This is not only in response, but also in support of Mr. Hasenmiller’s article on Nov. 11. I have seen many different submitted articles showing disagreement with his views, and though I do not agree with everything written, I find it incredibly hard to believe that people argue the fact that the voters did not decide with their hearts. No matter what election it is, no matter what the time period it is, every vote a person casts is done with his or her heart.

Though it is definitely not in the majority of my age group right now, I will proudly say that I am a Republican and share similar views of Mr. Hasenmiller, when referring to emotions playing more of an influence in this election with voters then in the past. When you look back at the night where Barrack Obama gave his acceptance speech, I didn’t hear too much from the commentators about the anticipation that lay ahead for his health care plan, his renewable resources plan, which would probably be hard to find information on, etc. This was all about what this means to the people, what kind of a message this shows to other countries. And I do agree that an African American being elected truly shows the progress that our country has gone through, however, I am afraid that by showing this message to the rest of the world we may have sacrificed a presidential nominee who is willing to act and willing to make decisions, no matter how unpopular they may be to some people.

When you look back at Barack Obama’s voting record in the Illinois Senate, though he was technically on the voting record for being there, you also would notice that in quite a few of the votes he voted with a no-opinion. I know personally I want my president to be able to make a decision, knowing that it may rub people the wrong way, but doing so because he or she wants to take action and wants to make a change, instead of simply talking about making a change.

I am not saying that voting for Barack Obama is a wrong decision, because, again, people usually vote for the candidate that they feel share their morals on various topics and obviously that can create numerous differences among people. However, I believe that when a Mr. Hasenmiller points out the fact that people did indeed vote with their hearts, and is challenged for that comment, it makes me wonder if these articles would be written if Hasenmiller were a proud Democrat and is said in a pro-Obama light. So does the problem really lie with what is being said? Or is it maybe which political party is saying it?

Alex Higginbotham

Junior

History