How I chose Clinton
I am a woman in the 25-39 age category and I've heard a lot of pundits in the last half-day try to figure out how Clinton got my vote...well, here's my experience.
I leaned toward Clinton from the beginning, but was enthused by virtually all of the Dem candidates. Global warming and foreign policy are the two top issues for me. I was highly ambivalent about whether or not experience trumped charisma. Colleagues and friends who I greatly respect and are extremely knowledgable were coming down on many different sides. I tried to see Clinton in Novemeber at the "potluck" in Brentwood, but she was running late and my one year old needed to go to bed, so I left before she got there. I did see Edwards in Portsmouth and I saw Richardson at PEA. Ultimately, I never saw Obama or Clinton.
My excitement for Clinton waned listening to the Iowa debates a month or more ago, but it was revved up again after Saturday's NH debate. I have never caught the Obama-fever, never had the conversion-experience that so many share, though I think he's a great candidate and perhaps more electable than Clinton. I agreed strongly with Clinton in the last debate when she cautioned us that Obama has not been scrutinized and reminded us that she has been more highly scrutinized than any candidate.
And so, ultimately for me, my vote was about keeping this race going...not letting Obama run away with it. Also, I think the electability question, while highly relevant, is grounded in sexism and I refuse to let my vote bow down to that. If we can't find a strong woman electable, then we get what we deserve.
BUT - I was waffling bigtime until the end. Richardson was here on election eve and he was fantastic. I agree squarely with him on almost every issue. I was persuaded to vote for him and keep him in the race too. But then, a student of mine told me of these last polls putting Obama ten points ahead of Clinton. The news confirmed this even yesterday morning. Ultimately, I think it's more important to keep Clinton in the race than Richardson. These polls made me think Clinton might really need my vote and voting for Richardson would help Obama to a big win. That sealed the deal for me. I walked downtown and voted for Clinton.
When I came home from the very Norman Rockwell-esque voting scene at the Town Hall I found an email from another student with a link to Gloria Steinem's op-ed yesterday in the New York Times. She expressed some of my views perfectly. I urge everyone to read this, not so much for her endorsement for Clinton, but for what it means to have a woman on the stage. I look forward now to a vigorous race between Clinton and Obama - and I hope Edwards and Richardson stay in for awhile!
What did NOT influence me:
1. Pundits have been saying (as has the Clinton campaign) that she was really effective reaching out to younger women. I must say I never saw this "reaching out." Maybe it was some subconscious thing in the debates or something, but there was no explicit call or piece of literature or speech that I felt touch me as a woman in these last days.
2. Bill Clinton wandering around town at lunchtime. (Though I did try to see him and he was already gone).
3. The "emotional moment" in Portsmouth. I didn't watch it until after I voted and only really heard about it fully from a student I was walking with to the polls.
So that's my vote - a thirty-something female teacher in Exeter - as best as I can explain it. It's been a thrilling election. I watched returns with a bunch of Obama supporters, some of whom were really disappointed. I hope they do not remain so. All Democrats should take heart from this! Turnout was strong, the candidates are excellent, and the mix remains while the other 99% of the country makes up its mind. Whomever the nominee is, he or she will be well-practiced by the time they face the greater menace of the Republican opponent. This is important history in the making.