I was too young to vote in the 1976 presidential election.If I could have voted, it would have been a difficult choice for me. With thecountry still recovering from the Watergate scandal I felt we needed a changeof political parties in the White House. That said, I wasn't certain thatGerald Ford should be thrown out with the Republican bath water. (Truth betold, I was much more intrigued with Betty Ford than her husband. Betty'swillingness to talk about issues like addiction and sex made it acceptable forthe nation to talk about those things. I've often wondered, if the Fords werein the White House in the 1980s when the AIDS crisis arose, how different theirresponse to the disease would have been from the Reagans. I can't imagine BettyFord keeping silent on an issue like AIDS. But I digress.)
So the '76 election would have been a toss-up. I might havegone either way – voting for Ford or the newcomer to the national stage, JimmyCarter. By 1980, the situation was very different for me. Four years into theCarter administration I had grown disillusioned by the Iranian hostage crisis,and the energy crisis. We needed a change, but Carter's primary opponent, RonaldReagan, did not represent the kind of change that I was interested in.
I found the change I thought the country needed in a RepublicanCongressman from Illinois who wasrunning as an Independent. To me, John Anderson was a voice of reason whoarticulated the best energy policies. I volunteered for his campaign and castmy first vote for an independent candidate for the highest office in the land.(We all know how that election turned out.)
In 1984, I was one of a minority of Americans who activelysupported Walter Mondale. I don't ever remember thinking that he could actuallydefeat the powerhouse that was Ronald Reagan, but I was proud to cast my votefor Minnesota's native son.
The election of 1988 was different. Unlike Reagan, I thoughtthat George Herbert Walker Bush, the Republican candidate, was vulnerable –even more vulnerable when he named Dan Quayle as his running mate. The campaignof Michael Dukakis never excited me, but I voted for him. Fifteen years afterthe election I heard Dukkakis give a talk about public service. I left thespeech feeling better about the vote I had cast for him, and also wondering ifthe outcome of the '88 race would have been different if voters had seen theside of Michael Dukakis that I saw that evening.
It would be 1992 before I voted for a winning candidate forpresident, Bill Clinton. Another four years of George Bush, wasn't acceptableto me, nor did Bob Dole present a viable option in 1996. Casting my votes for awinner in two consecutive presidential elections felt great. In retrospect, Ionly wish I would have enjoyed the eight years of the Clintonpresidency more.
Al Gore, in 2000, was my idea of the ideal candidate. He wassmart, politically savvy, and didn't carry the personal baggage that dogged Clinton.The lack of results on election night and the court proceedings that resultedin George W. Bush taking the oath of office stunned me. I struggled through thefirst months of the Bush administration, but on September 11, 2001, George W. Bush had 100% of my support.Without question, my greatest disappointment in this Bush administration is howquickly the President squandered the support he had around the world.
In many ways John Kerry in 2004 and Michael Dukakis in 1988were similar to me. Kerry, I thought, was a stronger candidate to defeat theyounger Bush than was Dukakis in his campaign against the senior Bush; but itwas not to be. I was back to voting for the losing candidate.
I enjoyed every moment of the seemingly never-ending 2008presidential contest. John McCain was a welcome candidate from the Republicanside (though just like George H.W. Bush, tarnished by his choice of runningmate). Most of my friends were surprised that I cast my caucus vote for HillaryClinton and continued to support her until it was obvious that she could notcapture the Democratic nomination. I had no issues with Barack Obama, but wantedhim to have a bit more experience. Still, I had no reservations about standingin the longest Election Day line I have ever experienced to cast anenthusiastic vote for Obama in 2008.
I've voted in eight presidential elections and I hope I havethe opportunity to vote in another eight in my lifetime. My candidates havelost more often than they have won, but that comes with the process.Inauguration Day has occasionally found me ecstatic, but always – even when myleast favorite candidate has won – I'm optimistic. This inauguration day I'mecstatically optimistic.
