Kerry's Speech took me from a vote against Bush to...:

[rob-ok-vin]

I was very moved by the entire Democratic Convention.

I am (was) a life long Republican Who had become disappointed, disgruntled, and discouraged with the Grand Ole Party. All the things that impressed me some 20+ years ago about the Party have disappeared. I chose the "R" on my voters ID card because I believed in smaller Government, Fiscal responsibility, less Federal government control and more state control on issues, and personal accountability and I believed that the Republican Party stood for all these things.

Having said all this it is easy for most to understand why I may have felt disconnected from the GOP. They seem to have moved and left no room for me in their Party. I say this because I am and always have been for individual choice, rights, liberties and accountability for those choices. The GOP has moved to a group that has become defined by and on a few moral issues. If you support a womens right to choose what she believes is in her best interest, or a persons right be with a person of their choice then you can not be a Republican! "Your either with us or against us..." Right!

So for the last few (8-10) years I have been looking at where I fit in in the political arena. Ross Perot, Reform, Libertarian, Natural Law, you name it I have looked at it. More so in the past few months because and thanks to my brother (thanks Steve).

Now I live in one of the greatest states in the Union, except when it comes to politics. Not only is it the buckle of the Bible belt but also has a very restrictive election process. Closed primaries restrictive ballot access etc. So for the most part if you have anything other than a "D" or "R" on your voter ID card you only get to vote about half the time.

Because and thanks to Steve I watched much of the DNC and was very impressed and often moved by what I heard. I heard words of optimism peace and responsibility. Because of my states restrictive election rules, and my disappointment in the GOP I had already decided to vote for Sen. Kerry. Actually I had decided to vote against Pres. Bush and in Oklahoma Sen. Kerry was the only other choice. But, after hearing speeches from future Senator Obama, future VP Edwards and future Pres Kerry I have made a conscious decision To vote for Sen. John Kerry. And as soon as is allowable change the "R" on my voter ID card to a "D". Thats right Steve I will be changing parties.

I would like to thank DU for giving me a place to post this long winded rant. Thank you for taking time to read it and especially thank Steve for helping me find a new place and voice in what I consider the greatest and most sacred right I have and that is the right to choose the person to lead this, the greatest country in the World.

[AndyP]

1. Glad to have you here

Welcome to DU, I hope you find your niche here. You're among friends.:toast:

[Worst Username Ever]

2. Welcome to DU, glad to have ya. n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Hear Hear!

Welcome to DU and thanks for the very thoughtful post :toast:

[George_Bonanza]

4. Great to have people like you

The problem, I think, is that a lot of people just assume that Kerry is boring and uninspiring and do nothing to convince themselves otherwise. They don't really watch the DNC, and you can't get the full brunt of Kerry's speech unless you start from the first minute to the last. Just listening to media quips and clips are hardly enough.

[Catch22Dem]

5. You might like this then...

Kerry speech t-shirts I made using the image below. Available here: http://www.cafepress.com/ksbslane5

[Cha]

13. Thank you! I've been wanting just the right tee to order for

Kerry/Edwards and since the Convention was one of my all time highs..this is perfect!

I got the pink raglan one with that Awesome picture on it.

WooHoo! 2 to 3 days and it's mine!

Thanks, Catch22~!

[whistle]

6. Welcome to DU....

...:kick:

[Cha]

7. I'm so emotioally wrapped up in this thing and loved the Dem

Convention(from start to finish)so much that your post made me choke back tears.

To me this is the only way a thinking person could come about but to actually see it happening(via the internet) is still amazing!

Thank you, and your brother Steve and Welcome to du!

[Cornus]

8. I am hopeful...

...and also confident that there are many, many more like you out there.

We WILL have a landslide in November!

[Old and In the Way]

9. Thanks for sharing and welcome aboard.

I have to believe there are many people like yourself that are having their crisis of political faith.....I'm glad that you have "come to the light". :-)

I know one thing....if the political roles were reversed, I'd be joining the FR and making a similar mea culpa.

