S to the A to the N to the D, Y

Moments after I snapped this pick from my cell phone, McCain gave me a wink.

After my hand was raised throughout his entire stump speech, I finally got the chance to ask Johnny boy “How will you select your Supreme Court Nominees? What about the rights of the unborn?”

He gave me a strong smile and said in his deliberate style with his locked arm/pointy finger gesture “Justices like Roberts and Alito - I’ll appoint judges who don’t legislate from the bench - strict adherance to the constitution.” He then gave me a wink and a pat on the shoulder. I’ve told my closest friends and family that I am interpreting this answer to mean that he intends to pick me as his first Supreme Court pick! I sure hope I am up to it, I think I’ll start shopping for Washington DC housing.

On the way out of the Tyler Rose Garden Civic Theatre, I spotted this dude speaking his high-pitched mind:

In case you didn’t notice, under his jacket is a Ron Paul sticker. Future McVeigh?

So, when the primaries came around a few days later, McCain already had the Republican nomination wrapped up. So, I did the unthinkable. My actions and thought process are best summed up in this well written letter to the editor of the Tyler paper by one of my brother’s in-laws:

March 7: Confession of a Suicide Voter The following takes place between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. on the day of the Texas presidential primary.I arrived home just after 3:30 p.m. and immediately began preparing both mentally and spiritually for what lay ahead.

I continually reassured myself I was doing the right thing, but this did not assuage my anxiety.

I took my voters card, and pausing to gaze at it forlornly, placed it in my shirt pocket. Next to it I slid my Ipod. More than any other, this afternoon I would need the inspiration of my party’s leaders. Lastly, I found my wallet and keys, moving mechanically toward the door. I could put this off no longer.

As I entered my polling place I was directed either to the right or to the left. Ironically, like the slower traffic, I kept to the right.

I have seldom felt more out of place than I did at that moment. So this is how the other half … no, the other side … lives?

I glanced about nervously, feeling like a member of the Temperance Society at a Roman orgy. “God, please don’t let me be recognized,” I prayed.

I had one last glimmer of reprieve when the gentleman sitting at the table was unable to find my name on the rolls. “Perhaps I’ll live to vote another day,” I thought. Father, let this cup pass from me!”

“Oh here you are, sir,” he said, sending me to the next table.

I was tempted to run howling from the right lane to the left when I observed a “Build Bread Not Bombs” pin on the woman who directed me to my booth.

“No,” I thought. This was the moment. All the agony would soon be at an end. I just had to do this one thing.

So, with a deep breath, with Rush ringing in my ear urging me on like a final Allah Akbar, I punched the flashing red light and cast my vote for Hillary Clinton.

The worst is over now. Of course, the dreams will continue. My voter’s card is now marred with the red stamp of “Democrat.”

I now find that my political innocence is gone, sacrificed to the god of pragmatism. I only hope my party and my candidate appreciate my sacrifice.

Todd Hague - Tyler

8 months to tell if I made the right choice.

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