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How did it feel to vote for Obama vs Gore, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, Carter.....?

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RiverStone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:25 PM
Original message
How did it feel to vote for Obama vs Gore, Kennedy, Kerry, Clinton, Carter.....?
Edited on Tue Nov-04-08 05:26 PM by RiverStone
I was only a toddler during the JFK years and my vote for Carter was my first. Gore, Clinton, and Kerry all felt really good - but at almost age 50, I don't ever recall feeling such a wave of emotion when I dropped my ballot in the box for Obama.

We are at the precipice of a seachange that could literally extend the quality of (good) life on the planet. And it finally seems our country has awakened from the long Bush nightmare, and we shall never go back - EVER!

:kick: :grouphug: :kick:

How did your vote for Obama feel compared to other presidential votes?
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Arugula Latte Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:27 PM
Response to Original message
1. THE BEST by far!
I voted Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton (then saw him inaugurated), Nader in '96 (I was in a safe state and disillusioned with triangulation), Gore, Kerry. Obama is the best candidate by far and I've never been so excited to vote for anyone.
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LisaM Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:27 PM
Response to Original message
2. I've never been more attached to a candidate than to Gore
He could have been one of the greatest presidents we've ever had. Heck, I was excited when Clinton won just because of Gore - thinking then, of course, that Gore would have been allowed to succeed Clinton.
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Faygo Kid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:28 PM
Response to Original message
3. My first was McGovern, and that was always my favorite. Until now.
This is extraordinary. The historic import isn't going to sink in until the horse race is behind us.
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Caution Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
4. My first election was 1992 and I was thrilled to vote at all and very happy to vote for Clinton
But this was better. I came out with a HUGE grin, hopped in my car and drove to NH to canvass. Put 270 miles on the car and ran through a tank of gas, Feel pretty good about it. Can't wait to start seeing the returns!!
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Caution Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
5. My first election was 1992 and I was thrilled to vote at all and very happy to vote for Clinton
But this was better. I came out with a HUGE grin, hopped in my car and drove to NH to canvass. Put 270 miles on the car and ran through a tank of gas, Feel pretty good about it. Can't wait to start seeing the returns!!
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kdmorris Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
6. Monumental...historical
Every time I vote, I say a quick thank you to Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all the women who fought so that I can have the right to do what so many take for granted. Today, I not only got to vote for a candidate I like (vs "the one I don't hate"), I also got to be part of a chance to have the first African American president in the history of the Western World.

If only Martin Luther King or Rosa Parks could see this... what a victory for everyone!
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LibraLiz1973 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:29 PM
Response to Original message
7. The most excited I ever was to vote for President was Bill Clinton in 1992.
It was my first time though, and I had looked forward to being able to vote since I was like 5.

This is a VERY close second- though possibly more meaningful than the Clinton vote was.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #7
11. No substitue for ousting an incumbent. Kinda like a short-hand goal, as Palin would say...nt
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Morning Dew Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
8. you always remember your first - mine was Carter
I never felt so proud ( politically, anyway) as I did that day - it was the best. My first vote and I loved Jimmy Carter.

Today... was even better.

And, get this, I've only been onboard for Obama since the end of the primaries... I was very partial to Hillary.
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LoveMyCali Donating Member (694 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. Wow
we must be cosmic twins, that's exactly how I feel.
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Morning Dew Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:44 PM
Response to Reply #14
24. We must be.
I didn't think I'd feel like this but today, wow, it was something special to vote for Obama.

Now, I just have my fingers crossed on the outcome. The last two were such heartbreakers.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:32 PM
Response to Original message
9. I loved voting for Dukakis. Bouncing the incumbent out in '92 felt REALLY good. nt
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blm Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
10. I expected ANY Dem nominee to win in 2008 - but very pleased to be able to vote for Obama
as I never expected to be ABLE to vote for a black man as president in my lifetime.

But, I am above all else an open government Democrat, so voting for Kerry was ESSENTIAL and gratifying, because it is a long hard road for ANY open government advocate, and I'm glad he counseled Obama and got his back.
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LoveMyCali Donating Member (694 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
12. Carter got my first vote
and I remember how excited I was to be able to actually vote in a presidential election but when I cast my vote this morning I was actually shaking.

I'm trying to figure out now how much of a jerk I'll look like at work tonight when I burst into tears when Obama wins.
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codjh9 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:34 PM
Response to Original message
13. I was totally for Gore, but this feels at least as good if not better.
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yardwork Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:35 PM
Response to Original message
15. Obama is the first politician I've actually admired.
I like Kerry and Gore, and the others were ok, but I actually admire Obama.
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ComtesseDeSpair Donating Member (529 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:38 PM
Response to Original message
16. This was my 6th election...
I felt good voting for Clinton, but not great - I liked him, but I wasn't ECSTATIC about him. I voted for Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry as a vote AGAINST a Bush - I never had much affection for any of those candidates, least of all Kerry. So, it felt more like a civic duty than anything else.