[Hoping4Change]

10. Thanks for reaffirming my belief that Americans are still the

children of the Enlightenment, that ideas not idealogy or theolgy shape destiny. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading your posts. :toast:

[Mortos]

11. That's my brother

Hey,

Welcome aboard. I have an unfailing faith in your intellect and ability to rationally sort through a problem. Having know you for my entire life, I have always looked up to you and respected your opinion. Watching your conversion gives me hope for all of those people who have not yet been reached. Who have not had the opportunity to sort through the facts for themselves and, unfortunately, probably never will. I have never claimed the Democratic party is the cure all, end all of the world's problems but I do know that with motivated, intelligent, compassionate people like you, we are better able to address the issues that face us and we are stronger with your allegiance. Thanks for listening to me rant and rave.

Your Brother,

Mortos (Steve)

[Cha]

14. Cool! I remember your name from an earlier thread today

but I can't place it.

[Mortos]

15. I was probably

ranting about conservative talk show idiots.

[Cha]

17. Ah yes!

Good on ya!

[bigwillq]

18. Welcome to DU too!! (nt)

[On the Road]

12. Cheers, rob-ok-vin

:toast:

I'm a former Republican, too. Seems like all the legitimate issues of the old GOP have been completely abandoned, and all they're left with is God, guns, and gays.

Democrats have learned a lot; Republicans haven't. That's why Bush is the last gasp of the party.

[poliguru]

16. Welcome!

I'm glad you've found a place you feel comfortable. I hope this election is in our favor!

[bigwillq]

19. Great post

Welcome to DU!! Glad to have you here!

[flpoljunkie]

20. Thank you for sharing your evolution, interesting and well written

It gives us hope. Welcome to DU!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

21. Thanks for the post and welcome!

I was so moved watching the convention because they were giving the same message that I have been putting out -- we don't have to be divided. Americans have worked together to achieve great things in the past and we still can with leadership that aspires to inspire. People want a President who does call upon their highest instincts not their lowest.

[Tweed]

22. That's great! I'm glad you picked us

Welcome to the DU! I hope you visit and post often. Your post is well-written. I look forward to many posts from you in the future.

[The Hair in my Nose]

23. Yep

You picked a Winner.

[mr_binklesworth]

24. Yay! Thanks for expressing your thoughts!

Thanks for objectively looking at the parties. It's great to see when someone steps back to get a good honest look, and goes with his conscience rather than blind party loyalty.

Thanks for your post!
:yourock:

- Mr. Binklesworth Trevor York St. Kitt the Third

[JDPriestly]

25. Thanks for your great post.

[hippiegranny]

26. this is a great testimonial!

thank you for sharing with us - it is music to our ears!

[no name no slogan]

27. Welcome to the big tent party!

Glad to have you on our side!

It's doubtful we'll agree on everything, but that's alright. We have more in common than we do in difference. But right now, we're going to need every vote we can get to defeat the Ashcrof-- err, Bush maladministration.

Right now, the focus is November 2. If we can just get through that first, the rest will be a cakewalk by comparison.

:toast:

[OKNancy]

28. Hello fellow Okie - easy registration

I want you to go here:
http://www.state.ok.us/~elections/vrfrmshl.html

download the registration form. Fill it out and set it aside. Put it on a magnet on your refrig or something ( lol )
On September 1st. Mail it to the address provided.

Welcome to the Democratic Party. It's a lot of work to be a Democrat in Oklahoma.

[rob-ok-vin]

29. Thanks Nancy

I already have the Reistration card filled out. Spoke with the ladies at the polls on the 27th and am waiting till 8-31. Glad to be here.

[Bandit]

30. You are the Heart and Soul of America Bush* wishes he had

I think you will find we love rational thinking beings here although some of us do get carried away sometimes. I think the great majority here mean well. Not sure about the "otherside". Greed and Power seem to be the motivating factor. In my state there are so many who feel like you that they formed their own Party. It is called the Moderate Republican Party and is officially on every ballot along with five other "official" Parties. Libertarian, Green, Democratic, Republican, and Independent.

[AussieDave]

31. Good on ya, Rob

It's people like you who give me hope that America (and indeed the world) may be coming to the end of a four-year nightmare that is the Bush regime. It only takes people to think and to be a little objective and to SEE what is before their eyes - to cut through the spin. It all should be obvious, but unfortunately there are so many who believe only what they want to believe (some of my relatives in Texas prove that !!). Thanks for lifting my spirits, mate.

[slinkerwink]

32. welcome to DU, rob!

:hi: