Chuck Clay: When 'Bad' Things Happen To Good Republican Families, Or - Why My 9-Year-Old Backs Obama

[Ian David]

When 'Bad' Things Happen To Good Republican Families, Or - Why My 9-Year-Old Backs Obama
By Chuck Clay

(7/11/08) As a parent, it is sometimes hard to come to grips with the idea that with five kids, one of them was bound to go wrong. Nonetheless, that which I thought would never happen to me or my family has now occurred.

It hurts me to admit it, but my nine year old son, Alex, is a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

When I say supporter, Alex is not just a supporter, but rather is probably the greatest fan Obama has that he does not know that he has.

<snip>

This sort of thing isn’t supposed to happen to people like us. I’m not just a passing Republican, my grandfather was one of the co-chairs of the Eisenhower campaign in 1952, and he later went on to serve as Finance Chairman of the RNC for four years.

<snip>

No, I’m not ready to change my political stripes. Nor am I predicting an Obama victory, but if Barack Obama did nothing more than ignite a lifetime interest in politics and government in a nine year old boy in Marietta, Georgia, then that in and of itself is enough for me to say, “Thank You.”

More:
http://www.insideradvantagegeorgia.com/restricted/2008/July%202008/7-11-08/Clay_Obama_Son71119641.php

[SteppingRazor]

1. Chuck shouldn't feel bad, especially with Republican pedigrees like those. After all...

one of Eisenhower's grandkids is a big Obama supporter too:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/01/AR2008020102621.html

:)

[Ian David]

5. "when I spotted, as he did me, my good friend Dennis O’Hayer, the outstanding political reporter..."

Appropriately attired, and, yes, with flag lapel pin, I took my son, drove to McEachern, picked up my tickets and was ready to slink into the anonymity of the enormous crowd when I spotted, as he did me, my good friend Dennis O’Hayer, the outstanding political reporter for 11 Alive News.

<snip>

Am I a convert? Not yet, but having witnessed the senator’s performance firsthand, any Republican who thinks this election will be a cake walk in Georgia is mistaken. Far more important to me though, was the question of what is it about Senator Obama that first sparked the interest and then captured the imagination of my 9 year old son.

More:
http://www.insideradvantagegeorgia.com/restricted/2008/July%202008/7-11-08/Clay_Obama_Son71119641.php

[rox63]

2. Interesting perspective on the election

Thanks for posting.

[TooBigaTent]

3. There are "good republican familise?" Who woulda thunk? nt

[Ian David]

4. A "Good Republican Family" is one that raised Good Democratic Children. n/t

[zbdent]

6. I think that most kids who start out with conservative parents, and then develop into

conservative teens & adults, are doing so because they believe that, if they "broke away" from the mindframe (at least, let the parents know that they actually would support "moderate" issues), they would be cut out of the will, and thus lose their chance at "success" (inheriting their possible, if not existent, wealth) ...

[ecstatic]

7. Great article! I forgive him for taking at least one spot

away from a loyal Democrat (me), but I'm happy for his son. :)

[swishyfeet]

8. Nice story.

An awful lot of DUers have never strung together so many bitch-free words about Obama!