Campaigning for Barack Obama

The buzz today is about candidates vying for the position of President in 2012. Obama is apparently running as the incumbent. Whether people like him or don't, despite much criticism during the last campaign season, as well as his Presidency, he's made the decision to move forward with another campaign.

In 2008, I worked vigorously for the Obama campaign. I lost sleep, friends, and time over the whole thing, because we couldn't agree to disagree. I was venomous when it came to my stances and why I was supporting the "best candidate."

This year, I've decided NOT to campaign for Barack Obama for President. Why? Many have asked me, and my answer is simple: I am sick of the two-party system. Campaigning for one candidate makes me feel like I have to be against the other and everything for which they stand. In the previous election, this may have rang true for me, but it's not right.

In my opinion, the two parties--Democrats and Republicans are pitted against one another. They're too busy arguing over everything, to get anything done. I feel like there's a common good that they can possibly all agree on and work toward. Also, I don't think that these two parties should be the end-all for elections like they have been. While the Republicans and the Dems are out there, fighting, the "lesser" parties are being overlooked, even if they have perfectly great candidates.

I also am not sure if Obama would even be the best candidate for this next election. While we're not not 100% sure who all is running, I feel like Obama has been a fence-sitter and buying his time on a lot of the issues--including one of my passions--gay marriage. Another hot button that got to Republicans and Dems alike is the bogus "budget" that he was trying to pass just a few weeks ago.

Therefore, this year, I am starting with a blank slate, ready to give MOST candidates a chance. However, if I choose a candidate early on, I will not be campaigning for them and trying to convince everyone and their mother to vote for them--not even Obama.

Happy election season!