this a kirtsy.

[Jackie W transplanted Okie]

Obama doesn't have enough experience to fix anything.

There is only one reason I'll vote for McCain in November. That reason is Supreme Court nominees.

Hillary isn't qualified to be appointed to the SC.

[Elizabeth Edwards]

I think what is most impressive about this post, Jenn, is your willingness, despite your reservations, to listen, actually listen. A great part of the divide between us is that we are not even listening to people with whom we believe we are not aligned. One of the worst things that has happened in American politics is the polarization, and it is not likely to get better if no one is listening to the other side.

[PunditMom]

Love this post, Jenn. Imagine if more people actually thought about their beliefs and where their interests really lie, rather than just go with what they think they know based on the past.

[jen]

Jenn, what a gorgeous, gorgeous post. Amen, sister.

[Donna]

I just want to echo the others who have commented here, Jenn. Thank you for opening your mind and doing the research and searching your soul and then using that to make your decision. If everyone gave their vote this much thought (and listened to one another), this country might not be so broken.

[Lori]

I totally second what Elizabeth Edwards said above -- the fact that you listened is the not only the first step, but the best part. I do get the feeling that each side is preaching to the choir, being rude and condescending to the other side, and sticking their fingers in their ears when those who don't agree with them speak.

I am an Independent/Non-Partisan who registered as a Democrat this year to be able to vote in the primary, but I've no doubt that a Republican will earn my vote someday. All it will take is a person who can stick to his or her principles while respecting those whose principles are different. (And a little *acutal* fiscal responsibility, not just lip service. :-)

[ilinap]

What I would like to see more of is women using their own brains. I cannot tell you how many women have told me lately that they just vote the way their husband tells them to. These are educated, smart, professional women and mothers. They claim not to know anything about politics but obviously care about their children's future. What does it take to get them to look at the issues at hand, not the politics (because that somehow means man talk)? This is not something I encountered among my women friends in Minneapolis, Madison, and Chicago. What gives?

[TLC]

This was an eloquent post, and I hope more women (and men?) find their true convictions based upon it. I live behind what we term as the "Orange Curtain"...it votes red all the way. I still throw my blue vote out there, though. I think I am one of 5 dems in Orange County, CA but I still keep plugging away for change.

Thanks for writing this, and welcome to the Blue Side!

[JayMonster]

Thank You for paying attention. If only more people would actually stop and listen and take the time to think, the world would be a better place.

Voting is a responsibility, and can not be done properly just "blindly following" it takes a little work, as you have done here.

[Mom101]

This made me cry, Jenn. I think it's what all of us hope for, those of us who really believe our country is in desperate need of this kind of leadership.

And what an amazing tribute to Elizabeth Edwards, that one woman who lead you towards such a life change.

Yay to all.

[Jo-Ann]

What a wonderful post. Just reading your words has made it easier for me to have hope for this election. There was a time when I loved an election year, but for me, once an election is stolen, organized chaos becomes just chaos and I can't trust in chaos. I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I lost faith in the system and the treatment of HRC during this primary season has not helped regain that faith. But two things have lifted my spirits and have started to bring back my excitement: this post and the "Republicans for Obama" avatar that I caught my good friend sporting. Now I'm smiling. : )

[debbie]

Jenn, this post rules, because YOU rule.

I'm so glad you're part of our group. I remember the day you joined, and I remember thinking, AWESOME. that betch is teh ruler.

srsly.

[Stefania/CityMama]

Meeting Elizabeth Edwards is what brought me around to supporting John Edwards' candidacy. There is such power in the way she draws people in with her warmth and intellect and to me, The Edwardses are the political "Dream Team." She is a national treasure and one of the best custodians of our country. Jenn, I completely understand your thought process. Thanks for pouring your heart and mind out here and for touching so many people with this post.

[Jo-Ann]

Elizabeth and John Edwards - Dream Team indeed!!!

[Daisy]

Jenn -- Hillary Clinton grew up Republican. She resigned as president of her College Republican chapter, saying that she wasn't leaving the party: the party had left her.
The rest, though not finished, is history.
--from a Clinton supporter now firmly behind Obama

[First Rough Draft]

What a fantastic post. My story is very similar, though I switched parties during the last presidential election, under the influence of Howard Dean. I grew up in a hard-core Republican home, with parents who lived, ate, breathed, dreamed Republican politics. I spent the 2000 presidential election in DC working for a conservative lobbying group and campaigning for Bush. A few years later, I was alone on a road trip, flipping through radio stations when I landed on an early primary speech. I was captivated, and surprised to find myself thinking, "yeah, that makes sense!" and "Well, maybe that is a good idea!" I didn't know until the end of the speech who was speaking, and when I found out, I was pretty shocked. Dean's candidacy didn't last much longer, but his effect on me was permanent. Here I am, four years later, volunteering on Obama's campaign.