Yesterday was Super Tuesday. For the first time I voted in a primary. I don't think I cared a much about politics during the primaries. The candidates all seemed the same- and I would wait for the presidential election to cast my ballot. I've been an issue voter- but this time I have two candidates to pick from who are very similar on the issues that I care about.
All the talking heads on TV have been predicting that women will vote for one candidate, and that blacks will vote for the other. It's never that simple. I love that the candidates look different than past presidents, but is not why I am casting a ballot for either of them. I appreciate that the candidates bring with them the experience of not being white, or not being male. Perhaps there will be subtle changes in the way the media handles gender and race. (Although, as a feminist I will comment that they have been much more sensitive to race issues than gender issues.) I want both canidates in the White House. I want them to share the democratic nomination - until yesterday morning I was torn on who I wanted to have top billing.
I voted for the candidate who I believe has the potential to take our country in a positive direction, and to steer us away from the two America's politics that have plagued my perspective of the country and the people within it. (red/blue, rich/poor, war/ anti war, choice/life, gay rights / 'family values,' etc . . ) I hope that I've gotten over the dirty politics, and election fraud that lost the Democrats the last two elections. I hope that I am now able to see my friends for who they are, not for their politics.
So this time, I'm voting for the one person who may be able to unify those rifts. (you need to check that link out!)