I'm a member of a mailing list with a broad cross-section of women on it: Very conservative, very liberal, and everyone in between. The undecideds on the list asked both me and the resident Republican activist to write up why we support the candidate we do, with as little bashing of the opponent as possible. This is the letter I wrote them about why I support Barack Obama. If it can help you with your undecided friends, please pass it on.

I was asked to tell the undecideds here why I support Barack Obama. I've been thinking hard about this; I want to talk to you honestly. You all know where I stand on things: I am a libertarian Democrat (small L, big D). Government is rarely the best solution, but when it is, it had better serve the common people. Initially I had a much, MUCH longer statement, but instead I have decided to boil it down.

The short version: I support Obama because he's right on the issues, and he has the right temperament for the times.
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Cross posted at dkos

I am on an email list of women who were all pregnant together nearly 12 years ago. That's all we have in common. There are radical left-wingers, radical right-wingers, activists of all stripes and everyone in between. They just finished a ferocious debate about Sarah Palin and the attacks on her as a mother.

I didn't say a word, which is weird because when it comes to politics, I'm usually up front with the quips trying to sway the moderates. I wanted to wait until I could come up with a list (and control my temper), because I wanted to give the independents and swing voters in the group something to really think about. This is what I told them:

I think she's drop-dead gorgeous.

I think Tina Fey had better come back to SNL to play her in the skits.

I think she's a dynamic speaker.

I think she's closely tied to Ted Stevens.

I think it's no one's business but hers and Todd's how they run their family life.

I think she's a secessionist who is more loyal to Alaska than the Union.

I think she's a force to be reckoned with.
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