With the 2008 Presidential Election just five days away, it’s made me reflect about whom I have voted for in past elections. As a middle-age man, I’ve voted in eight Presidential general elections.The first time was in 1976 when I was 21 years old and President Gerald Ford, the Republican incumbent, squared off against Jimmy Carter, the Democratic challenger. I voted for Jimmy Carter who won the election.
In 1980, it was President Jimmy Carter, the Democratic incumbent, versus Ronald Reagan, the Republican challenger. I voted for President Carter who was trounced by Ronald Reagan.
Next was 1984 and it was President Ronald Reagan, the Republican incumbent versus Walter Mondale, the Democratic challenger. I voted for Walter Mondale but the people re-elected President Reagan to another term.
In 1988 there was no incumbent so it was Republican nominee George Bush running against Democrat nominee Michael Dukakis. I voted for Michael Dukakis but George Bush won the election.
In 1992 it was Republican incumbent President Bush running against Democrat challenger Bill Clinton who I voted for and who was elected the next President. It was the last time I voted Democrat in a Presidential election.
In 1996, Democrat incumbent President Bill Clinton ran against Republican challenger Bob Dole. It was the first time I voted Republican and I gave my vote to Bob Dole who was no challenge for President Clinton, easily re-elected to a second term.
In 2000 Democratic challenger Al Gore ran against Republican challenger George W. Bush. My wife and I were vacationing in France the day of the general election, and voted by absentee ballot before leaving for our vacation. I remember asking a newspaper vendor on the streets of Nice, “Parlez-vous l'anglais ? “Yes a little” he replied. So I asked him who was my new President and he replied “Bush”. I voted for George W. Bush in what turned out to be the most controversial Presidential election in my voting career.
Four years later in 2004, Republican incumbent George W. Bush ran against Democratic challenger John Kerry. I voted for President Bush who was re-elected to a second term.
In baseball talk, I'm 3 for 8 with a .375 batting average, and getting ready to step up to the plate to bat again next Tuesday. I'm hopeful of getting a hit and maybe it will be a home run.
Next Monday, I’ll share who I will be voting for President.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum
6 comments:
Hi Pierini,
I was "raised" by Democratic parents who would never vote Republican. My father has passed away and I am sure that he would still vote Dem. My mother however has become Republican as so have I. The first pres. election that I voted in was the year Perot ran. I guess I was part of the problem that let Clinton get elected. It's funny to me that my mom has "jumped parties".
Do we get wiser as we get older???
I hope so.
Have a great day,
Donna
Hi Donna,
I hope we get wiser but whether we do or not, one thing is for sure - we at least believe we are wiser.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
A radio talk show host told me a good one once: "If you vote republican at 20 you don't have a heart. If you don't vote republican at 50, then you don't have a brain."
People usually don't vote on principles. They vote based on life experience. When you're young, all you know is that someone (read: parents) takes care of everything for you. It's only natural to vote for the party that does the same.
I'm an exception I guess, and totally heartless!
Justin, if I am understanding what you shared correctly, I think it means you don't have a heart but do have a brain. We can soften you up with some age.
Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
My first presidential election was in 1980. I voted for Carter because I was in college and that's what college kids did--support Democrats. I knew nothing about politics. I used to tell people I was a member of the Apathetic Party--I just didn't care. But shortly after that, I started to think things through. Been a conservative Republican ever since.
Vote McCain/Palin on November 4th.
Visit me on Monday, November 3rd and learn who I am voting for President.
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