In 2000, I made a campaign contribution to John McCain. I talked my husband, an Independent, into declaring himself a Republican so he could give McCain a parting sympathy vote in the Colorado primary. I’m still on McCain’s e-mail list.
Though I’ve voted in every presidential election since 1980, I’ve never otherwise been politically involved. I think this is because, as an evangelical Christian, I’ve been told my political views were immoral. But my parents were mavericks, who raised me to be a maverick, too stubborn to let go of my feminist and pro-environmental views.
McCain’s appeal back in 2000 was rooted in the fact he appeared to be a maverick like me. Since 9/11, he’s looked less like a maverick, and more like just another Republican. This year, Barack Obama looked like the true maverick. This is the first year I’ve done more than vote and make a campaign contribution. I volunteered and was a county and state delegate for Obama.
For many of us, presidential elections amount to the lesser of two evils. This year, for me, is the greater of two goods. I’ll vote for Obama, but won’t be disappointed if McCain wins. Indeed, this was the year of the maverick, including Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul.
I watched the Republican Convention on FoxNews.com. In convention coverage, I focus on audience shots. RNC delegates looked pale and male. In fairness, Democrats practice affirmative action in selecting delegates. Still, this doesn’t look like the “shattered glass ceiling” party.
Whatever became of the “Big Tent?” Where were progressive Republicans, like Arnold Schwartzenegger or Christine Todd Whitman? When did “one nation under God” morph into “Country First?” When did Christian motherhood morph into a pitt bull with lipstick?
Older delegates seemed excited whenever speakers mentioned vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. But young delegates looked bored, as if they wished they were at that other convention.
Some call Palin a maverick. If so, she’d hardly be a darling of the religious right. Social conservatives hate mavericks, which explains their disdain for McCain.
Besides, I know mavericks. Sarah Palin is no maverick.
Though I’ve voted in every presidential election since 1980, I’ve never otherwise been politically involved. I think this is because, as an evangelical Christian, I’ve been told my political views were immoral. But my parents were mavericks, who raised me to be a maverick, too stubborn to let go of my feminist and pro-environmental views.
McCain’s appeal back in 2000 was rooted in the fact he appeared to be a maverick like me. Since 9/11, he’s looked less like a maverick, and more like just another Republican. This year, Barack Obama looked like the true maverick. This is the first year I’ve done more than vote and make a campaign contribution. I volunteered and was a county and state delegate for Obama.
For many of us, presidential elections amount to the lesser of two evils. This year, for me, is the greater of two goods. I’ll vote for Obama, but won’t be disappointed if McCain wins. Indeed, this was the year of the maverick, including Hillary Clinton and Ron Paul.
I watched the Republican Convention on FoxNews.com. In convention coverage, I focus on audience shots. RNC delegates looked pale and male. In fairness, Democrats practice affirmative action in selecting delegates. Still, this doesn’t look like the “shattered glass ceiling” party.
Whatever became of the “Big Tent?” Where were progressive Republicans, like Arnold Schwartzenegger or Christine Todd Whitman? When did “one nation under God” morph into “Country First?” When did Christian motherhood morph into a pitt bull with lipstick?
Older delegates seemed excited whenever speakers mentioned vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. But young delegates looked bored, as if they wished they were at that other convention.
Some call Palin a maverick. If so, she’d hardly be a darling of the religious right. Social conservatives hate mavericks, which explains their disdain for McCain.
Besides, I know mavericks. Sarah Palin is no maverick.

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