Independents (voters, Congress, Iraq, patriot)

[JerZ]

Independent Voters. We have not forgotten you.

How do you feel today about the decision last night?

[Frankie117]

I feel that my Independent vote doesn't and won't matter until we can shed the outdated Electoral College system

[ocnymonty]

I grew up in a Conservative family.... registered Republican in 1988 and worked on relection campaigns for NY-R Congressman Ben Gilman (retired) in the 1988 and 1992 elections. I re-registered from Republican to Independent in 2005... yesterday I voted for Obama. I felt last nights election brought my own political enlightenment full circle.

[RuralGuy]

I've always been registered as an independent and this is the first time in the six Presidential elections in which I've voted that the candidate I selected and the one who won were the same. So I'm feeling pretty good.

Most of my neighbors seem kind of bummed out, though.

[cohdane]

I voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries.

This election, I voted a split ticket, with Obama for President.

I'm relieved and cautiously optimistic. My hope is that Obama can repair some of the damage from the last eight years. The Patriot Act. Guantanamo. The Geneva Convention. Kyoto. Freedom Fries. The for-us-or-against-us, anti-discussion mentality. The list goes on.

Getting out of Iraq is going to be tricky, since we did break it and we bear some responsibility for fixing it. Our economy has already proven itself unprecedented-- the "best and brightest" couldn't keep it from crashing, so he may or may not be able to do anything about it. A good speech in hard times won't hurt though.

As an Independent, I hope he continues to advocate for Unity. People shouldn't ally themselves with one side or the other. They should vote for America-- whoever they see as acting in the country's best interest. If he does EVERYTHING right (unlikely), people will see that it's not about which Party, it's about which Policy.

He's won the election. Now he needs to win the longterm faith and support.

[ucfjtm]

Originally Posted by Frankie117

I feel that my Independent vote doesn't and won't matter until we can shed the outdated Electoral College system

This is how I feel. My overall view of politics is very Independent - Libertarian, except that I'm strongly against illegal immigration and open border policy, and I'm also against unrestricted free trade in most cases. Many people need to look up the stances of Libertarians - think of it as "up" on the political spectrum instead of just "left" or "right." Think of social liberals, but fiscal conservatives. Despite what they tell you, neither party has proven through past actions over the last 20 years that they truly care about what happens with the majority of people in the country over the desires of big business.

Barack Obama is our elected President, and although I didn't vote for him, I will support him, mainly for his many policies that I do agree with, and I will fairly and graciously oppose those policies I think are not in the best interests of our country. I am hopeful that he will have a bipartisan cabinet (although the Chicago back-scratching appears to have started with his Secretary of State choice), come to compromises with House & Senate Republicans for fair legislation, and buck his own party (which he's only done once - the Iraq War) when they pass bad legislation. I am hopeful that he knows he's at the top of his party, and will deny Reid and Pelosi power when they attempt to treat him as the party's puppet for enacting bills. I am hopeful he will lead the country in a more moderate view than his past suggests, that he won't enact drastic legislation without thoroughly thinking about the side effects and consequences.

I will show my support and hope that he follows through with the promises that I agree with, especially if he proves he can be fair to everyone in this country with his decisions - Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. Afterall, he's going to want support in 2012. For all the advantages he had going for him this election: media, funding, not affiliated with Bush, the economic meltdown.. it was MUCH too close of an election to enact laws that only make one part of the political spectrum happy if he has any desire for re-election.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by JerZ

How do you feel today about the decision last night?

Completely unsurprised. After eight years of Bush and an economy in crisis, McCain had no real chance.

I'm a little surprised at some of the states Obama managed to take, but I knew he was going to win.

[teatime]

Originally Posted by Frankie117

I feel that my Independent vote doesn't and won't matter until we can shed the outdated Electoral College system

I absolutely agree with you!!!!!!!

[camping!]

Well, I knew my 'guy' wouldn't win, so no sour grapes here!
As far as obama goes....I hope for the best, I will stand behind my president because whether or not I voted for the guy, he is still all of our president, representing all of us regardless of political affiliation. I hope he does not go the way of W. I know I will be much more aware of what is happening in the house and senate.
Beyond that, I do truly hope that in 2012 the Libertarian party is more representated in the debates. I think as the Libertarian message gets out, more and more people will recognize themselves in it.

[Undeader]

Originally Posted by camping!

Well, I knew my 'guy' wouldn't win, so no sour grapes here!
As far as obama goes....I hope for the best, I will stand behind my president because whether or not I voted for the guy, he is still all of our president, representing all of us regardless of political affiliation. I hope he does not go the way of W. I know I will be much more aware of what is happening in the house and senate.
Beyond that, I do truly hope that in 2012 the Libertarian party is more representated in the debates. I think as the Libertarian message gets out, more and more people will recognize themselves in it.

Pretty much sums it up for me.