The Louisiana Democratic primary is tomorrow, Febuary 9. I will be voting for Barack Obama. I am voting for Obama because because of the two candidates left, I believe he has the best shot at defeating the GOP. It is important to beat the GOP for many reasons, but a reason quite as good as any other is the memory of James Jenkins, 1981-2005, USMC and Bronze Star, and of the 213 Iraqis he could not live with having killed.
In 1997 I published under my real name a magazine article on the outrageous sexism of the attacks on Hillary Clinton. I am not passing her over for sexist reasons. Neither am I voting for Obama for the frisson of finally voting Black at the Presidential level. I voted for Jesse Jackson every time he ran, and he, not Obama, was a candidate I could really support. I would have voted for Kucinich, Gravel, or Edwards before voting for Obama.
Obama is establishment, I know, but the Clintons are still moreso. I only vote for them against the GOP, not against other Democrats. And one of my main reasons for choosing Obama now is the movement surrounding him. For a broader discussion of this matter please see the Changeseeker’s post and, importantly, its comments thread.
Axé.
coldhearted scientist وداد 
I was up in a tourist area today looking at the Middle Americans on holiday. I was trying to imagine them voting for Obama, but I couldn’t see it. I think he would have a hard time beating a McCain-Huckabee ticket.
I don’t know whether Hillary Clinton would go over with this group or not.
And there is the huge group of indifferents who don’t vote.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I hope that he wins enough soon so that she drops out because the longer they both fight, the better it is for the GOP. And we really do need to beat them. Happy caucusing!
I hear you! Hattie, as for middle Americans not voting for Obama, MN may not be Kansas, but here’s what happened during our caucus: instead of the 70,000 expected at the DFL caucus, over 200,000 came out to vote, and Obama carried it, big time. Who ARE these people? Normally indifferent? Young people voting for the first time? The pissed-off progressives who usually see Democratic candidates as too right-wing? Cross-over centrists? Voter turnout is always the key to an election, and the Obama campaign has been building momentum, in large part because of a very effective get-out-the-vote effort. I think all usual bets are off as far as predicting either the primary or the election.
Romney carried the Republican caucus in MN, and at least one caller on MPR radio show said that he was going to stay home rather than vote for McCain.
I still have my Latinos for Jackson button somewhere…
Oooooo, remembering the Jackson race…now, THERE was a time when you felt as if you were really saying something by backing the Presidential candidate of color. :^) I did my duty yesterday and went to vote for Obama here in Louisiana. I wondered if all the little old White ladies and men at my poll were Republicans and if not, who were they voting for (possibly feeling that THEY have now been disenfranchised in some vague way). Interesting. Anyway, I was delighted Obama carried the day here, if for no other reason, the fact of this region’s long and ugly political and social history. I don’t so much think this means that we’re “all better now.” I just like it, that’s all. BTW, thanks for the link, PZ.
Now he has Maine. I am at the edge of my seat.