This article comes to you from the upstate of South Carolina in the most Conservative county in the state. I live, work, and breath around some of the most right wing ideologues in the country. My own family is filled with Evangelical’s who are hand clapping and foot stomping soldiers for Jesus.
With a couple of exceptions, since the election cycle began, my entire family has been adamantly opposed to voting for Barack Obama and are planning on voting for John McCain (only since he secured the nomination, however. He was not conservative enough to be the first choice) The last six days have changed everything, my friends ;-) and I’ve got good news.
My Mother-in-law (retired Evangelical preacher) watched Obama’s acceptance speech on Thursday night and after it was over she said, “Wow, I believe him and I can vote for him. I’m also glad he came around on the flag pin.” Ahhhh the flag pin...I love ya mom!! My brother-in-law and my aunt were not as persuaded however. They both stuck with the mantra that he gives a good but empty speech. I know, I know. I’ve been dealing with it forever.
Well, then came Friday and the news that John McCain had chosen Sarah Palin to be his running mate. I was very intrigued to hear their reaction. I figured they would be delighted considering her social conservative views. I was wrong. They were all aghast!! They couldn’t believe that McCain would make the biggest decision of his campaign with a complete and utter disregard for the future of the country. It did not matter to them that her social views and family values matched theirs. They were angry that he would pick someone so inexperienced and they were really angry that he would pick a woman, not because of her qualifications, but for transparently political reasons. They believed the “Country First” slogan. They don’t anymore. I was shocked but very excited by this reaction.
My brother-in-law has been arguing against Obama’s experience, as the standard McCain supporter does, and he now feels like his argument is moot and he just doesn’t care to debate any longer.
When pregnancy-gate exploded, that didn’t help matters either. The quote I got from my brother-in-law was, “...and her teenage daughter is pregnant out of wedlock, doh! Did they not even check her out before they picked her?”
So to recap: The three evangelicals in my family that have been adamantly anti-Obama for almost two years.
Where they stood on August 27th; 3 votes for McCain. No votes for Obama.
Where they stand today; 1 vote for Obama. 2 staying home.
This is my experience, it’s completely anecdotal and a very tiny sample, but I thought I’d share the view from behind the battle lines .
If this is happening inside of my family, it’s happening all over the country.
GOBAMA!
Cross Posted on my Site