So, I was wearing my Obama button today...

In an attempt to throw a little luck Obama's way, I wore one of my Obama buttons to school today.  It's was the rectangle one with the great picture of him smiling.  While I was getting a snack, the lovely Indian lady that runs the coffee stand asked me if I was voting for Obama.  I said I was, and then we had a little conversation.

She was clearly really excited about voting in November.  She told me she would be there no matter what, but didn't know who she was going to vote for.  Based on her age and accent, I would guess that her citizenship is fairly fresh.

She's trying to decide between Obama and McCain.  She said right up front that she doesn't trust Clinton because "she always sounds like she's lying."  

She wanted to know why I support Obama.  I said, "I'm really just ready for something different."

She asked if I really thought that Obama was different, saying that people all the time talk and talk but then just turn out to be the same as everyone else.  I told her about how Obama went to work as a community organizer making almost nothing after graduating from Ivy league.  I said that, in my opinion, someone who does that cares about people.  She agreed.

She also agreed with me that Bush has really screwed things up.  She told me she hates him, whispering as she did.  The whisper was interesting, I don't know why she was nervous about saying it, it's the popular opinion!

I was trying to draw the line from Bush to McCain, but unfortunately someone else came up for coffee while I was getting there.  Ultimately, though, I suspect she will make that connection herself.

I felt like I definitely convinced her that Obama is for real.  I think she will be +1 for him in Nevada come November.  I'll probably work on her some more between now and then.

What I thought was really interesting was that there are people who are really are undecided between Obama and McCain.  It almost seems unfathomable.  

I've also realized over the last few months that fresh citizens tend to be the most engaged.  This lady told me, "I'll definitely be there to vote.  I'm just so concerned with making the right decision.  I don't want to make a mistake."  It's nice to talk to someone so thoughtful about the process.  This type of voter, who is really concerned with being well-informed, is bound to come to us, I think.

•  Tips?

  Nothing really ground breaking here.  I just wanted to share the encounter.  A few strangers stopped me to talk about Obama today when they saw my button.  I think I will wear them more often.

  by ThatPoshGirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:54:48 PM PDT

  •  Hey, I really enjoyed your story!

    It's amazing to think that it might be difficult to decide between McCain and Obama. Yikes! But you know, people have such different issues, things that matter to them.  

    I'm just so concerned with making the right decision.

    We need more Americans like this!

    by berkeleybarb on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:01:57 PM PDT

  •  On the contrary, this is ground-breaking.

    You may have begun the process of bringing yet another voter to Obama.  That's no small accomplishment.  It's an encouragement to the rest of us to remember that little things add up.  Collect enough snowflakes together, and you've got an avalanche.  

    by trivium on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:24:56 PM PDT

•  I know it sounds crazy

  ... but it's still early.  Once these two candidates start debating and interacting with each other the differences will be stark for even the least informed voters.  

  I'm glad you posted this, though; it's good to see personal narratives of persuasion and discussion amid all this election handicapping and armchair punditry.

  by Alvin K on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:57:49 PM PDT

•  Which kind of Indian?

  by Nulwee on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:58:55 PM PDT

  •  The kind from India

    I didn't ask her from what part, sorry.

    by ThatPoshGirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:01:27 PM PDT

    •  Nah that's alright

      just, I'd be more worried about an American Indian woman seriously considering McCain over Obama.  South Asians tend to be a bit more politically split.

      by Nulwee on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:14:23 PM PDT

      •  I know this is dreadful stereotyping

        but if you do get to talk to her again, she might be impressed by Barack and Michelle's self-funded educational background, his emphasis on top quality education from preschool to grad school, and his $4000 per year tuition credit to make university accessible to all (educational aspirations are very strong in Indian culture). Again, sorry to stereotype, but... :)

        by AussieJo on Wed May 07, 2008 at 01:53:44 AM PDT

•  I wish you had given her your Obama button

  it would have been a lovely gesture - and something real for her to keep Obama in mind.

  by sara seattle on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:59:05 PM PDT

  •  It sounds like a nice gesture

    but that baby was back ordered for almost two months!  I used to carry around strickers leading up to our primary.  Maybe it is time to start again.

    by ThatPoshGirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:03:47 PM PDT

    •  Just ordered

      the BO Support Pack.  

