This past Saturday, Michael and I were out running an errand before Obama’s scheduled victory speech, so we rushed through to go back and watch him speak. It’s not that we endorse Obama, but one has to admit that it is certainly worth watching his speeches—they are one of a kind when compared to what the other candidates from both sides have to offer. I can only speak for myself here, but in all honesty, I was not impressed by his speech. He did not make me cry or make me feel that the impossible was possible—that the ideals I have always longed for could be materialized through him.
The backdrop
A little disclaimer is worth mentioning at this point nonetheless. You need to understand where I come from: a country (and a continent) that has suffered for decades at the hands of greedy politicians. Before Chavez rose up to power, Venezuela had seen a long trail of corrupt politicians who gave wonderful speeches filled with populism, but in the end only ended up neglecting the poor and only looking out for themselves—something that Chavez ended up doing as well. Hence, I have become increasingly cynical and skeptical of the authenticity of our politicians or their genuine intentions to work towards the common good—at least in the terms the common good is understood in Christian tradition. For me, Obama’s speech was much of the same I have seen in my experience inside and outside of the United States. Obama did not move me nor inspire me. Only Sacred Scriptures, a book written by a saint, pope or pious theologian, or a good homily could inspire me in that way. My intention here is not to play down the elegance and eloquence of Obama’s speech and the truths contained in it. Rather, I wish only to offer my humble opinion—for what is worth—as to why I am not currently supporting Barack Obama.
Opening the floor
I know some of my fellow contributors have offered very substantive arguments for supporting Obama despite of his record on abortion. I do not doubt the authenticity of their “Catholicism”, for the lack of a better word, given their support of Obama. I do not doubt that my friends—who include seminarians—are true Catholics either when they have expressed their support for Obama. I am simply not part of that group that feels entitled to doubt someone else’s beliefs based solely on their support of a pro-abortion politician, because I do believe that there can exist a valid argument as to how consequential electing a pro-abortion politician really is. Nothing has changed in the last 25 years and we have seen Republican and Democratic presidents in office who have also appointed justices to the Supreme Court. However, when it comes down to it, I just don’t think I could do it—vote for a pro-abortion politician. Not in a good conscience. But I am willing to listen. I want to open the floor to those true Catholics who want to have a frank conversation about why, given the current state of abortion, it should even cross our minds as Catholics to consider a pro-abortion politician.
The catch
The other issue that concerns me personally, as a Catholic, going into this election is embryonic stem cell research. It actually concerns me more than abortion itself, because abortion is already legal. The legalization of ESCR will be a fatal blow to the movement that seeks to restore the personhood of the embryo. I personally believe that after ESCR, there is no return to a pre-Roe v. Wade world. That being said, if the choices for us come down to either Hillary or Obama and McCain, I’m afraid I will have to refrain from voting, because I could not vote for neither of them in good conscience. However, as I have said above with regard to abortion, I’m willing to listen and I open the floor to those who want to have a frank and responsible chat about the challenge ahead of us.
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