In 2000 I idealistically voted for Nader. I wasn’t really “into” listening to the political commentary, and the little bit of research I did lead me to vote with my heart, not to influence the election. I still stand by that vote.

By 2004, I was horrified and disgusted by the aftermath of September 11th and 2003′s start of the Iraqi war, which I protested against, lost sleep over, and, five and a half years later (or, worse, 4188 American deaths later), disagree with and despise more than ever. For the first time in my life I contributed money to a campaign: Howard Dean. I was heart-broken when he lost the primary. In the final election, Kerry didn’t really seem like a great choice, but the alternative seemed so much worse. I voted against Bush, which, by default, meant for Kerry. I was upset when Bush won.

Now it’s 2008 and we have, for the first time in my life, a candidate that I admire as a politician and as a person. If Barack Obama is elected, I will finally be able to say that I love my president. Do I have problems with him? Yeah, but no one seems to be willing to let me run things (which means they would get done the right way!), so Obama is a good enough alternative.

Also, I can’t endorse someone who is ok with this war that I despise going on for “a hundred years”, doesn’t use a computer in 2008, doesn’t know what a condom does, and who doesn’t believe that women deserve equal pay. The McCain family is worth $136 million, he’s not exactly sure how many houses he owns, but he “doesn’t consider himself a rich man”. In the worlds of William Shatner, I just can’t behind that. There are other, more in-depth tax and economic reasons that I’m voting for Obama, too, but these are the issues, too often dismissed as trivial, that I have with McCain.

I usually don’t think voting on social issues is wise because I think that We The People have more influence on those issues (for now) than any President will. Still, the extreme conservativeness of Palin scares me. I don’t believe extremes in either direction belong in the White House, even as VP. So Obama it is. It’s time to take back the White House from people who will fuck it up even more.

I’m really deeply disappointed by the McCain-Palin campaign these past few days.  I disagree with enough of their policies to not vote for them, but I did have an enormous amount of respect for the way in which both Palin and McCain conducted themselves during the campaign.  The Obama-Biden ticket has been very respectful, too, and it’s been pleasant to watch the debates.  McCain refused to let his supporters carry on with the nonsense that Barack Obama is a Muslim terrorist, and Obama refused to let his supporters have a field day with Palin’s pregnant daughter.

All in all, a good race to watch with no mudslinging.  Until now, when McCain is loosing in the polls.  It’s so disappointing to see him grasping at silly straws as he slinks further and further in the polls, and I’m surprised that it’s being tolerated.  I can’t imagine the more intelligent members of the independent and undecided voter base (which is surprisingly large, even three weeks before the election) are going to be anything but turned off by this.  The below video is longish, but it illustrates the point beautifully.

Tonight Wednesday* is the third and final debate between the two Canidates, and I hope you’ll tune in, especially if you’re undecided.  Try to ignore the fact that John McCain looks half dead and Barack Obama adopts a smarmy tone when he’s disagreeing, and really listen.  If you need help processing, CNN will have the transcript on their website the next morning, and you can read it slowly.  Then visit FactCheck.org to see where each canidate stretched the truth a bit, and get the real non-partisan deal.  This is an important election (well, aren’t they all?) and you should be informed before you head to the polls.

*I wrote this in advance and posted it early, accidentally. The debate is Wednesday, October 15.