Ok, so she's voting for Obama but don't expect a gushing endorsement from this white 102 year old woman from rural West Texas. She ain't too politically correct and shoots from the hip - to give you an idea, she quit driving at 97, lives alone and walks ramrod straight.
She voted for all the Bushes, of course. My grandma (we don't call her grandma but I'll protect her privacy here) is conservative and has always voted for republicans, at least since the 1950's anyway. She's been around for 18 presidents since she was born during Theodore Roosevelt's tenure in 1906. After the jump I'll describe my conversation with her about this election. Let's hope that similar conversations are playing out right now across the United States.
I live overseas and I call my grandmother in Texas often to see how she's doing and talk about current events. She's sharp as a tack and likes to talk politics. Fortunately she follows the news every day even though she has problems with her hearing and eyesight.
I just gave her a call and asked about her views on the election. I wish I had recorded the conversation but I immediately wrote it down:
HER: My God the world's turnin' upside down over here
ME: What do you think of Sarah Palin?
HER: I tell you I can't see her as the president, she should be home taking care of all those babies. My heavens to betsy, one's knocked up and the other's retarded
ME: (wincing) Well, then what do you think of Obama, Grandma?
HER: Ohhh, I don't rightly like the idea of a black man in the White House. I'm worried he might shove it down our throats, everywhere you look it'll be black this and black that
ME: Well, I know you come from a different era, Grandma, but times have changed. It's not about black or white, it's about the man and his policies and what he can do for America. I think we're getting beyond that now
HER: Well, you're probably right and anyway he's the only one who knows what the hell he's doing, we've got no choice
ME: Really? You mean that? What about McCain?
HER: I never liked him very much, I don't reckon he could manage himself out of a paper bag
ME: (laughing) I don't either!
HER: But you know, I'm not going to be around much longer, it's not my problem anymore
ME: What?!? You're still alive, ain't you? Are you registered to vote? I thought Dad was going to take you over to vote like always.
HER: Yeah but I don't like this whole electoral college, delegate thing where I don't feel like my vote counts, we should have one man, one vote, a popular vote
ME: Ok, I agree with you there and certainly my Democratic vote is like a drop in the ocean in rural Texas (I vote by absentee ballot) but every vote helps, regardless of which party
HER: I just feel like my vote doesn't count
ME: Grandma, I don't care who you vote for but would you please vote this year? For me?
HER: Alright, honey, for you I will, I'll go vote
ME: Great!
HER: You want me to vote for that little black boy? (snarky voice)
ME: GRANDMA! I know he's not even half your age but he IS 47! Don't vote for him for my sake, you should vote for who you believe is the best candidate
HER: Well, out of what we've got, I don't see what other choice we have
ME: Your decision, I'm just glad to hear you'll vote again
HER: Probably my last time, you never know
ME: Nawwww, Grandma you'll be around for the next one
HER: I hope not! (laughing)
So I think the good news and the take-away from this story is that people WILL vote for positive change, even if they have deep-seated prejudices and long-standing party affiliations. If we can get as many people with a similar mindset as my grandmother out to the polls to vote, then we can win this overwhelmingly.
The McCain story and brand do not inspire confidence at the moment and we need to take advantage of that with our friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to vote!! As weird as my grandmother finds it to vote for a young black man, she'll do it because McCain has not inspired any confidence in her, in fact quite the contrary. And the choice of Sarah Palin is what really clinched it for my grandmother.
Thanks for taking the time to read this personal, but very American conversation.