The Day After...

Dear President Elect Barak Obama,

Yesterday morning I voted for John McCain. In regards to the election, I find myself now on the "losing" side. But today the election is over, and it's time to move ahead with grace, humility and dignity.

My sincerest congratulations to you, Mr. Obama. You've accomplished a monumental feat in American history, and you've done so in the most honorable way imaginable. America spoke her mind yesterday with resounding support, and I can't help but feel a sense of victory along with you. However our votes were cast yesterday, we can all wake up today feeling proud of you, proud of what you've achieved, proud of our country, proud of our freedom, proud of our fellow citizens who you, rightly, attributed this victory to.

I am a perfect case study in political tension. Traditionally conservative, I have felt the sting of disappointment in the Republican party over the last eight years. I, like many Republicans, hope that the next few years will see a reconstruction of our party and the emergence of new leadership to restore dignity to conservative ideals. Yet, as disillusioned as I've become by the waywardness of my party, I found myself unable to cross the line in order to vote for you. I want so badly to believe the best for my party, despite their recent failures.

In a similar way, Mr. Obama, I want to believe the best for you and for the Democratic party. And, in a similar way, I find it difficult. I, like the majority of our citizens, desire change. I hope the best for us all. Yet, I fear that a Democratically controlled White House and Congress will move our country in directions that I am not entirely comfortable with. I fear that the federal government will overstep legislative boundaries and that state and local governments will not be given the legislative autonomy that is their Constitutional right. These fears resulted in a "default" vote from me, a vote for the Republican candidate.

Mr. Obama, you have gracefully endured a barrage of offensive accusations over the course of your campaign. You've been called names that need not be repeated here, that I wish would never be repeated anywhere. Yet, reality is, I woke up this morning to hear many of the same old refrains coming from a segment of religiously conservative Americans who I've spent a great deal of effort to ideologically separate myself from in the past few years. Though religious conservatism will always be a significant part of my individual identity, I want to make it clear to you, Mr. Obama, that those who engage in fear mongering or name calling, those who have chosen to exaggerate their rhetorical quips of despair, do not speak on my behalf.

Last night you spoke directly to those of us who chose not to vote for you. You reminded us that you will be our President, and I offer you the reminder that we will be citizens of the country that you lead. We will not always agree. I will continue to exercise my freedom of expression. I will continue to engage democracy, to play my part in shaping the future of our country with you.

With that, I offer you the fullness of respect that you deserve- not simply as the holder of the highest office in our country, but as my fellow man endowed by God with life and dignity, with freedom and responsibility, with hopes and dreams, and with all of the faculties of conscience and reason which will guide our decision making in the months and years ahead.



Sincerely,


Matt Hartley