      Time to start handing it out.

      Cheers!

      by aimeeinkc on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:10:03 PM PDT

•  Thank you for doing your part.

  No need being a silent secret supporter!

  ;-)

  by CWalter on Tue May 06, 2008 at 10:59:23 PM PDT

•  Lovely story

  I wear my Obama button every day.

  I've had a whole bunch of people compliment me on it.

  (And one jerk who was a McCain supporter, or claimed to be - not a jerk because he was a McCain supporter; just a jerk)

  When I was buying Audacity of Hope, too, the cashier, who would be in the classical Hillary demographic (older, female, white) was looking at the book in a very interested way - so I asked, and she said "I didn't know he'd written a book". I wish I'd been able to come up with something more useful to say than just to point out he'd written two in fact. But maybe I debunked a little of the "empty suit" meme right there...

  by sab39 on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:07:13 PM PDT

•  Also

  most people don't even start thinking seriously about the campaign until a month or so before the election.  Not everyone is a politico like we are.

  by Magnus Greel on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:10:02 PM PDT

•  This is an important diary for

  a lot of reasons that I'm too tired to relate!  Thanks for posting.  Wear your button every single day.

  by keeplaughing on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:12:23 PM PDT

•  There are lots of people on the fence

  I meet them all the time. The general election is a long way from being decided.

  by FischFry on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:18:15 PM PDT

•  Go back & give her a button.

  It'll be a great way to bring a smile to both of you.  And tell her to stop whispering. Say it loud & say it proud, Republicans suck at every thing except bragging.

  by bldr on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:19:06 PM PDT

  •  Remember in the words of the worlds greatest

    boxer, Ali, If you can do it it ain't bragging.  Republicans no substance, all bragards all the time.

    Nice to see you Poshgirl, go get em, one at a time if needed.

    by bldr on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:23:37 PM PDT

  •  I work in social justice circles, and

    many immigrants who are not already deeply involved in progressive political work are very hesitant to speak out politically.  Their fears are not groundless, especially in the post-9/11 world.  

    by RadioGirl on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:39:33 PM PDT

  •  I may have more than 1 of those...

    give her yours and email me and I will give you one of mine... what do you think?

    by GeeMa on Wed May 07, 2008 at 01:31:27 AM PDT

  •  I think I may have more that 1 of those...

    go back and give it to her - email me and I will send you 1 of mine.

    by GeeMa on Wed May 07, 2008 at 01:33:18 AM PDT

•  I wore my button today too...

  It's of baby Obama being held by his Mom. I love it and I also thought of it as a way to send him some luck :-)

  I really think a lot of the undecided types who are willing to consider Obama just don't really understand how bad McCain would be for this country. He represents more war, no healthcare, pandering to the rich etc. Once people really get a chance to compare the two without the distraction of the Obama/Clinton fight they'll see the choice is clear.

  Keep up the good work!

  by Eyz on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:28:58 PM PDT

•  My fiance has a fresh green card

  and he asks a lot of questions.  Happily (we are in PA) an Obama primary office opened next door to his workplace and he became friendly with the staff.  He is now, with guarded optimism, an Obama supporter.
  I'm not going to say what country he's from but let's just say they're going to like Obama a lot more than anyone resembling Bush!

  by emidesu on Tue May 06, 2008 at 11:29:57 PM PDT

•  Quite a contrast with

  our Rush Limbaugh- hardly a native son to be proud of, making a joke of the vote.  A$$hole!

  by Septima on Wed May 07, 2008 at 12:00:29 AM PDT

•  Obama always loses when I wear my stuff.

  I learned this with New Hampshire and then Nevada.  I never again wore my Obama stuff on a primary day.  And then look at the string of wins in February!

  by The Distillery on Wed May 07, 2008 at 01:29:01 AM PDT