Obama: The Vote for 2012
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Is there still hope with this one-time political rockstar?
I remember the night that everyone believed that change had come to America. In the late hours of November 4, 2008, I was on my bed crying my eyes out after watching then President-elect Obama's victory speech on CNN, thinking that something like this would never happen in my lifetime. A victory had occurred after one of the greatest moments of my life, which was my very first presidential election to be a part of. I was 18 then, fresh out of high school and serving in AmeriCorps. Things have now changed and I have a tank that has a little bit of skepticism now.
It isn't strange or offending to read about the things that President Obama is called or criticized anymore in the news or any other type of media. It's actually annoying to the highest power. I want to state this as an opinion, that I believe that none of these controversies and ridiculous stories would not be surrounding him if he wasn't a person of color. He isn't a new Martin Luther King, Jr., or a political Jesus Christ, and many perceive him to be one, to activate heat vision on former President Bush's mistakes and failures, equaled out to eight years of garbage. The ignorance stemming from this election and from what Obama is currently doing in his administration is going to play a strong supporting role into the 2012 presidential election, unfortunately.
From the news articles, Obama has a tendency to be “just about talk”. I hate to admit that is what floats around in my brain. Of course I am an African-American, but race or ethnicity does not determine how amazing a person is for any political office. Even though he is not living up to the standards I thought he would surpass, I still have faith in this man. I want him to be known as the leader who turned this nation around. These are the reasons why he has my vote in 2012:
1. The death of Osama bin Laden: It happened during this administration, when countless Americans thought that this cruel terrorist would never be captured. Obama officially announced to the world that bin Laden had been killed from the presidential podium, and he kept it thorough and to the point. While there is much speculation of possible attacks from terror groups because of this murder, he is credited with this victory for the United States, a victory that triggered a celebration that could be seen as disrespectful and in a revengeful light.
2. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repealing: This was a major event and brought much joy to the LGBT community. Because of this legal retraction, gays and lesbians can now serve openly in the military and not face crucial circumstances, such as being discharged.
3. Evolution on marriage equality: When running for the Oval Office in 2008, Obama held an opposition to marriage equality, but was in favor in civil unions. There have been numerous reports that he is changing his position, thinking about his close friends and colleagues who identify at LGBT and what affects them. Some sources claim that he has flip-flopped on the position for years. Whatever the case, I do sense that he is evolving and that he should address more of this issue in his second administration, instead of dodging the questions.
4. Work of the First Lady: Michelle Obama has been very influential, progressive, and productive as First Lady, tackling ideas such as education and children’s fitness. The last First Lady that I can recall that was churning out this much work was Hillary Rodham Clinton. Americans claim that the President himself has not been attending to his duties, but they shouldn’t say that about his wife. Her actions should be greatly acknowledged.
5. To be brief: None of the 2012 Republican candidates are worthy of my vote.
Who we have in office is a person who has to replace a system that has been defaced by it’s previous handler (Bush. Need I say more?) Despite the controversies, the ridicule, and those who blow bubbles in their own shallow rivers, this man is the right choice for 4 more years.
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I feel that Obama didn't do in office these past four years what he said he was. He promised change, but there has been very little to talk about. "Don't ask, don't tell" might have been repealed, but apparently that's already being fought and possibly revoked. And where he said he'd fix the economy, all he's done is try to fix healthcare. I understand that for a lot of people that's a big thing, but at the same time I know that's not why he was elected. I thought Obama was going to do great things in office, when in reality he did just as well as any other president. His most note-worthy facts are the death of Osama and what his views on gay marriage have done for this country. He may have taken over at a perilous time, but I feel there was more he could have done.
Unfortunately, I don't think there's any other candidates running this year who I would whole-heartedly throw my support to. So even though I don't rate Obama among the top presidents our country has seen, I would vote for him in the upcoming election if necessary. There's not too many choices that pose a real threat to him in terms of the "wow" factor.
He wouldn't be ranked as one of the best presidents in my book either, but he still has time to impress me. He's still the better choice over any one else.
The First Lady is handling her business. I agree completely with that. She's a wonderful role-model and very relatable. Great article, Thomas!
Michelle Obama is what I would call a political hustler! :) She deserves all the positive recognition. I'm probably going to miss her special on BET tonight. :/ And thanks, Aura!
Agree totally, President Obama is the only choice in 2012!!! Emphatically, it is my belief that if he was a Caucasian President, he would not receive the enormous complaints that he does. The notorious Republicans and their Tea Party continue to bash him for everything that he does, no matter what it is. This is the only president in my lifetime (and I'm 55 years old), that has not received the respect that he deserves as the POTUS or Commander and Chief!
nu flower child
I disagree with you and Obama has proven he was the wrong choice and it has nothing at all to with color.
None of your points you made above were the issues to be solved.
Instead of trying to fix the economy, unemployment, and saving the homes of people that were given bad loan by corrupt bankers he and his Congress spent their time and resources on ObamaCare. This was not the problem to be solved.
Obama is barely black, he had no real experience or expertise to become president. He was a mediocre absentee Senator. He spent the two years before the 2008 election pandering the country for votes. During that time the economy collapsed, and he and the rest of a congress looked like deer in the headlights.
He and the Congress threw money at the problem, and then again when he became President. The one and a half trillion dollars didn't even register on the economy. Although the bankrupt banks and financial companies partied with millions of dollars in bonuses. They were reward for their corruptness and mismanagement of their companies.
Meanwhile, millions of people were losing their jobs, and losing their homes.
Now over three years later, people are still unemployed and still losing their homes, and you want Obama to have four more years.
During our worst economy, the price of oil shot up to over four dollars a gallon in Ca. California has over thirty seven million people and that is over ten percent of the population of the country that have high unemployment, high losses in homes, and a poor housing situation.
Don't tell me about his 2012 promises, tell me about his record, and why he didn't satisfy his promises of 2008.
I don't care if Obama is purple, I am looking at what he did as President, or more of what he didn't do.
People were complaining about George Bush as President and he is really white.
Obama is in the same category as Jimmy Carter
BTW that is not a good thing.
Obama got the presidency by telling the people he understood the problems of the country in 2008 and that he would fix it. At that point, it was no longer a Bush problem. He didn't inherit it from Bush, he leveraged it from Bush to become president.
He changed Washington, he made it worse.
Anton Maurice 8 months ago
I remember my feelings also when Obama became our president elect! I felt that change had really come to America and thanks to his efforts America has taken quite a few steps to becoming a better country. Not to point fingers or call names but Obama took office in one of the worst circumstances that he could, considering the state that the country was previously in. I believe that four more years would benefit us even more and will definitely give him my support again.