Yes, I have voted already. I took my 19 month old son with me and explained everything as I was doing it. He liked the fire trucks best (I vote at the local fire house). I want him to have memories of going with his parents to vote. I remember going with my Mom. In fact, my Mom is working as an election worker today. I want voting to be a family tradition we carry on.
My husband and I spent quite a bit of time last night researching candidates and where they stand on important issues to us. We took a “candidate quiz” over at the Washington Post. Obama came up as the Democratic candidate that matched our views the closest. Too bad he took his name off the ballot, here’s two votes he won’t get.
So then I started looking the Republicans. GAH!
A women’s right to choose is a huge issue for me and it’s one I always look at someone’s stance on. As you can see, every republican, except Ron Paul, thinks Roe v. Wade should be repealed. Nice.
I have listed quotes from each candidate’s list of issues and provided a link so you can see for yourself.
Giuliani
* Would probably not sign federal ban on all abortions. (Nov 2007)
* Ok to repeal Roe v. Wade, but ok to view it as precedent too. (May 2007)
Probably? Probably? This is a strong issue to say probably too, don’t you think Rudy? Maybe the “uncommitted” selection means Rudy.
Huckabee
* Certainly good day for America when Roe v. Wade is repealed. (May 2007)
McCain
* Overturn Roe v. Wade, but keep incest & rape exceptions. (Jan 2000)
Paul
* Get the federal government out of abortion decision. (Nov 2007)
* No tax funding for organizations that promote abortion. (Sep 2007)
* Not appropriate to prosecute all illegal adult pornography. (Sep 2007)
Ron Paul thinks the government should be out of the abortion decision, but he also thinks it’s not appropriate to prosecute all illegal adult porn… huh? I’m not even sure I know what that means. He seemed a bit “take the government out of the government” to me, if that makes any sense.
Romney
* Was pro-choice, now proudly pro-life. (Dec 2007)
* Would be delighted to sign federal ban on all abortions. (Nov 2007)
* Two-step process: overturn Roe; then change hearts & minds. (Sep 2007)
Shouldn’t it be the other way around: change hearts and minds THEN overturn Roe. You got to change YOUR mind first. Scary, scary, scary.
Thompson
* Reverse Roe & return abortion to states, to allow SOME bans. (Nov 2007)
* Let states decide abortion with restrictions as they see fit. (Nov 2007)
* Lobbied for Planned Parenthood, but always voted against them. (Oct 2007)
Why would you lobby for something and then vote against it?
Here is how the Democrats feel:
Clinton
* Respect Roe v. Wade, but make adoptions easier too. (Nov 2006)
* 1974: pro-choice fervency not based on any personal abortion. (Jul 2007)
Why is this even listed under Hillary’s views??? I don’t recall asking any of the men if they ever got someone pregnant. Or if anyone they got pregnant ever got an abortion. WTF?
An option to abortions… what a novel approach and the ONLY ONE TO MENTION IT!
Edwards
* Right to abortion is constitutionally protected. (Jan 2004)
Doesn’t matter, he took his name off the ballot, but for those keeping score.
Obama
* Protect a woman’s right to choose. (May 2004)
* Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
Again, doesn’t matter since he took his name off the ballot as well.
If you are curious, I voted for Hillary. Her views matched mine closer than any other candidate ON THE BALLOT. I don’t know how my hubby is going to vote and even if I did, it’s not my right to reveal it here.
Frankly, this little exercise scared the shit out of me. My body, my choice. Period. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about abortion, organ donation or pulling the plug on my brain dead body. My body, my choice.
If you are willing to take that away from me, there is no telling what you would do.
Don’t even get me started on the war for oil in Iraq.
Please exercise your right to vote.
~*~*~*~
Tomorrow:
“Tree pretty… fire bad.”
crap-o-rama 
hotfessional Said:
on January 15, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hi! I found you from your comment over at Dawn’s site. I’m also a Michigan Democrat who was sorely disappointed at the idiocy surrounding the election today.
We’re the same age (born in 63 anyway) and certainly have the same opinions on a woman’s right to choose.
I wanted to tell you that it’s nice to meet you and I’ll be back.
distracted spunk Said:
on January 15, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I’m down with your views on a woman’s rights to choose. For the last few years, I’ve felt like Bush’s administration is trying to bring us back into the 50’s – instill fear (instead of Commies, it’s the Muslims), destroy women’s rights, and push for more environmentally unsound tactics. Hairspray anyone? Oh. That might be the 60s.
nikki Said:
on January 16, 2008 at 10:49 am
Technically Hillary shouldn’t have been on the ballot either. I wanted to vote, but had Granny’s funeral to attend. I am mentally high fiving you for taking Hunter.