How Must It Feel To Be A Republican Watching Grant Park and the World Celebrate Obama's Victory?

[Vinnie From Indy]

I wonder how many conservatives and Republicans were/are as moved as I was watching the reactions of the US and the world to the Obama's victory.

[liberalmuse]

1. You have to have a soul to be moved. n/t

[democrat_patriot]

2. Change the name Obama to Bush.

How do you feel?

I could not see myself feeling moved by a Republican. Ever. They probably feel the same about a Democrat.

Bush was pretty popular worldwide / at home after 9/11. Anyone here at DU get behind him?

[upi402]

3. Republicans feel? n/t

[Rocknrule]

4. Their attitude is "fuck the world/whateva, I'll do what I want!"

Of course they wouldn't be moved

[Crunchy Frog]

5. Anticipating the Rapture.

[Cardboard]

6. Not as bad as you might think.

If the moderator(s) would be gracious enough to allow this post, I'd like to offer the community here at least one conservatives perspective on the speech given by President Elect Obama after his victory last night.

First, a little about who I am so that you understand whose viewpoint you are getting here. I am a 32 year old white married male, father of 4 from Independence, Missouri. I have a degree in Electronics and I am Telecommunications/Radio technician for BNSF railway. I am a member of IBEW. I am a fiscal conservative. I am probably a social moderate. I believe in God but don't regularly attend church. I am married to a Buddhist woman. I am a home owner. I am a registered independent.

I did not support Barrack Obama in this election. I also did not support John McCain. I didn't feel like either candidate was someone who I agreed with enough on issues important to me. I wrote myself in for President.

I am however a political junkie. I have been visiting this site off and on for years. I have never signed up or posted before out of respect that this place is for progressives/democrats who support progressive/democrat causes and candidates (I do read disclaimers). And now finally, here are my thoughts on the election/candidate/speech.

I was very moved to see so many people come out at this historic time. Just because I wasn't a supporter, or in agreement with his proposals, doesn't mean that I can't feel good about what this election means to ALL OF US. It isn't often that a leader can inspire masses of people like he did. I was very moved and felt proud to be an american watching the whole thing. Regardless of who has ever won a presidential election, that person is my president and I hope that they make choices that represent the best interests of the country. I support them when I think they are right and criticize when I don't agree....regardless of who is in. I have thought for a while now that America has been ready for a minority and/or female candidate. To me, watching this, All of us can look at that night as the moment when Dr. King's dream finally became a reality for everyone. Believe it or not, ALOT of conservative people I associate with think that we all should judge a man by the content of his character and not the color of his skin. This election showed that more, now than ever, people are judging based on the content of the mans character. Watching it all I am hopeful that one day we can look back on this day and say that we got to the point that everyone became united as Americans. Personally I am tired of being called a racist because I happen to be a free market capitalist. I am hopeful that we can continue to move forward. I am hopeful that one day we really can drop the labels that people seem to like to put on one another. I got the impression Mr Obama feels that we all need to be "Americans"...not african americans, or christian americans, or gay americans....but just americans. If that isn't something all of us can support than I don't know what is. I don't know exactly what the future holds or the policies Obama will enact....last night that wasn't what I cared about. It was a great speech, a great, inspired crowd, and a great moment that is one of those rare times when we all got to see something truly incredible....even to those of us who weren't supporters.

Thanks for giving me this space to share my thoughts here. I will now pretty much go back to my status as a lurker.

[Vinnie From Indy]

8. Let me be the first to welcome you to DU as a poster and not a lurker

I will also offer that I am impressed by your thoughtful response. I, for one, welcome your participation in the discussions at this unique place. Thanks for posting!

Cheers!

[RainDog]

9. enjoyed reading your post!

thanks and welcome

[orleans]

10. thanks for posting--one thing...

it's "democratic" causes, not "democrat" causes (since you said you are "hopeful that one day we really can drop the labels that people seem to like to put on one another." the the shortened version of democratic was the republicons way to make dems sound/appear irrelevant. we have a democratic president-elect now, not a democrat president-elect so it's time to get rid of that verbal slight.)

[Cardboard]

11. Not done on purpose

My apologies Orleans, I am not some subversive operative sent here to undermine this place. Also, I appreciate the invitation to post more often, and as much as I would love to exchange thoughts and ideas here, I really do understand that this forum is not a site for debate between right and left. I am SURE I would get run in short order if I started posting here. Again, I am glad I got to share my two cents with you all here. It's probably best if we leave it at that. IF any of you do want to spar politically or ideologically, send me and email or catch me on yahoo messenger. I am Fiberoptician on that.

[MiniMe]

12. Welcome to DU Cardboard

The last 6 months or so have been very chaotic here. There has been too much going on and Rush's "Operation Chaos" has put everybody on edge. Your opinion is welcome here, it is good to hear a different perspective from somebody who can calmly and intelligently tell us their point of view. If you have been around for a while, you will know that we are quite capable of giving the democrats hell when we disagree with them. I think most people here wish that Pelosi and Reid would be replaced.

We will call Obama out when we disagree with him, and cheer when we agree with him. And imho both will happen. However, for the most part I trust Obama's judgement. So welcome, and I hope you will come on as a poster, not just as an observer. There are many on here who were Republicans who voted for Bush in both elections and have taken a second look. Some have changed their registration to Democrat, some to independent, but we welcome them and like hearing their stories of how they have come to the realization that Bush has not been good for the country.

I, for one, am hoping that the country can stop being as divided as we are now. The country needs that. :hi:

[Ken Burch]

13. Welcome to DU! While you and I disagree on some things

I think I'd like to have coffee or a beer with you and have a conversation. You seem to truly think for yourself and to express your ideas without rancor, and I respect that in anybody. Glad to have you here.

[Beregond2]

7. Pretty much the way I felt when Reagan was elected, I imagine.