My Republican father is going to vote for Obama

[lsusteel]

My dad is one of the few black Republicans in the country. He is extremely intelligent, yet is traditionally a conservative (I believe he was a Democrat pre-Carter, but became disillusioned after Carter's handling of the hostage crisis). We've had political debates, discussions, etc. Most of the reason he votes Repub is foreign policy. He saw the 9/11 damage first hand as one of the early responders to the disaster (he was a police officer at the time) so he has a much more aggressive stance.

About three years ago, I told him "Barack Obama will be the next President." He laughed and said "No one with the name Barack Hussein Obama is going to get close to the Presidency, whether he is a good candidate or not."

As he overtook HRC in the primaries, I reminded him of that convo three years ago. He still claimed it wouldn't happen.

But yesterday at dinner I said "No matter where you stand on the issues, it's amazing to see a black person finally make it this far and have a real shot at the Presidency."

His response?

"And that's one of the reasons I may just vote for the man. I can't not vote for the first black President."

Knock his reasoning all you want, but given that he grew up in the 50s and 60s, can you blame him?

Just a first-hand account of Obama's crossover appeal.

[bluestateguy]

1. Charles Evers (Medgar's brother) will vote Obama as well

He is also a lifelong Republican. He was chosen as a delegate for McCain in Mississippi but will now be pulling out to back Obama.

Amid all of the chatter of that angry Clinton delegate from Wisconsin announcing her support for McCain, this story was left behind.

[benddem]

9. Myrlie Evers Johnson

introduced Barack Obama at his event here. She's a star in the Dem. party. Can't believe Medgar's brother is a Republican.

[rurallib]

2. I believe true fiscal conservatives wouldn't go anywhere

near today's republican party.

[CountAllVotes]

3. that is so true

where or where did those Eisenhower Republicans go?

[grantcart]

11. If Obama can make the fiscal argument the McCain candidacy will collapse

[Colobo]

4. Gobama!

[Fovea]

5. I grew up white in the 60s

and not only can't I blame him, but I think I understand.

As an old school Dem who thinks the last real president was Carter, I agree with Michelle Obama when she said that she had a reason to be proud of America again. This isn't even a race question, it is a question of what America is, as opposed to what it could, and indeed should be in all sorts of ways.

I never recovered from being a child watching 1963, and 1968. So pride in America is a difficult concept for me.

[Cha]

6. Call it a wild hunch but I'm thinking

that your father knows how Obama has presented himself and would not vote for him if he weren't good besides being Black?

[lsusteel]

7. My Dads a stubborn man

So while I'm sure there is more to it than Obama being black, this is a convenient crutch for him to switch his support to Obama without admitting he was wrong :)

[Cha]

8. Aha!

Gotcha!

[HelenWheels]

10. Hmmmmmm

He deserves a big kiss if he votes Obama (from me, not from Barak).