The 2024 Presidential Election: Why I Voted for Vice President Kamala Harris
Now For A Critical Step, Believe Me Its SIMPLE
Action ItemsSome decisions are powerful but straightforward. My mind is made up on the 2024 presidency. I voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, instead of “just policies”, for one simple but profound reason: character.
Policy Views vs. Character
I considered myself a citizen, a veteran and someone who worked to get out the vote as an issue of party registration, so I found many policy recommendations from both major parties uncomfortable. Granted, the Democratic offerings in its Chicago convention and the Republican brainstorms from Milwaukee did not always jibe with my centrist sensibilities. Yes, I feel strongly about issues like abortion, gun safety and immigration but those were not things that compelled me to vote earlier.
I think political policies and stories are a big deal, but they change with tragic surprises like crises or global trends. So a few administrations wind up following what they actually campaigned on. Hence, I wrote about leadership over policies. The next President for me has to be so much more than a policy expert — this person must have character.
Character is the only True Test of Leadership
Character is the measure of a leader — especially when they are President. As Thomas Paine famously put it — “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. Character is ultimately shown by what you do, not say.
The Presidency always reveals a person’s true character, and in this case, we have seen more than justified. Events in history are more like Jimmy Carter taking blame for the failed 1980 raid to free hostages in Iran, John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and when Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation — all of which have nothing to do with policies; these events rather speak to character.
Conversely, failures of character, as exemplified by Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew, have hurt our nation and its credibility. We simply cannot let the country and you who want to serve be put through that again, so it is critical for those of us honored enough to represent the great state of Texas in Congress to collectively ask that whoever steps into the role of our next Commander-in-Chief must have the character required to take tough decisions on the world stage with conviction, as must continue they respect our allies and support those brave Americans who volunteer willingly every day.
The Choices: A Common One
The two major parties of the US are running its most unpopular candidates for the position in recent memory. And we have years of observing their work and leadership skills. Each of us must make a deliberate decision and question the caliber of those we chose.
Political slogans, social media and the opinions of others can all easily influence us. But we also bear responsibility as citizens in how we think and try to shut our eyes to character defects amongst those who would lead us. In the end, we will receive — and earn their leader.
Why I Chose Kamala Harris
It took me a while to get comfortable with my decision, but in the end I checked the box for Vice President Kamala Harris because I think she is plenty tough enough to be President. I believe that when she meets with international leaders — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for example — she does so out of American clouds and not her own.
I did not take this decision lightly, I took it on behalf of future generations of our country and in the world to where my three grandmothers will stumble. I did not vote based on slogans or against my cultural identity- I voted for integrity.
A Call to Thoughtful Voting
Well, I implore others to do the same — vote character. Choose wisely but make sure you put a lot of thought into what it will be. This election will determine the fate of our country going forward, and we all have to live with the results. Let us make our vote reflect our values and the leadership to do that in America.