This time around? I had a chill running down my spine as I selected Obama/Biden. I have never felt so emotional and so damned PATRIOTIC about voting in my life. This time, I feel like I'm voting for a candidate of destiny. No comparison whatsoever. This time it's PROFOUND.
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Dem2theMax Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:39 PM
Response to Original message
17. I'm the same age range as you, RiverStone. Carter was my first vote as well.
I always felt hope as I voted, but nothing like this. I voted by absentee ballot. When I walked up to the post office to mail it, I literally felt that I was taking part in a huge moment in the history of America. And I was. We are all taking part in it.

I just ran into a Dem neighbor. We ran up to each other and hugged each other and he said into my ear, "we are going to DO it!"
(We're surrounded by repukes here.) Tomorrow we are having champagne and pie. Neighbor got an invite to come and celebrate with us.

HOPE. It's in the air. I can feel it. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world. :) :) :)
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RiverStone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #17
30. Ya know, most of us here on DU are passionate about stuff already...
Edited on Tue Nov-04-08 06:00 PM by RiverStone
But responses on this thread and many more point to this vote, this vote for Barack Obama, as a vote with a unique quality all to it's own.

Imagine how it must feel to a young voter (my daughter for example) who at age 19 is casting her first presidential vote ever, for this amazing man.

Damn....:) :woohoo:
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swishyfeet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:40 PM
Response to Original message
18. I doubt I'll ever feel like this for another candidate
Seriously. For so many reasons, I am so thrilled right now...
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Mid_FL_voter Donating Member (137 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:40 PM
Response to Original message
19. My farorite vote EVER! n/t
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chappydog26 Donating Member (118 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:42 PM
Response to Original message
20. My first was Gore
I turned 18 in July 2000 so it was cool that there was a prez election that year. I have always loved Gore and his love of the environment. I'd vote for him again in a heartbeat. But out of the 3 prez elections that I've participated in, Obama's was definitely the one I got the most excited about. I even blew off my last period class today because I couldn't wait to vote any longer! This election was a lot of fun.
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kimmerspixelated Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
21. Voting for Obama was a religious experience.
I felt honored and proud, glad I didn't have to even think of holding my nose! My first voting experience was for Carter. Naturally, when he won, it felt good. Every election since then, I lost. I was one of the weirdos that voted for Perot in the 90's.Way before I became a political junkie!
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Motown_Johnny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
22. I always supported the democratic candidate mostly because i agreed with them on issues. This time I
both agree with him on the issues and like the guy.

For me there is no comparison to anyone else I have ever voted for. This is far and away the most fulfilling vote I have ever cast
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lady raven Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
23. Clinton 92 was my first Presidential election and that felt good. I've voted Dem since then.
They have all felt good, but nothing compared to this one.
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demokatgurrl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:46 PM
Response to Original message
25. Each one was different.
Carter was my first too and I was VERY excited. After that I continually voted for losers, but I had a feeling Clinton would win and I was heavily involved in his campaign. That was very exciting.
This time it's similar to '92 Clinton, but more thrilling because of the historic significance. On the other hand, more nervewracking because this time, the consequences of my guy losing are FAR more dire than they were in 1992. Of course, back then, in those innocent times, I had no idea....
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No Elephants Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:48 PM
Response to Original message
26. Alas, I was not old enough to for JFK. This is the most exciting election of my long life.
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NHDEMFORLIFE Donating Member (153 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:51 PM
Response to Original message
27. I've voted in every election since '76
And I've never felt so pumped about a candidate as I did this year. After 2004, I was just about ready to throw in the towel. Obama brought me out of that.
Voted for Obama in the primary, voted for him today, and am absolutely convinced he'll be a great president.
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cameozalaznick Donating Member (624 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:51 PM
Response to Original message
28. For the first time, I felt like I was voting FOR
Edited on Tue Nov-04-08 05:52 PM by cameozalaznick
rather than against. Well, except for Clinton. I was pretty positive about him. But the '92 campaign, I was really more focused on getting Barbara Boxer into the Senate. Now that was a good year.
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JJ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 05:51 PM
Response to Original message
29. voting for Clinton felt good both times
especially after Dukakis and Mondale,(knew both of those were hopeless before the first vote was cast)

But nothing like this, I was excited about Gore, ambivalent about Kerry.
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Window Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 06:19 PM
Response to Original message
31. Voted for JFK but, while I loved him, no comparison to today's vote.
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AndreaCG Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Nov-04-08 06:25 PM
Response to Original message
32. Very special
I had to check the boxes several times to make sure I voted right, I was so scared I would screw it up. But I voted Working Families Party and that's far enough away from the R on the board that it was no problem.

My mother did not get to vote though, she was too ill to make it to the polls. Her health has deteriorated a lot since the primaries and I should have gotten her an absentee ballot. Too late to do it today. We're in NY though so I told her Obama would forgive her.
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