It now seems likely that Barack Obama will get the democratic nomination.  With that in mind, I’ve been trying to figure out not only his message, but what it is that draws people to him.  I’ve listened closely to what his supporters are saying, and haven’t heard much of anything substantive. Here are some typical quotes:  “He is for change” or “He will take this country in a new direction” or “he will turn the page” or “he gives me hope.”  Well, these are all fine and dandy if you like to speak in generalities, but what do they mean?  These reasons are just a bit vague, don’cha think?

So, in order to help my liberal friends, I’ve looked at his record and decided to give Obama supporters four substantive reasons to vote for him.  So that the next time you, Obama supporter, are pressed for specifics, you won’t have to sound like a taped recording.  Here you go:

1)      Senator Obama voted against banning partial-birth abortion.  Yes, even though the ban had an exception for when “the mother’s health or life was at risk,” he voted against it and you’re okay with that.  You, Obama supporter, are okay with it because it gives the mother the right to have a doctor insert a pair of scissors into the base of the her baby’s skull, pry it open, insert a hollow tube and suck the life/brains right out of there because you’re all about choice!  You may say, “but I thought partial-birth abortion was performed only when the mother’s health or life was at risk.”  If you’re willing to ignore the fact that, if this were true, the legislation to ban would be pointless, then there’s one reason to vote for Obama!

2)      Senator Obama opposes the Patriot Act.  Oh wait, he favors it, no wait ….. he opposes, favors, opposes.  I guess it depends on when you ask, but generally he opposes the Patriot Act!  You, Obama supporter, may never know how many lives the Patriot Act has saved, but you’re sure glad that Obama is looking out for your civil rights by opposing it.  Although your rights haven’t been violated, and you probably can’t cite one single case where anyone elses have, you want these intrusive violations to stop now!  So there you have another reason to vote for Obama!

3)      Senator Obama opposes privatization of social security.  As an Obama supporter, you are just thrilled that Obama opposes privatization.  He is going to make sure that 2% of your hard-earned money will stay in a system that we know will fail, and not in the investments of your choice! But you are willing to overlook that.  As it stands today, when you die, your children (over 18) get a one-time death benefit of about $260 bucks! So you overlook another not-so-small consideration:  Had government “allowed” privatization, 2% of everything you had earned from now until your death (plus interest/dividends, etc.) could have been designated to the person of your choice.  You do the math!  And if you’re okay with the answer, then you have another reason to vote for Obama!  After all, you’ll be dead anyway, so how could you possibly care about what’s left for your children!?